Phillies sign Tommy Hunter to 2-year deal

Philadelphia picks up 2nd reliever during Winter Meetings.

The Phillies have agreed to a two-year deal with right-handed reliever Tommy Hunter, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports. The deal is “expected to be” in the $18 million range, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Philadelphia was reported to have an agreement in place with reliever Addison Reed, though that report was erroneous.

By picking up Hunter, the Phillies have added a second reliever to their bullpen in as many days after bringing back Pat Neshek on a two-year deal.

A 10-year veteran, Hunter is coming off a career season with the Rays, who signed him last winter to a minor-league deal. The 31-year-old, who has also played for the Rangers (2008-11), Orioles (2011-15, 2016), Cubs (2015) and Indians (2016), posted personal-bests in ERA (2.61), WHIP (0.97) and strikeouts per nine innings (9.8) while pitching 58 ²⁄₃ innings in 61 appearances.

The Phillies will also get some flexibility with Hunter, as he has also closed games and started before. Hunter has 17 career saves, with 11 of them coming in 2014 with the Orioles, and has started 75 games, but his main role since 2015 has been as a middle reliever. The Phillies could put Hunter in the closer’s spot instead of Hector Neris, but they may opt to keep Neris in that role, have Hunter pitch the eighth and Neshek throw in the seventh, respectively.