El Torito will be wearing a Phillies uniform for a long, long time
Coming off his first all-star season, many wondered if the Phillies would be willing to move Odubel Herrera. With a farm system loaded with outfielders, a trade seemed logical, especially after Ken Giles was moved the year before.
Rather than trade the former Rule 5 pick, the Phillies decided to reward him for his early success.
Several reports have emerged that the Phillies and Odubel Herrera have agreed to a five-year contract, with an additional two club options for 2022 and 2023. The first five years guarantee $30.5 million for Herrera, while the club options are worth $11.5 million and $12.5 million respectively.
Jim Salisbury reports that there is not a no-trade clause in the contract.
Drafted out of the Rangers farm system in the 2014 Rule 5 Draft, the Phillies converted Herrera from a second baseman to center field. As a rookie, Herrera hit .297 with eight home runs and 16 stolen bases.
As a sophomore Herrera only grew, hitting .286 with 16 home runs and 25 stolen bases en route to his first all-star game. He was also a finalist for the center field Gold Glove award for his performance last season.
With Herrera now appearing to be the unlikely building block for the Phillies future, the outfield continues to finally take shape. With Nick Williams expected to arrive in 2017, while Dylan Cozens and first-overall pick Mickey Moniak still working their way up, the Phillies have an embarrassment of wealth in the outfield.
Should Herrera’s statistical trend continue in the direction it has early in his career, his first contract could be a steal for the Phillies. Having a potential five-tool player who has become a fan-favorite at that low a price only helps the Phillies as they continue to build towards a championship.