The Phillies have acquired left-hander Gregory Soto and traded Cody Clemens from the Detroit Tigers for infielder Nick Matton, outfielder Matt Vierling and catcher Tony Sands, president of baseball operations David Dombrowski announced Saturday.
Phyllis Host: LHP Gregory Soto, infielder Cody Clemens
Tigers host: Utility Nick Madden, Matt Vierling, C Tony Sands (No. 21 Phillies prospect)
Soto had 48 saves in 52 save opportunities over the past two seasons and was an All-Star in both seasons. His 5.00 walk per nine-inning ratio has been over his four-year career, and when he allows hard contact, he can hit hitters with his sinker or four-seamer, both of which average above .90mph.
Soto went 2-11 this season, but finished fifth in the American League. He also had a career-best 3.28 ERA and allowed just two home runs in 60.1 innings. The 27-year-old Dominican is under contract control for the third consecutive season.
Vierling hit 117 games in 2022, his second major league season. He hit .246, but had an expected .279 average due to strong exit velocity and hard-hit rates. Played at least 30 games at every outfield position.
Madden, 25, showed off his versatility last year by making double-digit appearances at three positions — second base, left field and right field. He hit five home runs in 72 major league at-bats, but he also struck out 34.1% of the time and finished with a 31.1 hard-hit percentage.
Sands is Philadelphia’s No. 21 prospect according to MLB Pipeline. He has increased his power and improved his defense over the past two seasons. He made his major league debut last year, impressing in three games for the Phillies.
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