The Phillies have released infielder Ryan Flaherty, per a club announcement. He had triggered an opt-out provision that required the team to add him to the MLB roster or set him loose.
Philadelphia had largely signaled its intentions already by adding veteran Pedro Florimon to the 40-man. He’ll likely serve as the team’s general utility option, a role that was up for grabs in camp this spring.
A reunion with the Orioles has already been suggested for Flaherty, who has a long history with the organization. The 31-year-old owns only a .215/.284/.355 lifetime batting line in the majors but is regarded as a valuable presence around the diamond. He has has also turned in a strong spring, with a .353/.395/.529 slash and just three strikeouts in 38 plate appearances.
Back to Baltimore?
I really hope not.
It depends on who they let go to add him in my opinion. Valencia can out hit him and with both Manny and Beckham they don’t need Valencia to play short. Personally I can’t see a fit with the O’s. But it would surprise me because I’ve alway read that he’s a Buck favorite.
Would NOT surprise me!
He’s probably coming back. At least for awhile. With trumbo’s Injury it’s likely Valencia plays some DH which would make flaherty or any other utility infielder useful. When Trumbo comes back and we can use TB and Valencia as util guys I don’t see the need anymore. Valencia didn’t hit well this spring though so if he doesn’t show anything while Trumbo is out I could see flaherty sticking.
I really hope Baltimore is smart enough not to let this guy come running back.
Running back? He won’t have to, they’ll go running after him. The jack of all trades and master of none. Their love interest for this guy never ceases to amaze. Haha
I don’t get it either…he is a solid infielder but is absolutely lost at the plate unless he is playing in Yankee Stadium (for some odd reason).
.690 OPS at Yankee Stadium doesn’t exactly sound like he knows where he is at the plate there either. He hits well enough at Fenway though, .796 OPS
Last year I looked up it up and Flaherty was statistically the 4th worse hitting player in the majors over his career.
Running back?
Heck, Buck is running AFTER him!
Not a surprise. Wish him well.
I’d be fine bringing him back. He can give you an extra reliever with the amount of positions he can play.
In Baltimore’s rotation he could be a starter.
Not any longer, with Cobb, Cashner, Gausman, Bundy and Tillman the O’s should have at least league average starting pitching, if not better!
To be fair, they could still upgrade over Tillman and probably Cashner
this comment is a month late
Certainly 3 days late. Have To find another team for that beaten down joke. May I suggest the padres or the marlins?
well, there’s always the “he can’t pass the Baltimore physical” gag.
that’s a timeless classic
I was sitting behind home plate when this happened, sounded awful.
You heard him get released? I can’t imaging how awful that must have been. You must be traumatized.
What did it sound like , was their crying involved?
I wouldn’t mind the braves signing him to MiLB deal. He’s a pretty good fielder and can come up if anyone gets hurt. Wouldn’t hurt to have as many of those guys as possible.
He’s opting out with the Phillies to avoid going to the minors
He’s probably not going to get a major league deal. But he’s going to want a to crack the roster out of ST and probably have multiple opt out opportunities.
Now I am sad. Another year of him playing 3 times a week hitting .200 for the Orioles…
3x every 2 weeks maybe… More or less he just sits on the bench and takes up a roster spot. Schoop and machado don’t take many days off.
but he’s a “super sub”……….he can suck at any position!
he’s the anti-zobrist
Amen. The guy just can’t hit.
Time for grandmaster flash to come home to Baltimore. Valencia and Alvarez are both better hitters but Buck needs a player that can move around diamond and that’s what flash does best. My guess is they keep Valencia and grab Flaherty, send Pedro to Norfolk.
Orioles need 3B depth and SS depth and 2B depth and left-handed hitters. I kinda hope they sign him. Also…he may have finally “figured it out” at the plate.
For the love of God, no more Flahtery. We finally got rid of him. Why pay over a million bucks a year for a career .215 hitter. Sardinas is doing very well. Keep him for the minimum.