A look at the current payroll
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A look at the current payroll
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
Cash money. (Clem Murray/Staff file photo)
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.
Comments (48)
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
- Why do people care so much about regular season wins? Seems irrelevant to me after you earn a playoff spot. How did those 102 wins work out last year? — JodyMac
- take a mediocre offensive team, lose a sometimes productive left-fielder and the beginning of the season of an overpaid but sometimes productive 1st baseman, add no players with any real ability to hit, act surprised when team's offense drops from mediocre to awful, panic at end of July and try to trade more prospects but find out you have nothing left of value becuase you already traded all decent prospects for Lee, Halladay, Oswalt and Pence and the time to fill holes should have been during the off-season- that's the Amaro method— emperorisunclothed
- This comment has been deleted. — DogBiscuitthedope
- Name calling, so cool. Anyway, how many runs did that line up score in their last couple playoff departures. I know, it doesn't matter because they pounded Mets and Nationals pitching in August. — JodyMac
- These obscene salaries are absurd and lead to higher ticket prices and escalating cable bills. I dont like it.— joe smith
- I'm hoping there's one more big offensive move yet to be made.— dasher
- The way Oswalt pitched last year, I don't think it will be that difficult to replace his production. If Blanton can stay healthy and have a typical season for him, then that will be about the equivalent of the 2011 version of Oswalt.— SteveS11
- A 102 win season is useless when it culminates in being booted from the playoffs two years in a row when they can't produce runs. The manager relies on big innings like he had the team of 6 years ago. Team speed is less than average. The mentaliity of the team needed to be changed to get some hunger back. Too many of the players seemed completely satisfied that they won one WS. The team as configured is worse than last year, which as we know was not good enough.— Bobphxville
- $74M to 4 guys in 2014 ...
Yikes— azsixerfan - You guys take pessimism to new heights! Our bench is much superior to last year. Right field is solidified, with an All Star. Mayberry likely to produce Ibanez-like numbers, with speed and better defense. Oswalt was a non-factor last year, easily surpassed by Worley. Make KK your No. 5 starter and who cares about Blanton? Papelbon is a proven closer who has pitched in big games -- unlike Madson. It's more likely than not that Utley's 2012 season is better than last year. And, we have $5 million to $10 million to extend Hamels or deal for one more player. I like what I've seen.— eman
- The pitching will not be an issue as is still at or near the top of the heap in the NL. As for offense, they can't be much worse than last year. For signficant improvement, Mayberry and Pence will have to shine. Victorino needs to lead off and if Polanco stays in Philly and healthy, bats second to move runners up. Hear that Charlie? I don't see Howard's absence as a big issue as he can't hit good pitching anyway and not when most needed. Offense by committee and station to station will keep them in most all games and generate good results. Will that be enough to win it all, only timely hitting in the clutch gets those results. That wins championships.— Ed Cornpropst
- Securing Hamels, arguably, one of the few truly elite left hand starters in MLB, should be Amaros top priority if he has a modicum of common sense. Hamels should have been prioritized over Rollins when one considers that if the Phils erratic offense continues to decline, then the starting pitching is all they have. They cannot afford to play with Hamels considering Oswalt is gone, and Halliday and Lee are only getting older which leaves Hamels as the youngest of the three top starters and who, by right and merit, should become the center piece of the rotation. Blanton should go and its a travesty that he is still around which proves both that nobody wants him and that Amaro just refuses to eat his salary and admit he's a lousy, hack pitcher who could barely survive AAA baseball. Worley will be a slight question mark but we do know that he pitched far better in his rookie year and more consistently than Beer Gut Blanton ever did since being a Phillie. They must unload Blanton but I suspect, that if Cholly the chimp has his way, he will again fall back on Blanton and I wouldn't be surprised if he brings back Moyer! Lets not forget, that Cholly the chimp never met a 45 year old player he didn't want on his team:-) Bottom line is the inconvenient truth which is: as long as that imbecilic Manuel remains field manager, the Phils will again be watching the pennant playoffs or world series on TV. They won in 08 DESPITE Cholly not because of him - just ask any Indians fan, they'll be glad to tell you what they thought of Cholly the chimp. Have a great holiday!— daystrum
- I would ask a few of the posters that agree with me like Warbiscuit to start a petition demanding the resignation of Cholly the chimp. If the Mr. Montgomery, Amaro and Giles truly want to turn the page and refresh an aging, stale team, start by hiring a NEW 21st century manager who can formulate fled tactics, converse in intelligible, coherent English, and actually motivate his players. Its about time isn't it?— daystrum
- DogBiscuitthedope - why is it that inane, insipid and cranially deficient responses like yours, (always attacking the poster and not the issue) so friggin predictable? You demonstrate why the human species is a joke, doomed to extinction. The second a poster doesn't agree with my statements, which is their right, they immediately attack my "credibility" just as a right-wing politician attacks pro global warming advocates as being "conspiracy theorists" "buffs" or "whacky", their favorite of the three disparaging, attempts to minimize and discredit their opponents, all childlike in a way. Blanton's record clearly shows one thing that any idiot can devise........he is erratic. Capisca? Now go eat a tuna sub.— daystrum
- To posters: Lets keep it civil if possible. I just counter attacked one poster because I couldn't "turn my cheek" when reading his egregiously denigrating remarks and secondly, I responded because I noticed that most of his comments demonstrate incredible hostility, probably projection. Players and managers get paid more than most of us will make in 10 lifetimes so its OK, to level criticism at the players and management but lets cut the lashing out at fellow posters and fans, It just betrays the fact that those who engage in such sub 9 year old behavior, need to take a long look in the mirror:-)— daystrum
- First of all, the 2011 Phillies might not have won the world series but they were the best team all year and were really just burned by a hot Cardinals team and a freak bad start by Lee. They have made improvements. An entire year from Pence. No more Ibanez. A healthy Polanco. A healthy Utley. Papelbon. A better, deeper bench.— Northeaster
- @daystrum- get off your high horse. You lost all credibility with the "Cholly the chimp" comment. Yes, the team is open to criticism, but flat out insults like that put you on DogBiscuit's level. And I'm not even a fan of Manuel. Anyway, Amaro needs to tie up Hamels soon and add a right hand bat. Enjoy the holidays.— verve
- Last year we had 102 wins. This team looks a lot like last year. Yes, our position players are a year older, but we also get Pence for the full year. I think Mayberry has shown he can handle left field with similar hitting and better defense than the likeable Ibanez provided. Pappelbon instead of Madsen is likely a positive. If we can have a few less injuries we are on track for another very successful season.— JohnFC
10 Games into the season & J-Roll will be on the injury list- Let's see if I have this right. The Phillies have bad owners, a bad GM, a bad manager, and an overage, decrepit, bad team. Your right, boys. With all that badness, there might be a drop-off to 99 wins next year.— Dragon13
- Been a Phillie diehard for 40 years and my Dad and Grandmother go back another 40 years. While I love reading everything about the Phils, I hope posters appreciate this is the greatest most enjoyable period of time any of us has ever and may ever witness. Just enjoy...Gillick, Rube, Cholly, J-Roll and all involved. Just to check ourselves, some of you are critical about the best you will ever see....others appreciate. Regardless, we are talking Phils and I love it:)— Earls World
- For those tiresome individuals, you know who you are, who bellyache about having to watch a 102 win season again -- my question to you is who do you fear in the playoffs?
Here's where you guys miss the boat.The 2012 Phillies are not competing with the 2011 Phillies and They re competing with the 2012 NL.
Cards look stronger to you? Not to me. How about the Braves? Don't think so. Marlins? I think we need to see where Ramirez ends up before proclaiming them anything to fear. Diamondbacks? Reds? Cubs? Giants?
Economics is at work and the strongest team coming out of the off-season so far is the AL Angels. Could the Phils take them in a short series? We may get a chance to find out. But look at the financial load they've strapped on their backs in Anaheim. How many of you bellachers would be happy if the Phils did that?— Claudio Vernight - OMG!!! Emporwhatever, do you even understand baseball, or do you just like pretending? 20 pieces of average got you 102 wins last year... DUH??? I'll take that anytime...— chazjr
- I don't think the roster is quite yet set. With Rollins in the mix now, the roster is now ready for changes. RAJ couldn't make ANY moves until he knew the hand he had in place. Do not be surprised if a pitcher (Blanton/Kendrick) and a position player (Polanco/Victorino) are moved for an important 3B piece. Remember, if Polanco/Blanton/Prospect are moved for David Wright, another free agent outfielder (Beltran) is readily available. Moving Polanco/Victorino for Wright/Beltran is an upgrade to the offense. Let RAJ do his thing. 5 winning playoff seasons in row isn't shabby in Phillies history, is it? We all want to win the WS, and we simply can't. However, remaining competative, and possibly catching lightning in a bottle by the end of the season is key to going far in the playoffs. Phight On Phillies.— drhoffman
- I don't see a lot of creativity in building this team. They just keep giving more and more money to players who peaked very early in their careers. I see another season where Halladay, Lee and Hamels will have to be Supermen to compensate for the terrible offense. The odds of winning it all have diminished so now it's a question of milking the cash cow for all its worth.— AvoidSundanceVacations
- Carlos Ruiz is popular and probably does a great job calling games, but his arm is horrible. Runners have no fear of him when attempting to steal bases, no respect. His bat was as timely or active as in the past so I hope that turns around soon. Back in the day your catcher was a huge offensive contributor, Ruiz doesn't strike as that kind of bat.— Gtown65
- "With Rollins out of the way, Amaro could now turn to an extension for Hamels, who is a free agent after 2012."
Per Cot's contracts, so are Blanton, Contreras,Polanco, Ruiz, and Wigginton.
Graybeard
— graybeard - Why do we have to keep hearing that they "are a year older"? Since when is a 33 year old over the hill? If half of the team didn't spend weeks on the DL last year, we would have hit better, scored more, etc. etc. etc. Be happy with the best team in the NL and stop the constant complaining.— oakmontleo
- I feel like I died and woke up in Houston, or San Diego, or Washington D.C. when I read the comments on this site. I thought the Phillies won 102 games last year and gave everyone an awesome summer of tremendous baseball? Yeah they came up short in the first round of the playoffs and that was a big choke. However, if Postseason Extraordinaire Cliff Lee holds a 4 run lead in game 2, the whole series is different and the Phillies move on to play the Brewers in the NLCS. Was I devastated by their choke? HELL yeah! Do I think the Cardinals were a better team than the Phillies last year? No. Do I think the Phillies are doomed to choke every year in the playoffs? HELL no! We signed a top of the line closer in Papelbon...The Phillies still have the envy of the NL and maybe all of baseball with their top 3 starters and it's not inconceivable that Oswalt returns. Worley might not do as good as he did in 2011, but he looks like a more than adequate 4th starter for sure and who knows how good he might be? Howard's rehab from major surgery is troubling, but we have Pence & Utley for a whole year this time and I feel that Polonco will surprise people with a big, healthy bounce-back season. Their bench looks decidedly improved from last year. The Phillies managed to win a championship in 2008 with a lineup of home-run hitters who struck out a lot and couldn't play small ball. Is it inconceivable that they could win again in 2012?— drjimmy
- koons, just for the record, who would play SS with Beltran and Geo instead of JRoll? Where would Beltran play? instead of Vic, Mayberry, or Pence? WHy not try thinking before posting?— jeff gross
- The regular season is one thing but I don't know how anyone could watch this team the last 2 years in the playoffs and see that they are not built for October. They will feast throughout the year against bad pitching but when it comes to the playoffs they will struggle against quality pitching and thats what you face in the post season. They do not have enough plate disciple and at this point they are too old to change thier approach. I was hoping that we would sign Michael Cuddyer heres a guy who hits .300, can draw a walk when needed, and can play 5 different positions. I think Amaro dropped the ball by giving Papplebon that huge contract. We could have had heath Bell for half the money heres a guy who's had 40+ saves 3 years in a row. Not to mention Ryan Madsen still isn't signed and we could have gotten him for less then a guy who blew games down the stretch for Boston. I will watch them every game like I always do cause I love baseball and I love the Phillies but I am not expecting them too go very far in the playoffs with the lineup as is.— Jmoon402
- @daystrum, did you think of "cholly the chimp" all by yourself or did Mommy help you? You're such a witty and original thinker; can you teach the rest of us to be just like you?
Then you attack someone for "name calling"; are you an idiot? Pot; black, you get the idea because you're such a witty, great thinker!— JBinPA - Trolls will be trolls. Keep being miserable and complaining about how RAJ is destroying our 2014 Phillies, I am just going to sit back and enjoy another 100 win season in 2012. Maybe I'll see you at the parade though, and you can tell how you knew it all along.— del_sj
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The Phillies Zone is the place for up-to-the-minute Phillies coverage from the Inquirer.
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