MLB insider predicts Philadelphia Phillies re-sign this free agent

MLB insider Mark Feinsand predicts that the Phillies could reunite with free-agent reliever Archie Bradley

After a largely disappointing season, the Philadelphia Phillies have a lot of free agents they won’t be sorry to see go.

However, there are a few that could return, despite hitting the open water this week, and MLB insider Mark Feinsand predicts that Archie Bradley is the one for the Phillies.

Ahead of the 2021 season, the Phillies signed Bradley to a one-year deal for $6M, surpassing any contract he’s had in his seven years in the big leagues. He posted a 3.71 ERA over 53 appearances, including closing 11 games and earning two saves.

As Feinsand noted, many of the Phillies’ new free agents are relievers, and with good reason: the Phillies bullpen led MLB in blown saves for the majority of the season, even tying the MLB single-season record of 34 set by the 2004 Colorado Rockies. Thankfully, the Washington Nationals made a late-season push and overtook them to set a new record of 35 blown saves.

In addition to Bradley, Hector Neris, Ian Kennedy, and sometimes-reliever Matt Moore are all free agents. Other than Bradley, the three now-free agent pitchers all struggled through inconsistent seasons that often bordered on awful.

While the former first-round pick’s 51 innings of work was his lowest inning count in a 162-game season since his rookie year in 2015, 38 of his 53 appearances were scoreless. He allowed three earned runs once, and never more. Compared to Neris, whose ERA looked more like the slopes and valleys of a heart monitor, Bradley was quite reliable. He also made most of his appearances on short rest, and still managed to be one of the Phillies’ more effective relievers.

However, the Phillies could be concerned by some of Bradley’s 2021 numbers. His hit, home run, and walks per nine all increased while his strikeout rate dropped, all by significant margins. The return to a 162-game season after the shortened 2020 likely contributed to his struggles, as it did for many players, but it could still hurt his chances in free agency.

The Phillies have many offseason needs if they want to compete with the reigning champion Atlanta Braves, but building a quality bullpen should be at the top of their to-do list. Re-signing Bradley is a good jumping-off point.