Soon-to-be free agent right-hander Jeremy Hellickson said Thursday that he’d like his next deal to be a multiyear pact, but he also told Todd Zolecki of MLB.com that he’s not ruling out accepting a qualifying offer from the Phillies. In tendering Hellickson a QO after the season, the Phillies would either bring him back next year for $16.7MM or lose him to another team and land a first-round pick as compensation.
“I mean, I definitely could see it,” Hellickson said of taking a qualifying offer.
If he were to accept a QO, Hellickson would join a growing list of players who have gone that route since last offseason, when Orioles catcher Matt Wieters, Astros outfielder Colby Rasmus and Dodgers left-hander Brett Anderson all took one-year, $15.8MM deals to remain where they were. Hellickson certainly has a case for multiyear contract, though, considering both his strong 2016 and the paucity of quality starters scheduled to hit the open market over the winter. Fellow impending free agents Rich Hill and Bartolo Colon are superior pitchers to Hellickson, but they’re both significantly older than the 29-year-old (30 in April). Hellickson, therefore, might offer the best combination of relative youth and track record among those who are primed to hit the market.
Hellickson, who made $7MM this year, boosted his future earning power with his first above-average season since 2012, posting a 3.71 ERA, 7.33 K/9, 2.14 BB/9 and 14.3 percent infield fly rate across a career-high 189 innings. The former top prospect was even stingier at preventing runs as a Ray during his first three seasons, but the 2011 American League Rookie of the Year struggled with both Tampa Bay and Arizona from 2013-15. The rebuilding Phillies acquired Hellickson from the Diamondbacks in a salary dump last November, and the move paid dividends for Philadelphia this year. It could continue serving them well in the future if he re-signs or heads elsewhere and nets the team a draft choice.
“I would love to be back next year,” Hellickson said of Philadelphia.
However, the Phillies won’t look to spend significant money during the offseason, as FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman and FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal have reported this week. That makes it likely Hellickson’s stint with the club will go down as a one-off, per Zolecki.
No we need the pick
I’m 100% fine with him accepting the QO. It would be perfect for the Phillies actually.
Best way to stop a qualifying offer is to make it known you would accept it if offered. He probably wont average 16.7 MM on a multi year contract, but he would get more interest if he doesn’t cost a draft pick.
You really think the Phillies will care if he accepts the Qualifying offer? With their current payroll situation, the team they’re putting out there, and the expectations, they would gladly play $16.7M (and probably more) for Hellickson to simply repeat what he did this year…take the ball every 5th day, eat innings, and allow a steady hand on a young team.
NO!!! I want an extra draft pick!!!
Phils don’t need to spend 16 million on a Number four starter.
See what develops in free agency Market .Marlins and some other teams will offer him a three year 18 million contract.
3 yrs $18M? no way. Hellickson will get much more than that. He’ll get $13M-$16M per year on a 3/4 year deal in this market with no starters available. $16M for a number 4 starter is not a bad deal considering their payroll, their rotation and team. They will definitely extend the QO, and it’s a win-win for the Phillies.
QO is a win win. He takes it? Oh well, no biggie. Not like we’re going to hit the luxury tax cap. He doesn’t take it? First rounder. It’s a no brainer.
It’s not that they should QO him. They HAVE to QO him because that is the only way they can justify not trading him at the deadline.
I wish the angels would pick him up
I wonder if, and would be all for, the Yankees making a run at Hellickson, maybe a 3-4 year deal? He’s young so he doesn’t interrupt the youth movement. He’s pitched in the AL East. And is an improvement to what in the rotation right now, not named Tanaka (and Sabathia depending on the day). Tanaka, Sabathia, Hellikson, and then Pineda battles with Sevy and Mitchell/Cessa/Green for the 4 and 5 spot in the rotation. Should bridge the gap until the 2017 free agent market.
Hellickson is certainly a possible target for the Yankees this offseason, for all the reasons you mentioned. However, they certainly will not pursue him with a QO attached, and their offer will most likely max out at 4/56M. Hellickson revealing that he may accept a potential QO lowers the chances that Philly offers him one (although it is still likely, as they would be happy for him to stabilize one rotation spot for a year) and opens the door for a possible run for him by New York.
Love, sign, and Phillies are a rare combo of words these days.