Phillies Do Not Extend Qualifying Offers to Ruiz or Halladay

July 17, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies catcher

(51) speaks with starting pitcher

(34) during a stoppage in play in the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Phillies did not extend qualifying offers to Carlos Ruiz and Roy Halladay before yesterday’s 5  p.m. deadline. As a result, both players are now free agents who can sign with any team, and the Phillies will not receive a compensatory draft pick in return.

If the Phillies had made a qualifying offer and either player accepted, the Phillies would have been required to pay them a salary of $14.1 in 2014.

It was all but guaranteed that the Phillies weren’t going to extend an offer to Halladay.  While they haven’t ruled out bringing him back, considering his uncertain health he will likely have to settle for a much smaller contract.

Although unlikely, there was the possibility that the Phillies would extend an offer to Ruiz.  They have a huge void at the catcher position, and have expressed interest in retaining Ruiz.  However, they would prefer to sign him to a multi-year contract at a smaller annual value.  (Ruiz earned $5 million in 2013)

If the Phillies do attempt to re-sign Ruiz, there will be competition for his services.  The Colorado Rockies are rumored to be interested, and there are several other teams who will likely be seeking to fill a hole at the catcher position this offseason.