Tony Gwynn Jr. will be a free agent

Feb 19, 2014; Clearwater, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr. (19) poses for a picture during photo day at Bright House Networks Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

After an up-and-down 2014 season with the Philadelphia Phillies, Tony Gwynn Jr. has decided he would rather not be down any longer.

The 31-year-old outfielder has decided not to accept his assignment down to Triple-A Lehigh Valley instead of playing with the big club and will become a free agent, the Phillies’ official website reports.

Gwynn first signed with the Phillies in December of 2013 and was released on July 28th this season, shortly after his father Tony Gwynn Sr. passed away.  Six days after the Phillies released him, they signed him as a free agent on August 3rd.

In 80 games with Philadelphia this season, Gwynn hit .152 with three in each of the following categories: extra-base hits, RBIs and stolen bases.  In 20 games with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, the outfielder hit .290 with a home run and seven RBIs.

In 2006 Gwynn made his MLB debut with the Milwaukee Brewers and has also played for the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers.

While 2014 was not Gwynn’s most fruitful in terms of statistics, it was easily his most emotional.  When the Phillies visited the Padres in September, Gwynn led off in game one of the series  and received a standing ovation from the crowd at PetCo Park.