Phillies trade Matt Vierling, Nick Maton for Tigers closer Gregory Soto, per reports
Phillies close to acquiring Tigers closer Gregory Soto, per reports Original publication: NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Phillies We are close to acquiring Gregory Soto, a left-handed reliever from the Detroit TigersAccording to the first report by Jim Salisbury.
The Phils will send utilityman Nick Maton, outfielder Matt Vierling According to, Donny Sands was the catcher for Soto in Detroit. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi. Roger’s son Kody Clemens, utilityman for the Phils, will also be available to them.
Soto is a lefty with a high level of leverage and hard work ethic who has served as the Tigers’ closer for the past two seasons. He saved 48 games in 126 games, with a 3.34 ERA. He allowed many baserunners in both years, walking 74 over 124 innings with an 1.36 WHIP. However, he also kept the long ball to nine. The spacious dimensions of Comerica Park accounted for some of this, something Citizens Bank Park will not be able to afford.
Soto turns 28 this February. This offseason marks his first year of arbitration eligibility. He won’t be eligible for free agency until after 2025. He was paid $722,400 last season. This year, he is expected to make $3 million.
They are trading players from last season’s Vierling and Maton wins, but they also bring back a skilled reliever at the peak of his career and still under club control. The bullpen has been redesigned and now features two right-handers. Seranthony Dominguez And Craig Kimbrel Jose Alvarado and Soto Alvarado, two lefties who are hard-throwing. Although there is a lot of late-game experience and swing-and-miss in this group, Kimbrel Alvarado, Jose Alvarado, and Soto all have their moments of wildness.
The Phillies also have lefty Matt StrahmThis was their first bullpen expansion of the offseason. He signed a $15 million, two-year contract. Dominguez and Kimbrel, Soto Alvarado, Strahm, and right-handers Connor Brogdon And Andrew Bellatti Barring injury, it is likely that he will claim seven of the bullpen’s nine or eight spots.
Other people in the photo include lefty swingmen Bailey Falter Cristopher Sanchez, long reliefr Nick Nelson, Sam Coonrod Francisco Morales, Andrew Baker and their prospects
It is not clear who will close. Dominguez, Alvarado saved the Phillies games last season. Kimbrel, a future Hall of Fame closer, lost his job with the Phillies. Dodgers After six months of ups and downs, Soto became a closer in September. The Phillies spent the majority of their last two seasons without having a designated closer. They could match up based on matchups or who is throwing well.
After six losses in the World Series to the Phillies, Dave Dombrowski, president and CEO of baseball operations for the Phillies, this offseason has been very busy. Astros. Signed by the Phils Trea Turner For $300 million Taijuan Walker Strahm was purchased for $15 million, Kimbrel $10 million and they are now ready to add Soto into their bullpen.
The Phillies’ luxury tax payroll would increase to approximately $254million if this trade is made. The 2023 luxury tax threshold is $233million. The Phillies exceeded this threshold last year, and they would be subject to a 30% tax on any overages this season. A 12.5 percent surcharge is applied to any amount that exceeds the tax limit of more than $20,000,000 At the end of each season, the luxury tax bills of teams are calculated.