The Phillies Part Ways with Didi Gregorius
After nearly 3 years manning shortstop for the Philadelphia Phillies, Didi Gregorius is moving on.
At the bottom of a tweet announcing a series of roster moves, the Phillies advised they were releasing the veteran infielder. The organization’s social media team followed up with a tribute post:
Thank you for everything, @DidiG18! pic.twitter.com/RbzflYn9BW
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) August 4, 2022
Parting ways with Gregorius opens a spot for the returning Jean Segura and allows the Phillies to shift Bryson Stott to shortstop, his natural position. The team still owes Gregorius $5 million for the rest of the season, as Matt Gelb of The Athletic notes:
Gregorius hit .181/.234/.284 in 167 PA since being activated from IL on June 5. He singled in 5th inning yesterday for his 999th career hit, and I wonder if he still batted later in the game against a lefty to go for 1,000. Phillies eat about $5 million here.
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) August 4, 2022
According to Spotrac, Gregorius will collect $1.5 million in deferred money over the next three years, paid in equal installments.
Didi’s play has declined considerably since he resigned with the Phillies before last season. After struggling with an elbow issue last year, he arrived at spring training competing for playing time. The team didn’t guarantee him much beyond his salary; the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Alex Coffey reported in May that GM Dave Dombrowski prepared Gregorius for the possibility of playing a different position.
Gregorius swung a decent bat early in the campaign, but he didn’t have the same power as in years past. A knee injury sent him to the IL in May. He returned a diminished hitter, but he rediscovered some of his old form in the field. It wasn’t enough for the Phillies to keep Stott out of the lineup as the team gears up for the stretch run.
Gregorius leaves the Phillies one hit shy of 1,000 for his career. It’s likely he’ll catch on elsewhere and have a chance to secure that milestone, especially given the defensive skills he’s flashed of late.
Heck of a defensive play by Didi Gregorius. pic.twitter.com/SEYcIPQ0Mh
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) July 24, 2022