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Phillies: Dollars and sense for 2020

By Tal Venada

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 30: J.T. Realmuto #10 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on August 30, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 30: J.T. Realmuto #10 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on August 30, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Acquiring a two-slot starter for $15 million per year is the Phillies goal for the offseason, and Odorizzi is a perfect fit. Photo by M. Brown/Getty Images. /

Batterymates:       

Because Realmuto is two years older than Posey was at the beginning of his nine-campaign pact, the Phillies will work within a seven-summer framework for $130-133 million. Basically, $19 million per. But the higher-ups may propose additional dollars through more years to lower the AAV (average annual value).

While learning the pitchers and his defensive teammates in the first half, Realmuto’s backstop skills received praise: his quick and accurate arm, his ball blocking, his game calling, and his pitch framing. Meanwhile, he has caught 41 stealing out of 86: 47.7 percent.

The second half is a better indicator of his hitting ability because of everything new he absorbed before the All-Star break. Currently, he’ll average .280 for this 162 and the next, but he’s on pace for 26 homers and 90 RBIs. Plus he’ll probably launch 30 bombs with 100 RBIs without 2020’s offense being secondary for three months.

For a two-slot moundsman, $15 million is realistic, and right-hander Jake Odorizzi, 29, of the Minnesota Twins is presently earning $9.5 million for his final arbitration 162. But while the Twins could give him a QO (qualifying offer) for $17.9 million, he’ll likely receive a five-season pact through free agency.

For 2019, he’s 14-6 with a 3.61 ERA for 142 frames over 27 starts. But the National League equivalent is 0.50 lower: a 3.11 ERA. And pitchers changing leagues have the advantage over hitters doing the same. That stated, the red pinstripes need a two-slot arm more than a lefty.

Odorizzi’s arsenal:

  • Four-seam fastball: 869 for 33.6 percent
    with a 93-mph average and a 95.5-mph high.
  • Sinker: 545 for 21.1 percent.
  • Splitter: 415 for 16.1 percent.
  • Slider: 276 for 10.7 percent.
  • Cutter: 202 for 7.8 percent.
  • Curveball: 177 for 6.9 percent.
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