The Phillies added an experienced reliever at the end of the game to their list of bullpen candidates.
Brandon Kintzler signed a contract with the club in the minor leagues, the sources confirmed. The 36-year-old right-hand led the Miami Marlins with 12 saves last year and set a career record of 29 when he launched for the Minnesota Twins and Washington Nationals in 2017.
Based on his track record, Kintzler, who was an All-Star with the Twins in 2017, has a good chance of winning a spot in the Phillies season opening bullpen. He’s one of a handful of substitutes added by the club since Dave Dombrowski was hired as president of baseball operations in December.
The bullpen move of Dombrowski’s signature was to hire free agent Archie Bradley. In addition, Dombrowski negotiated for Jose Alvarado and Sam Coonrod. He also hired veterans Neftali Feliz, Hector Rondon, Michael Ynoa, David Paulino and others, including Kintzler, in minor league businesses.
The Phillies had the worst bullpen in the majors in 2020. The team lost 21 games in which they maintained the lead in one point, mostly in the majors, and the bullpen ended with an ERA of 7.06.
Hector Neris returns to the bullpen in 2021 and Connor Brogdon, based on his work in 2020, managed to hold a spot. After that, the Phillies’ bullpen could have a lot of newcomers in 2021.
Despite hitting just 14 hitters and walking 11 in 24⅓ innings to Miami last year, Kintzler pitched for a 2.22 ERA and helped the Marlins make the post-season field expanded in 2020.
Kintzler was open to talking about how the Marlins, who were devastated by COVID-19 earlier in the season, were inspired by a trip to Philadelphia. While at the club, Marlins players heard NBC Sports Philadelphia pre- and post-game analyst Ricky Bottalico call them “bottom feeders”. It became a rallying cry for the Marlins, who overtook the Phillies in qualifying during the final days of the season. They even had the phrase printed on T-shirts.
Maybe Kintzler has an extra in his backpack for Ricky Bo.
Subscribe to the Phillies Talk podcast: Apple Podcasts | Google Play | Spotify | Stitcher | Art19 | Watch on youtube