Jul 5, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins left fielder Bryan De La Cruz (14) reacts after hitting a fly ball to Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. (not pictured) during the seventh inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports Sam Navarro
According to Mike Rodriguez, the Phillies have reached an agreement with outfielder Bryan De La Cruz on a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.
De La Cruz, 28, made his MLB debut with the Miami Marlins in 2021. He showed promise there, posting a .263 batting average and a .731 OPS in his first three seasons. In 2023, he hit 19 home runs and 32 doubles in 153 games played.
He split his 2024 season between the Marlins and the Pittsburgh Pirates following a mid-season trade. De La Cruz led the Marlins in home runs (18) and RBIs (51) at the time of the trade, but he struggled in the second half as a Pirate, slashing just .200/.220/.294.
De La Cruz signed a one-year, major league contract with the Atlanta Braves for the 2025 season and appeared in just 16 games, where he slashed .191/.240/.213. The Braves optioned him on April 16 to recall Alex Verdugo. The New York Yankees claimed him off waivers, but De La Cruz never appeared in a major league game for them and elected free agency on Oct. 10.
Now De La Cruz is reportedly moving on to his third NL East team. Rodriguez reported Thursday that De La Cruz received an invitation to spring training, where he'll presumably have a chance to crack the Phillies' Opening Day roster.
For the Phillies, taking a flyer on De La Cruz is a low risk, high reward move. Although he's undoubtedly struggled recently, he's still just 28 years old, boasts five years of major league experience and had a 21 home run season as recently as 2024.
Additionally, the first signing of the Phillies' offseason being a right-handed outfielder could be very indicative of Dave Dombrowski's priorities as the club heads into winter.
