Phillies: Didi Gregorius drawing interest from AL team

Phillies shortstop Didi Gregorius is already drawing free-agent interest

The Philadelphia Phillies appear to already have competition for them re-signing free-agent shortstop Didi Gregorius this offseason.

And, it’s not the New York Yankees — where Gregorius played 660 games from the 2015-19 seasons. At least now yet, anyway.

According to the New York Post’s George A. King III, the Los Angeles Angels have interest in Gregorius as a possible replacement to fellow nine-year veteran shortstop Andrelton Simmons, who is also entering free agency.

Gregorius — who will turn 31 this offseason — would be an upgrade over Simmons, albeit the latter slashing .297/.346/.356 with seven doubles and 10 RBI across 30 games. The Phillies saw twice as many games out of Gregorius, coupled with a .284/.339/.488 slash line, 10 doubles, two triples, 10 home runs, and 40 RBI. Simmons failed to homer once.

The Phillies could soon offer Gregorius another one-year, prove-it deal through an $18.9 million qualifying offer. However, the organization reportedly believes Gregorius will not receive more than that in free agency, so they could “roll the dice and try to re-sign him for less,” MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki writes. “Every dollar counts this offseason.”

Of course, the bigger free agent question mark this offseason is whether or not perennial All-Star J.T. Realmuto will be re-signed. The catcher recently was snubbed from Gold Glove Award consideration for the 2020 season, but that does not take away from his considerable impact on the Phillies roster.

Following the 2020 season, Managing Partner John Middleton told reporters that fans being allowed to attend games next year will determine revenues, which in turn will determine what the organization can and cannot do.

A recent report revealed that the Phils lost $186 million from not having fans attend games during the 2020 season.

In just his first year in red pinstripes, Gregorius set a Phillies franchise record by becoming the first shortstop to record two grand slams in a single season. Surely, fans will want to see him return, hopefully in person inside Citizens Bank Park, come 2021.