Josh Harrison is a former Phillies player we'll be glad is gone in 2024
During the 2022-23 offseason, the Phillies signed veteran utility player Josh Harrison to an economical one-year, $2 million contract. At the time, they were looking to the two-time All-Star to bring his extensive leadership and breadth of experience to the ballclub to help lead them to success. He was expected to provide the Phillies with the flexibility of playing all over the field while generating quality at-bats at the plate as a part-time player.
However, Harrison had one of the worst seasons of his entire 13-year MLB career when he compiled a .204/.263/.291/.554 slash line, 53 OPS+, eight runs scored, three doubles, two home runs, 10 RBI, three walks and 20 strikeouts in just 40 games.
Defensively, he didn’t fare much better, as he registered a -4 DRS in just 35 games in the field. His ineffectiveness in his performance led to a severe reduction in playing time, and he was even eventually designated for assignment by the Phillies at the Trade Deadline.
Without Harrison in the fold — he has moved on to the Cincinnati Reds in 2024 — the Phillies have replaced him with the exciting addition of super utilityman Whit Merrifield. From the fantastic looks he has given the team so far in spring training, Merrifield appears to be exactly what the Phillies needed. They sincerely hope he can keep this up throughout the season and into the playoffs.
With Merrifield costing $8 million for his one-year contract, compared to Harrison's $2 million, as the saying goes, you sure get what you pay for. As a result, Merrifield will likely make it very easy for the Phillies faithful to completely forget Harrison's miserable season with the team in 2023 and hopefully provide a much-needed spark to put them over the top.