PHILLIES GET SWITCH PITCHER PAT VENDITTE
The Philadelphia Phillies acquired pitcher Pat Venditte from the Seattle Mariners for outfielder Joey Curletta.
What does it give the Philadelphia Phillies
Venditte is well-known in the minor leagues as a legitimate switch pitcher--that is, he can actually deliver his offerings with either his left or right arm, and will indeed do so depending on the batter matchup. At 31 now he's a journeyman who still hasn't quite proven himself in the majors yet, but he's been excellent for years in the minors and might get a longer look from the rebuilding Phillies than he has with other teams. Venditte's mostly a reliever, but he can start in a pinch. At worst he gives the Phils a solid, super-versatile bullpen arm at Triple-A.
What does it give the Seattle Mariners
This off-season the Mariners have focused on rebuilding their outfield, and Curletta adds more organizational depth to that effort. He's a big, strapping right fielder who has some solid pop in his bat, but needs more time in the minors to harness his bat speed and learn to hit for a higher average.
Fantasy impact
Neither of Venditte nor Curletta should be on anyone's fantasy watchlist for 2017, since Venditte is an unproven journeyman reliever and Curletta is an unproven and strikeout-prone outfield prospect who has yet to play in Triple-A.
