The Phillies finally get the job done and resign Didi Gregorius to a 2 year, $28 million deal this morning.
After finalizing the long-awaited J.T Realmuto extension, the Phillies are set to bring back yet another familiar face in 2021 and beyond. Today, the team agreed to terms with talented infielder Didi Gregorius on a two-year, $28M deal. Gregorius, 30, was one of the few consistent bats in the lineup. The veteran shortstop even-paced the Phils in hits last season with 61.
Welcome back, Didi
Having originally been brought in on a one-year deal, the Phillies apparently liked what they saw in Gregorius enough to make him the starting shortstop once again.
With spring training roughly a month out, the move couldn’t come at a better time and makes the Phillies look formidable overall. If the Phils weren’t able to re-sign Gregorius, the replacement options weren’t exactly favorable.
Gregorius served as one of the clear-cut best options in what was a lackluster infield free-agent crop. Landing a player as reliable and consistent as Gregorius at the price the Phils managed to pull off feels like a win-win situation.
Gregorius is compensated adequately for his impressive debut season in Philly. Also, because of the short length of the deal, he will be able to hit the market once again at just 32-years old.
For the Phillies, they establish some much-needed stability at the position and do so without emptying the vault. There is little doubt in my mind that Gregorius will outperform the value of this deal. Kudos to freshly-minted Phils’ exec Dave Dombrowski and co. for not bending too soon.
It’s been a busy week for the Phils as they look to put the finishing touches on their 2021 roster. Signing Gregorius makes the team vision all the more clear.
It’s encouraging to see that the front office didn’t let the joy of the Realmuto deal make them complacent. The team still has needs to fill and seems eager to do so. Hopefully, today’s signing is a sign of things to come.
Photo Credit: Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire
