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2012 Contract Issues: Philadelphia Phillies

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The Phillies are next in our 2012 Contract Issues series.  Here's what the team faces after the 2011 season:

Eligible For Free Agency (7)

  • Raul Ibanez will probably be allowed to leave, freeing up some cash and leaving an opening in left field for the Phillies.
  • Shortstop Jimmy Rollins hasn't been a power guy for several years, but he is sporting a career-best walk rate currently.  There is a lot of baseball left to be played, but Rollins, 33 in November, could be the cheaper free agent alternative to Jose Reyes.  The Phils don't have an obvious replacement for Rollins.
  • Ryan Madson, a Scott Boras client, is four-for-four in save opportunities this year with Brad Lidge and Jose Contreras out.  Madson wants to finish his career with the Phillies and be a closer.  The team could let Lidge go and sign Madson for something like three years and $18MM.
  • Danys Baez, Brian Schneider, Ross Gload, and J.C. Romero will also be eligible for free agency.

Contract Options (2)

  • Roy Oswalt: $16MM mutual option with a $2MM buyout.  Oswalt is undecided on whether to play next year.  He's currently on the DL with back pain, so the option seems up in the air for both sides.
  • Brad Lidge: $12.5MM club option with a $1.5MM buyout.  Lidge is recovering from a shoulder injury; it's tough to see the Phillies picking this one up.

Arbitration Eligible (6)

Not all of these players will make it to the point of being tendered contracts.  The only lock is Hamels, who signed an extension in January of '09 but left his fourth arbitration year open.  He's working from a $9.5MM salary and having a strong year so far.  The arbitration cases of Tim Lincecum and Jered Weaver could be factors (more on those here and here), if one or both of them settles first.  $15MM is a reasonable estimate for Hamels, though.  Hamels wants to stay, but the team has yet to approach him about an extension.

2012 Payroll Obligation

The Phillies' 2012 payroll obligation, according to Cot's, is $112.903MM including buyouts for Oswalt and Lidge.  If another $15MM goes to Hamels, they're at $128MM, about $38MM shy of this year's $166MM high water mark.  A lot of that money could be eaten up if Rollins, Madson, Oswalt, Kendrick, and Francisco are retained, which are open questions at this point.  The Phillies have flexibility if they maintain their payroll, but also have several crucial free agents and one huge arbitration case.

Quick Hits: Pirates, Atchison, Astros

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The Pirates are over .500 at 18-17. Here are some links for Monday night, as we wonder how long they can maintain a winning record…

  • Pirates starters have been pitching well and manager Clint Hurdle tells MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch that pitching can be contagious, just like hitting. GM Neal Huntington has acquired two of his starters in the last year: James McDonald (trade) and Kevin Correia (free agency).
  • As Jonathan Mayo explains at MLB.com, potential changes to the Collective Bargaining Agreement could make drafted players more eager to sign. One scouting director expects to see a few more signings than usual in 2011. 
  • Red Sox reliever Scott Atchison was added to Boston's Triple-A roster after being optioned to the minors, according to Alex Speier of WEEI.com (on Twitter). The Red Sox designated Atchison for assignment Friday in what was "a purely procedural move," according to Speier.
  • Houston attorney Kenny Friedman told Stephen Goff of the Houston Examiner that he maintains interest in buying the Astros. Though Jim Crane now has an exclusive negotiating window during which he can buy the team, Friedman, the father of Rays executive Andrew Friedman, is working on his bid.

Astros Designate Nelson Figueroa For Assignment

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The Astros designated Nelson Figueroa for assignment according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart (on Twitter). Houston called up Sergio Escalona in a corresponding move.

Figueroa made the Astros' rotation out of Spring Training, but has since been demoted to the bullpen. After a two-inning outing tonight in which he allowed a run and five baserunners, Figueroa has a season ERA of 8.69 with 16 walks, 45 hits allowed and 17 strikeouts. Last year he posted a 3.22 ERA with 7.8 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9 in 67 innings as a swingman.

If the 36-year-old right-hander gets picked up off of waivers, it will the fourth time he has been claimed in his nine-year career. Just last year, the Phillies selected Figueroa off of waivers from the Mets and the Astros nabbed him from the Phillies.

AL Central Notes: Danks, Indians, Draft

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Links from the AL Central, as Francisco Liriano and Justin Verlander share the American League player of the week award in recognition of their respective no-hitters…

  • John Danks told MLB.com's Scott Merkin that he loves playing for the White Sox and hopes he doesn't face the "harsh reality" of being involved in a deadline deal. However, the left-hander realizes trades are a part of the game.
  • MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian provides a clear-headed look ahead to how the Indians might approach the trade deadline if they’re still contending in July.
  • UCLA right-hander Trevor Bauer will not get past the Indians, who select 8th overall in this June's draft, according to Keith Law on ESPN.com's Baseball Today podcast. Bauer and teammate Gerrit Cole are among the most highly-touted draft eligible pitching prospects.
  • Earlier tonight, I took a look at the development of Tigers catcher Alex Avila.

Unusual Early Results For The Rays’ Remade Bullpen

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Rafael Soriano, Joaquin Benoit, Dan Wheeler, Randy Choate, Grant Balfour and Chad Qualls all hit free agency last offseason, which created lots of uncertainty and a shortage of relievers for the low-budget Rays. Executive VP of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman acknowledged from the beginning of the offseason that adding "a meaningful number of bullpen arms" was a top priority for the winter.

One fifth of the way through the season, the Rays' bullpen has been effective, while relievers such as Soriano and Benoit have struggled for their respective new clubs. Led by Kyle Farnsworth, Joel Peralta, Juan Cruz and Adam Russell, newcomers have accounted for 78% of the bullpen's innings this year. Now that Jake McGee is back in the minor leagues, Andy Sonnanstine is the lone member of Joe Maddon's 'pen that pitched for the 2010 team that won the AL East.

Low-risk, low-budget free agents (Farnsworth, Peralta and Cruz) the spoils of the Jason Bartlett trade (Russell, Cesar Ramos and Brandon Gomes) and a waiver claim (Rob Delaney) have combined with two holdovers (Sonnanstine and McGee) to post a 2.69 ERA through 87 innings of work. That bullpen ERA is good for third-best in baseball, as is the .582 OPS allowed by the 'pen so far. No bullpen has allowed fewer walks than the Rays (34) and only the Mariners (3) have allowed fewer homers than Tampa (4).

But there are indications that the Rays shouldn't expect these results from their new 'pen all season. Their relievers are last in the majors with 51 Ks and 5.3 K/9 and they're second-last in innings pitched (87) and BABIP (.215). Perhaps most telling of all is their 4.41 xFIP (also second-last in the majors), which is nearly two runs higher than their ERA.

Outstanding production isn't sustainable with some of the worst peripherals in the league, so it appears likely that the group's performance will drop off. But given the losses the Rays sustained last winter, it's impressive that Friedman's new collection of relievers has been this effective 20% of the way through another season.

Mets Notes: Young, Mejia, Selig

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The Mets announced bad news for a key member of the current team (Chris Young), and an integral part of future Mets teams (Jenrry Mejia). Here are the details on the pitchers, plus a note on the club's financial issues:

  • Young has an anterior capsule tear in his throwing shoulder – the same injury Johan Santana had – according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com (Twitter links). Young faces surgery or lots of rehab.
  • As Rubin pointed out earlier today, Young won't reach any of the incentives in his contract if he doesn’t pitch again this season. In that case, the Mets will only be responsible for his $1.1MM base salary. 
  • Mejia will have Tommy John surgery, according to Rubin (on Twitter). The Mets announced last week that Mejia, their top prospect, has a complete MCL tear of the right elbow.
  • Commissioner Bud Selig told The Mike Lupica Show that the Dodgers need to be tracked carefully and that the Mets are working toward a solution for their financial problems. Mike Mazzeo of ESPNNewYork.com has the details and audio from ESPN New York 1050.

Milton Bradley DFA Reaction

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The Mariners designated Milton Bradley for assignment today, putting the future of the 33-year-old former All-Star in doubt. He's talented, but he's not hitting, as his .218/.313/.356 line shows. And though he says the right things at times, he causes trouble, as you might expect for a player who has been with eight organizations this decade. Here's the latest reaction to the move:

  • "We felt Milton was not part of our future and not part of our present. Therefore, the move was made," GM Jack Zduriencik explained, according to MLB.com's Greg Johns.
  • Yahoo's Tim Brown suggests Bradley might finally get peace and quiet – but lose the opportunity to play Major League baseball.
  • Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times points out that for all of Bradley's shortcomings and frustrating behavior, he's human.
  • Let's hear your reaction to the move in the comments section.

Heyman On Wheeler, Reyes, Martin, Reds

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Now that top prospects Eric Hosmer and Jose Iglesias are in the majors, Jon Heyman of SI.com examines the minors’ top prospects. Mariners infield prospect Dustin Ackley, the second overall pick behind Stephen Strasburg two years ago, is "over-rated'' and without a clear defensive position in the opinion on one NL executive. Here’s Heyman’s latest from around the league:

  • The Giants and Mets don’t appear to be talking about Jose Reyes at the moment, but the rumors won’t stop until the calendar flips to August or another team acquires the shortstop. Heyman hears from one person who believes the Mets would “have to” send Reyes to San Francisco if they could get pitching prospect Zack Wheeler in return.
  • MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes suggested Wheeler as a possible target for the Mets last week.
  • In off-field news, Heyman reports that the Mets are getting more interest than expected from buyers interested in a minority stake in the team.
  • The Rangers hope Cuban outfield prospect Leonys Martin, who signed last week, can help them in 2011. 
  • The Reds were among the teams that bid on Martin, according to Heyman.

Avila’s Hot Start Gives Tigers Depth At Catcher

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Whether you look at home runs (6) and RBI (23) or wins above replacement (1.0) and wOBA (.387) you’ll see Alex Avila’s name all over early season leaderboards. He has thrown out 12 of 33 would-be base stealers so far this year (36%) and the most recent of his six home runs came when he was navigating Justin Verlander through nine no-hit innings on Saturday.

“That was definitely nice. It’s the best of both worlds,” Avila told MLBTR this weekend. “I was joking with Justin that four of my six home runs are when he’s pitching. It seems that when he’s pitching, I’m going to hit one out.”

Avila

A 5th round pick in 2008, Avila is the son of Tigers assistant GM Al Avila. He hit .228/.316/.340 and threw out 32% of would-be base stealers as Detroit's primary catcher in 2010. This year, he’s feeling more comfortable as a hitter and as a defender.

“When you first come up, there’s always an adjustment period, a time when you’ve got to learn and figure out how to not only catch, but hit in the big leagues and the experience definitely helps,” Avila said. “You learn more about yourself and the league and make adjustments from there.”

The Tigers aren’t expecting Avila to continue at his current 28-homer pace, but the front office believes he can continue to be a valuable everyday catcher – and his father’s not the only one who thinks so.

“He has a nice left-handed swing,” GM Dave Dombrowski said. “We think he can hit.”

Avila’s new teammate, Victor Martinez, is one of baseball’s best hitting catchers, having reached the 20-homer plateau five times in the past seven seasons. Though the Tigers don’t plan on asking Martinez to catch more than a couple times per week, he has still helped Avila develop as a backstop.

“Absolutely,” Avila said. “Victor has helped me a ton with both aspects of my game. He’s such a positive person and generous with his time. He’s just fantastic.”

It's still too early to assume the 24-year-old Avila will continue hitting at this rate. But at this point, it appears that the Tigers have a pair of quality catchers thanks to his development.

Photo courtesy Icon SMI.

Which Agency Had The Biggest Offseason?

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From the Blue Jays signing Dustin McGowan for $450K to the Red Sox extending Adrian Gonzalez at $154MM, teams committed almost $3 billion in free agent deals, arbitration contracts, and extensions to 314 players during the 2010-11 offseason.  I defined the offseason as October 1st, 2010 through April 30th, 2011, so that the April extensions would be recognized.

The goal was to capture guaranteed money from new contracts.  Arbitration deals typically are not guaranteed, though those players are rarely cut, so I included them.  If you find any errors in the numbers in the attached spreadsheet, please contact us or leave a comment.

  1. Boras Corporation: $444.475MM.  Boras is back on top after ranking third last winter.  Contracts for Jayson Werth, Adrian Beltre, Carlos Gonzalez, and Rafael Soriano accounted for much of the total.
  2. Legacy Sports Group: $321.375MM.  Legacy's huge winter was led by Carl Crawford, Adam Dunn, Rickie Weeks, and Billy Butler.  Crawford signed the offseason's biggest free agent contract at $142MM.
  3. CAA Sports: $234.575MM.  CAA's total comes mainly from Ryan Braun and Derek Jeter.
  4. John Boggs & Associates: $185.675MM.  Extensions for Adrian Gonzalez and Trevor Cahill pushed this company to the fourth spot.  Gonzalez signed the biggest contract of any player during the offseason at $154MM.
  5. TWC Sports: $164.0575MM.  Rockies players Troy Tulowitzki and Jorge De La Rosa comprise most of this total.
  6. SFX: $152.38MM.  SFX had a balanced winter, with only Mariano Rivera and Clay Buchholz in the $30MM range.
  7. Frontline: $126.375MM.  This is almost all Cliff Lee.
  8. ACES: $125.85MM.  Early contracts for John Buck, Joaquin Benoit, Brandon Inge, and Jhonny Peralta boosted this agency.
  9. Gaylord Sports Management: $102.65MM. Dan Uggla and Bronson Arroyo made up most of this total.
  10. Octagon: $99.885MM.  Victor Martinez was the big fish for this agency.
  11. Praver/Shapiro: $95.15MM.  This group had four major deals, with Johnny Cueto, Juan Uribe, Carlos Marmol, and Leonys Martin.
  12. Wasserman Media Group: $91.91MM.  Like SFX, Wasserman had a balanced winter, with only Wandy Rodriguez topping $15MM.
  13. Sosnick Cobbe Sports: $90.95MM. This firm made their money with extensions, led by Jay Bruce and Ricky Nolasco.
  14. LSW Baseball: $71.725MM.  Paul Konerko, Jason Bartlett, and J.J. Putz scored eight-figure deals.
  15. Beverly Hills Sports Council: $66.4685MM.  BHSC's biggest deals went to relievers Brian Fuentes and Kevin Gregg, and they were able to beat their former agent Dan Lozano.
  16. Proformance: $65.865MM.  This is almost all Jose Bautista's contract.
  17. Dan Lozano: $51.35MM.  This agency should do well next offseason with Albert Pujols, Jimmy Rollins, and others.  During 2010-11 they were led by Joey Votto's extension.

Those were the 17 agencies to top $50MM brokered during the 2010-11 offseason.  Another 47 agencies accounted for the remaining 14% of the offseason total.

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