The Phillies have signed 33-year old righty reliever Chad Qualls to a 1-year, $1.15 million dollar deal. Qualls pitched in 77 games (0 starts) for the Padres last year and he was 6-8 with a 3.51 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. He has now pitched in 537 games (0 starts) in his first 8 years in the majors and he is 38-34 with 51 saves, a 3.78 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. This was an excellent addition to the Phillies’ bullpen as Qualls came at the right price.

The Phillies have signed 34-year old lefty swinging outfielder Juan Pierre to a minor league deal. Pierre played in 158 games for the White Sox last year and he was 178 for 639 (.279 avg, .657 OPS) with 80 runs scored, 2 homers, 50 RBIs and 27 stolen bases. He has now played in 1,751 games in his first 12 years in the majors and he is 2,020 of 6,823 (.296 avg, .708 OPS) with 980 runs scored, 16 homers, 484 RBIs and 554 stolen bases. This is a somewhat curious move for the Phillies as Pierre has been a starter his whole major league career. Maybe he will get a shot to compete for the starting job in LF this spring. If nothing else, Pierre would bring outstanding speed and a decent bat to the bench in 2012.

The Phillies have signed 28-year old righty swinging outfielder Brent Clevlen to a minor league deal. He played in 104 games in AAA and Independent ball last year and he was 117 of 386 (.303 avg, .921 OPS) with 67 runs scored, 19 homers, 62 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. Clevlen last played in the majors in 2010 with the Braves. He has played in 59 games in his first four years in the majors and he is 18 for 77 (.234 avg, .709 OPS) with 17 runs scored, 3 homers and 7 RBIs. Clevlen is likely going to start the 2012 season in AAA.

The Phillies have dealt 33-year old righty swinging infielder Wilson Valdez to the Cincinnati Reds for 26-year old lefty reliever Jeremy Horst. Valdez played in 99 games for the Phillies last season and he was 68 for 273 (.249 avg, .634 OPS) with 39 runs scored, 1 homer, 30 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. He played in 210 games in his two years with the Phillies and he was 154 for 606 (.254 avg, .652 OPS) with 76 runs scored, 5 homers, 65 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Jeremy Horst got his first taste of the majors last year for the Reds. He pitched in 12 games (0 starts) for the Reds last year and he was 0-0 with a 2.93 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP. Horst also pitched in 36 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball last year and he was 1-4 with a 2.81 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. This looks like a trade that could help both teams.

The Phillies spent on one big ticket item (closer Jonathan Papelbon) and they spread the rest of their spending money around on solid players at the right price. Here is a look at the new faces for 2012 so far:

In the field: With Ryan Howard likely to miss the start of the 2012 season, the Phillies dealt for Ty Wigginton and signed Jim Thome as a free agent. They should be able to hold the fort at 1B until Howard is ready to return to action. When Howard does return, Wigginton and Thome will give the Phillies two really solid bats off the bench. The Phillies also signed outfielder Laynce Nix and he should provide power against righty pitching.

On the mound: Jonathan Papelbon will allow Phillies’ starting pitchers peace of mind late in games as he is one of the best closers in all of baseball. Righties Dave Bush and Joel Pineiro give the Phillies a couple of guys to compete with Joe Blanton for the #5 spot in the starting rotation. They could also serve as long relievers in 2012 for the Phillies. Righty reliever Brian Sanches should be able to help out the Phillies in middle relief as he has been solid the last couple of years for the Marlins. The Phillies have signed lefty Dontrelle Willis with the idea of using him out of the pen against lefties only. Willis might just get his career back on the right path in his new role. The Phillies also loaded up on lefty relievers as they have signed Raul Valdes, David Purcey and Pat Misch to minor league deals.

Overall: I give the Phillies’ front office for not overspending and getting players at the right price. I really like the pickup of Papelbon.