Nick Piccone
It’s been a question on the mind of Phillies fans – well, some Phillies fans, at least – if the club would extend a qualifying offer to free-agent-to-be pitcher Jeremy Hellickson. This year’s offer would cost the club $17.2 million for one year if Hellickson was to sign it. The deadline is 5:00 P.M. today for MLB teams to extend their qualifying offers, and, according to Jon Heyman, the Phillies have extended that offer to Hellickson.
Hellickson has until next Monday to accept the offer or decline it. If he declines, he’ll become a free agent and the Phillies would get draft pick compensation. He could still decline the offer and re-sign with the Phillies. But don’t expect that scenario to play out.
The Phillies haven’t confirmed Heyman’s report as of this writing. We’ll update this post when/if they do.
Hellickson was 12-10 last season with the Phillies, boasting a 3.71 ERA and was by far the most effective pitcher in the rotation.