Phillies rumor: Team prominent in race for Dellin Betances

Another Phillies rumor links them to a former Joe Girardi reliever

The Phillies and Mets are “prominent” in the race to sign free agent reliever Dellin Betances, according to Jack Curry of the YES Network and Jon Heyman of Fancred and MLB Network.

Betances, of course, is another former Yankee who played for Phillies manager Joe Girardi, who clearly had some push when it came to signing Didi Gregorius this offseason.

This latest Phillies rumor is the second involving Betances and Philadelphia after the New York Post called Girardi “Raider Joe” after his reported desire to add Gregorius, Betances, and Austin Romine were rumored, although Romine later signed with Detroit.

It’s likely Betances will sign on a short-term deal after pitching only five innings last season due to injury. When healthy, Betances can be one of the best relievers in baseball, keeping an ERA below 3.10 and pitching in at least 66 games in his first five full big league seasons.

A four-time All-Star, Betances would help stabilize the Phillies bullpen after they lost several veterans to free agency and injury over the last nine months. Former Yankees closer David Robertson will likely miss the entire season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and the Phillies are relying on a healthy Adam Morgan and Seranthony Dominguez to provide late-inning support.

Pat Neshek, Tommy Hunter, Jared Hughes, Juan Nicasio, Blake Parker, and Edubray Ramos are all free agents.

Signing Betances will also (likely) keep the Phillies under the luxury tax, which general manager Matt Klentak acknowledged the Phillies are up against after adding Jean Segura, Bryce Harper, Andrew McCutchen, and Robertson last offseason.

A one year deal with an option attached wouldn’t hurt either side and could give the Phillies a tremendous low-risk/high-reward set-up man in their bullpen while fighting a weak free agent market. I’d expect this one to come to a head quickly.