Last December, a little known free agent named Chad Durbin signed with the Phillies and went on to establish himself as one of the key components in a bullpen that finished the regular season ranked as the best in the National League East. This year, Mike Koplove will try to do the same. Two sources familiar with the situation confirmed yesterday that the Phillies agreed to terms with the 32-year-old righthander on a contract that includes an invitation to spring training. Source: Philly.com
Chad Durbin was little known, but he's not really a good comparison to this guy except for the fact that they both weren't expected to make the team before spring training. Durbin actually played in 2007, whereas Koplove really last pitched in 2005. He seems to walk a lot of batters, too. I like the move in the sense that it gives us depth in a place where you can never have enough options, but it's nothing significant. And apparently he's from the area, which is kind of neat.
Hopefully he ends up being another guy that struggled elsewhere but flourishes with the Phils in the pen.
