Categories: News

Phillies, Hector Neris agree to one-year/$5 million deal

The Philadelphia Phillies and reliever Hector Neris agreed to a one-year/$5 million deal for 2021 before the 8 p.m. deadline to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players, per Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Jon Heyman of MLB Network adds that Neris has a $50,000 bonus as part of the deal as well.

Hector Neris will be back with the Phillies in 2021. (Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire)

Neris, 31, had his $7 million option for 2021 declined by the Phillies in late October after he posted a 4.57 ERA in 24 games for Joe Girardi’s team in 2020. That proved to be a wise move on the part of the Phillies, who have saved $2 million with this news.

As frustrating as Neris has been at times, there’s ample evidence that he was unlucky in 2020, and pitched at a higher level than his back-of-the-baseball-card statistics would indicate. Opponents had a .381 batting average on balls in play against Neris, a clip that likely would have been unsustainable over a 162-game season, let alone multiple years. Neris’ 2.50 FIP is also significantly lower and more impressive than his aforementioned ERA.

Neris has 72 saves in his career, though the Phillies seemed to prefer to use him in a set-up role after acquiring Brandon Workman at midseason. Unfortunately for them, the acquisition of Workman proved disastrous, and they’ll likely need to invest in a veteran on the free agent market, such as Liam Hendriks or Brad Hand, to avoid using Neris as their primary closer in 2021.

The Phillies did avoid arbitration with Seranthony Dominguez

Tuesday, though he had Tommy John surgery in August, so if he’s able to help the Phillies bullpen at all in 2021, it won’t be until late in the season.

MORE FROM PHILLIES NATION

  1. Phillies Offseason Primer: Payroll, Free Agents And Trades
  2. 5 Candidates Not Named Epstein That Could Replace Andy MacPhail
  3. Can Jimmy Rollins Make The Hall Of Fame?
  4. Girardi: ‘There Are 30 Teams That Would Love To Have J.T., And We’re At The Top Of The List
  5. Report: Phillies Actually Lost $145 Million During 2020 Season
  6. 6 Former Phillies Appear On 2021 Hall Of Fame Ballot
  7. Which Former Phillie(s) Could Return In 2021?
  8. Through 2 Years, Who Has Been Better – Bryce Harper Or Manny Machado?
  9. 2021 Is A Pivotal Year On The Hall Of Fame Ballot For Scott Rolen
  10. Phillies Nation Top 20 Phillies Prospects
https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/937849909
Share
Tim Kelly

Tim Kelly was the Editorial Director of Phillies Nation from June 2018 through October 2024. You can follow him on social media @TimKellySports.

Get throwback Phillies styles from Shibe Vintage Sports in Center City Philly