A reliable baseball source told The Phanatic Magazine Thursday that the Phillies are likely to offer an incentive-laden, one-year contract to former Angels closer Troy Percival, and that the club has been the most aggressive in pursuing the 37-year-old right-hander.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the source said the Phillies and Tigers have been the most aggressive in reaching out to Percival. If it comes down to familiarity, the Tigers seem the logical choice with the right-hander spending two injury-riddled seasons in Motown, working as an advanced scout for the club while on the DL during Detroit's 2006 World Series season.
According to the source, the Cubs' interest is also relatively high while the Marlins, Mariners and Indians have shown lukewarm intrigue.
If it comes down to money, the source believes GM Pat Gillick has enough leeway to outbid Detroit if he is so inclined. Coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of Arizona, Gillick knows the bullpen must be fixed if a playoff push is possible.
Percival has a 30-41 lifetime record with 324 saves and a 3.10 ERA. He spent most of his career with the California/Anaheim Angels, setting up for Lee Smith before taking the closer's job in 1996.
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