Here’s why the Phillies traded Kody Clemens for cash considerations

The Phillies announced Saturday morning that they’ve traded utility man Kody Clemens to the Minnesota Twins for cash considerations. The Athletic‘s Ken Rosenthal had reported Friday evening that the two sides had reached a deal.

Thank you Philly! It was an amazing chapter in my book! Thankful for all the memories and relationships I’ve created over the past 3 seasons!

Extremely excited for this new opportunity in Minnesota!

Let’s go Twins! pic.twitter.com/DrcQwTj2Ka

— Kody Clemens (@kodyclem) April 26, 2025

Clemens, who was out of minor-league options, was designated for assignment on April 23 when the Phillies reinstated Weston Wilson from the injured list. At that point, they elected to keep Cal Stevenson — their second center fielder right now — over Clemens.

Once a player is designated for assignment, they have to either be traded, released or waived within a week. Had the Phillies waived Clemens, he probably would have gotten claimed, leaving them completely empty-handed. By trading him for cash considerations, they at least walk away with something.

If you’ve ever been curious about what exactly cash considerations means, you aren’t alone. It’s actually just old-school baseball vernacular. In reality, it just means dollars are being exchanged for a player. It keeps it from sounding like a player is being sold like property. Teams never publicize the exact dollar figures traded for a player, often because they are very low.

Clemens — the son of seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens — finishes his Phillies career having hit .220 with nine home runs, 31 RBIs and a .659 OPS in 97 games spanning parts of three seasons. Perhaps on a team that didn’t have Edmundo Sosa, and wasn’t so left-handed heavy, he would have had more of a role in 2025. Maybe he’ll now get a change to play more regularly for a Twins team that’s off to a 10-16 start.