Francisco avoids arbitration, signs for $1.175 million
The Phillies have settled with one of their two arbitration-eligible players. Outfielder Ben Francisco signed a one-year, $1.175 million deal Saturday. The deal includes performance bonuses.
Francisco avoids arbitration, signs for $1.175 million
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Phillies have settled with one of their two arbitration-eligible players. Outfielder Ben Francisco signed a one-year, $1.175 million deal Saturday. The deal includes performance bonuses.
Francisco made $470,000 in 2010, so he receives a raise more than double his previous salary. It was Francisco's first year eligible for arbitration.
The 29-year-old outfielder figures to be the favorite in an open competition for playing time in right field this spring.
“We are pleased to have come to terms with Benny,” Ruben Amaro Jr. said in a statement. “Our goal in this process is to come to equitable deals. Benny, as we’ve stated, will have an opportunity to play more regularly in right field this year and I am looking forward to the competition beginning this spring.”
Kyle Kendrick is the only remaining arbitration-eligible player for the Phillies. If the two sides cannot reach an agreement before Tuesday, salary figures will be formally exchanged. Negotiations can continue until Feb. 1, when the case would head to an arbitrator if there is no agreement.
The Phillies now have $162.375 million committed to 20 players on the 2011 payroll.
We can speculate whatever we want about Ben’s potential but eventually it’s up to Cholly to play him. Remember, Cholly refused to use him the last couple of seasons when Raul was struggling. I really don’t have too much fate on the manager making good decisions. He’s not very good at it.— EL Zorro- Willie May? What kind of dope are you smoking to even mention Fancisco in the same sentence as Willie Mays? Francisco has great "warning track" power. The kid need to be a doubles hitter. I take .280, 10 homers and 30 doubles and be very happy with that. We need a solid right handed batter. I don't think D. Brown is ready yet.— PhillyJimi
