The Phillies announced Friday that they declined their club options on relievers Hector Neris, David Phelps and David Robertson.
They also claimed 26-year-old right-handed pitcher Johan Quezada on waivers from the Marlins.
Neris had a 2021 club option worth $7 million. It's become pretty clear already that teams are looking to trim payroll because of the pandemic. The Indians let go of one of baseball's best relievers. The Braves let a productive veteran reliever walk to save $3 million.
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Neris is arbitration-eligible so he remains on the Phillies' 40-man roster. He made the prorated version of $4.6 million this season.
Phelps' option was for $4.5 million with a $250,000 buyout. He was ineffective in 10 appearances as a Phillie but very effective in 171 appearances the prior four years. In a normal year, he might have had the option picked up.
Declining Robertson's $12M option to pay the $2M buyout was an easy call for the Phils. He made only seven appearances in two seasons here because of an elbow injury. He averaged 65 appearances per season the prior decade.
The Phillies also made their cuts official with Heath Hembree, Adam Morgan, Blake Parker and Phil Gosselin. All are free agents.
MLB
Quezada, a right-handed reliever, appeared in three games this summer as a rookie with the Marlins. He had a 3.44 ERA in 52⅓ innings at High A in 2019. He's walked 149 batters in 180 minor-league innings.
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