A look at the current payroll
With Jimmy Rollins finally under contract for 2012 and beyond, the Phillies have a better idea of their payroll for the upcoming season. As noted in Sunday's Inquirer, it's wholly possible the Phillies have a lower payroll in 2012 than 2011, but the numbers will be similar.
A look at the current payroll
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
With Jimmy Rollins finally under contract for 2012 and beyond, the Phillies have a better idea of their payroll for the upcoming season. As noted in Sunday's Inquirer, it's wholly possible the Phillies have a lower payroll in 2012 than 2011, but the numbers will be similar.
The Phillies finished 2011 with approximately $176 million in payroll. They currently have guaranteed $135 million to 16 players in 2012. That figure will rise with raises through arbitration to Cole Hamels, Hunter Pence, Kyle Kendrick and Wilson Valdez.
The below table projects their salaries.
| Cliff Lee | $21.5 |
| Roy Halladay | $20.0 |
| Ryan Howard | $20.0 |
| Chase Utley | $15.0 |
| Jimmy Rollins | $11.0 |
| Jonathan Papelbon | $11.0 |
| Shane Victorino | $9.5 |
| Joe Blanton | $8.5 |
| Placido Polanco | $6.25 |
| Carlos Ruiz | $3.7 |
| Jose Contreras | $2.5 |
| Ty Wigginton | $2.0 |
| Jim Thome | $1.25 |
| Laynce Nix | $1.15 |
| Dontrelle Willis | $0.85 |
| Brian Schneider | $0.80 |
| Cole Hamels | $14.0* |
| Hunter Pence | $11.0* |
| Kyle Kendrick | $3.4* |
| Wilson Valdez | $0.90* |
| TOTAL | $164.3* |
The rest of the roster will likely be filled by pre-arbitration players. The major-league minimum will be $480,000 in 2012. Figure Antonio Bastardo, Vance Worley, John Mayberry Jr., Mike Stutes and any other young relievers will each earn around that.
So that could leave the payroll shy of $170 million to begin 2012. Why is that important? It certainly permits flexibility come July when Ruben Amaro Jr. could look to make a midseason trade if necessary.
The usual disclaimer: A roster on opening day is not always set in stone. Remember, Ben Francisco was the Phillies' starting right fielder last April.
Another calculation with Rollins aboard: The Phillies have guaranteed $105.4 million to seven players for 2013. In 2014, four players (Howard, Lee, Papelbon, Rollins) are guaranteed $74 million.
With Rollins out of the way, Amaro could now turn to an extension for Hamels, who is a free agent after 2012.
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
The number that jumps out is what Chooch gets. Simply amazing a guy that is so valuable and so Loved by the fans gets so much less than the others and there is never any talk about locking him up or raises. Maybe each one of the high end pitchers ought to kick in a Million and that BIG PIECE might kick in a few more. What about his future and family? This guy actually earned his, imagine that!— DUDESKINS
Good post dude. Tough to make ends meet for your family at only $3.7 per year. Clip a few coupons and skip a few movies and I'm sure they'll get bye.— LI PhilPhan- Considering what they make in their short careers and since he comes from where, Panama?, and since he made minimum up until now, I guess you are right that he will get by. I was trying to make a point about value and maybe fundamental fairness. You and I could probably make a lifetime out of 3.7 million but then again I doubt I could catch DOC quite as well as Chooch , so maybe I will hit the Lottery to get mine. By the way coupon clipping is so 1960"s . Have you tried Groupon? — DUDESKINS
- Considering what they make in their short careers and since he comes from where, Panama?, and since he made minimum up until now, I guess you are right that he will get by. I was trying to make a point about value and maybe fundamental fairness. You and I could probably make a lifetime out of 3.7 million but then again I doubt I could catch DOC quite as well as Chooch , so maybe I will hit the Lottery to get mine. By the way coupon clipping is so 1960"s . Have you tried Groupon? — DUDESKINS
- Maybe Heavy-B will get a win or two this year to 'earn' his paycheck— Sam Crow
- The biggest waste of money is for useless Joe Blanton-----$8.5 million for what????— TEDcGEGI
- Not so sure its that big of a waste. If you look at his career numbers with Philly, a +.600 winning percentage isn't so bad, especially for a #5 starter. If memory stands correct, he was integral in winning the 2008 WS with his arm AND bat. Worley was a great story last season, but do you really expect another 12-3 type season? Remember Kendrick's 1st 13-7 season and he was going to be the next great pitcher in a Phillies uniform? As for Oswalt, what did the Phillies get from him last year for $16 million, except for a trip down to his Dad's farm, and then aggrivating his back doin' farm clean up work. At least country Joe didn't go awal on his teammates during the season. — drhoffman
- Don't forget about the Lidge/Oswalt buyouts... that was like $3.5 mill— leeal02
- Buyouts were paid in 2011. This is 2012 payroll.
— conceptual_bro - I'd like to see RAJ take a chance and sign Cespedes. They would not have to sign Vic and could use him as a trade chip. It's one way to start to get younger. But the money may have to go to Cole.— ronin32
- How can I feel satisfied - their pitching is less deep this year - no Oswalt, and the rest of the regulars are a year older. No additional offensive fire power was brought in following getting knocked out of the playoffs two years in a row due to inadequate offensive spark. I think that the further they get away from the Pat Gillick era, the farther they move from another WS championship.— Bobphxville
- 3 good starters and one overpaid closer surrounded by about 20 pieces of average or below-avg filler --that's an Amaro-built team for you— emperorisunclothed
- correct, emperor. same lousy hitting coach and manager, too. Rube sure is changing the approach.— coloradoeagle
- No RH slugger. Howard will not be himself for another year. Then if anyone will trade for him, do it. One wag noted that Rube could have tried for Beltran and Geo over Rollins. I agree. No I am not satisfied and they still will not win the Series with this group . More work Rube.— Koons
- Good points. Looks like we'll have to suffer through another 102 win season.— smfree31
