One of the longest-tenured Philadelphia Phillies will be back with the team in 2021.
Catcher Andrew Knapp and the Phillies agreed to a one-year/$1.1 million deal Wednesday, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors had projected that Knapp would earn between $1 and $1.5 million in arbitration, so this is seemingly a good deal for the Phillies.
The move comes hours before the non-tender deadline, though there was never any thought that Knapp was a candidate to be non-tendered. The Phillies also settled with reliever Seranthony Dominguez Tuesday, so we’re still waiting to hear on Zach Eflin, Rhys Hoskins, Hector Neris, Vince Velasquez and David Hale. The first three will certainly be tendered contracts if the Phillies don’t reach a deal with them to settle outside of arbitration. Velasquez and Hale are on the bubble.
After consecutive down years, Knapp was excellent for the Phillies in the pandemic-shortened season, slashing .278/.404/.444 with two home runs and 15 RBIs in 33 games.
Of course, in 2020 Knapp was J.T. Realmuto’s backup, and Realmuto’s future with the team is uncertain, as he’s a free agent. If Realmuto departs – even if the Phillies pivoted to a capable starter like James McCann or Yadier Molina – Knapp would likely take on a larger role than he’s had in each of the past two seasons.
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