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Phillies: Pat Neshek left money on table to return to team

By John Town

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 03: Tommy Joseph #19 (L) of the Philadelphia Phillies and Pat Neshek #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies have a laugh in the dugout in the top of the ninth inning at Citizens Bank Park on June 3, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 5-3. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 03: Tommy Joseph #19 (L) of the Philadelphia Phillies and Pat Neshek #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies have a laugh in the dugout in the top of the ninth inning at Citizens Bank Park on June 3, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 5-3. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images) /
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Phillies reliever Pat Neshek said he rejected a better contract offer to return to Philadelphia in free agency this offseason.

During the first four months of the 2017 season, Pat Neshek was the Phillies‘ best reliever. In 43 appearances, he logged a 1.12 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, 9.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and 1.5 wins above replacement.

Neshek was an easy trade target on a one-year contract. He was dealt to the Rockies prior to the deadline for three prospects. Neshek helped steer them to the Wild Card game, striking out 24 batters and walking just one in 22 innings.

After his strong 2017 campaign, Neshek was certainly a popular free agent. He was one of the few to sign early on during the offseason before the market completely stalled out. Once he got a call from Philadelphia, he knew he was going to re-sign here. In fact, Neshek said that he passed up better offers to return to the Phils: [quote via Todd Zolecki of MLB.com] 

More from Phillies News

"“We didn’t really wait for other teams,” Neshek said Wednesday before Phillies pitchers and catchers held their first workout at Carpenter Complex. “I probably left a little bit more on the table from other teams. Well, I know I did because a team called me after I agreed [with the Phillies]. Their first offer was better, but it was a comfort thing. I was really happy with the offer. I didn’t want to wait and see anything else.”The fact that Neshek wanted to come back despite the club being 35-64 while he was still a Phillie speaks volumes about the organization. He obviously believes in this team if he was willing to return on a two-year deal and leave money on the table from another team. At 37 years old, this very well could be Neshek’s last team.Despite his age, Neshek is still expected to be one of the team’s top relievers this year. He and Tommy Hunter were brought in to bolster a young bullpen spearheaded by Hector Neris, Luis Garcia, and Adam Morgan. Manager Gabe Kapler has previously said he expects to use the bullpen a lot this year, so Neshek and everyone elsewill definitely log plenty of innings.Next: Phillies sign Drew Hutchison to minor league dealThe bullpen could be further reinforced as reports indicated the Phils were among a few teams discussing a potential contract with 32-year-old left-handed reliever Tony Watson. Nothing further has grown out of these discussions since that news broke. “We didn’t really wait for other teams,” Neshek said Wednesday before Phillies pitchers and catchers held their first workout at Carpenter Complex. “I probably left a little bit more on the table from other teams. Well, I know I did because a team called me after I agreed [with the Phillies]. Their first offer was better, but it was a comfort thing. I was really happy with the offer. I didn’t want to wait and see anything else.”"

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