Even moving Cliff Lee's salary doesn't leave the Phillies with a huge windfall for the rest of the offseason. While it's true that they've subtracted $51.41 million from the payroll since the World Series ended, they've also added $47 million factoring in the built-in raises several key players will receive.
Factoring in the $6 million they'll reportedly receive from the Blue Jays as part of the Roy Halladay trade, they have $10.41 million to spend before they break even. That sounds like a lot, but raises for arbitration eligible players like Shane Victorino, Joe Blanton, Carlos Ruiz and Chad Durbin will account for most of it. And that's before the Phillies consider re-signing Chan Ho Park and/or Scott Eyre or dipping back into the free-agent market to add bullpen depth.
THE BREAKDOWN:
Off the Books
Brett Myers, $12,000,000
Cliff Lee (a), $9,000,000
Adam Eaton (b), $9,000,000
Geoff Jenkins (b), $8,000,000
Pedro Feliz (a), $5,000,000
Jim Thome (c), $3,000,000
Chan Ho Park, $2,500,000
Scott Eyre, $1,000,000
Eric Bruntlett, $800,000
Clay Condrey, $650,000
Chris Coste, $460,000
Total: $51,410,000
(a) 2010 base salary
(b) Includes buyout
(c) Final installment payment to White Sox
All other figures reflect 2009 base salaries
Added to the Payroll
Roy Halladay, $15,750,000
Placido Polanco (a), $5,500,000
Jayson Werth (b), $5,000,000
Raul Ibanez (b), $5,000,000
Ryan Howard (b), $4,000,000
Chase Utley (b), $4,000,000
Ryan Madson (b), $2,500,000
Cole Hamels (b), $2,300,000
Brian Schneider (a), $1,250,000
Juan Castro, $700,000
Total: $47,000,000
(a) Includes signing bonus
(b) Built-in raise
All other figures are 2010 base salary