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.
Kk stinks— tooltime- I mean it --- right field is going to be a BIG BIG problem---book it!— george22
- Just sign Manny. Cholly knows how to deal with him. He's been working out in L.A. this off-season on his fielding to be able to play in the NL.— ronin32
- Werth will be like yesterdays news Francisco/Brown will do just fine! Having Lee back with the Phils is Werth more than having a Werthless outfield...— jmb53
- I believe its Werth's defense that we'll miss. Seems like he's always throwing someone out at home in a key moment.— zampmj
Sign Manny? The absolute worst idea ever. Nothing like signing a selfish, non-team player. It would ruin the chemistry.- I can play rightfield with the Aces We got! What are the Phils gonna give up a couple runs a game..Most teams have a catcher wo cant hit we dont If rightfield is a weekness then so be it, Benny Brown and Ross will get better prodution then werth and We got LEE!get the Phillies are still filled with All Stars and Champions!— xcyrsist
- look out in the dugout, thats ben diving away from another curve ball— tooltime
- Yes. Ben has shown is ability to hit when it was needed. Giving him more playing time can only improve this. I hope they don't platoon him, rather platoon Raul and Dom.— flphilly
- I agree as well. Francisco has put up decent #'s in Cleveland. And for his own personal motivation, he is playing for a contract. He could easily be a .270/15/65/15 guy hitting at the bottom of this line-up, and he's an adequate fielder as well...The Phils will be OK in RF.
While there is a step down in the outfield until Brown gets going I'm ok with a platoon. Plus we will have a big step up with runners in scoring position no matter who is at the plate compared to Werth. Francisco is good defensively and Brown has a chance to be great.— KINGOFZED- give the kid a chance. i remember when willie mays came up . i think he was hitless at o -for 43. he showed some power last year and will be able at the very least to platoon with the left handers. jm— machuzick
- Is anyone concerned that RAJ has made this team into a Houston Astro's team of the 1980's - all pitching and little hitting? If so, is Uncle Cholly the guy to manage a pitching team?— sonnybuoy01
- Ben Francisco ain't Willie Mays.— dasher
- No player in the entire league is willie mays so what?..francisco is a fly ball hitter with power and speed let him and brown compete for RF (francisco can move to left to give ibanez a break) If he(b. francisco) plays regularly expect him to hit 20+ hr's, bat in the .270's that being said phillies need to make sure NO one in their infield starts more than 148 games in the regular season sit them down and let bench players play more and hopefully be more productive that is the real "key" this season.— only 9
