Philadelphia Phillies: Michael Saunders officially released

The news recently broke of two veterans being designated for assignment by the Phillies. They officially clear waivers today.

Struggling they are, the Philadelphia Phillies. Cutting loose the weak performances of Michael Saunders and Jeanmar Gomez brings them closer to the future. While the moves were announced a few days ago, today is the day it all becomes official.

It is a tricky process. MLB.com has a section offering to shore up the confusion.

"Within seven days of the transaction… the player can either be traded or placed on irrevocable outright waivers. If the player is claimed off said waivers by another club, he is immediately added to that team’s 40-man roster, at which point he can be optioned to the Minor Leagues… or assigned to his new team’s 25-man roster."

Todd Zolecki, the Phillies beat writer for MLB.com, brought the process to light yesterday.

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It is no surprise nobody is claiming either veteran. It’s typical for a player to clear and become a free agent. In the case of these two players, they can be had cheaper by not being claimed, thus having more suitors in demand of their services.

Michael Saunders hasn’t had the best luck in hitting this season. He carries a .205 average and a .617 OPS. With a BABIP of just .245, it’s no surprise. Saunders’ career BABIP usually sits around .300. So far, the Phillies are eating all of the $9 million owed him over his one-year deal.

Jeanmar Gomez will probably fare better on the market than Saunders. Gomez has shown promise as a bullpen arm in the past, has a year of arbitration control left and has experience in the late innings as the Phillies’ closer last season. Though he did finish 2016 with a 4.85 ERA, he was in the 2.00s for much of the year. Gomez had a 2.97 ERA on August 31. He allowed 18 earned runs in September after surrendering 18 earned runs all year to that point.

Next: Upcoming decisions for Phillies GM

Now is the time for left-hander Hoby Milner and outfielder Cameron Perkins to shine for the Philadelphia Phillies. Milner made his debut just last night. Perkins made his debut the night he joined the big-league club.