The World Champions -- I write that in every Phillies post just to pander to the Philly Phanatics, is it working? -- have gone about their business this offseason without really altering their payroll. Sure, they signed Raul Ibanez, but that was teamed with the departure of Pat Burrell. Ibanez is going to make less per season than Burrell was making. They also re-upped with Jamie Moyer for two years in a moderate, at most, deal. With arbitration season beginning today, they are about to take on a significant payroll increase. Players can now file for arbitration, and I'm guessing Cole Hamels -- who only made $400,000 last season -- will be filing. You know Ryan Howard, again, will. All told, the Phillies are likely to have eight players file.
Whether they decide to sign the players before arbitration hearings or not, the World Champs' front office better get that checkbook out, because they are going to pay for these guys. Let's look at each, briefly.
Howard -- He set a record for the amount awarded during arbitration last season, and he's going to get more this season as the two sides refuse to meet in the middle. He's not a free agent, but he wants a long-term deal worth upwards of $200 million. The Phillies are content to just keep paying one-year deals, apparently, in a situation not unlike the franchise tag in the NFL.
Hamels -- He's now a bonafide ace with NLCS and World Series MVPs. That's probably worth a tad bit more than 400K bones, wouldn't you say?
Joe Blanton -- He made $3.7 million last year, so the Phillies won't likely see a huge uptick. The only thing was, they didn't pay him for the full season last year.
Jayson Werth -- Made $1.7 million in '08 while enjoying a breakout season. He destroyed left-handed pitching, an asset which becomes even more valuable in the wake of the Burrell for Ibanez swap. He's due a raise.
Ryan Madson -- Made $1.4 million as a key cog in the best bullpen in the majors. He's likely due a slight raise.
Chad Durbin -- Totally out-pitched his $900,000 contract in the best year of his career, so he's getting a raise as well.
Shane Victorino -- He only made $480,000 last year. Gold Glove defense, 36 stolen bases, a .352 on-base percentage, 102 runs scored, and some decent power are worth a lot more than that.
Greg Dobbs -- He took home $440,000. He's a solid player, but in a part-time role it's hard to see a drastic increase.
All told, the $19 million or so these guys made last year will pale in comparison to what they'll be making as a group in 2009.
They are worth it, though. They just won a World Series, for God's sake.
Additionally, the Phillies play in a large market with a rabid fanbase, so they can afford it.
It's a win-win for the good people of Philly.
