Phillies: February’s dollars vs. trades

Two-month warning:

The Phillies have four main competitors for Neshek, Hunter and Nicasio: Adam Warren, Ryan Madson, Sergio Romo and Tyler Clippard: all right-handers. However, another club could decide on a lefty specialist, an expensive closer or a reclamation project.

Warren, 31, recorded a 3.14 ERA for 51 2/3 innings and earned $3.3 million with the 2018 Mariners. So, he should receive an offer in the neighborhood of $4-5 million, but camp is only a week away: Some exec could successfully lowball him.

As for Madson, 38, he produced a 5.47 ERA with 14 saves and four holds over 52 2/3 frames and made $7.5 million in ’18. And chances are he won’t want less than $4-5 million, but some GMs won’t want to risk that much. For now, though, he’ll probably hold out until spots dwindle down to two or three opportunities.

Although Romo, 35, had a 4.14 ERA with 25 saves and nine holds for 67 1/3 innings in 2018 with the Tampa Bay Rays, he earned only $2.5 million. But he is probably still available because of proposals for roughly what he made last season. Basically, players want a raise and clubs want to keep costs down.

As for Clippard, 33, he had 73 outings with a 3.67 ERA, seven saves and 15 holds for 68 2/3 frames and earned $1.5 million in ’18. So, execs must believe they can pick up a better reliever for $2-3 million with Clippard as their backup plan.

If Neshek, Hunter or Nicasio are still Phillies on Feb. 22, they will battle with Victor Arano, Adam Morgan, Edubray Ramos and both acquired southpaws for five slots on the 25-man roster. On the other hand, will spring-training games cure 2019’s dearth of action? Yes!