PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — With all of the J.T. Realmuto speculation during the offseason, there was another key free agent who was deciding if he should return to Philadelphia: Didi Gregorius.
Gregorius was the Phillies’ starting shortstop last season. After signing a one-year deal last year, Gregorius had a chance to find another team for 2021. As the free agency process continued, he decided rejoining the Phillies was his best option.
Gregorius signed a two-year deal, and the shortstop said he wasn't worried about deciding what the best situation was for him going forward.
"I actually was not worried at all," said Gregorius. "I just played the game and then saw what was going to happen. There’s a lot of things that you can control, but I can control what I control and talk with teams and see what they had to offer."
Several free agent shortstops were forced to settle for a one-year deal. The chance to come back to Philadelphia on a two-year contract made the Phillies a more appealing option for Gregorius.
The other appeal was trying to help the Phillies return to the postseason for the first time since 2011.
"We have the players," Gregorius said. "If everybody does their job they’re supposed to do, I think we’re definitely going to be there and play the game and play even harder to win the World Series, but the team is good."
Gregorius brings stability to the infield. He also brings leadership to the locker room.
Manager Joe Girardi is thrilled to have Gregorius back, and believes his impact on the clubhouse will be just as important as his batting average and fielding percentage.
"I think he solidifies our infield," said Girardi. "He keeps everyone in the right spot, in the right frame of mind. Didi plays the game with a love and a hunger, and I think it wears off on other people. For me, I think he’s a real leader."
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The Phillies were closing on a playoff spot in 2020 before a late-season collapse.
It is a sting which still resonates throughout the organization. Now that Gregorius has returned, he is hoping to be part of a team which will wipe away the past decade of frustrations.
"I’m always hungry to get to the playoffs," Gregorius said. "That’s what you play for, and that’s where you want to be. You want to be in the World Series, and we have a great group of guys that can do that."