Phillies re-sign favorite utilityman Ronald Torreyes to a minor-league deal
Between the blockbuster additions of Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos, Philadelphia Phillies manager Joe Girardi was already having a pretty good week.
And then the Phillies made a significantly lower-level signing to bring back a player near and dear to their manager’s heart: utilityman Ronald Torreyes.
The Phillies have signed the following players to minor league contracts with invitations to attend ML spring training: RHP Dillon Maples, INF Ronald Torreyes and C Austin Wynns.
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) March 20, 2022
The Phillies outrighted Torreyes last fall, and he elected free agency, but at the time, I predicted they’d still bring him back. After all, he can play second, shortstop, and third base, and the Phillies infield remains unchanged from last season, at least, until Bryson Stott gets called up.
Torreyes played in a career-high 111 games in 2021 and hit .242/.286/.346 with a .632 OPS. Hidden in those numbers were some of the most clutch moments of the Phillies season, including his career-high seven home runs, more than double his previous benchmark.
Ronald Torreyes gets us on the board with his first homer since...
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) June 1, 2021
*checks notes*
2017!! pic.twitter.com/BM1hx7Oh2N
RONALD TORREYES. OFF THE BENCH.#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/J82FjSSqXj
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) September 24, 2021
Ronald Torreyes.
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) September 25, 2021
Clutch, yet again. pic.twitter.com/NNJAH5YGpy
Last season, Girardi raved about Torreyes, whom he’s managed on the Yankees and the Phillies throughout their respective careers:
"“He does so many things right. People say, ‘Why do you love Torreyes?’ He’s a ballplayer. That’s what he is. He really understands the game and I trust him wherever I put him. I don’t ever have to worry about him being prepared. That’s a luxury for a manager. I don’t know where we’d be without him.”"
The Phillies manager wasn’t the only one impressed by Torreyes – affectionately known as ‘Toe’ by his teammates – in 2021. His defense and clutchness earned the respect of former Phillies player-turned-GM-turned-broadcaster Ruben Amaro Jr., Kevin Frandsen, and countless fans.
RoTo is the man. Defense matters folks. A lot.
— Ruben Amaro, Jr. (@RAJr_20) August 10, 2021
Never gets old being a broken record for “Toe” coming through yet AGAIN with a big knock! Guy has been incredible for the @Phillies #RingTheBell
— Kevin Frandsen (@KevinFrandsen) August 12, 2021
Amaro was thrilled to see Torreyes in Clearwater on Sunday:
RoTo is back!!! Go @Phillies pic.twitter.com/8uuTCDhhBf
— Ruben Amaro, Jr. (@RAJr_20) March 20, 2022
While the signing doesn’t exactly move the needle the way Schwarber’s and Castellanos’ deals do, it’s great to have Toe back.
Nick Castellanos quietly broke the news of his Phillies signing
Free-agent slugger Nick Castellanos took matters into his own hands and announced he'd be with the Philadelphia Phillies with a subtle Instagram photo.