The Phillies are next in our arbitration eligibles series…
- First time: Kyle Kendrick, Ben Francisco
- Second time: None
- Third time: Greg Dobbs
The Phillies have locked up their regulars in the name of cost certainty, leaving only three arbitration-eligible role players. Kendrick did enough as a back-end guy to be tendered a contract. Francisco will stay as well, as he's still a solid fourth outfielder. Dobbs will certainly be cut loose, as he was designated for assignment twice during the season.
Only one I’d keep out of that list is Ben Francisco. Kendrick can take his 5+ ERA and go fly a kite under some power lines for all I care.
I guess that’s what you get with cost certainty…less arbitration cases. I agree with Tim Dierkes, Francisco and Kendrick will have contracts tendered. I like Francisco as a 4th OF, but I still think we can do better than Kendrick as the 5th starter. Either way, if the Phillies think they will cost too much, they have capable replacements in the minors.
Kendrick’s not that much worse than Mike Pelfrey. Although I want to see Worley win the 5 spot next year, I hope we offer him arb. He can help us out in some way.
Kendrick IS much worse than Pelfrey. If you watch him he’s a luckier pitcher than almost anyone. He’s just a notch or two above Adam “how’d I get a WS ring” Eaton. Set him loose. Maybe if we’re lucky the Mets pick him up.
You’d think that, but when you look at the numbers, they are very, very similar. Similar ground ball rates, Pelfrey with slightly more strikeouts, but Kendrick with slightly better control. Now, I think Pelfrey has a higher ceiling than Kendrick, but Kendrick is not Adam Eaton bad, and perfectly passable as a #5 or long reliever.
I’d love to see Worley get the 5th spot. If Blanton takes his second half of this season and carries it over to next season, we’ll have a very nice rotation set up.
Considering that Blanton pitched almost exactly the same way in 2009 (started out crap, pitched great in the second half), it’s more likely that we’ll get more of the same. But it definitely would be nice to see him not have to work his way into a groove.
is it that blanton is not in shape at the beginning of the season and pitches his way into shape as the season progresses?
wondering if we’ll see a Francisco/Brown platoon replacing Werth next year?
I’d be comfortable if none of these players came back. They’ve relied too much on Kendrick and the others are bench players.
Francisco is a solid backup, and I think Phils fans have taken a liking to him. He should be tendered, and KK should be non-tendered, and brought back on a minor league deal for depth. He’s not good, but at least he’s a passable #5.
Francisco should definitly get a contract. He’s a damn good fourth outfielder and he’s got some good pop. With Werth likely moving on him and Mayberry might play key roles in next season.
Kendrick wasn’t as bad as everyone makes him out to be. I hope he is tendered a contract. Him vs. Worley for the 5th starter job and if he loses he could be a solid long reliever.
Dobbs is as good as gone. He’s fallen off a cliff which is sad considering how instrumental he was in our world championship.
Kendrick is an adequate 5th starter. He should be compared to others in that category, not front line pitchers.
Blanton was hurt at the beginning of this season (Hurt during Spring Training and on DL all of April) and took some time to get it together. His ERA after June 12 was 3.92
I think offering Kendrick arbitration only makes sense if you really think some other team will come along and give him $2M or so. I don’t see that happening, I think Kendrick would be lucky to get a MLB guaranteed deal on the open market. I say don’t offer arbitration, but try to bring him back on a minor league deal with a shot at the rotation in 2011. He’s barely replacement level and should be paid as such.