The Philadelphia Phillies are completely blowing up their bullpen

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Aug 6, 2020; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (10) and Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Hector Neris (50) shake hands to celebrate the victory after the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

RHP Hector Neris

Club option declined, arbitration eligible.

Ah yes, the enigma that is Hector Neris. Some people love him, and some people can’t stand him.

Whether you refer to him as “Hector the Protecter” or “Nervous Neris”, there’s no denying the fact that the Dominican born reliever had a pretty disastrous 2020 campaign. The team was banking on him to develop into a reliable closing option for Joe Girardi, and instead, he ended up posting the worst season of his career.

Neris recorded an unbelievable WHIP of 1.708 in 2020, by far a career worst for him. His 4.57 ERA wasn’t any less impressive either, as it was the second highest earned run average that he’s posted in a single season.

Neris also recorded 3 blown saves (compared to just 5 converted saves), tied for the third most in all of baseball.

Needless to say, Neris was extremely poor in 2020 and it ended up hurting his bank account. The Philadelphia Phillies chose to decline his $7 million team option for 2021, instead looking to arbitration instead. The Phillies will then ideally get Neris back on a discounted price for next season.

Neris could still be cut or traded, but at this point in time I would expect him to be on the 40-man roster come Opening Day next spring.

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