Phillies Begin to Fill In Outfield; Re-Sign Centerfielder Odubel Herrera

MLB: MAY 14 Brewers at Phillies
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 14: Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera (37) heads towards third during the MLB game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Philadelphia Phillies on May 14, 2019 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

Sigh, the Phillies have re-signed outfielder Odubel Herrera to a major league contract.

Odubel Herrera’s Past

Odubel Herrera first joined the Phillies in 2015 as a Rule 5 draft selection from the Texas Rangers. After a solid rookie campaign, Odubel would play well again in 2016. He would earn an All-Star nod for the Phillies and represent the team in the summer classic. Herrera was one of the better hitters on the Phillies from 2015-to 2018. In 2019, the Phillies added Andrew McCutchen and Bryce Harper to their outfield. This meant that Odubel would then have to compete with guys like Roman Quinn, Nick Williams, and Aaron Altherr for centerfield.

On May 28th, 2019, Odubel Herrera would be placed on administrative leave following a domestic violence arrest. He would be suspended for the remainder of the 2019 season. Odubel Herrera would not make an appearance with the Phillies during the shortened 2020 year.

It would not be until Spring Training in 2021, that Odubel would once again put on a Phillies uniform. Much to the dismay of Phillies’ fans, Herrera would be called up to the Phillies on April 26th. He would play center field for the remainder of the season.

At the end of the season, the Phillies would buy out Odubel Herrera’s remaining 11.5 million dollars owed to him, exercising a 2.5 million dollar option.

Expect Odubel to once again compete with the other members of the Phillies’ 40 man roster for the starting center fielder spot. Let’s hope this move proves to be a minor depth move and that Dave Dombrowski is not done adding.

Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire