Philadelphia Phillies: Jeurys Familia was just what they needed
By Tim Boyle
If you were left unimpressed by the addition of Corey Knebel to be the Philadelphia Phillies closer in 2022, you are not alone. Back when they signed him, I wondered what they were thinking. Taking some time to let it sink in, I realized they’re going with the strategy of throwing whatever they can at the wall and seeing what sticks. They needed to add as many guys with closer experience as they could.
The team decided to do exactly what I had hoped they would. They signed another former closer. This time, it was Jeurys Familia.
The longtime New York Mets reliever had a terrific stint as their closer in 2015 and 2016. Those days are now long in the past. He spent the last three years back with New York after a brief stop with the Oakland Athletics, pitching mostly as a setup man. The results weren’t great. However, given the Phillies’ great need for arms, it’s not a horrendous move.
Where Jeurys Familia fits in with the Philadelphia Phillies bullpen.
The thought behind signing Familia could be something as simple as providing them with a backup plan if Knebel isn’t a successful closer. Although Familia hasn’t been closing regularly since the first half of 2018, he has pitched big innings before. On the Phillies, he should get them again.
The Phillies needed high-leverage relievers, perhaps more than any other hopeful contender. Familia happened to be available. They didn’t waste much time after the lockout in making him a member of their family.
Career numbers for Familia are a little tricky to judge because of the major difference between the first part and his last three seasons. Through 2018, he had a 2.73 ERA and 124 saves in 352.2 innings. The last three seasons include a 4.62 ERA in 146 innings and only a single save.
The clichéd “low-risk, high reward” notion applies with the deal worth $6 million for one season with the possibility of reaching $7 million.
Next. Phillies all-time starting lineup. dark
The Phillies don’t seem committed to any long-term deals with their bullpen additions. The two free agent signings are under one-year contracts. As underwhelming as each is individually, together, they can help provide the Phillies with some security.