Andrew Knapp, Phillies avoid arbitration and sign one-year deal
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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