December 10, 2019
UPDATE [5:55 p.m.] — After being linked to the former Yankees shortstop since basically the end of the 2019 season, the Phillies have reportedly reached an agreement with Didi Gregorius on a one-year deal. Joel Sherman of The New York Post was the first to report the two sides had reached a deal.
#Phillies are in agreement with Didi Gregorius
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 10, 2019
Phillies have reached agreement with Didi Gregorius on a 1-year deal.
— Sweeny Murti (@YankeesWFAN) December 10, 2019
Gregorius, who spent the last five seasons in New York, the first three of which were spent playing under new Phillies manager Joe Girardi, only appeared in 82 games last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery the previous fall and then hit the injured list again later in the season with a shoulder injury. During limited action last season, Gregorius slashed .238/.276/.441 with 16 home runs and 61 RBI. His career averages, however, are much better — in his five seasons with the Yankees, Gregorius slashed .269/.313/.446.
Read more, here.
As the MLB Winter Meetings continue on Tuesday, the Phillies remain a team to watch in the free agency market as they continue to build their roster for the 2020 season, Joe Girardi's first at the helm.
And before even managing a game, Girardi could have a big impact on how the Phillies season plays out, because his former connections around the league, specifically with the former Yankees he managed, could help the Phillies land one or two impact players.
The Phillies have previously been linked to both shortstop Didi Gregorius and reliever Dellin Betances, both of whom spent years playing under Girardi in New York. On Monday, Girardi was out in San Diego for the Winter Meetings and was asked about the possibility of reuniting with one or both players.
“We are looking at everybody,” Girardi said, “and obviously every team has fiscal restraints that they have to stick to and have an idea of what they think their salary should be during the course of the next near. That's for ownership and (general manager Matt Klentak) to determine. We're looking at everybody.” [nj.com]
The good news for the Phillies is that Betances could be had for relatively cheap, as he's reportedly willing to sign a one-year prove-it deal after missing most of 2019 with injuries. But, as expected, they'd have competition.
Betances is likely to sign 1-year deal to boost his value after a lost 2019. Yanks have engaged w/ him. Keep an eye on Tampa Bay, too. Also, FWIW, one of Beltran’s friends held a congratulatory dinner after he got the Mets job. The only active player who attended was Betances.
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) December 9, 2019
As for Gregorius, he was originally seen as a consolation prize should the Phillies miss out on third baseman Anthony Rendon, as the free agent shortstop would come considerable cheaper than the former National. According to Jon Heyman, that deal could come somewhere in the $14-15 million range.
Gregorius seems likely to get 14-15M a year on a multiyear, which may price out Reds, who like him but are covered there with Galvis, in case. Phillies, others thought to be in.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 9, 2019
And then there's Rendon, who is the top free agent position player on the market and will certainly command a monster deal, as he will have more than a few teams competing over him. According to SportsBetting.ag, the Rangers are the favorites to land Rendon, followed by the Dodgers and then the Nationals. The Phillies, unfortunately for local fans holding out hope for Rendon, aren't listed among the teams with odds — there were only three — but we asked SportsBetting.ag where they would place the odds for the Phillies, and here's what they had to say:
Anthony Rendon team in Game 1 of 2020 season
Rangers +125
Dodgers +175
Nationals +250
Phillies +400
According to Ken Rosenthal, however, Rendon is not a fan of the deferred deals, and a return to the Nationals seems unlikely at this point.
As reported previously, Rendon was one #Nationals player who didn’t embrace deferrals - that’s one reason he rejected team’s reported offer of 7/210-215, sources said. A team cannot say it is “out” on a player - violation of CBA. But chances of Rendon return to D.C. seem slim.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 10, 2019
Could that leave the window open for the Phillies, who reportedly have Rendon as their No. 1 target, to swoop in and steal Rendon? We'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, be sure to follow all the latest Phillies news and rumors with our live updates below.
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