Didi Gregorius Returns to Phillies on a 2-Year, $28 Million Deal

Didi Gregorius with Yankees in 2018. Photo by REX/Shutterstock (9808424p)

After joining the Philadelphia Phillies in 2020 after a long career with the New York Yankees, shortstop Didi Gregorius has agreed to a contract that will bring him back to the Phillies for the next two seasons.

The Curacao native and the Phillies reportedly agreed to a two-year, $28 million contract according to MLB Network’s Ken Rosenthal.

Gregorius was wanted back by Philadelphia throughout the offseason, largely because of how much of a bright spot he was on a disappointing Phils team in 2020. The infielder batted .284 with 10 home runs and 40 RBIs, providing a left-handed power threat alongside Bryce Harper in the team’s lineup.

Gregorius, who will turn 31 later this month, provides the Phillies with a proven commodity at shortstop instead of having to rely on unproven youngsters like Scott Kingery at the position. He impressed the Phillies’ brass and teammates throughout last season thanks to his reliability and positive clubhouse presence.

Philadelphia, who also signed catcher JT Realmuto to a big contract extension last week, will hope that Gregorius will play a key role as the team looks to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2011 season.

Fresh off signing his new contract, Gregorius will report to Phillies Spring Training in Florida later on this month.