Philadelphia Phillies: 3 Free Agent Relievers to Tie Up Loose Ends

Yusmeiro Petit

Yusmeiro Petit has inconspicuously led a highly successful MLB career. He’s thrown 826 innings over 13 years, compiling a 3.97 ERA and 3.78 K:BB ratio. For four consecutive seasons, the finesse right-hander has posted an ERA of 3.00 or below, with his career-low 1.66 ERA occurring in 2020.

His outputs contradict assumptions. As a right-handed thrower, Petit disposes of left-handed hitters more effectively than right-handed hitters. He held lefties to a microscopic .077 batting average and .220 OPS last season. Lefties hit .240 against him in 2019 and .183 against him in 2018.

Petit has also fared just as well on the road as at home, which is shocking considering the notorious pitcher-friendly Oakland Coliseum has been his default park the past three seasons. His home/road ERA split in 2020 was 1.46/1.93; in 2019, it was 2.63/2.79. For Philadelphia Phillies fans, this is proof that he doesn’t need the help of a massive ballpark with infinite foul territory to excel.

The 36-year-old would be a great fit with the Phils. He’s averaged 89 innings out of the pen his last three full campaigns, he tallied a 100% left-on-base percentage in 2020, and his crafty approach throws an advantageous wrinkle in relief units primarily motivated by the radar gun.

Philadelphia can sign a proven, intelligent reliever for next to nothing.