Phillies Let the “Eyre” Out

Scott Eyre’s career in Philly appears to be over.

"I don't believe he'll be a Phillie next year," General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. told MLB.com.

The Phillies didn’t offer the 37-year-old southpaw much more than a courtesy minor-league deal without guarantees attached. They likely had concerns about Eyre's surgically repaired elbow.

But, Eyre’s departure won’t sit well with some Phillies fans. He became beloved for his normal guy look and ability to get out left-handed hitters. He went a Jesse Orosco-esque 2-1 with a 1.50 ERA and 22 strikeouts while giving up only three homers and 16 walks in 30 innings of work in 42 games.

But, you can’t blame the Phillies for having some concerns about the aging lefty specialist's health. That doesn't mean some fans won't be upset by the news.

Eyre was a Philly-type of guy. A big burly lefty that pitched through pain (loose bodies in his elbow) to earn respect in this town.

The move though wasn't surprising. Eyre seemed to see the end being near especially after he said he would only come back with the Phils. After the World Series he posted to his blog that he was considering moving on from baseball and that part of that decision would be in Amaro’s hands.

“Like I said, this group of guys is making it very hard for me to say, ‘Hey, I'm going to go home and retire.’ For me personally, it will be a family decision. (Amaro) has a lot to say about that as well, obviously,” he wrote. “I still love to play the game and I still love to go out there and compete. And I still feel like I do a good job with it.”

Fans upset to see Eyre go should remember that this was a baseball decision. Amaro and the Phillies made a move that they believe should help the team.

They also might have learned their lesson about keeping fan favorites despite concerns about age after shelling out millions to Jamie Moyer last season.

The Phightins showed Moyer some love with a $13 million two-year deal to the delight of fans but the deal now is an albatross. The Phils are on the hook for at least $6.5 million as the 47-year-old Moyer tries to come back from a series of hospital visits following complications from groin surgery.

Look at it this way. If the Phillies didn’t sign Moyer before last season they possibly could have afforded to keep Cliff Lee this season.

In any case the Phightins will likely move on without Eyre. Thanks for the grit and determination -- you will be missed.

And, don't completely rule out a return of Eyre to the bullpen. There isn't much in the left-handed veteran reliever free-agent market (Will Ohman, etc.) so Eyre could possibly resurface especially if the bullpen suffers injuries.