Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009, 2:05 PM | 18 comments |
 

Victorino, Phils agree to 1-year deal
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Phillies centerfielder Shane Vicotorino has avoided arbitration by agreeing to a 1-year, $3.125 million contract.

Victorino is among the team's most popular players and emerged as a postseason hero with a grand slam off Milwaukee's CC Sabathia in the NL Division Series and being on the receiving end of a pitch near the head against the Dodgers that led to the benches clearing and helped spark the Phillies.

Victorino replaced Aaron Rowand in centerfield and hit .293 with 14 home runs and 58 RBI in 146 games.

Teams and their arbitration eligible players are to exchange salary figures today.

The Phillies are hoping to reach deals with outfielder Jayson Werth and pitcher Joe Blanton within the next 48 hours. That, of course, leaves the most difficult case, that of first baseman Ryan Howard.

Earlier today, the team announced a 3-year extension with righthanded reliever Ryan Madson.
Posted by Daily News staff @ 2:05 PM  Permalink | 18 comments
18
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:18 PM, 01/20/2009
    One by one, getting things done. Nice job so far at fairly low prices. Keep up the good work.
    — J C
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:20 PM, 01/20/2009
    glad victorino is back, hope he's here longer than a year though
    — wearethechampions
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:29 PM, 01/20/2009
    time to get rid of Howard while you could get something in return
    — rapbuffy
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:29 PM, 01/20/2009
    That truly is a bargain for a great player. The Pirates just gave Adam LaRoche over $5 million for a one-year deal.
    — Dunk
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:38 PM, 01/20/2009
    Good job so far. Hopefully they get Howard for a reasonable price. It seems like all of these guys want to be here on this team.
    — davekrieg
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:58 PM, 01/20/2009
    Ryan Howard will make north of $10 million, maybe $12-14. I hope they lock Victorino into a longer deal after this year. One more quality starter would be nice...other than that, very happy with what they are doing to get back to the promised land.
    — bwillie
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:02 PM, 01/20/2009
    Real cheap for Shane, but home come only one year? I would have liked to see a 3 year 10 mil deal. Perhaps the Phils are still actually thinking of paying Howard his big money long term?!?
    — westbrookmvp
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:08 PM, 01/20/2009
    Let Howard strike out 200 times a year somewhere else. We do not need a guy who can hit the ball 600 feet we need a guy who can hit them 337 feet.
    — Skena
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:15 PM, 01/20/2009
    OOOhhh yeah! Few more weeks til Ps and Cs!
    — gho_matt
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:16 PM, 01/20/2009
    Nice sign, like how the Phils are getting the job done. Making fans and players both happy. 12-14 mil for Howard? Your nuts. Try like 18 mil.
    — Beef69
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:18 PM, 01/20/2009
    I say, Howard is part of why we made it the WS, and won it. Won the division with him carrying the team in sept. Any of you that want to hop on the Howard hate train before we even start this spring you can all shove it, you make me sick. Howard stays as long as hes bangin in those RBI's, hopefully we;ll see a consistent .280 ave+ from him this year.
    — Will.i.Am
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:19 PM, 01/20/2009
    You get arbitration eligible players on the cheap...he would have received similar compensation if the two sides actually went to arbitration. That is why you can not compare his salary to a sub mediocre player that has served his time in the bigs like LaRoche. No reason to lock up Victorino for 3 years. Last year was the 1st time he has been a full time starter, why lock yourselves into a long term deal when next year he will still be arbitration eligible?
    — cps147
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:32 PM, 01/20/2009
    Phils are going to offer, I would say 15, Howard is going to ask for 17-20. Back to arbitration. And Tex signing that big deal helps out Howard.
    — Beef69


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About David Murphy
David Murphy joined the Daily News as its Phillies beat writer in February of 2008. Born in Upper Merion and raised in the Poconos, he attended college at La Salle University before taking jobs with the Myrtle Beach (S.C.) Sun-News and the St. Petersburg ( Fla. ) Times. E-mail Dave at dmurphy@phillynews.com.

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