Durbin Hopes To Return To Phillies

Chad Durbin told Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer that he “definitely” wants to re-sign in Philadelphia when he hits free agency this offseason. The Phillies seem to want the right-hander back, too. Manager Charlie Manuel says Durbin has “done a tremendous job” and GM Ruben Amaro Jr. says the 32-year-old has “done everything” expected of him. But the Phillies have already committed over $140MM to next year’s payroll, so Durbin realizes he may not be back.

"It'll be something that's tough," Durbin said. "If somebody is offering two or three years, it'll be hard to say no to that to take a one-year deal where you really want to be."

Amaro says the Phillies have not yet discussed the possibility of signing Durbin, who now earns $2.125MM, to a multi-year deal. Durbin has averaged 60 appearances per season from 2008-10 in Manuel’s bullpen. His 3.63 ERA, 7.4 K/9 and 4.3 BB/9 over that three-year span are respectable, but not irreplaceable. 

As MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes showed last month, the Phillies have handed out more years than necessary before, so perhaps Durbin will get to stay in Philadelphia on a multi-year deal as well. If not, other teams will show interest on the open market. Durbin now ranks as a Type B free agent, so he won’t cost other clubs a draft pick, but the Phillies will get one if they lose Durbin after offering arbitration.