Phils Ink RHP Chad Qualls to 1 year deal

Add Chad Qualls next to Juan Pierre (minor league deal) as the latest veterans to sign with the Phillies. The right handed relief pitcher will be entering his 8 season in the bigs, spending last season at pitcher friendly PETCO Park as a member of the San Diego Padres. Qualls appeared in 77 games going 6-8, tossing 74.1 innings, and compiled a 3.51 ERA (Career 3.78). Not a bad move by Ruben Amaro adding more depth to the bullpen after losing Brad Lidge to the Nats, but there is one concern. When away from the massive ballpark that is PETCO park, Qualls was significantly less effective (5.05 ERA on the road) compared to a 2.08 ERA in San Diego. As we have come accustomed to knowing Citizens Bank Park isn't the most pitcher friendly palace in the Major Leagues. Qualls is mostly a ground ball pitcher though and many pitchers have thrived in Philly with that type of style (Roy Halladay for instance) so we will see how it goes. The deal is worth 1 year, $1.15 million including performance incentives.