The Philadelphia Phillies made an intriguing outfield acquisition, signing to a one-year, $10 million deal, as reported by MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki and Mark Feinsand, with confirmation from ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Outfield depth has been a significant focus for the Phillies this offseason, and it remains uncertain whether additional moves are forthcoming. Kepler, who previously spent his entire career with the Minnesota Twins, brings a high-upside, low-risk option similar to the Phillies’ other major offseason signing, reliever Jordan Romano—both on one-year deals.
Kepler’s 2024 season was marred by injuries, including a right knee contusion in April and patellar tendinitis along with a hip issue that sidelined him after September 1. These setbacks likely contributed to his struggles at the plate, as he batted just .207 with a .516 OPS and one home run in his final 22 games. Overall, the 31-year-old left-handed hitter seeks a fresh start in Philadelphia after over a decade with Minnesota.
In a separate move, the Phillies also agreed to a minor league deal with left-handed pitcher Nick Vespi, per Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Vespi, 29, will attend big league camp as a non-roster invitee. He has pitched 53 1/3 innings over the past three seasons with the Orioles, posting a respectable 3.88 ERA, modest strikeout numbers (20.9%), and excellent control (5.9% walk rate). Known for his finesse approach, Vespi could offer valuable depth for Philadelphia’s bullpen.