Reports: Phillies sign John Lannan
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Reports: Phillies sign John Lannan
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Phillies filled two holes Saturday, first with the addition of setup man Mike Adams, and then John Lannan as the fifth starter.
Lannan agreed to a one-year, $2.5 million deal as reported by CSNPhilly.com and CBSSports.com. The 28-year-old is the favorite to slide into the rotation spot vacated by Vance Worley. At $2.5 million, the risk is small, and Lannan could shift to the bullpen as a long man if ineffective in the rotation.
The lefthander fits the description of a "low-risk, high-reward" starter Ruben Amaro Jr. said he was seeking. Marginalized in Washington, Lannan made only six starts in 2012. He has a career ERA of 4.01 in six seasons.
He is not a strikeout pitcher (4.7 per nine innings) and has struggled with control (3.4 walks per nine innings). His career numbers mirror that of a typical fifth starter, if not better. Lannan's fastball typically averages 88-89 m.p.h. and he relies on a change-up while also throwing a curveball and slider.
The Phillies usually crushed Lannan to the tune of a 5.53 ERA in 19 career starts. But remove his pitiful numbers against the Phillies and his career ERA drops from 4.01 to 3.80. He has a 6.49 ERA in eight career starts at Citizens Bank Park.
Lannan is perhaps best known among Phillies fans for breaking Chase Utley's hand with an errant pitch in his major-league debut five years ago. Eleven of his 30 career hit batters have been Phillies.
After being hit, Utley then said he did not think Lannan was throwing at him.
"I don't think he was trying to hit me," Utley said that day. "It kinda got away from him. He's a young guy. He hit two guys in a row. I don't think he was throwing at us."
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
now make the trade for Trumbo. If Kendrick gets it done, move Kendrick and sign Marcum or someone to fill the 4 spot.— high water- SyddBarret - I agree that McCarthy would have been better.
I would not put it past Amaro to sign another starting pitcher.— s - -s I think you are dead on. Another pitcher is in the works.
But they also need the corner OF'er bat. Swisher over Ross. But would rather trade a couple of prospects for Trumbo.— 24sDad - This guy will fill the Blanton role for a quarter of the price, nothing wrong with that.— Sidewinder7
- Agreed. This is a good pickup at good value with a strong upside.
Always questioned his fortitude, but this was also before the Nats were in full beast mode. He never really got the chance to pitch for that lineup.
Now, go get Swisher. Or trade for Trumbo. Or lift Quinton Berry from the Tigers. Or Snoop Dog Heisey from the Reds. Fill that corner.— 24sDad - If they don't sign some offense this won't really matter.
They are running out of options (if there are any left?).
Either Chase will miss 3-4 months again or Howard will hit sub 220.
If both happen, which is very possible, we'll enjoy another 162
games wondering if they will score a run or two.— groove_busters - High Water......What on Earth do the Phils have to offer for Trumbo???— DONDEN31
- A high minor catcher (Valle) and a mid-minor upside pitcher. Both needs Angels desire.
Plus.— 24sDad - Think Harry The K: We got hiiighhh hopes ... hiiiiigh hopes!
I'm also wondering how we'd pull that off. The Angels need pitchers but major leaguers not prospects.— s - KK is a nice piece. it would be nice if Kendrick got it done. If these young power hitting outfielders are available, phils have to be involved. you can always buy a pitcher. phils have money when these guys hit free agency, time to rob a poor teams cupboard.
- Hey, I've got an idea.....How about offering the Angels Lannan for Trumbo straight up. Not enough? Ok, throw in Michael Martinez to sweeten the deal! — SteveS11
- Thank you for recognizing my intelligence. You are aware that he will be pitching his hiome games at Citizens Bank Park. You are aware that the reason his ERA was higher against the Phils was becasue they tuned him up at Citizens Bank Park?— gtnestro
- Very aware. That was back when the Phils had healthy and in their prime- Utley,Howard,Werth,Victorino led offenses too. CBP now rates as no more than a "neutral" field for hitters and pitchers. Not the bandbox some originally thought. That was more based on the ridiculous nucleus of Phillie hitters bashing everyone that came to the park. Lannan wasnt the only one to feel that wrath. — cdedrick05
- This is the only issue I have with what is a good signing, Lannan is not the right pitcher for CBP..someone said he was a ground ball pitcher, don't see that either, I see a 89 mpg fastball that he better keep down... — TexasYankee
- Good signing at a great price...if he goes 10-10 that's all they could have expected. If he goes 10-7 it's big bonus time.....this guy can be an effective started in this league as long as he doesn't have to face us....and with learning a few tricks from Hamels and Lee, maybe remakes himself into a better pitcher as KK did with hanging around Halladay.— Mark1npt
