Phillies won't bring Myers back next season

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