Have the Phillies ever made Christmas roster moves? History of holiday transactions originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Philadelphia Phillies have given the fanbase a few gifts this winter, re-signing Kyle Schwarber to a huge $150 million deal, and bringing in Brad Keller and Adolis Garcia on $22 million and $10 million deals, respectively.
Advertisement
But the Philadelphia fanbase is looking for more, and with the offseason continuing to progress, the options are slowly dwindling. A Christmas Day gift would be welcome for the Phillies fan base.
According to Baseball Reference, on December 25th in Major League Baseball history, there haven’t been many roster moves. Fortunately for Phillies fans, there’s one example in MLB history of a Phillies Christmas Day roster move.
Phillies Christmas Day roster moves: MLB holiday history
Back in 2008, the Phillies signed right-hander Scott Mathieson to a free agent contract. Originally a 17th-round pick by the Phillies in 2002, Mathieson had made his MLB debut before this Christmas roster move.
Advertisement
In 2006, he appeared in nine games, making eight starts, recording a 7.47 ERA with a 1-4 record, -0.9 bWAR, 28 strikeouts, 16 walks, and eight home runs allowed in 37.1 innings pitched.
On December 12th, 2008, Mathieson was granted free agency, and 13 days later, he re-signed with the Phillies. After a few years out of the Major Leagues, he returned in 2010.
Mathieson returned to the Majors with a 10.80 ERA in two outings for the Phillies in 1.2 innings pitched. But that 2010 season wouldn’t be his last.
Advertisement
More: Phillies predicted to replace Ranger Suarez with in-house righty
In 2011, across five innings pitched with five strikeouts and three walks, he posted a 0.00 ERA in four outings for the Phillies in the best season of his MLB career. But that offseason, he was released and never returned to the Major Leagues.
Mathieson is the Phillies’ only Christmas Day signing in franchise history. They’ve made a few Christmas Eve roster moves, signing Jake Jewell in 2022, and selecting Mike Donlin off waivers in 1912 from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Advertisement
The Phillies also made a trade on Christmas Eve, sending Sherry Magee to the Boston Braves in 1914 for cash and players to be named later (Oscar Dugey and George Whitted).
It’s not an extensive holiday shopping list from the Phillies, but with little action across the league on this holiday, it’s impressive that the Phillies have been involved in a few Christmas roster moves over the last 100+ years.
More Phillies news: