TUESDAY: Frandsen has elected to forego his salary and become a free agent, the team announced.
SUNDAY: The Phillies have outrighted infielder Kevin Frandsen to Triple-A, reports MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. Frandsen has 72 hours to either accept the assignment or reject the move and become a free agent. If the 31-year-old elects free agency, he will forfeit the guaranteed $900K salary agreed to last December when he signed a one-year deal to avoid arbitration, according to Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer (via Twitter).
"We're in a situation now with many of the injuries that have happened and the things that have occurred this spring to try and create some roster space for us," Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "That's what we've done. We still think he can be a valuable part of our club. But he's competing. Just like he was before, he continues to compete for a job on the bench."
The Phillies now have 37 players on their 40-man roster, so they "can add him back" if necessary, according to assistant GM Scott Proefrock. Zolecki notes such a scenario is unusual.
Frandsen has spent the past two seasons with the Phillies slashing .280/.333/.389 during his time in Philadelphia, including a .234/.296/.341 mark in 278 plate appearances (119 games) in 2013. Frandsen spent time at every infield position, except shortstop, last year.
Frandsen is a lifetime .259/.316/.359 hitter during his seven-year MLB career with the Giants, Angels, and Phillies.
I’m kinda surprised about this. Frandsen has had pretty great platoon splits with the Phillies and with Asche never hitting lefties all that well in the minors/his short stint in the majors combined with the overall lack of depth the Phillies have I’m surprised they didn’t keep him on the roster.
I’m really not surprised with anything that happens anymore
Yea, but Frandsen has been ice cold since his solid 2012, so its difficult to rely on him.
Not true, had a good first half last season. Fell off a cliff in the second half.
Bench; Nieves, Mayberry, Gywnn, Hernadez, Abreu. Who else really has a chance..
I think they like Reid Brignac.
Who do you take him over. Hernadez, i’m guessing?
Only problem with this is that you only have 1 actual back-up IFer (for the 2B, SS, and 3B positions). If one of them tweaks something, and needs to sit a game or two (but not go on the DL), then you’re incredibly thin. I could see Cedeno or Brignac making the roster out of camp – and being swapped out with Freddy whenever he comes back.
I think they’ll roll with a 6 man bench out of camp (until the middle of April, the first time they need a 5th starter). And then decide on one of the OFers to get rid of (whether it be trade/DFA/release/demotion).
Another reason why the Mayberry signing looks so bad, despite it’s relatively low rate. He’s basically the second best backup outfielder defensively (and probably third offensively) and because Ruf is hurt and Mayberry can play some 1B, he gets a spot. Neither Mayberry nor Frandsen are worth much money at all, but Frandsen’s versatility is really more valuable than Mayberry’s is at this point.
Royals said they needed infielder help.
Frandsen would help!
This makes no sense. Frandsen isn’t a full-timer, but he can rake against lefties. With a career BA of .289 and OBP of .343 you find a place for the guy on your bench. For cryin’ out loud, he can back up three positions across the IF, costs less than 1 million, and can lefties. How do you dump him and keep Mayberry? Frandsen will be on somebody’s roster within a day or two.
Rangers.
yup
Would make a great platoon partner for the Jays with Ryan “no hit all glove” Goins
Agree, if Jays use 7 man pen their bench would be him, Izturis, Sierra and Kratz. And they would have to put Tui back on waivers. Tui is more versatile but we need a better option up the middle than Goins, Izturiz and Getz. Frandsen while barely better, is still such, better. He’s one year removed from hitting .338 in 210 PAs. Most projections don’t have his D rating well but throughout his career he’s usually been average
Agree, if Jays use 7 man pen their bench would be him, Izturis, Sierra and Kratz. And they would have to put Tui back on waivers. Tui is more versatile but we need a better option up the middle than Goins, Izturiz and Getz. Frandsen while barely better, is still such, better. He’s one year removed from hitting .338 in 210 PAs. Most projections don’t have his D rating well but throughout his career he’s usually been average
Phillies could end up facing him on Opening Day if Texas signs him and gives him some duty at 2B.
Rangers have already called him.
Fransden would look good on the Blue Jays bench. If Goins struggles, we could see Fransden as an adequate starter
Another head scratcher by Amaro. I guess they want a backup infielder who can play shortstop. Who do you suppose they will use the 3 extra forty man spots on? Abreu, Gwynn, and Manship/ Buchanon once they need the 5th starter.