Phillies, Kendrick agree on 1-year, $2.45M deal

The Phillies duly filed their salary arbitration offer to Kyle Kendrick with the Major League Baseball office before yesterday's noon deadline. Before they had a chance to find out how far apart they might be, the point became moot when the 26-year-old righthander agreed to a 1-year, $2.45 million contract.

The deal includes a standard awards package: $25,000 for making the All-Star team, $25,000 for League Championship Series MVP, $50,000 for World Series MVP and $50,000 for Cy Young or Rolaids Relief Man (or $25,000 for second or $15,000 for third).

Now all that needs to be decided is what role, if any, Kendrick has with the team this season.

At the moment, he appears to be competing for a spot in the bullpen. Barring injuries, there are one or two openings, depending on whether manager Charlie Manuel and pitching coach Rich Dubee decide to carry 11 or 12 arms.

However, it remains a strong possibility that righthander Joe Blanton, who will make $8.5 million in both 2011 and 2012, could be traded before Opening Day to help reduce a payroll that already has soared past $150 million. If Blanton is moved, Kendrick would be a candidate for the fifth spot in the rotation.

Kendrick made 31 starts last season and tied his career high with 11 wins. He also reached personal bests in innings pitched (180 2/3) and strikeouts (84). His earned run average was 4.73.

In four big-league seasons, he's 35-24, 4.69.

His dramatic jump in salary from the $480,000 he made last season is a direct result of being arbitration eligible for the first time.

Kendrick and Ben Francisco were the only Phillies eligible for arbitration; Francisco signed a 1-year, $1.175 million contract on Saturday with performance bonuses that could add another $75,000. *