Phillies

Yea or Nay? – Corey Knebel and Kyle Schwarber

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Nov 30th, 2021 · 11:22 AM EST

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Let’s get it back to baseball with some Phillies tidbits.

First:

Phillies expressing serious interest in free-agent reliever Corey Knebel, sources tell me and @Jaysonst.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 30, 2021

Knebel was a 2017 All Star in Milwaukee but has pitched just 38 innings since 2018.  He did his hamstring that season, and went on the DL before being demoted to the minors. In 2019, he had right elbow soreness, then underwent Tommy John surgery and was DFA’d by the Brewers.

He suffered a lateral strain this year, but otherwise had a good 2021 season with the Dodgers. 25 innings pitched, most in relief, but some as an opener as well. He posted a 2.45 ERA, and HR/9 + BB/9 numbers that were very close to what he was logging in the early part of his career. He just turned 30 this month and would probably be considered a gamble based on his injury history.

There’s also this:

Phillies snd Marlins are among teams linked to Kyle Schwarber.

Some numbers to consider …

In 91 games in NL East parks, he has 32 home runs. That’s 57 HRs per 162 games.

He has 1.188 career OPS vs. Mets, 1.189 vs. Marlins.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 30, 2021

You know Schwarber. World Series champ with the Cubs, then went to Washington and was traded to Boston midway through this season.

He slashed .266/.374/.554 this year and went to the All Star Game. Turns 29 in March, and fits the need for a run producer in the middle of the Phillies’ lineup. Defensively? Well, let’s just say he’s not the second coming of Andruw Jones. He’s mostly a home run, walk, or strikeout guy. Anthony tells me he’d rather have Nick Castellanos.

What say you?