As expected the Phillies extended a free-agent qualifying offer to JT Realmuto on Sunday. The offer is for 1 year/$18.9 million and Realmuto is almost certain to decline it as he looks to cash in on a lucrative multi-year deal. Once declined, Philadelphia will receive direct draft compensation if another team signs Realmuto in free agency.

In a more surprising move Philadelphia declined to make the same offer to shortstop Didi Gregorius. $18.9 million is likely more than the team believed Didi was worth on the open market. With so much uncertainty surrounding league revenue next season it would have been short sighted for the Phillies to negotiate against themselves. Gregorius will likely be willing to take less in annual average salary for the security of a multi-year deal.

Declining to extend the offer to Didi does come with risk. If Gregorius decides to leave in free agency the Phillies will receive no draft compensation.

After Andy MacPhail’s head scratching press conference on Friday it’s unclear who is ultimately making the decisions in the front office or what their overall strategy for fielding a winning team may be.

Pray for the Phillies.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY