January 21, 2020
UPDATE [Wednesday, 2:53 p.m.] — The Phillies have made official all four of their reported signings over the past 36 hours, including the Drew Storen deal, as the team prepares for spring training, which kicks off next month in Clearwater, Fla.
#Phillies have signed the following players to minor league contracts with invitations to attend major league spring training as non-roster invitees: pic.twitter.com/jcEGC8mmLK
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) January 22, 2020
The time is ripe for the Phillies to make some moves in the margins, with spring training set to begin in less than a month. And the squad did just that Tuesday, signing Drew Storen to a minor league deal.
Veteran reliever Drew Storen signs a minor-League deal with the #Phillies and invite to big-league training camp. The former #Nats closer will earn $750,000 if he’s on Phillies’ major-league roster.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 21, 2020
The inclusion of a little incentive for the 32-year-old could be a vote of confidence for the one-time closer, who is fresh off of his worst showing in eight MLB seasons (in 2017, the last time he pitched).
Storen is known by most Phillies fans due to his time in Washington. In six years with the Nationals, Storen saved 95 games with a 3.02 ERA during his time there. After so-so appearances with the Blue Jays, Mariners and Reds, Storen was shut down to undergo Tommy John surgery at the end of 2017. He attempted to make it as a Royal in 2019 but didn't make the cut.
While there is no guarantee he will ever return to his 2011 form, a year that saw him earn 43 saves, there is certainly room in the pen for an experienced arm.
Here's a look at the options Philly will be selecting from to create its bullpen:
| IP | ERA | K/BB | |
| Hector Neris | 311.2 | 3.29 | 395/106 |
| Victor Arano | 74.2 | 2.65 | 80/23 |
| Seranthony Dominguez | 82.2 | 3.27 | 103/43 |
| Austin Davis* | 55.1 | 5.04 | 62/26 |
| Jose Alvarez | 334.1 | 3.63 | 297/106 |
| Enyel De Los Santos | 30.0 | 5.70 | 24/13 |
| Edgar Garcia | 39.0 | 5.77 | 45/26 |
| Adam Morgan* | 331.1 | 4.81 | 286/96 |
| Nick Pivetta | 390.2 | 5.34 | 417/147 |
| JD Hammer | 34.0 | 3.79 | 13/12 |
| Ranger Suarez* | 63.2 | 3.68 | 53/18 |
| Cole Irvin* | 41.2 | 5.83 | 31/13 |
| Trevor Kelley | 8.1 | 8.64 | 6/5 |
| Robert Stock | 50.1 | 4.11 | 53/21 |
| JoJo Romero | 392.2 | 4.26 | 351/135 |
| Adonis Medina | 473.0 | 3.60 | 429/156 |
| Mauricio Llovera | 372.2 | 3.45 | 402/124 |
| Christopher Sanchez* | 288.1 | 4.43 | 219/124 |
| Garrett Cleavinger* | 347.2 | 3.44 | 476/193 |
| Connor Brogdon | 180.0 | 2.50 | 230/58 |
| Kyle Dohy | 155.0 | 3.89 | 238.121 |
| Tyler Gilbert | 351.0 | 3.36 | 317/76 |
| Spencer Howard | 211.1 | 3.28 | 281/74 |
| Damon Jones | 253.2 | 3.34 | 313/129 |
| Ramon Rosso | 322.0 | 2.80 | 360/111 |
| Addison Russ | 152.2 | 3.66 | 200/44 |
| Zach Warren | 149.2 | 2.71 | 220/81 |
The Phils will be taking eight or nine of the above hurlers — including now Storen. You'll notice just Hector Neris has more than 300 innings as a reliever (Adam Morgan and Nick Pivetta have mostly started). Storen has 440.1 career innings pitched in relief. Having experience like that could be a big lift.
He'll be looking to prove it in Clearwater, and perhaps his experience can trickle down to help many of the young arms looking to compile the majority of Philly's pen.
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