The Phillies announced Tuesday evening that veteran infielder/outfielder Josh Harrison requested and was granted his release. He’s now a free agent and can sign with any club.
Harrison, 32, was a fixture in the Pirates’ lineup from 2014-17, hitting a combined .290/.331/.428 with 37 homer and 59 steals in 2063 plate appearances. He bounced all over the diamond, lining up at third base, second base, shortstop and both outfield corners. The versatile Harrison twice made the All-Star team in that stretch and was even rewarded by the Bucs with a four-year, $27.3MM extension back in 2015.
Things began to go downhill for Harrison in 2018, when he sustained his second fractured hand in as many months of play. Harrison broke his left hand and missed the final month of the 2017 season, and he broke the same hand early in 2018 when he was hit by a Jose Urena fastball. Upon returning, Harrison slumped to a .250/.293/.363 line. His 2019 option was bought out by the Pirates, and he lingered in free agency for much of the winter before signing a one-year, $2MM deal with the Tigers. Hamstring issues limited him in Detroit, and his time with the Tigers resulted in a career-worst .175/.218/.263 slash in just 140 plate appearances.
With the Phillies, Harrison had been vying for a utility job, although he was part of a crowded competition. The Phillies also inked veterans Neil Walker, Logan Forsythe, Phil Gosselin, Ronald Torreyes and T.J. Rivera to minor league contracts with invitations to camp. Of that bunch, Walker has already been informed he’ll make the Opening Day roster. Forsythe was released earlier this week, and Rivera was cut loose in late May. Gosselin and Torreyes remain with the team in hopes of securing an Opening Day roster spot.
I thought that he was going to make the team. However, he is looking to play everyday which is reasonable. Hopefully, he signs with a team very soon. Probably, the Giants could sign him.
He can’t hit anymore, He is lucky to be on the bench at this stage in his career. There is no way in hell he plays every day, not even on the Orioles . That being said, I love the guy.
He reminds me so much of Chone Figgins, and he is suddenly disappearing just like Figgins did = (
This transaction reminds me of two and a half years ago when columnists, sports radio hosts, and bloggers, along with a bunch of dopes who call themselves my fellow Mets fans demanded that Sandy Aldeson trade Brandon Nimmo for Harrison. None of those self-proclaimed experts should ever be employed in baseball journalism again. Let them sell used cars or bag groceries. They don’t know a thing about baseball.
Amen, Marc
Yet,had the Mets traded for him, he likely would not have been hit by the pitch, and could still possibly be a very good hitter. The Mets would have won that trade. Or, the trade might have caused a Tsunami. You never know.
Um, we know. Nimmo is a young star in the making. Harrison a fading veteran who never had a season as good as Nimmo’s ‘18. No need for hindsight whatsoever. Nimmo > Harrison.
Vision is always 20/20 in hindsight. No way to tell what have happened with different circumstances.
Wow, trash talking people who were doing their jobs years ago with the benefit of hindsight. Real big of you.
So Harrison’s available, by George. Perhaps he can Starr for some other.
Probably not going to end up with a World Series Ringo.
Would that cast a Paul over his career?
I am voting for, “would that cast a paul over his career?” Who says no?
I doubt he wants anyone to hold his hand!
The Phills say goodbye, the O’s say hello.
Yankees.
Pirates need an outfielder
Always loved this guy
Damn.
Pirates.
Jose Urena is such a jerk
I’ll echo that sentiment. He’s a talentless crybaby, and I can’t wait for the day an article pops up on here announcing the Marlins finally cut bait from him.
Jose Urena=piece o poo
Slick fielder. I think it was his lack of hitting that sunk him. Good luck to him.
Gamer who just did not age well.