Archie Bradley ‘fired up’ to join Phillies bullpen, win

The newest Philadelphia Phillies reliever, Archie Bradley, has pitched in more than 250 games across six big-league seasons and two teams in the Arizona Diamondbacks and Cincinnati Reds since his April 2015 big-league debut.

While the right-hander pitched for both teams just this past season, one could not feel any sense of him dreading another move during his introductory press conference on Monday. In fact, Bradley was the exact opposite. “I’m happy to be a Phillie. I’m very fired up,” he said. “I had a great run in Arizona. My last month in Cincy was great, too.”

Bradley said that ever since he was non-tendered by the Reds in early December and hit the free-agent market, the Phillies were the main them that was interested in him from the very beginning.

Archie Bradley is not worried about how he will be used in the Phillies bullpen.

“They made it very known how badly they wanted me — not just for pitching, but some of the things I pride myself in, which is being a good teammate, being a leader, and my main focus: the win,” Bradley told reporters.

Envisioning questions about him possibly taking over as closer in 2021 — given his success in the role the past two seasons — Bradley was quick to deviate focus elsewhere. He said that he did not care to answer questions about close or save opportunities. Rather, he simply wanted to talk about winning.

“I want to talk about the Phillies getting better and our chance to go win a World Series. All that stuff will work itself out,” Bradley said. “Trust me, I want to take the ball in the ninth. I want to take the ball in any situation, but I want to talk about me being a Phillie. I want to talk about how we’re going to get better and how this team is going to go try and win the World Series.”

Ever since Bradley has pitched in the bullpen — dating back to the 2017 season — he has been among the best relievers in the game. Across 221 appearances, he has posted a combined 2.95 ERA, 1.197 WHIP, 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings, and 28 saves.

“We’re very excited to be able to add Archie Bradley to our organization and into our bullpen,” Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said. “He’s a quality major league pitcher that’s done a great job whatever he has pitched. You can see we put a focus on trying to improve our bullpen and we think we take another step forward by adding Archie. We’re thrilled to have him.”

Archie Bradley is ready to do ‘special things’ for the team, fans, and city.

Looking forward to carrying those numbers into the 2021 season in red pinstripes, the 28-year-old added that any time a team wants you and is willing to offer a contract, you “don’t take that for granted.”

“I’m fired up to be a Phillie. I’m glad it’s official,” he said. “I’m ecstatic to be a Phillie. I’m excited to go in and try to do cool things and special things for the city, this town, and the whole organization.”