The Phillies have released outfielder Odubel Herrera and right-hander Jeurys Familia. Righty Ryan Sherriff has also been outrighted to Triple-A. All three players were designated for assignment earlier this week.
This is the second time within the last year that the Phils have officially parted ways with Herrera, as they declined their $11.5MM club option last fall and then re-signed him for only $1.75MM in March. It would seem like today’s release will bring an end to Herrera’s run in the organization after seven-plus years, as Philadelphia is certainly hoping that trade deadline acquisition Brandon Marsh can be a long-term answer in center field.
Herrera hit .238/.279/.378 over 197 PA this season, seeing time in center field and left field. Familia was also struggling, with a 6.09 ERA in 34 innings after signing a one-year, $6MM free agent deal with the Phillies during the offseason.
Familia is still owed around $2MM of that salary, though a new team will have to cover just the prorated MLB minimum salary, while the Phillies absorb the rest. The same is true of the roughly $580K owed to Herrera on the remainder of his deal. Claiming either player off DFA waivers would have put the new team on the hook for the rest of the remaining salary, so while neither Herrera or Familia represents a huge financial outlay, it is still understandable why other teams would prefer to stick the Phillies with much of the bill.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see either player catch on elsewhere, though Familia is seemingly the likelier of the two to land with a new club. Herrera hasn’t been a terribly effective player since 2017, while Familia still had solid bottom-line numbers with the Mets as recently as 2021. With pretty much all of Familia’s secondary metrics trending downward, however, clubs must have concerns over what the 32-year-old still has in the tank.
someone pinch me, i think i’m dreaming
You are not. This is not a dream. But it will be if Familia goes back to the Mets. lol
More like a nightmare.
Now Familia can go get his neck examined for whiplash, after all those hits/HR he turned and watch fly
What were you expecting? He’s been that way his whole career lol
That’s why the same people beinh vocal now were not happy with the initial signing. Everyone knew how this would turn out.
Herrera wasn’t as terrible as everyone thinks, but with the addition of Marsh, a well-deserved cut. Familia was god awful. Addition by subtraction. Phillies roster looking good.
He had some moments, but they were always mixed in with mediocrity and boneheaded plays. Like Derek Barnett of the Eagles.
Great comp
His sky high BABIPs fueling his first 2 seasons disagrees with that. He got some extended beginners luck and then his true self showed up and thats 5th OF at most.
I think the best subtraction started with Girardi.
100%
Hello Odubel…it’s Karma calling…
The same karma that has him being owed over $4 million this year.
Teams that want to, and should, win do these moves. It helps to be willing to eat some contracts!
Off topic, but kudos to the Phillies for being ten games above .500 and staying in the wildcard mix even with Harper’s arm/shoulder ailment and his broken finger. Tough group of players.
Mark, Ryan Sherriff is a lefty not a righty.
Familia was a spy for the Mets all along… Happy to see both go! Lets gooooo
Gotta admit ima miss goofball overrun simple flyballs.
Herrera should’ve gotten kicked off the minute his allegations came to light.
He was suspended by the Phillies for over a season.
Glad I got my Familia jersey in time when I visited Citizens Bank this year!!!
Herrera had all the talent in the world, but no determination or ambition to better himself. Typically lazy attitude.
Odubel Herrera. The turd that finally flushed