TODAY: Flaherty would earn at a $1.9MM rate if he makes the roster, Bob Nightengale of USA Today tweets. He could also earn a further $300K in incentives and may opt out on March 22nd if he has not been added to the MLB roster.
YESTERDAY: The Phillies and free-agent infielder Ryan Flaherty have agreed to terms, tweets ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick. Presumably, it’s a minor league deal for the CAA client, based on Crasnick’s note that Flaherty will “compete for a job in Spring Training.” He’ll join fellow veterans Adam Rosales and Pedro Florimon in competing for a utility infield spot with the Phils.
Baltimore was said to have interest in retaining Flaherty, who hit free agency this winter after spending the past six seasons with the Orioles. Instead, he’ll head to an organization that has several Orioles ties in the front office; Philadelphia president Andy MacPhail, GM Matt Klentak and assistant GM Ned Rice were all with the Phils at some point during Flaherty’s tenure with the team.
Flaherty, 31, missed a significant chunk of the 2017 season due to a shoulder strain and only took 43 plate appearances at the big league level last year. But, from 2012-16, the versatile utility man averaged 86 games and 245 plate appearances per year with the O’s, appearing at all four infield positions and in the outfield corners.
Flaherty isn’t much of a hitter, as evidenced by a career .215/.284/.355 slash. He does have a bit of extra-base pop, though (.140 ISO) and draws above-average grades for his defensive work at second base and third base. He can play shortstop in a pinch as well, though Defensive Runs Saved (-8) and Ultimate Zone Rating (-4.8) aren’t exactly bullish on his work in 391 innings at the position.
Phillies2017
I like it. Good versatility
Deivi bastardo
Es una firma insignificante
lilpartialbaldo
You could certainly go to war with less.
jdodge22
Fire up the stove boys!! Big name off the board
Gocubsgo1986
This is a great year to be a AAAA player
coach him
spring training has turned into an elementary school kids birthday party for the Phillies. Everyone gets an invite as not to hurt feelings. what a waste. Bring up a kid.
Dark_Knight
Most of the line up hasn’t even hit arbitration yet…
Z-A 2
puberty*
michaelw
Word has it the Cubs about to sign Darvish. I have insider MLB trade app on my phone I use every year. Which is about 1 hour ahead of the Hot Stove rumors – I guess will see soon.
Something going to give around MLB
shoemtnlions
What is the name of your app? I want to download it.
pinkerton
he doesn’t have one. and seeing how after 16 hours there’s no news of Darvish…
Caseys.Partner
Did MacPhail bring the bat boys over from Baltimore too?
BlueJayFan1515
I think that you meant that they were with the O’s during his tenure.
Draven_X_23
Good for him. And good for Baltimore. No need to give that guy 250 ABs a year. Buck loved him for some reason.
Dark_Knight
Can’t hurt. I see any utility infielder as a place holder until Kingery is ready. Then I see him bouncing around between 2nd, SS and 3rd until he proves himself and Hernandez is traded.
jbigz12
Goodbye flash. It was a good run.
Bowadoyle
This kid is the reincarnation of Terry Harmon. Look up his stats.
Bowadoyle
Baseball is cutting salaries as interest in the sport is waning and ticket cost can’t continue to increase.
gorav114
The defensive flexibility was nice but def time for the O’s to move on.
raef715
this utility man battle in phillies spring training is going to be scintillating.
Braves Homer
Could they not find a better picture of him? Is that even Ryan Flaherty lol?
K3vin
Flash in the pan
geejohnny
Seems as though the owners are Dollar Store shopping and waiting for Black Friday on the big ticket items.
Deivi bastardo
Firma mala
Ironman_4life
Former first round pick of the Chicago cubs