Phillies Reportedly Sign Reliever Bud Norris
By Evan Wolff
One of the downfalls of the Phillies in the 2019 season was certainly their multiple weaknesses in the bullpen.
Manager Joe Girardi and his braintrust have addressed that need once again on Tuesday, securing the signing of another veteran arm.
Source: #Phillies signing free-agent pitcher Bud Norris to minor-league deal.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) January 21, 2020
Philadelphia signed right-hander Bud Norris to a minor-league deal, with the hope that he will perform well enough in Spring Training to secure a roster spot. After the loss of David Robertson to an elbow injury last season, the Phillies collapsed under the inability to hold leads. Norris marks another signing that signals a bullpen overhaul from the expensive arms that cost Gabe Kaplar his job.
Phillies watched literally all of their expensive bullpen arms die last season - Neshek, Robertson, Hunter - all pen pieces making over $7 mill. I can’t blame them for not wanting to open the books for relievers
— Timothy (@TimTimothy69) January 21, 2020
Low-risk, high-reward.
After the catastrophe of not making the playoffs after being expected to win the division, and then watching their division rivals win it all, you can bet every single move the Phillies make this offseason will be calculated and low-risk. Should the Phillies fail again in 2020, the bullpen won't be the only thing that is overhauled.