Call to the pen
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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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Smith would give the Phillies another option for the ninth inning. Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images. /

Bottom line: 

When the Phillies deduct three relievers ($24.9 million), a second baseman ($7.8 million), a third sacker ($5.2 million), an injury-plagued starter ($1 million), and the players ($7.6 million) added for the final two months of ’19, they drop from $197.8 million AAV to $150.3 million AAV. For ’20, however, the Luxury Tax limit is $208 million.

Firstly, allowing $2 million for payroll increases on the 40-man roster, Klentak will have $56.3 million before reaching the competitive-balance threshold. And if he can appropriate $19 million AAV for Realmuto, $15 million AAV for Odorizzi, $10.5 million AAV for Smith, and $3 million AAV for Givens, his total would be $47.5 million.

An additional wrinkle is the $2 million buyout for Jason Vargas or exercising his $8 million club option for 2020, but Klentak could re-up Drew Smyly for $6 million (plus Vargas’ buyout) to reach the same $8 million commitment. However, the GM could creatively restructure that $8 million and the $55.5 million overall.

Concerning the regulars, Scott Kingery would take over second base, and a stopgap would handle the hot corner until Alec Bohm earns advancement next July. Meanwhile, the rotation would have Nola (1), Odorizzi (2), Arrieta (3), and Vargas or Smyly (5). Zach Eflin or Vince Velasquez would be the fourth starter.

For the relief corps, Neris, Smith, and Givens would man the critical innings, while Jose Alvarez, Adam Morgan and Victor Arano will return as well. The final two spots would be Pivetta, Eflin or Velasquez, but Dominguez could be available if he avoids Tommy John surgery.

Granted, other possibilities exist and the Phils may take another course. But what is this group of Realmuto, Odorizzi, Smith, Givens, and Vargas or Smyly? Workable options!

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