Adams was cut loose by the Phillies in October.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have added some bullpen depth, signing right-hander Mike Adams, per a club announcement. The deal is of the minor league variety and includes an invitation to major league Spring Training. The 36-year-old Adams became a free agent when the Philliesdeclined his $6 million 2015 option in October.
With closer Kenley Jansen expected to miss the start of the season, the Dodgers had been reported to be seeking bullpen help, though Los Angeles seemed to have filled that hole with the signing of Dustin McGowan last week. It seems probable that the Dodgers viewed Adams as too good of an option to pass up, given the low risk and potentially high reward.
From 2008-2012, Adams was among the elite relievers in baseball, posting a 1.98 ERA, 197 ERA+, 2.67 FIP, and 3.84 K/BB in 297 appearances for the Padres and Rangers, setting up for the likes of Heath Bell and Joe Nathan. Adams signed a two-year, $12 million deal with the Phillies prior to the 2013 season, but he was limited to just 43.2 innings with the Phillies as he struggled with injuries, including a rotator cuff injury that cost him three months in 2014. He was still reasonably productive in his limited playing time, putting up a 108 ERA+, including a 2.89 ERA in 18.2 innings last season.
The Dodgers seem to have stocked up on high-upside arms with injury histories, as they have added Adams, McGowan, David Aardsma, Chad Gaudin, Erik Bedard, Sergio Santos, Brandon Beachy, Brett Anderson, and Brandon McCarthy over the course of the offseason.
With McGowan, Francisco Rodriguez, Joba Chamberlain, and now Adams coming off the free agent board in the last week, the market has surely dried up. Rafael Soriano seems to be the only reliever still available with a strong chance of landing a major league deal.