Kintzler, Joyce agree to deals with Phillies
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PHILADELPHIA -- Brandon Kintzler should find plenty of opportunities to be inspired by Phillies media this year.
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said on Wednesday that Kintzler agreed to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training. One source said that Kintzler turned down a guaranteed big league deal from the Marlins because he can make more money with the Phillies. If Kintzler makes the Opening Day roster, he will earn $3 million, plus as much as $1 million more in incentives.
Dombrowski also said on Wednesday that the Phillies agreed to a Minor League deal with outfielder Matt Joyce, who slashed .252/.351/.331 in 148 plate appearances last season with Miami. He has a .772 OPS and 112 OPS+ over 13 years with seven teams. Joyce will earn $1.5 million plus performance bonuses if he makes the Phillies' roster, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.
Kintzler, 36, had a 2.22 ERA, 5.00 FIP and 12 saves in 24 appearances last season for Miami. He walked 14 and struck out 11.
Phillies fans might remember that Kintzler took offense to a comment made by NBC Sports Philadelphia analyst Ricky Bottalico last summer, following Miami’s season-opening victory over the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
Bottalico called the Marlins “bottom feeders” on the station’s postgame show.
So after the Marlins clinched a National League Wild Card berth and beat the Cubs in the NL Wild Card Series, Kintzler spoke about the “Bottom Feeders” T-shirts the Marlins wore on the field.
“We’re still here. You can’t get rid of us,” Kintzler said. “I don’t care if we’re bottom feeders. Want to thank Ricky Bottalico for that motivation [on] Opening Weekend in Philly. He’s probably the one who sent the Phillies home for that.”
The Phillies have added relievers Archie Bradley, José Alvarado and Sam Coonrod to the 40-man roster since Dombrowski joined the organization in December. Chase Anderson and Matt Moore signed as starters, but both could pitch out of the bullpen if they don’t win rotation jobs. Besides Kintzler, the Phillies also signed Héctor Rondón, David Paulino, Bryan Mitchell, Neftalí Feliz and Michael Ynoa to Minor League contracts with invitations to Spring Training.