Phillies bolster bullpen with setup ace Adams

The Phillies finally beat the Nationals. Charlie Manuel’s club edged the Nats in the Mike Adams sweepstakes. The Phillies will sign the rock solid reliever to a two-year, $12 million contract, with a vesting option for 2015.

The Phillies have yet to land a power-hitting outfield piece but they beat out the Nats, Brewers, Angels and White Sox for the services of arguably the best bullpen piece out there.

“I would say that the Phillies got the right guy to bridge the gap to Papelbon,” a NL scout said. “Their inability to close out the eighth inning was the difference between making and missing the playoffs for them last year.”

The Phillies blew a major-league leading 12 games in the eighth last season. If they lost just half of those contests, they might have made the playoffs.

Adams underwent surgery in October to remove a rib that caused thoracic outlet syndrome. The condition caused a numbing sensation in his arm.

But the prognosis is good for Adams and he should be set for spring training. He was the best setup man in baseball in 2010 and 2011. His ERA was microscopic during those seasons and he gave up just seven homers.

The Phillies also picked up a potential fifth starter. Nationals cast-off John Lannan agreed to a one-year deal for $2.5 million plus incentives. Lannan spent most of his time in Triple-A, but was 4-1 with a 4.13 ERA with the Nats. He’ll battle Jonathan Pettibone and Tyler Cloyd for the last spot in the rotation.

“Lannan is serviceable,” the NL scout said. “He should be able to hold down that spot in the rotation for relatively little.”