Phillies Rumors: Team Tenders Contracts To Three Players
The Phillies had to cut ties with a familiar face on Friday, but still tendered contracts to three potential key components to the team next season.
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The Phillies faced four decisions on Friday. Two relatively easy, and two not as much so. The decisions were whether or not to tender contracts to the following: Freddy Galvis, Jeanmar Gomez, Cesar Hernandez, and Cody Asche.
Asche, who has been with the club since 2013, was released on Friday – following him being designated for assignment. He’ll be free to test the open market, and is a safe bet for a minor league deal with another club.
The team claimed LHP Dave Rollins from the Rangers in a separate deal, assuming Asche’s 40-man roster spot.
Rollins, who will now be on his fourth team in two weeks, gives the Phillies a chance to take another flyer on a lefty reliever while remaining 40-man flexibility.
Now for the others:
After a stellar defensive season, and a surprising showing of pop, Freddy Galvis will not only be back with the team next year, but will be in line for a pay increase.
Freddy Galvis is carving out a role for himself in the majors. Flaws aside (OBP, K’s), Galvis has become a leader on the field for the Phillies.
Galvis, who made just over $2 million in 2016, will be in line for a nice pay-day.
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Defenders like Galvis don’t grow on trees. Add in his surprising 20 HR, 67 RBI, and 17 SB – and he’ll have a legitimate case to at least double his salary at worst.
Whether or not Freddy is a core piece to the clubs rebuild moving forward remains to be seen. With the incoming J.P Crawford (SS, teams top prospect), Galvis has had to prove his worth, and he’s proven at least he’s a real big league player.
While Galvis can still make improvements to his game, he’s running out of potential to hang on. 2017 is going to be key for Galvis, can he improve on his offensive flaws?
There’s no doubt his flaws come from his love with the long ball. And if Galvis can just take that part of his approach out of his game, and focus on putting the ball in play more, than he’ll his future in Philadelphia carved out in front of him.
Even after a terrible close to the season, Jeanmar Gomez proved his worth to the Phillies in 2016.
Jeanmar Gomez was terrific in the first half. And that alone should land him his projected $4.6 million in arbitration. While on the bubble, he was likely safe all along.
There’s no denying how bad he was down the stretch, but that shouldn’t deter the fact that he’s a durable reliever. He’s a solid trade candidate, but with his versatility he’s also a candidate to be shifted into the Phillies “hybrid” reliever.
However, keep an eye on his future. He’s not a youngster, and is a year-to-year player in the eyes of the Phillies.
Amidst all the trade rumors, Cesar Hernandez will be in line for a pay raise regardless.
I got Cesar Hernandez down as the team’s top trade candidate this offseason, therefore he is worthy of his tender.
Making under $600K in 2016, Hernandez could be in line for nice pay increase, but nothing to take away from his trade value. Even if his salary triples in size (or goes higher), Hernandez will still be making peanuts compared to his production in 2016.
All three that received tenders are also all trade candidates in my eyes. Gomez and Hernandez more than Galvis. But none have a future set in stone in Philadelphia, yet. However, just as much as they could be traded, they could be extended as well to avoid arbitration.
Situations are typically fluid, so stay tuned to TBOH for all further updates.