Phillies, Pence agree on deal
The Phillies don't like going to arbitration hearings, and they won't be going to one this year after finalizing at deal with Hunter Pence.
Phillies, Pence agree on deal
Daily News staff
The Phillies don't like going to arbitration hearings, and they won't be going to one this year after finalizing at deal with Hunter Pence.
Pence, the Phillies' remaining arbitration-eligible player, agreed to a 1-year, $10.4 million contract that includes performance bonuses, the team announced.
The salary represents the midpoint between what each side submitted for a potential arbitration hearing. Pence submitted $11.8 million and the Phillies submitted $9 million.
Pence, acquired from Houston on July 29, earned $6.9 million last year after taking the Astros to an arbitration hearing and winning.
With Pence's signing, the Phillies have avoided hearings with Cole Hamels, Kyle Kendrick and Wilson Valdez, who was later traded to Cincinnati.
The Phillies have not been to a hearing since 2008, when Ryan Howard won $10 million. The Phillies had submitted $7 million. That was the only time that the Phillies lost in the eight hearings in team history.
Pence will remain under club control through 2013, so it is possible the sides could be at this point again next offseason unless they agree to a long-term extension.
"I love to be in Philly," Pence told WIP recently. "I absolutely enjoy every moment -- the organization, the fans, the city, a lot of things to be happy about for being there."
Pence, 28, hit .314 with 22 home runs and a career-high 97 RBI in 154 games between the Astros and Phillies last season.
Pence, a 2011 National League All-Star, led the Phillies in several offensive categories after his arrival, including batting average (.324), on-base percentage (.394), slugging percentage (.560), hits (67) and total bases (116).
GLAD TO SE HUNTER SIGN,BUT FOR A YEAR??HAMELS FOR A YEAR?..WHAT GIVES?I HOPE RUBEN HAS SOMETHING UP HIS SLEEVE,BUT U SHOULKD HAVE SECURED THESE GUYS,AT LEAST 2 YEARS..I READ HERE THAT HOWARD'S SWING NEEDS TINKERING.HERES WHAT U NEED TI 'TINKER'...PATIENCE AT THE PLATE.HE ISN'T PATIENT AT ALL.WHAT . IS HE SEEING THE BALL,OR IS HE RUSHING?/HE KNOWS WHAT THESE PITCHERS ARE DOING.+,THE KNOW HES A HOMERUN HITTER.LAY OFF THE WAYYYYY OUTSIDE PITCHES..BUT HIS HR 'S,HE LOOKS LIKE HE'S WAITING. RYAN,PATIENCE PATIENCE PATIENCE!— t_darb_56- Here is my thinking. We have two guys who should be hitting 2nd in the line up in Victorino and Polanco (or Vic should be leadin off, but that's a topic for another conversation). I prefer Victorino at the top of the line up because he offers more speed. If Jimmy is out, you still have a second lead off hitter in the Flying Hawiian. But, Polanco doesn't offer much in the 6th or 7th spot. He is a singles hitter with no speed and if you flip flop Victorino in that spot, then you sacrifice Vic's speed (see 2010). So, something has to give, and Polly is going anywhere, coming off his worst season, trying to bounce back from two surgeries and with a high salary at a advantage age. So Vic is the sacrificial lamb here, folks.— EL Zorro
- I SECOND robynk.....— Lynnwood
- Once again I agree with El Zorro. I thought Vic was most likely to get traded entering the off-season. Same reasons -- you'd want to move Polanco but can't. The other infielders are locked up. The other outfielders you basically just got. Shane is probably around peak value right now. So I could see it happening to address 3B. That said, I like Victorino. If he could step his game up just a bit ... the guy seems like he could be a .300 hitter to me.— s
- Good deal, let's go eat!— vafan
- You keep Vic and Pence. They are proven players. Let Mayberry and Brown fight it out for the starting left field position. The loser becomes the 4th outfielder or gets traded. And that's the name of that tune.— Dragon13
- Juan Pierre is an awful basestealer. He gets thrown out almost as much as anyone in the game (I think like 38% last year). It's not just because he runs a lot either- he's just too aggressive. He's a good baserunner but not a good basestealer. We need to simmer down on his expectations a little bit- his OBP isn't great either.— TeamAwesome
- Note that there was not any demand for Pierre from all clubs. He is on the downside and will have to show he has something left or else he and Posednik will shate IB coaching bos with IPigs. Polly detractors are in for a huge awakening this year. He is healthy and will contribute out of 2 hole as in bygone days. Is also a solid defensive player who hustles much more than the guy to his left. Figuring out some way to dump Joey Donuts salary will free up $$ for long term deals for the real studs. Have a great weekend.— NewMick314
- Does anyone think that RAJ did not try to get Pence signed long term? The Pence side just did not let that happen. Trade Shane why?. Shane outstanding defensively. Figures to hit 280+ with extra base pop.— Don w
