Phillies news: How they can free up $100 million by 2021
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.
Being Aggressive in the Trade Market
Jean Segura is set to make $14.85 million in 2021, Andrew McCutchen is set to make $20 million, and Odubel Herrera is set to make a whopping $10.35 million. As long as Klentak is willing to be aggressive, that’s an additional $45 million the Phillies could see become available next offseason.
After struggling to live up to the hype which surrounded him during the trade last year, Segura seems to be the most likely trade victim after the 2020 season. He routinely struggled defensively last summer (career-high 20 errors), and saw his batting average drop 24 total points. The Phillies news we watched the most this year is that they were already beginning to transition him to third base during spring training, and with Alec Bohm set to become the long term everyday starter at the position, the need for Segura and his expensive salary is dwindling.
McCutchen, on the other hand, did, in fact, impress early on into his Phillies career. Recording an OPS of .834 through the first 59 games of the season, it looked like the Phillies had found a gem at the leadoff position. Unfortunately, a torn ACL derailed the rest of McCutchen’s debut season. At 33 years old (soon to be 34), there’s no guarantee he comes back at the same level.
Similar to Gregorius, I’m sure the Phillies would probably prefer to keep the former Pirates’ outfielder around for another few seasons. However, if a decent trade opportunity presents itself, moving off that $20 million salary is a simple decision.
Trade Herrera, cut Herrera, it doesn’t really matter. Getting the former All-Star off the roster in 2021 is almost guaranteed at this point in time. Keep an eye out for that bit of Phillies news in the coming months.
Don’t Get Sentimental
This final point goes somewhat hand in hand with the Jay Bruce and Andrew McCutchen arguments, simply making the tough business decision that has to be made when it comes to professional baseball contracts. Just like Bruce doesn’t warrant $10+ million dollars anymore, some of the smaller players on the Phillies roster don’t deserve the money that they are due to get.
Jose Alvarez is set to be a free agent after the 2020 season, and this is a player the Phillies could easily say “so long” to. Despite having his fair share of moments on the team in 2019, overpaying for a reliever who put up a 1.42 WHIP last year would be a mistake. Reinvesting that money into other, more established bullpen options makes more sense.
Another reliever, Hector Neris, is set to hit arbitration next offseason. However, the Phillies could instead opt to activate a $7 million dollar team option. Despite the low WHIP and the above average save numbers, in no circumstance is Neris an elite closer in today’s MLB. Klentak would be wise to play some hard ball with the aging closer, and not pay that improved salary.
Philadelphia Phillies
Other players like Adam Morgan and Vince Velasquez are also set to hit arbitration next offseason, and would likely prefer a long term contract of sorts. While these are well-known names amongst Phillies fans, they also represent a time in Phillies baseball where the organization has really struggled. Overpaying to keep either of them would be a poor allocation of resources (especially considering the state of the Phillies pitching staff last year).
In conclusion, between expiring contracts and the hypothetical trading of a few names, the Phillies could clear upwards of $100 million dollars between now and next season. Throw in the release/trade of some smaller names, and that number continues to rise. Even with a JT Realmuto mega-extension looming, the Phillies will have more than enough cap space to once again be extremely active in free agency next year.
Now obviously, the Phillies can’t just get rid of every single player on the roster and replace them with free agents. It’s likely guys like McCutchen, Neris, Morgan, and Velasquez will all be on the team in 2021. However, even just seeing some of the above mentioned names leave the team will be a step in the right direction for the Phillies franchise. Bringing in another star to pair with Bryce Harper and JT Realmuto, while simultaneously turning things over to a strong farm system should hopefully see the Phillies back atop the NL East.