Four Phillies File for Free Agency

The day after the World Series is the day players may file for free agency.  The Phillies have a handful of their own free agents who took the usual steps.  Infielder Asdrubal Cabrera, catcher Wilson Ramos, reliever Aaron Loup and outfielder Jose Bautista all filed for free agency on Monday.  All four players were acquired by the Phillies down the stretch run.

Cabrera is likely not a fit for the Phillies going forward, depending on how the team decides to move forward.  With several younger infielders and the Phillies shooting much higher in adding an infielder such as Manny Machado, Cabrera is not a likely fit to return.  Cabrera batted .228 for the Phillies with 13 doubles and five home runs in 49 games.

Ramos is an interesting name.  The Phillies would likely love to have a veteran catcher to work with Jorge Alfaro, who is improving and should be the team's long-term solution at catcher.  Injuries played Ramos during his two year deal with the Tampa Bay Rays (he was signed knowing he would begin the year on the disabled list in 2017) which could limit the number of years on a deal. The Phillies probably will not go too long-term with Ramos but might wish to bring him back.

Loup barely pitched for the Phillies.  Acquired at the July 31 trade deadline to be a bullpen left-handed pitcher, Loup promptly got injured.  He would make just nine appearances for the Phillies in the final two months, allowing two runs in four innings.  Luis Avilan joined the Phillies in August, probably meaning there is no room for Loup.

Bautista put together 57 at bats over 27 games for the Phillies in September after being acquired from the New York Mets.  The Phillies might have enough internal options for a right-handed bat for the bench, particularly if the Phillies add a big name outfielder, moving the likes of Aaron Altherr to the bench.

The 40-man roster now has 36 players.