Had the Philadelphia Phillies extended a one-year/$18.9 million qualifying offer to Didi Gregorius before Sunday's deadline, the 30-year-old shortstop would have had a difficult decision to make on how he proceeded this winter.
Ultimately, though, the Phillies elected not to issue a qualifying offer to Gregorius, meaning the slugging shortstop will have one focus in free agency - securing a multi-year deal.
Following a disappointing final season in New York after he had Tommy John surgery, Gregorius signed a one-year/$14 million deal to attempt to rebuild his value. In theory, he did that, slashing .284/.339/.488 with 10 home runs and 40 RBIs in the pandemic-shortened season.
Before the final game of the regular season, Bryce Harper told Gregorius that he was "proud" of him for betting on himself and winning that bet, setting himself up to receive a lucrative multi-year deal in free agency.
Of course, this isn't a normal offseason. Right or wrong, many ownership groups - even ones in big markets - are pinching pennies because of underwhelming revenues in 2020 due to COVID-19. In a normal year, Gregorius would be fairly certain to land at least a two-year deal. This offseason, all bets are off, which is why Gregorius would have had an interesting decision to make if he had been issued the qualifying offer.
With all the factors of this offseason's market acknowledged, here are four teams that Gregorius could potentially sign with this offseason:
Philadelphia Phillies
Didi Gregorius spent the 2020 season with the Phillies.(Bill Streicher/USA Today)In 2020, Gregorius became a fan favorite in Philadelphia, despite never actually playing a game in front of fans at Citizens Bank Park. Mum has been the word on whether the organization will mount a serious effort to retain him, and it's hard to know whether re-signing J.T. Realmuto would make it more or less likely the Phillies spend to keep Gregorius in red pinstripes. Internally, the Phillies could use either Jean Segura or Scott Kingery as replacements, but both would be downgrades. With a potentially historic shortstop class looming next offseason, the Phillies may not want to commit to two or more years with Gregorius. But if they don't re-sign him, they'll probably be a worse team than what was already a disappointing club in 2020.
New York Yankees
Could Didi Gregorius return to the Yankees in 2021?(Elsa/Getty Images)Gregorius told WFAN last month that he doesn't expect the Yankees to pursue him in free agency, although we're not so sure. Brian Cashman kind of left all options open regarding Gleyber Torres' defensive future after 23-year-old posted -9 defensive runs saved in 2020. Gregorius isn't a Gold Glove-caliber shortstop, but he's much better than Torres at the position. If the Yankees re-sign DJ LeMahieu to play second base, this discussion will likely be a moot point. However, if LeMahieu prices his way out of New York (which is a very strange thing to write), Torres could move back to second, and Gregorius could return in some form to a team he never really wanted to leave.
Los Angeles Angels
Didi Gregorius is a free agent.(Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)After missing the postseason for the sixth consecutive season, the Angels figure to be one of the more active teams this offseason. One of those moves could be pursuing Gregorius, as George A. King III of The New York Post has already reported that the Angels have some interest in the veteran shortstop. The Angels No. 1 priority this winter needs to be adding frontline starting pitching, which is why we believe they are the best fit for Trevor Bauer. Still, Andrelton Simmons is a free agent following five seasons as the starting shortstop for the Halos. Gregorius would be an upgrade offensively, joining a lineup that already includes Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon and Shohei Ohtani.
Cincinnati Reds
Didi Gregorius could be an interesting target for the Reds.(Sam Navarro/USA Today)Gregorius actually began his career with the Reds, playing eight games for the team in 2012 before being dealt to the Arizona Diamondbacks that offseason. There was some thought he could be a fit to return last winter, and that's resurfaced this offseason, with Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors predicting that Gregorius will sign a three-year/$39 million deal with the Reds. Freddy Galvis, the team's primary shortstop in 2020, is a free agent. With Trevor Bauer likely to depart in free agency, the Reds could stock up on offense, adding Gregorius into a lineup that already includes Eugenio Suarez, Nicholas Castellanos, Mike Moustakas and Joey Votto.
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