Philadelphia Phillies, Mystery Reliever Agree To Terms Pending Physical

With Christmas a couple of days away, Ruben Amaro Jr. has finished the majority of his shopping.

He signed Placido Polanco as his new third baseman, retooled the bench with Juan Castro, Ross Gload and Brian Schneider, and traded for Roy Halladay.

The only item left on Amaro’s to-do list is to solidify a bullpen that blew 22 saves and had a 3.91 earned run average last year, which ranked ninth in the National League.

Salisbury says a person with knowledge told him that the Phils have an agreement in place with a relief pitcher pending a physical, which will take place in the first week of January. His source could not give him who the reliever is, but another source pointed to Danys Baez.

Baez appeared in 59 games with the Baltimore Orioles, rebounding after a 2008 season lost to elbow surgery. He posted a 4.02 earned run average and held opposing hitters to a .222 batting average in 71.2 innings.

The 32-year-old right-hander has experience in the eighth and ninth innings, something the Phillies are desperately looking for.

In his 10-year career, he has compiled 114 saves, including 96 as Cleveland and Tampa Bay‘s closer from 2003-05.

He broke into the majors with the Indians in 2001 when current Phillies skipper Charlie Manuel managed the Tribe. He has spent time with five teams in his career, including the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Baez made $5.5 million dollars with the O’s last year.

While Baez appears to be the player that the Phils are going to sign, it could be another reliever.

What we do know is that it is not Fernando Rodney, who signed with the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday. ESPN.com reported yesterday the Phils were interested in him.

Amaro hasn’t commented on any players he has been pursuing in the bullpen market, but recent reports have tied Mike MacDougal, Miguel Batista, Bob Howry, and Matt Capps. For all we know, it could very well be one of those arms.

MacDougal has been a name that has been linked to the Phillies quite a few times recently, but Salisbury claims it doesn’t appear as if Philadelphia is seriously considering his services.

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