The Philadelphia Phillies are a frustrating franchise. J.T. Realmuto is more likely than not hitting free agency and not returning to Philadelphia. Jean Segura is on the trading block now. And do you want to know the best part?
They’re making all of these decisions without a general manager, as they still haven’t hired someone to replace Matt Klentak. Nothing seems to be getting done.
However, with all of the hullabaloo going on, the non-tender deadline for the MLB was Wednesday night at 8 P.M. This deadline is for the team to issue contract offers to select players in order to avoid arbitration. If a team non-tenders a player, they are saying that they are not issuing them a contact and that player will be a free agent. According to Todd Zolecki, Names included on the Phillies are pitchers Seranthony Dominguez, Zach Eflin, David Hale, Héctor Neris, and Vince Velasquez. In the field, the Phillies had the options to issue contacts to Rhys Hoskins, and then also Andrew Knapp behind the plate.
A cumulative summary of the Phillies move can be found in their latest tweet:
Staying with the Phillies
Seranthony Domínguez, who did not pitch in 2020 after Tommy John surgery, was also a non-tender candidate, but a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand on Tuesday that he agreed to a one-year deal with the Phillies worth $727,500.*
Catcher Andrew Knapp also agreed to a one-year deal for $1.1 million, a source told Feinsand. The 29-year-old provides catching depth, especially with J.T. Realmuto still unsigned.*
Hector Neris also agreed to a $5 million dollar deal, per Jim Salisbury. This is actually $2 million less than what the Phillies would have paid if they accepted his club offer a few months ago. Neris stays in Philadelphia for another year, and his numbers suggest he may actually be primed for a bounce back year in 2021. The Phillies are definitely hoping for the same by giving him that type of salary.
*Both of these sources are provided from https://www.mlb.com/news/phillies-2020-non-tender-deadline-decisions
Rhys Hoskins was tendered a contract as well. The team’s 2020 two-hole hitter will definitely remain on the team for now, but it’s just a matter of how long and how much money. The same goes for Vince Velasquez.
Vinny Velo
The most intriguing player on the list has to be Vince Velasquez. Vinny Velo is set to make $4.3 million in 2021 assuming the season is “normal,” and the Phillies likely do not want to pay this. Fans would be dying to see Vince get a fresh start and a change of scenery, but don’t be too certain that this happens for now. The Phillies tendered him a contract for 2021. Hopefully, new pitching coach Caleb Cotham can get VV’s potential to finally show; he definitely has shown how dominant he can truly be, especially out of the bullpen.
Along with him, right-hander Zach Eflin received a one-year contract, and avoided arbitration as well. This move isn’t a surprise as Eflin has been the team’s number three pitcher, and has shown his own flashes of dominance.
David Hale only pitched 11 innings with Philly and did not do much to help the team after they traded for him back in August. However, he also gained a contract to avoid arbitration and will remain with the team for the time being.
With free agency’s winter meetings beginning next week, it’s only a matter of time before J.T. is resigned, and the Phillies are in the search for some more pitching… at least we can hope. But with the Phillies, nothing ever seems to make sense.
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