Phillies: Low Cost Starting Pitching Options in Free Agency
By Joe Piazza
Jeremy Hellickson, Philadelphia Phillies
This one is kind of given. If Hellickson hadn’t told Phillies beat reporter Todd Zolecki that he “would love to be back next year,” I probably would not be writing this. But he did, so I am.
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The former Rookie of the Year did exactly what the Phillies wanted of him during his lone season with the club, throwing 189.0 innings of 3.71 ball. So why not bring him back for another year?
The first matter of business, though, will be the qualifying offer that Hellickson is almost sure to receive. Given that Rich Hill is the only FA pitcher to have a better season than Hellickson, the Phillies would be foolish not to extend a qualifying offer.
If he takes the offer, they get him back at $17.2 million (not great, but won’t hinder the low-payroll Phillies). Should he sign elsewhere, the Phillies get a compensatory draft pick, most likely to be in the first round! Either way, the team gets something they want.
Estimated Offer – Accepts Qualifying Offer (17.2 million) or 2 years/$30 million