After a busy week last week, capped off by a busy Friday, the Philadelphia Phillies had a quiet weekend. But they were back at it on Monday with another offseason reliever signing. However, Phillies fans probably shouldn't get too excited for this one.
The team announced late Monday afternoon that it had agreed to a contract for 2026 with right-hander Zach Pop, who last appeared in the majors with the rival New York Mets.
It's not exactly a ground-shaking move, especially after all the excitement we had last week with the signings of Adolis GarcĂa and Brad Keller and the trading of Matt Strahm.
Phillies sign reliever Zach Pop who last appeared in MLB with the Mets
Since being drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the seventh round of the 2017 MLB Draft, the 29-year-old Pop has bounced around, appearing in the majors with the Miami Marlins, the Toronto Blue Jays, the Seattle Mariners, and the Mets.
After beginning the 2025 season with Toronto, Pop found himself designated for assignment and elected free agency. He went to the Mariners but posted a 13.50 ERA in 5 1/3 frames.
He then caught on with the Mets, where he made one appearance which didn't go well. Pop allowed three runs on five hits over just 1 1/3 innings of work out of the bullpen on July 6. He was quickly DFA'd and headed to free agency after clearing waivers. He signed with the Chicago Cubs but that never went anywhere after he pitched to a 5.59 ERA in 9 2/3 innings in Triple-A.
Pop debuted with the Marlins in 2021, posting a 4.12 ERA in 54 1/3 innings. His best season came in 2022, when he posted a 2.77 ERA in 39 innings split between Miami and Toronto. He has a career 4.88 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with 126 strikeouts in 162 1/3 innings.
He throws a 96.4 mph sinker as his primary pitch, with a mid-80s sliders and a 93 mph cutter. He doesn't excel at much, but he did have a solid 5.1 percent walk rate this year, along with a high 54 .5 percent ground ball rate.
Pop immediately becomes a candidate to battle for a spot in the bullpen in spring training. However, the Canadian hurler doesn't have any minor league options remaining, so he'll have to make the team out of camp or risk being designated for assignment.