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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Joe Blanton continues to excel and prove his worth in the Phillies pitching rotation. In his latest outing on Sunday, Blanton threw 8 strong innings, striking out 6, while walking just 1 and surrendering 2 earned runs, improving his record to 7-4. This season in July, Joe is 3-0 over four starts with 22 K's, 5 walks and a 1.21 ERA. Over his last 6 starts, Joe's ERA is 1.94. As a member of the Phillies, Blanton has a 3.84 ERA after the all star break with a 5-0 record. The Phillies are 20-12 (.625 winning percentage) in games that Blanton has started, since being acquired last July. Combined this season against other National League playoff contenders St. Louis, Chicago and Los Angeles, Blanton has a combined 1.67 ERA in 4 starts with a 2-0 record. Blanton is on such a sizzling run that the Bowling Green Hot Rods, a Tampa Bay Rays farm team, will host a Joe Blanton bobble head give away tomorrow. Bowling Green will host Joe's mother, father and sister for the event, as Joe...
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