Phillies Agree to Terms with INF Didi Gregorious

Austinfan 2019-12-13 14:54:14 UTC #41

We had a good track record of developing arms for other teams in the past.
But other than Nola, Neris, Morgan, Suarez and SD, we haven't produced much the last five years or so.
Irvin, Garcia, Davis, Ramos and Anderson were homegrown "flops."
Eflin, Pivetta, Velasquez, Arano, Eickhoff all from trades, even DLS and Hammer were from trades.
We bought Arrieta and a slew of RPs, Robertson, Hunter, Neshek, Alvarez, Nicasio, Vargas, Morin, Parker

Which probably explains why there's been so much coaching turnover in the minors the last two years.

They don't need miracles from the farm, but a couple RPs and a 5th starter would be nice.

Philsmania 2019-12-13 15:47:59 UTC #42

Getting back to Gregorious, if there is one potential red flag to his signing it is that the Yankees usually re-sign their own free agents if they are productive. If they let one walk, you have to wonder if he may have some kind of an issue, like Robertson last year.

xogfog 2019-12-13 15:57:49 UTC #43

Well, they just signed Cole to a ridiculous contract and brought back Gardner who is their glue guy. They have Torres who can play SS, so they probably would not bring back Didi even if he was healthy and had a good season last year.

Philsmania 2019-12-13 16:04:03 UTC #44

Per the Phillies Facebook feed, the signing is officially official.

phillies.com
https://www.mlb.com/breaking-news/phillies-sign-didi-gregorius

phillychuck 2019-12-13 17:17:11 UTC #45

Analytics in the press release:

"Per Statcast data, his average exit velocity (88.2 mph) and percentage of hard-hit balls (34.8%) were his highest since the data began being tracked in 2015."

Sounds like he was unlucky last season.

andyb 2019-12-13 17:28:02 UTC #46

I think the data also shows that he swung outside the strike zone more often, being more aggressive. That could explain some of the higher exit velocities. He clearly was pressing to some degree.

Gregorius is probably remaking himself into more of a power hitter as he ages. Hopefully this works, though if the ball returns to its former liveliness he might have to adjust again.