By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
As SportsRadio 94 WIP's Joe Giglio tweeted Sunday evening, "this one slipped through the cracks."
The Philadelphia Phillies — along with the Atlanta Braves and Chicago White Sox — have offered free agent veteran outfielder Michael Brantley a contract, according to a Nov. 6 report by Cleveland.com's Paul Hoynes.
Brantley, 31, is a three-time All-Star and 2014 Silver Slugger Award winner. The 10-year veteran slashed .309/.364/.468 this past season with 36 doubles, 17 home runs, 76 RBI, 48 walks and 60 strikeouts.
Brantley led all of baseball with 45 doubles in 2015, and has primarily played left field throughout his career — all with the Cleveland Indians. The Indians declined to make Brantley a one-year, $17.9 million qualifying offer earlier this month, hence making him a free agent.
There is "nearly a zero chance" Brantley will re-sign with the Indians, according to The Plain Dealer's Terry Pluto, who writes that without Brantley, the Indians starting outfield likely will shape to be Jason Kipnis in left, Leonys Martin or Greg Allen in center, and Tyler Naquin in right.
Hoynes writes:
The Indians acquired Brantley from Milwaukee as part of the CC Sabathia trade in 2008. He did not join them until Oct. 3 as the player to be named in the deal. Brantley has spent his entire big league career with the Tribe.
Late this season, Brantley, 31, was asked what he would say to the Indians if he didn’t re-sign, “I would thank them for the honor of playing here," he said. “I grew from a young man to a man here.”
Even if Hoskins moves back to first base, the Phillies' outfield is relatively crowded as is with Roman Quinn, Nick Williams, Odubel Herrera, Aaron Altherr and Dylan Cozens. Altherr is arbitration eligible, and the Phillies have until Nov. 30 to decide whether to non-tender him and part ways after five seasons.
Brantley could replace Altherr as the fourth outfielder and join Williams and potentially Bryce Harper as the club's corner outfielders in 2019. Quinn and Herrera would compete for the everyday center field role in spring training. As for Cozens? He would need a strong spring training showing to make the 25-man roster. Look for him to be included in a trade with either Maikel Franco or Cesar Hernandez this offseason.
The Phillies are also reportedly interested in fellow free agent and former Indian, infielder Josh Donaldson.
Phillies ownership is willing to be "a little stupid" about spending this offseason, and signing Brantley would not lessen the chances to also add Harper. If anything, signing Brantley now, while Harper and agent Scott Boras field offers, would be a nice insurance option in case Harper signs elsewhere.
