Phillies outfielder Jeff Francoeur and starting pitchers Aaron Harang, Jerome Williams and Chad Billingsley were among 139 players who became free agents Monday.
Free agents are permitted to negotiate contracts and sign with teams beginning at 12:01 a.m. Saturday. Francoeur, who turns 32 in January, is the likeliest to return. The Phillies will probably look elsewhere for veteran pitchers to fill out their otherwise young rotation.
The Phillies, under new leadership in team president Andy MacPhail and general manager Matt Klentak, are not expected to be big players in free agency this winter. They will be in the market for veteran pitching on shorter-term deals to serve as stop-gaps until more of their young talent reaches the major leagues.