Wilton Lopez set up to stabilize Phillies bullpen?
If you look at the peripherals, there aren't many relief pitchers more ideal for the Phillies than Astros righthander Wilton Lopez. He strikes batters out (7.3 per nine innings last season), does not walk any (1.1 BB/9) and has one of the better ground ball rates int he league (1.22 per flyball last year, nearly a half a ground ball better than the league average).
Wilton Lopez set up to stabilize Phillies bullpen?
David Murphy
If you look at the peripherals, there aren't many relief pitchers more ideal for the Phillies than Astros righthander Wilton Lopez. He strikes batters out (7.3 per nine innings last season), does not walk any (1.1 BB/9) and has one of the better ground ball rates int he league (1.22 per flyball last year, nearly a half a ground ball better than the league average).
Lopez is also 29 years old and under club control for the next three seasons, so you can understand why, according to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, the Phillies have finalized a deal to acquire the right-hander.
The Phillies lost 12 games in which they carried a lead into the eighth inning. They finished seven games behind St. Louis for the second Wild Card spot in the NL. In 2011, they lost 5 games in which they carried a lead into the eighth inning. You do the math.
Lopez recorded 10 saves and nine holds with three blown saves last season. He allowed 32 percent of his inherited runners to score, which is slightly above league average, although a drastic improvement over the 24-of-44 mark that the triumvirate of Michael Schwimer, Josh Lindblom and Chad Qualls combined to surrender.
Details on the move are still slim. A Sebastian Valle for Lopez deal would make sense for both sides, but that is just speculation. We will update as we get them. But if Lopez is indeed in the fold, it will give the Phillies a tremendous boost in the eighth inning, where they struggled mightily last season.
Now go pick up Figgins off the scrap heap for $480K and use him at home against lefties for some pop at 3rd for a year.— Souled0ut1- Hard to believe how far Figgins fell after going to the Mariners. He's probably too old to expect a comeback now but he's a guy liked back when he was available. He still has very good defensive numbers at third base. If you can get him cheap you'd have to consider him for a bench spot or something. — s
- Short memories in Philly. Amaro rocks.
— Rotcod - Valle is not a GREAT prospect by any stretch. He is a good one as Joseph is. Valle's numbers were terrible last year as he took a step back. This trade is a no brainer if it is Valle straight up for Lopez. Lopez is a stud set up guy who is under control through 2015 and is a ton cheaper than Broxton and the rest.— matty177
- Good under the radar, smart move if the prospect price is right. Lopez is solid. Houston needs catching (Castro hasn't played more than 80sh games in one season, and they let Snyder walk) so the Phils can deal from an area of depth in catching. Hopefully the biggest name in this trade for the Phils involves Valle, leaving us with Rupp and Joseph. I could live with that in exchange for a lock down 8th inning guy.
We'll see.
— Souled0ut1 - It's a good point about Valle. He really is the closest young catcher we have. Just wait -- after all this speculation no catchers will be involved in the trade. Having d'Arnaud would feel pretty good right now.— s
- I don't agree the 21 year old Valle took a step back last year. He was having a decent season at AA as he kept progressing nicely through the system, hitting .261 with 13 HR and 45 RBI in 83 games at AA. With the addition of Joseph they promoted him to AAA, where he hit 4 more HR in 22 games. His numbers at AA, where he should have been projected to 20+ HRs and 70+ RBI. That's a good production if you ask me.— EL Zorro
- At that level I should add.
— EL Zorro - It sounds like Upton may be close to signing with the Braves. If so, let's hope RAJ doesn't take that as a sign to pursue Bourn.— s
- It's 28th. Let's hurry and make a big trade before December. You bloggers are really funny.— 2smart4philly
- Good move getting Lopez!
I'm hoping Upton signs with Braves so we don't lose a draft pick and have a ,250 hitter in our lineup for five years.
— fafink - Valle is not a hitter...he is a swinger who has a walk to strikeout ratio of .22.He has the worst ration of any Phillie in the minors.— fafink
- Ruf, Howard and Hamilton in the same lineup would put a scare in the opposing pitcher.— fafink
- If they let a young catcher go now it wouldn't be the worse thing in the world. I like a lot of thee young BP arms that they already have but Lopez is more proven, so hells yeah! I hope if they do add another guy it is somebody like Schwimmer.— Paul SoTX
- You can't even read an article on this website anymore without advertisements popping up all over the screen. Don't you just love how you click on a link and a Netflix advertisement pops up? It's so freaking annoying.— Chief_Negotiator
