Posted: Thursday, January 22, 2009, 11:17 AM | 33 comments |
 

Money, Money, Money
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Ryan Howard is the only Phillie eligible for arbitration who remains unsigned. The first baseman is seeking $18 million.

The Phillies are headed toward a franchise record opening day payroll, which could be more than $132 million if Ryan Howard wins his case in salary arbitration. That's following word yesterday that Jayson Werth and Chad Durbin agreed to new contracts.

Phil Sheridan asks why we should care how much Howard makes in arbitration (or how much any athlete makes for that matter)?

PITCHERS
Joe Blanton ($5.475 million), Clay Condrey ($650,000), Chad Durbin ($1.635 million), Adam Eaton ($8.5 million, plus a $500,000 buyout), Scott Eyre ($2 million), Cole Hamels ($4.35 million), Brad Lidge ($11.5 million), Ryan Madson ($3 million), Jamie Moyer ($6.5 million), Brett Myers ($12 million), Chan Ho Park ($2.5 million), J.C. Romero ($4 million, minus $1.25 million for his 50-game suspension ).

INFIELDERS
Eric Bruntlett ($800,000), Greg Dobbs ($1.15 million), Pedro Feliz ($5 million), Jimmy Rollins ($7.5 million, plus a $1 million signing bonus), Chase Utley ($11 million, plus a $250,000 signing bonus).

OUTFIELDERS
Raul Ibanez ($6.5 million), Geoff Jenkins ($6.75 million, plus a $1.25 million buyout), Matt Stairs ($1 million), Shane Victorino ($3.125 million), Jayson Werth ($3 million).

OTHER
Jim Thome ($3 million).

Total committed so far: $112.685 million.

J.A. Happ, Kyle Kendrick, Carlos Ruiz, Chris Coste and Ronny Paulino could make a combined $2 million.

Ryan Howard will make $18 million or $14 million.

Estimated payroll if Howard wins salary arbitration: $132.685 million.
Posted by Todd Zolecki @ 11:17 AM  Permalink | 33 comments
33
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:47 AM, 01/22/2009
    So the payroll will at minimum be 128.685 (if Howard loses). So can we please put to rest the whole "the phillies are a club" thing now? I think we may not agree with HOW they spend the payroll, but I think it is far to say they do put plenty of money towards payroll.
    — Deb in Dixie
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:59 AM, 01/22/2009
    I can't wait til the season begins, regardless of how much Ryan gets. Go Phils!!!!!!!!!!!
    — Erich H
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:50 PM, 01/22/2009
    Todd, I just heard that you are moving on to write for mlb.com. All the best to you and I will sorely miss this blog.
    — Joe D from WD
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:08 PM, 01/22/2009
    I can't believe we're paying Eaton $8.5 mil plus a buyout. And Thome, $3 mil. The team will be rolling in dough next season, with those two salaries out of the way!
    — Norma
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:11 PM, 01/22/2009
    "Todd, I just heard that you are moving on to write for mlb.com." Is this true???? Say it isn't so!!!
    — Norma
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:17 PM, 01/22/2009
    Hey Todd, will you be able to re-name your MLB.com blog the Zo-Zone?
    — GHOSTPHAYCE
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:18 PM, 01/22/2009
    Todd--speak to us is it true? I hope you or the powers that be have designated a new blogger for the Phillies Zone. I'd hate to see it go the way of the Zo Zone. Best of luck if the rumor mill is true.
    — KarenA
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:25 PM, 01/22/2009
    WTF? Is this true Todd? You're bailing out the year after we win the series? How much would the Inquirer have to offer you to stay? Perhaps they need a new GM there to offer you a 2-3 year deal at better pay and terms? We'll miss you and the Zone
    — jeff gross
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:47 PM, 01/22/2009
    Todd, don't tell me you are going to work for MLB and that bozo Selig? You are going to be handcuffed, I think. Anyway, good luck if true.
    — EL Zorro
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:10 PM, 01/22/2009
    Gotta get more out of Jenkins for all that money (more $ than Victorino and Werth combined for '09). I guess that "leadoff" double in Game 5.5 was worth a lot though. If this rumor about Todd at mlb.com is true, well, good luck Todd and thanks for everything here. This is cool, and mlb.com is great too.
    — NJLouis66
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:31 PM, 01/22/2009
    I hearby nominate myself as the new administrator of the "Zone" I'll rename it the "Nothing but the Truth" Zone. Just kidding. Zo' I wish you the best and ultimately whether you are Zo', Howard, or Myself we all want to maximize the ability to further our careers and our pockets. Zo good luck and remember the little people. I seriously think that if there is not an in-house replacement there should be some type of public process to replace you-being it up to Tierny if possible.
    — Truth
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:33 PM, 01/22/2009
    Todd, I just talked to Brian Tierney. He said the Inquirer is willing to up their offer significantly and push it out one additional year. So what do say, have you officially signed with MLB.com yet? If not, would you consider coming back to table for further discussions? Don't let Selig blind you with all the hometown talk about going back to Milwaukee....is that's really what this is about...you going home to cover the Brewers?
    — GHOSTPHAYCE
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:41 PM, 01/22/2009
    Take them to arbitration Zo and get Howard's agent.
    — Beef69


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About Matt Gelb and Bob Brookover












Bob Brookover and Matt Gelb team up for their third straight season covering the Phillies for the Inquirer and philly.com.

This is Brookover’s second stint writing about the Phillies, having joined the coverage team after seven years as an Eagles beat writer. Brookover was hired by The Inquirer in 2000 as the Phillies beat writer after spending 13 years writing about the team for two suburban newspapers. While on the Eagles beat, Brookover, who had covered just two winning Phillies teams in 15 seasons, saw the Phillies move into a cash-cow new ballpark and begin playing a brand of the game he found unrecognizable. Follow him on Twitter here.

Gelb is in his third season covering the Phillies. He was hired by The Inquirer in August 2009 after graduating from Syracuse University. He has also covered baseball at The Star-Ledger and Cape Cod Times. Born and raised in Bucks County, he attended Central Bucks High School West. Follow him on Twitter here.
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