Phillies news: How they can free up $100 million by 2021
By David Esser
It’s time for the Phillies to get creative with their payroll with this latest bit of Phillies news
The Phillies are in a bit of a tricky spot currently when it comes to their cap space. After repeatedly handing out massive contracts year after year to the likes of Jake Arrieta, Bryce Harper, Zack Wheeler, etc., the Phillies have found themselves with the sixth highest payroll in all of baseball.
A pretty concerning statistic considering the Phils are nowhere near being the sixth best team in baseball.
However, there are bright times ahead. Despite the current predicament, the front office has found themselves in, Matt Klentak has done a good job in structuring said big money contracts to allow the team flexibility after 2020. With a shortened season likely in the works, and the 2021 offseason already looming, here are three ways the Phillies can clear up a ton of cap space.
Letting Expensive Contracts Expire
It’s no secret that the Phillies have some gross contracts on their roster currently. Arrieta and David Robterson alone are currently counting for $31 million dollars worth of salary. As tempting as it may be to bring one (or both) of these guys back on a reworked deal, the Phillies need to stand firm and simply let them come off the books. That $31 million can be invested in a whole plethora of areas that need improvement.
While not as frustrating as the previously mentioned deals, both Jay Bruce and Didi Gregorius are also on pretty lofty salaries at the moment. Both sitting at a price tag of $14 million, the Phillies already could see upwards of $59 million clear up with just these four players leaving in free agency.
While Gregorius is someone the Phillies would likely prefer to see hang around for another year or two, the front office shouldn’t spend the big bucks to keep him around. With other options available at the shortstop position next offseason, clearing up that extra $14 million may be too enticing to pass up on.