Today the Phillies announced the signing of RHP Chad Qualls to a one-year $1.15 million contract. Qualls, a 33-year-old reliever, who has 8 seasons of big league experience, most recently pitched with the Padres in 2011. With San Diego, Qualls posted a 6-8 record with a 3.51 ERA in 77 appearances.
However, in 2010, over 70 combined games with Arizona and Tampa Bay, Qualls struggled a considerable amount, as he sported a 3-4 record with a 7.32 ERA.
In 537 career outings, all in relief, Qualls, a University of Nevada, Reno product, has posted a 38-34 record with a 3.78 ERA and a .263 batting average against.
Generally, an inexpensive commitment for a veteran arm, even one with an up and down track record, isn’t something to be greatly concerned with, but considering the effect that Qualls’ presence could have on the future on the team as well as his career numbers at the Phillies’ home park this is not an acquisition that Philadelphia fans should be pleased with.
As PhilliesNation’s Corey Seidman points out, the presence of another veteran could stunt the progress of the younger, “homegrown” relievers, like Phillippe Aumont, Justin De Fratus and Michael Schwimer, who the Phillies could/should be relying on in the near future. Along with Mike Stutes, last season’s star rookie out of the ‘pen, that group has what it takes to fill out a relief corp led by experienced hurlers such as Jonathan Papelbon, Jose Contreras, Kyle Kendrick and Dontrelle Willis.
In addition to that down side, there is Qualls’ horrendous statistical history in Philadelphia. In 13 career games at Citizens Bank Park, the former 2nd round draft pick by the Astros has posted a 2-2 record with 1 blown save and an 11.12 ERA. Worst of all is that fact that Qualls has allowed 7 homeruns in 11 1/3 career innings pitched at CBP. Those numbers certainly force one to wonder what the appeal of adding this sometimes serviceable talent could be.
With pitching becoming a strength of the team in recent years, it's alarming that general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. would add a massive question mark like Qualls, who could interfere with the maturation of the highly touted arms the Phillies have on the rise.
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Danny Ozark was the Phillies' manager from 1973-1979. During his tenure as the team's general, Ozark led Philadelphia to three straight division titles. In his playing days, Ozark was a first baseman, who was a career minor leaguer in the Dodgers system. When Ozark took over the team in 1973, the Phillies were fresh off 5 consecutive losing seasons and 3 straight last place finishes. During his first season in charge, the Phillies would again finish in last place, 20 games under .500, but as his core of young talent, like Mike Schmidt and Larry Bowa, developed, the Phillies' win totals rose. Within 2 years, the Phillies were above .500 and in the playoff hunt until late in the season and the most successful era of Phillies history was about to begin. By 1976, the Phillies were headed to the post-season for the first time since 1950. The Phils would enjoy a 10-game lead over their nearest division rival at the midway point of the season. Despite a lul, which saw their lead d...
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