Adams Joins Young in Philadelphia

Look out, Philadelphia, you might be on your way to passing up the Baltimore Orioles as "Rangers East" or "NL Rangers", however you want to say it.

The Phillies signed free agent reliever Mike Adams away from the Texas Rangers over the weekend, which came as no surprise really but still is a tough pill to swallow.

Adams, coming off surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome, wasn't expected to re-sign in Texas as it was pretty clear he'd be able to get more money elsewhere. Now he returns to the National League, where he was one of baseball's best relievers with the San Diego Padres before coming to Texas at the 2011 trade deadline along with Koji Uehara, who signed with Boston a couple of weeks ago.

The deal with the Phillies is reportedly worth $14 million over two years and has a vested option for a third year, which is some pretty hefty money for a non-closing reliever. Adams will presumably set up for Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon.

Adams allowed 56 hits in 52 1/3 innings this season. In the final half of the 2011 season, after being acquired from San Diego, he gave up only 18 hits in 25 2/3 innings with the Rangers.

The move just cements the fact that the Rangers must work to overhaul their bullpen, which has now lost Uehara and Adams along with Alexi Ogando moving back to the starting rotation and the same speculation currently surrounding middle-innings eater Robbie Ross.

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