The Phillies hot stove started off cold, gained much momentum with the signings of pitchers Tommy Hunter and Pat Neshek, before it reached full tilt with the signing of Carlos Santana to play first base. While still not too hot, the Phillies will add a couple players on minor-league contracts who will have the opportunity to make the big league club.
Chris Cotillo of SB Nation reports that the Phillies have agreed to minor league contracts with both pitcher Steve Geltz and infielder Will Middlebrooks.
Geltz (who comes with a name similar to 1980s shortstop Steve Jeltz, which has already led to plenty of jokes from Phillies fans) pitched in the major leagues with the Los Angeles Angels (201) and the Tampa Bay Rays (2014 – 2016). Lifetime he has a record of 2-9 with a 4.23 earned run average in 110 major league games, all but two in relief. His best year came in 2015 when he appeared in 70 games for the Rays, compiling a 2-6 record and 3.74 earned run average. Geltz pitched for the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers in 2017, going 2-2 with a 2.36 earned run average in 36 games.
Middlebrooks is best known for his time with the Boston Red Sox, which included a World Series Championship in 2013. After the 2014 season, Middlebrooks was traded to the San Diego Padres for catcher Ryan Hanigan (who spent 2017 Spring Training with the Phillies, coincidentally). Since then Middlebrooks had a cup of coffee with the Milwaukee Brewers (2016) and Texas Rangers (2017). A fun fact from veteran reporter Jayson Stark posting his year-end "Strange But True" column on Facebook: Middlebrooks hit two pinch-triples on September 6, thanks to an interleague double-header. Middlebrooks has primarily been a third baseman but has made appearances at shortstop, second base and first base. Middlebrooks is a lifetime .228 hitter in 1150 at bats.
Expect more minor league signings in coming weeks as Phillies look to create depth at Triple-A.
