Tim Kelly and the Phillies NuggetsSix prominent former Phillies who are still free agents that aren’t named Rhys Hoskins
At Phillies Nation, we’ve written a lot this offseason regarding slugger Rhys Hoskins’ future. With Bryce Harper moving full-time to first base and Kyle Schwarber firmly established at DH, Hoskins’ time with the Phillies looks to be coming to an end.
Even though Hoskins’ free agency is still unresolved, several contenders have expressed interest in signing the fan favorite this offseason, and he should find a new home soon.
We have also looked at relievers David Robertson and Héctor Neris’ free agency, speculating as to whether either would be a good fit to return to Philadelphia as president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski looks to add depth to the bullpen and replace the departing Craig Kimbrel.
However, in addition to Hoskins, Neris, and Robertson, there are numerous other noteworthy Phillies who are still unsigned free agents. Here are six more former Phillies who are still seeking a place to call home as Spring Training draws closer, though this is by no means an exhaustive list of all free agents with ties to the team.
Santana’s MLB career has been anything but ordinary, despite his brief stay in Philadelphia. During the 2018 Phillies, Santana hit 24 home runs, drove in 86 runs, and walked 118 times. However, at the end of the season, he was traded back to Cleveland in order to make room for the aforementioned Hoskins to move from left field to first base. With 301 career home runs, Santana ranks 12th among active players and has participated in portions of 14 MLB seasons. Assign
The Pirates offered Velasquez a one-year, $3.15 million contract during the offseason, and the low-budget team even produced a promotional video for him. With eight starts, the former top prospect pitched quite well, recording a 3.86 ERA and 3.87 FIP. But in June, he had elbow surgery that ended the season, and at the time, the likelihood was that the surgery would cause him to miss the beginning of 2024. Velasquez, who is 31 years old, will find a place to call home when healthy, but in the interim, the Phillies have been left with the frustrating impression of a journeyman rather than an anchor in their starting rotation.
In 2019, Miller brought his career back to life in Philadelphia by utilizing the power of bamboo and winning over Phillies supporters. Miller played for the St. Louis Cardinals during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. He returned to the Phillies in 2021 and was productive, going 20 for 20 with a.774 OPS in 140 games. Miller signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Texas Rangers as a result. Miller, regrettably, was only able to play in 108 games over the course of two years and ended up being placed on the injured list in 2023, during the team’s run for the World Series. When healthy, the 34-year-old has great power and a great clubhouse presence. However, Miller is probably trying to extend his career and is considering a minor-league contract.
Segura remains active on social media, but it’s been a quiet offseason in regards to discussion about his baseball future. In 2022, Segura was a Phillies postseason hero. However, he left in free agency after the team signed Trea Turner, knowing that Bryson Stott would be moving to second base. The Miami Marlins signed Segura to a two-year, $17 million contract, but he left the team before the end of the first season. Before making an appearance in a game with the team, the two-time All-Star was released after being traded to the Guardians in July. His.556 OPS at the end of the 2023 season was pitiful. The 33-year-old will still receive compensation for the 2024 season regardless of which team he plays for.
Diekman was a 2007 30th-round draft choice by the Phillies, and he played for the team for parts of four seasons before being traded to the Rangers in July 2015 for Cole Hamels. With a long career as a left-handed reliever and 12 MLB seasons under his belt, he has put together 3.82 ERA and 3.65 FIP. With the Chicago White Sox in 2023, Diekman had a terrible start to the season, going 13 games with a 7.94 ERA before being cut loose. But he found success with the Tampa Bay Rays, where he made 50 appearances and excelled, recording a 2.18 ERA and 3.21 FIP. Diekman, who will turn 37 in a few months, ought to sign a Major League contract before the season starts.
In the August 2022 trade that sent outfielder Mickey Moniak to the Los Angeles Angels, the Phillies acquired Syndergaard. Before undergoing Tommy John surgery in March 2020, he was nothing like the flamethrower who had enthralled New York Mets fans. Nevertheless, he did show usefulness for the Phillies during their run to the World Series. The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Syndergaard to a one-year, $13 million contract in an attempt to bet on his ability to recreate the magic in 2023. The Dodgers did not receive a great deal on a star pitcher; rather, they were met with dismal results. Syndergaard’s average fastball velocity decreased to 92.3 mph from 94.5 mph in 2022. After a while, Syndergaard was traded to the Cleveland Guardians, where he also had trouble. In all, 18 starts
