The Phillies have made what would seem like one final move to try and solidify the bullpen by signing veteran Chad Qualls.
From the Phillies:
Right-hander Chad Qualls signed a one-year, $1.15 million contract with the Phillies, Senior Vice President & General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. announced today. The contract includes performance and awards bonuses.
Qualls, 33, went 6-8 with a 3.51 ERA in a team-high 77 games for the San Diego Padres last season. In his final 19 appearances, he posted a 1.96 ERA and held opposing hitters to a .219 batting average. Qualls made the eighth-most relief appearances among all major league pitchers last year.
Over the past seven seasons (2005-11), Qualls has made more appearances (512) than any other major league pitcher and ranks second in relief wins (34), trailing only Jesse Crain (38).
Originally a second-round selection by the Houston Astros, Qualls has a career record of 38-34 with 51 saves and a 3.78 ERA in 537 games for the Astros (2004-07), Arizona Diamondbacks (2008-10), Tampa Bay Rays (2010) and Padres (2011).
Qualls will wear #50.
I think you’re all well aware of my stance on guys of this ilk. Is he going to be a big difference maker over cheaper, younger, less proven relief pitchers like Michael Schwimer or Justin De Fratus, among others? Not that it’s a waste of over $1 million, but it just seems like an unnecessary investment. Perhaps Ed Wade has his paws on this one, as Qualls is a former Houston Astro. That being said, Qualls has been a decent pitcher in this league for a long time.
