Via Mark Hale, the Yankees have acquired Chad Qualls from the Phillies for a player to be named later or cash. Philadelphia designated the veteran right-handed reliever for assignment earlier this week. No word on the corresponding roster moves yet.
Qualls, 33, was pretty awful with the Phillies — 4.60 ERA and 5.61 FIP — and has been awful for about three years now. Since the start of 2010, he’s pitched to a 5.08 ERA (4.31 FIP) in 164.2 innings, the fourth highest ERA among qualified relievers. Qualls is a sinker guy, relying on grounders (55.6% since 2010) and not strikeouts (6.07 K/9 and 15.3 K%). It is worth noting that he’s held right-handed batters to a .286 wOBA over the last three seasons, so he’s something of a specialist.
Qualls signed a one-year, $1.15M deal with the Phillies this past offseason, so he’s cheap and will become a free agent after the season. I’m still not quite sure why the Yankees traded for him unless someone — Cory Wade after his 58-pitch appearance the other day? — is going to the DL. I suppose it could also have something to do with David Aardsma’s setback. Kinda weird.
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