The Phillies have signed infielder Josh Harrison to a minor league contract and invited him to Spring Training, per a team announcement. MLB Network’s Jon Heyman had recently reported that the MSM Sports client was weighing minor league interest from as many as five clubs (Twitter link).
A two-time All-Star with the Pirates, Harrison spent the 2019 season with the Tigers after signing a one-year pact to serve as their primary second baseman. However, the deal didn’t pan out, as shoulder and hamstring injuries combined to limit the versatile Harrison to just 36 games, during which time he batted .175/.218/.263.
Last year’s lost season notwithstanding, the 32-year-old Harrison isn’t far removed from a productive four-year run as a key contributor with the Pirates. From 2014-17, he batted a combined .290/.331/.428 with 37 homers, 118 doubles, 17 triples and 59 stolen bases while playing second base, third base, shortstop and the outfield corners.
I guess he might still be some what good
He always could have been better, even during his decent years as a utility player. fact he was just another hacker who never learned how to take a walk. Something else the game that has gone away for some reason over the last several decades. We just don’t have a dozen guys per league walking 100+ every season any longer like used to and no longer is striking out 100 times seen as a bad thing, much less 150+.
Would think with all these numbers people teams are yacking about, same with fans here that OBP would be pretty important. FREE bases via a walk is another thing going away and wild hacking entering instead.
@johnsilver – the league walk rate was 3.27 per 9 last year, which is right at the average for the last 20 years. And in fact, the league walk rate has increased each year for the last 6 years.
Every time you post, you post absolute garbage.
We don’t deal in facts ‘round these parts, ya hear?
It’s a solid signing. Let’s go Phillies. Sign Madison Bumgarner. Yes, I like the Phillies.
Great comment.
Spending some of that stupid money I see.
didnt think there was any left after giving Harper all that cash
I was being sarcastic.
Looks like another crappy offseason for free agents. Seems to follow suit after last year, considering how many guys were left twisting in the wind and then how many other guys signed contract extensions during the regular season breaking the old trend of waiting to hit the market.
Its november bro
That’s likely what you said last year
Because front offices stopped handing out MLB deals to guys coming off a .175/.218/.263. season ?
I’d argue the opposite. Relievers have been getting paid pretty well for years now, and this year has started out no different with Martin and Smith. And Grandal blew by the offer he had last year as well.
Cutch got a great deal last year too. It seems the best strategy is to take the best early offer instead of waiting for the dream deal.
Maybe he can reinvent himself
Or maybe he can get cut in the middle of Spring Training because he hit .127
That would be be tight, Papi. It wouldn’t be tight for him but it would be tight for the team because they could free up a roster spot that would be taken up by a .127 hitter. That’s always tight, right?
going from one depressing ball club to another isn’t going to improve his performance, or will it…. whatever
Phillies disappointed last year. Unlikely they do worse so really he’s probably joining a club that will bounce back and be more competitive. I think most thought they would do better in 2019.
Sean Rodriguez version 2020?
I was really disappointed that in Sean
He will serve the role formerly occupied by Sean Rodriguez. Cant complain about a guy with 2 all-star nods on his resume for a minor league pact. Was a productive player for several years and can play anywhere on the diamond.
Very solid low-risk, high-reward addition. Love it.
Solid? No. He was so bad last year that he was cut by the Tigers! They sent him on a rehab stint after he was hurt for months and he sucked at AAA. I like it as a low-risk minor league contract, but I wouldn’t consider him high-reward. Likeable guy, though, and I hope you’re more right than I am.
Yeah, I’m right. It’s a solid move. No downside at all. If he doesn’t work out, release him. He’s a 2-time All-Star so, if he’s healthy, his versatility off the bench could be invaluable to the Phillies.
Minor league free agents want to sign where there’s at least an outside shot of getting called up. The Philly IF situation is enough flux that it makes sense for Harrison.
Great guy.
Brixton
You are right in that baseball is a business. However, which of the following is not what you’ll hear baseball fans screaming:
“Yay, my team is winning! Yay, my team is winning!”
or
“Yay, my team’s billionaire owner is making more money!”
After we sign Gerrit Cole we will be looking like the Buccos of 2013-17
Only in the sense of putting the band back together!
So cute that Phillies are guaranteeing signings. If Cole signs with the Phillies, I think the bet has got to be Phillies in 4th and the Astros winning it all next year. No?
It would seem fitting to see Cole and Harper hanging out during the World Series and wondering how is it that teams win it all after they lose them.
Not good to be so bitter. Take a deep breath and enjoy last place again.
Thanks for your keen insight, Mr. Bitterman!
Remember when he was a nice little player? Not anymore.
Well, he’s still little, and he’s still nice so 2 out of 3 ain’t bad.
Good gamble by the Phillies. I actually wanted the Marlins to take a flyer on him.
We’re good. As any Phillies fan could tell you, Harper was not the reason they didn’t make the playoffs this year. And $25MM per season is not .320 40HR money in 2019, and it definitely won’t be in the late 2020s either.
Funny…Knicks fans used to say the same about Carmelo Anthony. Many disappointing seasons and coaches fired later, the facts couldn’t be denied any more. Somehow Harper reminds me of Melo.
Yeah, but there was a time that Melo wasn’t overrated.
my expectations are low, but not a bad get for a minors pact.
Awwww……a Cutch and Jayhay reunion. And it feels so good.
They were good friends on the Pirates.
The Pirates missed his enthusiasm as zombieism was one of their problems last year.
I am afraid that JHay is done though.He gets injured too often now.
Hopefully he can latch onto the utility role that he had before the Pirates traded Neil Walker and put him at second base.
I wish him best of luck as he is a really good guy and it is nice to see the two friends get back together at least for spring training.
Can he pitch?
I have witnessed Josh Harrison pitch. TWICE I believe.
What do you mean can he pitch? Did you miss the news the Phillies fires Gabe Kapler? Joe Girardi is managing their Phillies this year. We won’t have that Kapler managing nonsense anymore.
Seems like a fight for the 26th man on the bench..
One of the worst Tigers I’ve ever seen. He looked absolutely cooked, but obviously his health could have played a major part. Good luck in Philly!
Next up, Phillies sign Neil Walker, Russell Martin, and Francisco Liriano to minor league contracts.
i think Liriano can get at least 1-1 after last year’s production, ane Walker might manage a big league deal as well, but if they can get all three on minors deals than good stuff.
What’s Travis Snider up to? Garrett Jones still playing in Japan? But for real….. the Phillies could use TONY WATSON.
I love moves like this for teams. Zero risk with a lot of upside. I wish the cubs took a flyer on him. He was really good for several years for Pit
I was hoping the White Sox would sign him to a minor league contract.
Harper still wants Bryant at Third.
If he’s healthy he’s one of the best bench guys in the game and can be a big help to the Phillies next year.
Can’t see the downside to this one
Gives the Phils a reason to get rid of Hernandez and save money. Smart.
Cost is the bigger reason. This is more of a depth signing in anticipation of cutting Hernandez loose.
Would love 2 c Reds sign Walker as a bench player 1st base 2 back up Votto
Why do people have a cow when low risk minor free agents are signed for depth. Everyone does it.
I love how they always include the line’ 2 time all star’ , like ok, so he made the all star team as the pirates probably 1 player that HAD to be represented, that doesnt mean hes a great player, you see that with everyone’ 3 time all star’ then you look up that he got 1 at bat and maybe struck out, or he just didnt get in the game which happens, seems like a waste of pumping up very average players
Amanda-Making the AST is a plus for any player no matter the situation.
Harrison has had a good career and was a real plus for the Pirates for many years.Don’t demean his career by making silly statements.
Alright , now just go get Jon Jay and Matt Harvey and your good to go
Harrison will fill Sean Rodriguez’s versatility role. That bar is set pretty low, so it’s a plus signing by the Phillies because Harrison offers a better bat (i.e. more contact), some middling pop and some speed (If he still has it at age 32.).
But the 2020 Phillies aren’t going to rise or fall with signings like this one. Klentak has to step up big and buy or trade for two solid starting pitchers and a proven bullpen arm like the Braves got when they signed Will Smith. JMHO, but I’m not a big hector Neris fan.
Nothing to lose here, but the Phillies are still butt hurt from literally giving Howie Kendrick away to the Nats two years ago.
You had me until ‘butt hurt’. Is this a prison reference?
Don’t see the Phillies spending the Stupid or Sick as they’ve mentioned for Cole or Strasburg