Philadelphia Phillies will not re-sign their 1 free agent they should have

The 2021-2022 Philadelphia Phillies free agent class was rather dimly lit. From it, they did bring back Odubel Herrera in what might be the most unpopular move of all. His performance and, more so, domestic abuse suspension tainted a lot of the goodwill he had previously earned in Philadelphia.

There was one free agent I did want to see the Phillies bring back. It was veteran utility man Brad Miller.

First acquired by the team in mid-2019, he showed us exactly what he could do over the course of 130 plate appearances in 66 games. The ultimate bench player, he returned to the team for a much larger piece of the action in 2021, where he’d receive 377 plate appearances and get his name on 140 lineup cards.

The Philadelphia Phillies will miss Brad Miller this season.

Philadelphia Phillies free agents are beginning to find new deals. Andrew McCutchen is headed to the Milwaukee Brewers. Hector Neris will suit up for the Houston Astros. Brad Miller will not be back with the Phillies either. He has a deal with the Texas Rangers.

Miller ended up playing a lot more first base last season than anyone could have planned. Also starting at second base, third base, left field, right field, and the DH spot, he’s the weak-fielding utility man you keep around for a passable performance on defense and the occasional big hit on offense.

Miller certainly has had his moments in red swatting big home runs. His walk-off grand slam on July 29 of last season stands out as the biggest of all. At the time, the Phillies were preparing to take first place from the New York Mets. Unfortunately, the Atlanta Braves were right there to leapfrog them.

Larger than just the occasional big hit after a game of striking out four times (nobody’s perfect) is the veteran presence Miller provided them with. “Bamboo Brad” bought into winning almost immediately after joining the club back in 2019. He was the fun kind of leader that could keep the players loose.

So long, Brad Miller. You were a part-time staple to the Philadelphia Phillies organization. You’re a guy that, if all goes poorly in Texas, should expect to become a trade candidate for the Phillies midseason – if all goes well here.