The Phillies are re-signing controversial outfielder Odubel Herrera
As the Philadelphia Phillies look to fill their two vacant outfield positions to complement defending National League MVP Bryce Harper, the club has been linked to free agents Nick Castellanos and Jorge Soler.
However, a third free-agent addition entered the mix on Sunday, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jim Salisbury. And by Monday morning, a reunion with Odubel Herrera, who was suspended the final 85 games of the 2019 season for violating Major League Baseball’s joint domestic violence policy, went from “possible” to “pending physical.”
Several reports state that while it is a major-league deal, Herrera will not be a full-time player and will instead platoon with rookie Matt Vierling, which makes the decision to spend money on the unpopular player even more baffling. Factor in that their NL East rivals are signing or trading for players like Chris Bassitt (Mets) and Nelson Cruz (Nationals), and the Phillies look like they’re choosing to waste the 2022 season.
Herrera and recently signed Phillies reliever Jeurys Familia — a former All-Star closer with the New York Mets — have something in common. Familia was also suspended by Major League Baseball for a domestic violence incident, although the charge was later dismissed. Familia received only a 15-game suspension in March 2017.
Phillies fans would rather their favorite team sign Castellanos, Soler, or any other outfielder for that matter rather than Herrera, but clearly, they’ve got no say in the matter. I even joked that I’d rather have Shane Victorino back from retirement, and I stand by that. Victorino seems willing to step in.
Getting on the treadmill ✌🏽✌🏽✌🏽 https://t.co/64rvCX0ALS
— Shane Victorino (@ShaneVictorino) March 13, 2022
This past season, Herrera slashed .260/.310/.416 with 27 doubles, 13 home runs, and 51 RBI across 124 games. The Phillies declined Herrera’s $11.5 million club option and instead opted to pay his $2.5 million buyout; the club outrighted the veteran in early November, along with the following five players to clear 40-man roster spots: infielder Ronald Torreyes, backup catcher, Andrew Knapp, outfielder Travis Jankowski, and relievers JD Hammer and Ramon Rosso.
Herrera has been with the Phillies for his entire big-league career, and they didn’t produce a winning season until 2021 when they eked it out by one game. They should be striving for better, but instead, they’re actively choosing mediocrity, and fans are not happy.
Kris Bryant? Nick Castellanos?
— John Foley (@2008Philz) March 13, 2022
“Best I can do is Odúbel Herrera” pic.twitter.com/KL9seGJVMF
There is no reason, baseball or non-baseball, for the Phillies to bring back Odubel Herrera.
— Jonny Heller (@JonnyHeller) March 13, 2022
Dave Dombrowski had 99 days to think about what the Phillies need and decided Jeurys Familia and Odubel Herrera were the guys.
— David Esser (@DavidEsser_) March 13, 2022
Can someone tell me why the Phillies are interested in Odubel Herrera while Nick Castellanos, Kyle Schwarber, and Kris Bryant are still available?
— Nick Scheetz (@nick_scheetz) March 13, 2022
Any team that goes into the 2022 season with Didi Gregorious and Odubel Herrera as starters is not serious about winning. Let’s hope this isn’t the case
— It's About To Get Realmuto (@MyPhilsBurner) March 13, 2022
It’s looking like they’ll be the same old Phillies on Opening Day, and no one wants to see that.