Phils trade pay figures with 3 players
The Phillies have exchanged salary figures with their three arbitration-eligible players, and are furthest apart with pitcher Joe Blanton. Blanton asked for $10.25 million while the Phillies offered $7.5 million. They are closer with Shane Victorino and Carlos Ruiz.
The Phillies exchanged salary figures with their three arbitration-eligible players yesterday and are furthest apart with pitcher Joe Blanton.
Blanton asked for $10.25 million while the Phillies offered $7.5 million. Blanton, who was 12-8 with a 4.05 ERA, made $5.475 million last season and will be a free agent after the 2010 season.
The two sides are closer with outfielder Shane Victorino, who requested $5.8 million. The Phillies offered him $4.75 million. Victorino made $3.25 million last season.
And catcher Carlos Ruiz is seeking $2.5 million, with the Phillies having offered $1.7 million. Ruiz made $475,000 in 2009.
As is customary in Major League Baseball, all 30 teams exchanged salary figures with their arbitration-eligible players yesterday - a process that is designed to speed up negotiations in order to avoid arbitration.
After the figures are exchanged, the two sides have until the end of January to reach an agreement. Arbitration cases are heard in February if there is still an impasse. A panel chooses either the player's or team's request.
Typically, the teams and players will agree on a one-year contract at the midpoint of the exchanged figures to avoid going to arbitration. Since 1996, the Phillies have gone to arbitration just three times: Ryan Howard (a record $10 million) in 2008, Travis Lee in 2001, and Willie Banks in 1996. Last year, Howard signed a three-year, $54 million deal to get past his final three years of arbitration.
With regard to Victorino, the Phillies could also choose to buy out his final remaining year of arbitration, similar to what the team did with Jayson Werth last off-season. In his second of three arbitration years, Werth signed a two-year, $10 million deal.
Even if they do not agree to a multiyear deal, Victorino is under the Phillies' control through the 2011 season. Victorino's agent, Sam Levinson, did not return requests for comment.
Late Monday, the Phillies reached an agreement with their other arbitration-eligible player, reliever Chad Durbin, on a one-year, $2.125 million deal.
Rollins safe after quake. Jimmy Rollins and his traveling party, in the Cayman Islands for Rollins' wedding Saturday, are safe after an earthquake shook the islands yesterday.
A Phillies spokesman said the team has been in contact with Rollins and said everyone is safe. A 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the Cayman Islands, the U.S. Geological Survey said. There were no reports of significant damage or injury.
Rollins will wed his longtime girlfriend, Johari Smith, on Saturday. A handful of teammates were expected to join him for the ceremony but have not yet arrived.
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