Phillies won't bring Myers back next season

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Yong Kim/Staff Photographer
Brett Myers looks up after catching a line drive hit by Florida's John Baker in the second inning. (Yong Kim/Staff Photographer)
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Brett Myers’ time with the Phillies is over.

"I officially won’t be a Phillie next year," the 29-year-old pitcher told The Inquirer this afternoon. In a meeting with general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., today, Myers was told that the team will not attempt to negotiate a new contract with him this offseason. Myers contract expired after the World Series. He said he will file for free agency today.

"Actually I’m not as disappointed as I thought I’d be," Myers said. "I don’t know if it’s because other things are in front of me, blurring my vision. I’m packing and getting ready to drive home (to Jacksonville, Fla.) tomorrow.

"It just didn’t hit me as hard as I thought it would. I kind of felt it coming." Myers said Amaro gave him no reason for the decision not to attempt to extend the relationship between the team and the pitcher. "I was just like, 'OK, thanks for putting up with my (stuff),' " Myers said. "He thanked me and wished me and my family well. "I’ll miss the guys on the team and the fans who have supported me. Hopefully I’ll be playing against the Phillies and when I do I want the roughest treatment the fans can give me – when I’m pitching. I’m an opposing player – you have to give it to me."

Myers was the Phils’ top draft pick in 1999. He spent eight seasons with the club and was 73-63 with a 4.40 ERA in 240 games.

The righthander had his ups and downs as a Phillie. He made three opening day starts and closed out a division championship clincher. In June 2006, Myers was charged with assaulting his wife in Boston. The charges were dropped. Myers missed several months this season with a hip injury that required surgery. He rehabbed aggressively and made it back for the postseason.

"The last two years, going to the World Series and all, have been exciting," he said. "Other than that, I’m disappointed with how I did the last few years. My last three years weren’t as productive as I would have liked."

Myers is open to working as a starter or a reliever with a new team.

 "I’ll just go out there on the market and see what happens, dude," he said.


Contact staff writer Jim Salisbury at 215-854-4983 or jsalisbury@phillynews.com

119
Comments   
Posted 02:27 PM, 11/06/2009
celtic_13
Myers has got some versatility, I'm surprised they didn't at least try to make him an offer at a lower rate. Must have been all that silliness with the black eye that put them over the top on this decision. That $12 million a year will come in handy though,so Brett, thanks for your service.
Posted 02:27 PM, 11/06/2009
jaydes
Peace...
Posted 02:28 PM, 11/06/2009
denyll
How do you misspell contract...twice???
Posted 02:30 PM, 11/06/2009
phillybilly11
Later Brett, bust of a 1st pick..
Posted 02:30 PM, 11/06/2009
Flyman
Brett was a great pitcher but its time to move on...thanks Brett and good luck
Posted 02:31 PM, 11/06/2009
jamesiri
Brett, thanks for the memories and your part in the championship year.
Posted 02:31 PM, 11/06/2009
davekrieg
Little surprised. Would have liked to see them sign him to a 1 yr deal to get him ready to be a closer in case Lidge isn't the guy that wy he too can test free agency next year and be better suited for a long term contract.
Posted 02:32 PM, 11/06/2009
djacobs5582
this is a good move. he'll command way more than he's worth in free agency. the Phils have glaring needs to fill, and another starter and or non-lefty back-end reliever whose coming off injury is not one of them. pick up atkins and derosa to fill third/utility man du jour and them sign a couple decent relievers.
Posted 02:34 PM, 11/06/2009
debrodl
I hope he kept some of the $15 million. He'll never see that again.
Posted 02:34 PM, 11/06/2009
cote32
Great Move Boom Out Of Here!!!
Posted 02:34 PM, 11/06/2009
tralala
Good luck Brett...maybe you can get a starting job with the Mets!
Posted 02:35 PM, 11/06/2009
NickFromGermantown
This isn't really too surprising. Myers' production hasn't been there due to his injuries. He made a good effort at rehabilitating himself last year, but I don't know if you keep taking a risk on him. What probably sealed their decision was the fact that Myers had so many off-field issues. The Phillies are one of the best organizations in baseball and this season indicated just how dedicated they are to the fans. Dealing with Myers' issues makes it hard to justify when you don't know where his performance is going to be. I wish Myers the best of luck in his future pursuits.
Posted 02:35 PM, 11/06/2009
snakeman
I think sometimes Myers was worried about how many tatoo's he had, instead of winning ballgames. Just another .500 pitcher.
Posted 02:37 PM, 11/06/2009
extremeteam
Good riddance, head case. I feel bad for the team that decides to make him a starter, actually, I'm lying, I'd careless. Just glad he's not coming back.
Posted 02:39 PM, 11/06/2009
BHite15
another right handed pitcher departs
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