Fans are eagerly waiting for the Philadelphia Phillies to make a significant move this offseason.
Initially, there was speculation about the team potentially making major roster changes, including a trade involving All-Star third baseman Alec Bohm. However, it now seems increasingly unlikely that Bohm will be moved.
If that holds true, the Phillies may need to ramp up their activity in free agency, especially since their sole move during the Winter Meetings was acquiring reliever Jordan Romano. While addressing bullpen needs is important, signing Romano—who is coming off an injury-filled season—does little to ease concerns about whether the current roster can contend for a World Series title.
Despite any external pressure to make a headline-worthy move, the front office has remained relatively quiet. According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, the Phillies recently signed reliever to a minor league deal, which includes an invite to big league Spring Training.
Vespi, drafted in the 18th round by the Baltimore Orioles in 2015, debuted in the majors in 2022, appearing in 25 games with a 4.10 ERA over 26.1 innings. However, his opportunities diminished over the next two seasons, with just 20 appearances combined.
This signing is a low-risk move for the Phillies. Although Vespi pitched in only 11 games last season, he delivered impressive results with a 2.92 ERA and a 132 ERA+, suggesting he might be hitting his stride at 29 years old.
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