philasnow's Blog

Below are the Phillies' current salary commitments for 2008:

Players

2B - Chase Utley - 7.5 million

3B - Wes Helms - 2.15 million

SS - Jimmy Rollins - 7 million

LF - Pat Burrell - 14 million

Pitchers

SP - Adam Eaton - 7.635 million

SP - Jamie Moyer - 5.5 million

RP - Tom Gordon - 5.5 million

RP - Brett Myers - 8.5 million

RP - Julio Mateo - 1.5 million (option)

Total money committed = 59.285 million

Arbitration Eligible Players and best guess on their salaries

1B - Ryan Howard - 6 million

RP - Ryan Madson - 2.5 million

OF - Jayson Werth - 2.5 million

Total money for arbitration eligible players = 11 million

Players under Phillies Control

SP - Cole Hamels - 1 million

SP - Kyle Kendrick - 400 K

RP - Mike Zagurski - 400 K

RP - Matt Smith - 400 K

RP - Scott Mathieson - 400 K

OF - Michael Bourn - 400 K

OF - Gregg Dobbs - 400 K

OF - Shane Victorino - 400 K

C - Carlos Ruiz - 400 K

Total money allocated to resign players under control = 4.2 million

Assuming the Phillies bump the payroll to about $100-105 million, that leaves roughly $26-31 million to sign free agents. The most prudent way to use that $26-31 million is to invest in pitching and possibly 3rd base. The Phillies must let Aaron Rowand walk. Below is how I see the Phillies needs:

Assuming Myers stays in the closer role:

SP - Curt Schilling (1 year deal) - $10 million

RP - $3 million

RP - $3 million

RP - J.C. Romero - $3 million

3B - Mike Lowell (only if he'll take a 2 year deal) - $12 million