Scott Kingery's deal is similar to one his idol signed a decade ago | Extra Innings

Good morning, Phillies fans, and welcome to the final day of spring training. The Phillies reported to Clearwater six weeks ago. They'll play their 34th and final Grapefruit League game this afternoon against Pittsburgh and then fly to Atlanta for Thursday's opening day. Be sure to get ready for the season by picking up our Phillies preview in Thursday's Inquirer and Daily News or reading it all week on Philly.com.

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Scott Kingery grew up idolizing Dustin Pedroia, who starred at nearby Arizona State and was an undersized second baseman just like Kingery. Kingery saw himself in Pedroia, so it was fitting that scouts often compared him to the Boston Red Sox infielder during Kingery's time in the minors.

And it's also fitting that the contract Kingery signed Sunday with the Phillies is similar to a deal Pedroia signed 10 years ago with Boston. Pedroia opted against testing his value in arbitration and free agency and signed a six-year, $40.5 million deal before his third major-league season. He was still four seasons away from hitting free agency.

Pedroia's deal, which came a month after he won the American League MVP award, sacrificed three years of salary arbitration and included a team option to cover his third year of free agency. Kingery's deal can keep him off the market for just as long.

The deal worked out for both Boston and Pedroia. He played in four All-Star Games and won two Gold Gloves. In 2013, Boston reworked his deal and extended him for $110 million over eight years. The Phillies, if Kingery performs like his idol, would love to work out a similar contract toward the end of the one they just signed.

The Phillies signed Tommy Hunter in December to a two-year deal as they beefed up their bullpen. But the righthander will begin the season on the disabled list with a groin strain. Manager Gabe Kapler said the team does not have long-term concerns. Bob Brookover has the details on how the injury affects the roster.

The Phillies made the mistake in 2004 of keeping Chase Utley off the opening-day roster. They sent him to triple A because they did not have an obvious everyday role for him in the majors. That won't be the case for Scott Kingery, as Bob Brookover writes how Kingery's versatility helped him get to the majors for opening day. 

Matt Klentak said at Monday's news conference to announce Kingery's deal that Philadelphia fans are "going to love" Kingery. Here's how the deal came about and why the Phillies wanted to sign him before he even played a major-league game.

Hunter's injury practically sealed the opening-day roster as it opened up a second spot so the Phillies could keep both Jake Thompson and Victor Arano, who were competing for the final spot in the bullpen. Here's a look at each of the 25 players who will likely be with the Phillies on Thursday in Atlanta.

Today: The last day of spring training in Clearwater.
Thursday: Aaron Nola starts on opening day in Atlanta.
April 5: The Phillies home opener against Miami.
April 8: Jake Arrieta makes his season debut.
April 24: Scott Kingery turns 24.

Scott Kingery probably won't start on opening day but if he did start at second base, he'd be the team's third-youngest opening-day second baseman in the last 60 years. He will turn 24 next month and would be just the fourth Phillies player since 1970 to make his major-league debut as an opening-day starter if he's in Thursday's lineup. But, manager Gabe Kapler will likely wait until Friday to start Kingery.

Send questions by email or on Twitter @matt_breen.

Answer: Arrieta will not start until April 8 so it would make little sense for him to have a roster spot for the first eight games of the season. The Phillies can carry an extra reliever and either place Arrieta on the disabled list retroactive to his final spring training start Tuesday or just start him on the triple-A roster and then option him to the majors when he's ready to pitch.