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Phillies Facing Three Arbitration Decisions Friday as Deadline Nears

By John Town

Mar 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis (13) celebrates with second baseman Cesar Hernandez (16) after scoring during the second inning against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis (13) celebrates with second baseman Cesar Hernandez (16) after scoring during the second inning against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Phillies have three players up for arbitration this offseason, and they have until Friday night to determine which players they will tender a contract.

Just before the winter meetings start up this Sunday, the Phillies and the other 29 teams in baseball have to decide which arbitration-eligible players will be tendered contracts. The deadline is Friday night at eight PM, less than five hours from time of publishing.

The three Phils up for arbitration are shortstop Freddy Galvis, second baseman Cesar Hernandez, and reliever Jeanmar Gomez.

Galvis and Hernandez are both near-locks to receive a tender. They project as the starters up the middle barring a ridiculous spring training from shortstop prospect J.P. Crawford. Galvis was a Gold Glove finalist at shortstop and hit 20 home runs, blowing away his previous season high. Hernandez led the team in Fangraphs wins above replacement despite his questionable baserunning.

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MLB Trade Rumors projects Galvis’s arbitration salary to be $4.4 million after four years and 21 days in service time. This is his second year of arbitration and will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2018 season. Meanwhile, Hernandez is projected to receive $2.5 million in his first year of arbitration. He has two years and 154 days of service time under his belt and will be a free agent after the 2020 season.

Gomez isn’t as much of a lock as Galvis or Hernandez to receive a tender, but it is still likely. He served admirably as the team’s closer for the bulk of the season. Through August, Gomez had a 2.97 ERA and was 34-for-38 in save opportunities. He fell off the wagon in September, allowing a 3.25 WHIP and 19.13 ERA as he blew two saves in five opportunities.

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Even with the falloff late in the year, Gomez will likely be brought back to the bullpen. Though he won’t serve as the closer again – that role will be Hector Neris’s – he will serve as a setup man or middle reliever. The bullpen will likely comprise of Gomez, Neris, new acquisition Pat Neshek, Joely Rodriguez, along with other players from the minors and/or free agency.

Third baseman/left fielder Cody Asche was also up for arbitration, but the team designated him for assignment after claiming pitcher David Rollins off waivers from the Mariners.

It was easy to tell Asche’s time in Philadelphia was soon coming to an end. The Phils coaching staff moved him from third base to left field in favor of Maikel Franco in 2015, and he struggled there this season. He posted a .213/.284/.350 line in 71 games as he was worth -0.6 fWAR.

Had Asche been offered a tender, it was projected to be just $1.3 million despite his three years and 45 days of service time.

Next: Phillies: Grading Offseason Before Winter Meetings

With the nontender deadline coming up quickly, the Phillies have a couple of fairly easy decisions to make with Asche out of the way. Check back here if any negotiations between the front office and the players actually end up going to arbitration.

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