When the Phillies outrighted Domonic Brown off of their 40-man roster, they all but assured themselves that Brown would not return. Brown did have the option to accept a minor league assignment to remain with the Phillies. As it was probably better for Brown and for the Phillies, Brown declined to do so.
Matt Eddy of Baseball America reported the move:
#Phillies OF Domonic Brown elects free agency following his outright off 40-man roster. Hit .233/.285/.349 (75 OPS+) in 716 PA in 2014-15.
— Matt Eddy (@MattEddyBA) October 27, 2015
Brown is now free to sign with any Major League team.
However, Brad Lidge of MLB Network Radio suggested that Brown may have a hard time finding a Major League job. While Lidge called Brown "a great guy" and "a hard worker", Lidge believes that Brown probably has to take a minor league deal and show he can play at the Major League level before a team will give him a chance. A Spring Training invitation might be the best Brown can get.
Briefly ranked ahead of Mike Trout in Baseball America's midseason 2011 prospect rankings, Brown never lived up to the talent many felt that he had. Brown had more chances than he should have had, perhaps because of the prospect label. The next organization Brown players for will no longer feel obligated to give him chances because of that.
