Philadelphia Phillies: Offensive changes for 2019 and beyond

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If Quinn can stay healthy, he’ll play a major role for the 2019 Phillies. Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images. /

Available talent:

Justin Bour won’t be a free agent until after the 2020 season, but he’s too valuable to be a pinch-hitter with occasional starts. However, his salary was $3.4 million for 2018 after his first arbitration. And if it increases in 2019, it will probably be too much for limited playing time. Payroll 101!

Ramos, 31, is playing for a contract and auditioning for all 30 clubs. But if Klentak inks a top hitter, he’d need Ramos more for defense. Moreover, he would block Alfaro even on a two-year deal, and the veteran could possibly secure three summers elsewhere.

Despite the speculation of inking Machado and Harper, the belief is the Phillies have plenty of financial room for two 10-campaign pacts, but many don’t think about Aaron Nola and Rhys Hoskins. In other words, the Phils can handle three $30 million stars per season over many 162s.

Having the hefty contracts of Jake Arrieta and Carlos Santana through 2020, the red pinstripes will replace those agreements with long-term deals for Nola and Hoskins. So, Klentak will have two expensive stars for quite a while and can add a third, not a fourth.

With the competitive-balance threshold at $210 million for 2021, eventually Nola, Hoskins and another superstar will account for $90 million: 42.9 percent based on AAV (average annual value). But the Phillies are only willing to exceed the Luxury Tax if they have a legitimate shot to reach the World Series.

Regarding Harper, the Phils have four outfielders besides Hoskins, and they have Odubel Herrera under a cost-friendly contract. But many fans believe Klentak could swap Herrera and put injury-plagued Roman Quinn in center. Realistically, he is on the disabled list for roughly half of every summer.

Quinn’s appearances* played per 140-game slate:

2015: 58
2016: 92
2017: 45
2018: 64
* Includes all contests at any level through Sept. 17.

Because Cesar Hernandez will be a free agent after 2020, Kingery could eventually take over second base with Machado and Maikel Franco on the left side. Of course, Klentak can move Hernandez over the winter or at the trading deadline depending on the standings and Kingery’s growth.

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