Alfonseca officially signed

Antonio Alfonseca passed his physical after returning from pitching in the Dominican Winter League. Alfonseca’s clean bill of health is significant because of recent injury history. Last season a stress fracture in his right elbow allowed him to pitch only 19 games for the Texas Rangers last season.

The Phillies liked what they saw from Alfonseca while he was playing for the Azucareros. His velocity had returned to his fastball along with the sharpness to his slider. Alfonseca DWL numbers-16.2 innings with a hot 2.70 ERA-back up the conclusion of the Phillies scouting department.

Alfonseca will earn a base salary of $380,000. If he makes the team out of spring training than that number increases to $700,000. Alfonseca is also eligible to make another $400,000 in incentives. That contract makes Alfonseca an excellent value for the Phils.

The Alfonseca signing has no downside and a ton of upside. Worst-case scenario the Phillies get a good look at Alfonseca during Spring Training and find he is still unhealthy. In that case they eat his base salary and move on. In the dream scenario Alfonseca is healthy and plays up to his potential. Then he adds to depth at the end of the bullpen for a very reasonable price.

Sources:
Phillies sign Alfonseca to one-year deal
By Ken Mandel / MLB.com

Phils, Alfonseca agree to one-year deal
By Associated Press

Picture of Antonio Alfonseca from MLB.com