Phillies Do Not Tender Maikel Franco, Cesar Hernandez, Making Both Players Free Agents
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- As the baseball offseason begins to heat up, the Philadelphia Phillies made some decisions on a few players that have been staples in the organization. Both Maikel Franco and Cesar Hernandez were not tendered contracts for the 2020 season.
This decision makes both infielders free agents.
Franco, 27, had a roller-coaster season in 2019, starting out hot with seven home runs and 22 RBI in March/April, but was inconsistent throughout the rest of the year. The 2019 season also saw the infielder spend time in the minor leagues.
Hernandez, 29, had more of a consistent year. He ended the season with a .279 average along with a .981 fielding percentage.
Some other moves included the team tendering contracts for a number of arbitration-eligible players, including All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto and backup catcher Andrew Knapp.
The Phillies also tendered contracts to pitchers Adam Morgan, Zach Eflin, Hector Neris, Vince Velasquez and Jose Alvarez.
