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Phillies re-sign Cesar Hernandez, complete arbitration signings

By John Town

SAN DIEGO, CA - AUGUST 14: Cesar Hernandez #16 of the Philadelphia Phillies makes contact on what became a fielding error by Cory Spangenberg of the San Diego Padres during the sixth inning of a baseball game at PETCO Park on August 14, 2017 in San Diego, California. A run scores on the play. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - AUGUST 14: Cesar Hernandez #16 of the Philadelphia Phillies makes contact on what became a fielding error by Cory Spangenberg of the San Diego Padres during the sixth inning of a baseball game at PETCO Park on August 14, 2017 in San Diego, California. A run scores on the play. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /
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The Phillies have now avoided arbitration with all of their eligible players, re-signing second baseman Cesar Hernandez for $5.1 million.

The Phillies reached a deal with their fourth and final arbitration-eligible player, Cesar Hernandez, Friday afternoon. Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports that Hernandez will make $5.1 million in 2018.

MLB Trade Rumors projected that Hernandez would make $4.7 million in 2018, $400,000 less than Salisbury’s reported number. Hernandez will make double his 2017 salary, $2.55 million.

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Hernandez was the last of the four to agree to a deal. Cameron Rupp signed a $2.05 million contract Wednesday. Luis Garcia and Maikel Franco signed contracts earlier Friday for $1.2 and $2.95 million, respectively.

This was Hernandez’s and Rupp’s second year of arbitration eligibility. Garcia and Franco were eligible for the first time this year.

Hernandez is certainly worth every dollar he will be paid this year.

Hernandez has led the team in fWAR each of the last two years as the everyday leadoff hitter. In 2017, Hernandez had a .294/.373/.421 line with nine home runs, 85 runs scored, and a 112 OPS+. His defense has graded out well also, posting positive defensive values the last two years according to Fangraphs.

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Hernandez’s long-term future in Philadelphia is still uncertain as prospect Scott Kingery should be in the majors early on during the 2018 season. He has rocketed up the minors since being drafted in 2015 and will likely land on most top 100 prospect lists.

When Kingery is ready, the team may decide to trade Hernandez. His name flew around in nearly every trade rumors early this offseason, but those rumors have ceased since Freddy Galvis was traded to the Padres. Hernandez could still get moved this season, and his low salary will certainly be attractive to plenty of teams.

Next: Phillies agree to contract with Maikel Franco

Galvis, who was in his last year of arbitration eligibility before reaching free agency, signed a $6.825 million contract with San Diego.

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