The Phillies have made a massive bullpen upgrade, signing right-handed pitcher Corey Knebel for the upcoming season.

Is this real life or fantasy, or are the Phillies truly going after bullpen help after years of costly losses? We finally signed a pitcher that can come into games without grinding our teeth with a seven-run lead in the 9th. Knebel is a 30-year-old pitcher from the state of Texas. Knebel has been in the league for the past eight years with the Brewers and Dodgers. He comes off a season with a 2.45 ERA, having one of the most dominant relievers in the league.

The Phillies' biggest struggles always have all come down to the bullpen. Baseball's most prominent position will forever and always be pitching. In baseball, you should usually be able to score just 4 runs a game and win just off pitching. The problem for last season was the Phillies had the hitters who could get those needed runs. The Phillies bullpen had the potential to give up 8 runs a game.

The Phillies, however, do have new holes to fill in the bullpen. With Hector Neris leaving the team for the Houston Astros, we hope that Dombrowski has more up his sleeve to get as many new relievers as possible. We still also need more power hitters and a center fielder with the departure of Herrera and McCutchen. Schwarber, Bryant, and Story are still on the table and need a situated place.

Tonight may be the last night that will see another signing. Major League Baseball will begin a lockout tonight as the MLB and MLBPA could not reach for next season. The MLB had a Lockout was back in 1994, which ended the 1994 season entirely, and started the 1995 season late. Hopefully, both parties' terms will come into play, and the league gets back on track before spring training.

 

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