After being outrighted, Frandsen opts for free agency
Veteran infielder declines Minor League assignment, forfeits guaranteed contract
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Kevin Frandsen figured he no longer fit into the Phillies' immediate plans when they outrighted him Sunday.
He had 72 hours to accept his Minor League assignment or he could become a free agent. He opted Tuesday for free agency, forfeiting a guaranteed $900,000 contract.
"A little bit," said Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., asked if he was surprised Frandsen elected free agency. "It's his right as the rules go. As we told him when we talked to him about taking him off the roster, he had an opportunity to still make our club. We just wanted to try to give ourselves some flexibility. But that's his choice, that's his right and it's part of the process."
Frandsen led the big leagues with 14 pinch-hits last season. He also hit .353 with a .920 OPS the past two seasons against left-handers. A popular player in the Phillies clubhouse, the front office outrighted him because it felt it needed to create flexibility on the 40-man roster for impending moves.
It seemed a certainty Frandsen would be back with the Phillies at some point this season, but he apparently felt he had a better opportunity elsewhere.
It leaves the Phillies even thinner in the infield. Freddy Galvis will open the season on the disabled list as he recovers from MRSA. They just released Ronny Cedeno on Tuesday.