Utility infielder Kevin Frandsen has elected free agency per Philadelphia Inquirer Phillies beat writer Matt Gelb. Frandsen will forfeit a $900,000 bonus by doing so. He was outrighted off the Phillies 40-man roster on Sunday and will now be free to sign with any major league team.
Frandsen led all of major league baseball last season with 14 pinch hits but he struggled this spring hitting just .206 (7 for 34) with two RBIs. With Frandsen gone, and Ronny Cedeno being released, the Phillies bench is taking shape. Cesar Hernandez, Darin Ruf, Reid Brignac, Tony Gwynn Jr, and Bobby Abreu are the remaining candidates with only Hernandez and Ruf having a spot on the 40 man roster.
This move was a bit surprising. Frandsen passed through waivers, meaning all 29 other teams decided not to claim him and pay him the $900,000 he was owed, yet he still elected free agency. Its also surprising that the Phillies would outright one of their best pinch hitters. Frandsen had played well in his two years in Philly, playing all over the infield and hitting a respectable .280 with a .333 OBP. Final rosters have to be in by 3 PM EST on Sunday.
