Phillies Notebook: Phillies' payroll cracking $100 million mark

A year ago, their Opening Day payroll was $96,587,500. That included the 25-man active roster, five players on the disabled list and a $6 million installment to the Chicago White Sox as part of the Jim Thome trade.

Using a sampling of 30 comparable players plus this year's payment to the White Sox, this year's figure projects to a franchise-record $105,026,500 according to figures compiled by the Daily News.

That number could change slightly by the time the Phillies start the season against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on March 31. But even if, for example, third baseman Wes Helms ($2.15 million) is traded, the total seems certain to reach nine figures for the first time.

That increase comes despite the fact the team began getting several large contracts off the books, including those of Freddy Garcia ($10 million), Jon Lieber ($7.5 million), Aaron Rowand ($4.35 million) and Rod Barajas ($2.5 million).

They more than made up for that, however. Brad Lidge, acquired from the Astros, will make $6.35 million in his final year before being eligible for free agency. J.C. Romero, released by Red Sox in June, was rewarded for his 1.24 earned run average in 51 games after signing with the Phillies with a 3-year contract that will pay him $3.75 million in 2008.

They also signed a handful of lower-level free agents including Geoff Jenkins ($5 million this season), Pedro Feliz ($3 million), So Taguchi ($900,000) and Chad Durbin ($900,000).

The biggest raise went to first baseman Ryan Howard. In his first year of eligibility for salary arbitration, he won $10 million after making $900,000 last season.

Brett Myers and Chase Utley each had built-in raises of $3.25 million, to $8.5 million apiece.

In part, the expanded payroll reflects the Phillies' success last season when they made the playoffs for the first time since 1993 and had an announced home attendance of more than 3.1 million.

Looking ahead, Pat Burrell ($14 million), Tom Gordon ($5.5 million), Jamie Moyer ($5.5 million) and Helms are all in the final guaranteed years of their contracts. And the team's final payment to the White Sox will be reduced to $3 million.

At the same time, the Phillies will have to decide if they want to re-sign Lidge. Howard's salary will only continue to rise, especially if he has another big season. Shane Victorino should be arbitration-eligible for the first time and Cole Hamels might also qualify. *