Former Phillies outfielder is using Instagram to attract a new MLB team

Odúbel Herrera is putting himself out there.

The first-time free agent is using social media to market himself to prospective MLB teams looking to sign a centerfielder, posting workout clips to his Instagram feed and stories almost daily.

Despite the serious lack of centerfield talent in this year’s free-agent class, the Philadelphia Phillies were ready to say goodbye to their struggling, problematic outfielder. They paid him $2.5M rather than pick up his $11.5M club option for 2022. That says a lot about Herrera, as well as the Phillies’ standards for themselves going into the new year.

MLB suspended Odúbel Herrera 85 games when he violated the Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Child Abuse Policy in 2019

Herrera made his debut with the Phillies in April 2015 and played 755 games for them over six seasons. However, Herrera made a name for himself if the wrong way in July 2019, when he was suspended 85 games without pay for violating MLB and the MLBPA’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Child Abuse Policy.

What is especially notable about Herrera’s DV suspension for assaulting his then-20-year-old girlfriend is that he was the first MLB player in the history of the policy to have postseason play included in his suspension. For prior incidents, a player who served their suspension during the season was still eligible to rejoin their team for the postseason.

Aroldis Chapman closed out the 2016 World Series for the Chicago Cubs the same season he served a 30-game suspension for choking his girlfriend and firing a gun in their home, and Roberto Osuna pitched for the Astros in the 2018 ALCS after serving a 75-game suspension for assaulting his son’s mother. MLB banned Herrera from the 2019 postseason, and while the Phillies didn’t end up qualifying, the break from past precedent still spoke volumes.

Which free-agent outfielder(s) will the Phillies sign?

The Phillies actually designated Herrera for assignment in January 2020, but he cleared waivers and was sent to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. With the cancellation of the 2020 minor league season, Herrera did not play last year. Due to a slew of Phillies outfielders getting injured, Herrera returned to the big leagues at the end of April 2021; he had not played for the Phillies since his suspension almost two years prior.

Several teams are in the market for a centerfielder, but Herrera has struggled offensively, defensively, and had several injuries that make him a less-than-appealing option. His best offensive seasons were his first two; he hit .291/.353/.419 with a .773 OPS, 51 doubles, nine triples, and 23 home runs over 306 games. He certainly wasn’t worth the lucrative option the Phillies declined, but coming off a down year, he’s likely an affordable option for other teams.

Before MLB went into lockout at the beginning of December, the Phillies had their eyes on bigger outfield fish, including Kyle Schwarber, Nick Castellanos, and Kevin Kiermaier.