Maikel Franco among non-tendered former Phillies players

Three former arbitration-eligible Phillies players have been non-tendered.

While the Philadelphia Phillies did not non-tender any of their seven arbitration-eligible players ahead of Wednesday evening’s deadline, three of their former players were non-tendered, or released, by their most recent respective teams. This trio includes third baseman Maikel Franco, left-handed reliever Hoby Milner, and right-handed reliever Edgar Garcia.

The 28-year-old Franco may be experiencing some déjà vu, as the Phillies non-tendered the Dominican Republic native last season, along with eventual 2020 Gold Glove winner, Cesar Hernandez. The Royals are moving on from Franco, even though he arguably had a bounce-back season compared to his 2019 season in red pinstripes.

Playing in all 60 games this past season, the seven-year veteran slashed .278/.321/.457 with 16 doubles, eight home runs, and 38 RBI. Across more than double the amount of games (123) with the Phillies in 2019, he slashed .234/.297/.409 with 17 doubles, 17 home runs, and 56 RBI.

Milner, 29, is most remembered for being overused by former manager Gabe Kapler during the 2018 season. The left-hander pitched in 47 games with a 2.75 ERA with the Phillies between 2017 and 2018, before playing for the Tampa Bay Rays to finish the latter season (as well as in 2019), along with the Los Angeles Angels in 2020.

Milner has struggled ever since joining the American League, posting a 7.78 ERA across 27 appearances and 19 2/3 innings. With the Angels in 2020, he had an 8.10 ERA in 19 outings, four of which finished a game.

Garcia, 24, went a perfect 2-0 with the 2019 Phillies, albeit with a 5.77 ERA spanning 37 appearances and 39 innings. Having not yet pitched in the big-leagues through mid-August, he was dealt to the Rays in exchange for a player to be named later, later identified as minor-league right-handed pitcher Rodolfo Sanchez.

Similar to Milner, Garcia did not adjust well to American League batters, posting a 10.80 ERA spanning four outings in 3 1/3 innings with the eventual American League champions.

It will be interesting to see whether Franco, Milner, or Garcia will find another team wanting to sign them, even on a minor-league deal to start out 2021 spring training action.