Phils Acquire Reliever Soto from Tigers for Vierling, Maton

2023 Chachi New Additions #6

2022 Topps Now #342

2022 Topps Now #934

2022 Topps Now #719

2022 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs #33

The Phillies bullpen got stronger on Saturday, but it cost the team two young and popular players who both played a part in getting the club to the World Series in 2022.  Gregory Soto (lhp) and Kody Clemens (inf) were acquired from the Detroit Tigers for Matt Vierling (of), Nick Maton (inf) and Donny Sands (c).

Soto was an All-Star with the Tigers in 2021 and 2022, and he converted 30 of 33 save opportunities last season.  He appeared in a career-high 64 games, striking out 60 in 60 1/3 innings pitched.  His most recent mainstream baseball card can be found in the 2022 Topps set, and he began appearing in Bowman sets in 2018.  He wore #65 with the Tigers, and presumably he'll take that number with the Phillies too.  Clemens, son of former pitcher Roger Clemens, made his big league debut last season in May.  In 56 games with the Tigers, he batted .145 (17 for 117) while seeing time at third base, first base, second base, left field and seven games (!) as a reliever in blow-out losses.  He received a Topps Now card last season to mark his call-up.

It's tough to see Vierling and Maton go, as both were fan favorites and I'll forever associate both with the improbable march to the World Series in 2022.  Both came up with the team in 2021, filling in at various times as regulars.  Maton appeared in 86 games for the Phillies, batting .254.  He'll be remembered for the game-winning home run he hit off the Marlins' Sandy Alcantara in mid-September and the walk-off single against the Reds in early September to keep the Phillies' play-off hopes alive.

Vierling appeared in 151 games, batting .260 with eight home runs and 38 RBIs.  He struggled in the postseason, batting just .154 while getting starts in center field in Games 2 and 6 of the World Series.  Vierling had a few big hits in 2022, including his ninth inning home run off Brewers' closer Josh Hader in June and a 10th inning walk-off single against the Blue Jays in late September.  Doug fortunately got him to autograph a few cards at the Philly Show a month ago.

Donny Sands made it into three games with the Phillies in 2022, going 0 for 3.  He was used sparingly, but was on the active roster for 21 games.  Sands received a card in the IronPigs team set to mark his time with the club.

Departures - 2022-2023 Offseason

• Johan Camargo - inf (10/7/22) - Elected free agency, signed with the Minnesota Twins, 11/27/22.
• Michael Kelly - rhp (10/14/22) - Elected free agency.
• Chris Devenski - rhp (11/6/22) - Elected free agency, signed with the Los Angeles Angels, 11/28/22.
• Kyle Gibson - rhp (11/6/22) - Elected free agency, signed with the Baltimore Orioles, 12/5/22.
• Brad Hand - lhp (11/6/22) - Elected free agency.
• Corey Knebel - rhp (11/6/22) - Elected free agency.
• David Robertson - rhp (11/6/22) - Elected free agency, signed with the New York Mets, 12/9/22.
• Noah Syndergaard - rhp (11/6/22) - Elected free agency, signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, 12/16/22.
• Zach Eflin - rhp (11/7/22) - Elected free agency, signed with the Tampa Bay Rays, 12/13/22.
• Jean Segura - 2b (11/7/22) - Elected free agency, signed with the Miami Marlins, 1/4/23.
• Mark Appel - rhp (11/11/22) - Elected free agency.
• Jorge Bonifacio - of (11/11/22) - Elected free agency.
• Nick Duron - rhp (11/11/22) - Elected free agency.
• Yairo Munoz - inf (11/11/22) - Elected free agency.
• Bubby Rossman - rhp (11/11/22) - Elected free agency.
• Nick Maton - inf , Matt Vierling - of and Donny Sands - c (1/7/23) - Traded to the Detroit Tigers for Gregory Soto and Kody Clemens.

New Additions - 2022-2023 Offseason

• Luis Ortiz - rhp (11/9/22) - Claimed off waivers from the San Francisco Giants.
• Andrew Vasquez - rhp (11/9/22) - Claimed off waivers from the San Francisco Giants.
• Jake Cave - of (12/2/22) - Claimed off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles.
• Noah Song - rhp (12/7/22) - Selected from the Boston Red Sox in the annual rule 5 draft.
• Trea Turner - ss (12/8/22) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
• Matt Strahm - lhp (12/9/22) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Boston Red Sox.
• Taijuan Walker - rhp (12/16/22) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the New York Mets.
• Erich Uelmen - rhp (1/4/23) - Acquired from the Chicago Cubs for cash considerations.
• Craig Kimbrel - rhp (1/4/23) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
• Gregory Soto - lhp and Kody Clemens - inf (1/7/23) - Acquired from the Detroit Tigers for Nick Maton, Matt Vierling and Donny Sands.