Four Phillies Become Free Agents

2017 Topps #690

The day after the World Series, four Phillies joined the list of 149 total players becoming free agents.  None of the players - infielder Andres Blanco, pitcher Clay Buchholz, and outfielders Hyun-Soo Kim and Daniel Nava - are expected to return in 2018.

All but Blanco played just a single season with the Phillies.  Blanco, a clubhouse leader, first joined the Phillies organization in 2012 and made it up to the big club in 2014.  I tally nine unique Blanco Phillies baseball cards in my collection from the team issued photo card sets to appearances in the Topps flagship releases.  In 301 games over four seasons, Blanco hit .257 and played every position except right field, center field and catcher.

Buchholz started just two games for the Phils before a shoulder injury derailed his season.  His two starts earned him a half dozen Phillies cards, including a card in the recently released Topps Update set.

Nava made the team as a non-roster invitee out of spring training, and despite hamstring and back injuries, appeared in 80 games compiling an impressive .301 average.  His time with the Phillies is marked with baseball cards in the team issued photo card set as well as a card in the Topps Heritage High Numbers set.  Kim joined the club in late July as part of the deal that sent Jeremy Hellickson to the Orioles.  In 40 games, Kim hit .230 with 4 RBIs.  He appears in the late season team issued photo card update set, marking what is most likely his one and only Phillies baseball card appearance.

Finally, I wanted to add Pedro Beato to the list below as Beato recently became a minor league free agent.  Beato pitched 2/3 of an inning back on July 29th before blowing out his hamstring.  Beato has a card in the 2017 IronPigs' minor league team set.

Moving On - 2017-2018 Offseason

• Henderson Alvarez - rhp (10/4/17) - Outrighted off 40-man roster and elected free agency.
• Ty Kelly - 2b-of (10/4/17) - Outrighted off 40-man roster and elected free agency.
• Kevin Siegrist - lhp (10/4/17) - Outrighted off 40-man roster and elected free agency.
• Pedro Beato - rhp (10/13/17) - Elected free agency.
• Andres Blanco - inf (11/2/17) - Elected free agency.
• Clay Buchholz - rhp (11/2/17) - Elected free agency.
• Hyun Soo Kim - of (11/2/17) - Elected free agency.
• Daniel Nava - of (11/2/17) - Elected free agency.