Phillies sign Pat Neshek to 2-year deal

ORLANDO -- The Phillies are bringing back reliever Pat Neshek on a two-year deal for $16.25 million and a club option for 2020, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports. MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki first noted a reunion could be announced this week.

Neshek spent the first four months of the season with the Phillies before being traded to Colorado at the trade deadline, posting a 1.12 ERA in 40.1 innings and earning his second All-Star nod. He worked to a 2.45 ERA in 22 innings down the stretch with Colorado, putting himself in solid position to land another multi-year guarantee in free agency.

Neshek, 37, will provide a veteran presence in a Phillies bullpen that will likely include Hector Neris, Luis Garcia, Edubray Ramos and Adam Morgan next season. He’s the first free-agent signing of the winter for Philadelphia, though the club is expected to make more additions to the pitching staff as the offseason rolls on.

Neshek is a veteran of 11 major-league seasons with Minnesota, San Diego, Oakland, St. Louis, Houston, Philadelphia and Colorado. He owns a lifetime 2.75 ERA in 494 career appearances.

Neshek is the latest veteran reliever to get a deal during the winter meetings, joining new Cardinal Luke Gregerson and new Cub Brandon Morrow. For every free-agent signing this winter, be sure to keep up with our Free Agent Tracker.