Philadelphia Phillies sign pitcher Shawn Camp to minor league contract

It wasn’t a fantastic year for the Philadelphia Phillies bullpen (outside of their mostly underused closer, Jonathan Papelbon), and in response to that, the club has reportedly taken a chance on a reclamation project.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports is reporting that the Phillies have inked reliever Shawn Camp to a minor league contract, and I like this move quite a bit for Philly. Before last season (where he posted a ghastly 7.04 ERA in 23 innings with the Cubs), Camp put up four consecutive bullpen campaigns with at least 66 innings pitched, and five straight seasons with a 4.21-or-lower ERA. His strikeout potential won’t scare anyone (career 6.14 K/9), but he has plus-control for a reliever (2.69 BB/9) and that brings value.

The “upside” of this type of move is fairly low, as Camp (even if he makes the big league club) will likely serve as a low-leverage option, but the cost is so low that it seems smart for Ruben Amaro. Camp will be 38 years old when the season begins, but if Philly can parlay this signing into a league-average reliever for one year (and I think they can), it is a win thanks to the lack of investment.