Phillies: Money factors into 2020’s lineup too

Then and now:

With the $208 million competitive-balance threshold for ’20, a Phillies tally of $154.7 million will leave $53.3 million. Roughly, Klentak can sign a two-slot hurler ($15 million AAV), another starter ($7 million AAV), Realmuto ($19 million AAV), a top fireman ($8 million AAV) and a setup man ($4 million AAV): $53 million AAV total.

Phillies subtractions from the current $194.2 million:

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• Hunter: $9 million for $185.2 million.
• Nicasio: $8.5 million for $176.7 million.
• Neshek: $7.375 million for $169.325 million.
• Franco: $5.2 million for $164.125 million.
• Herrera: $6.1 million for $158.025 million.
• Hernandez: $7.75 million for $150.675 million.

Additions:

• Vargus’ buyout: $2 million for $152.675 million.
• 40-man roster raises: $2 million for $154.675 million.

If you expect the GM to spend $30 million AAV for an ace and $20 million AAV for Realmuto, that will be the club’s offseason. Meanwhile, some fans want to pick up a veteran third sacker with good stats for one summer, but players ink those pacts with their current team to avoid uprooting their families to a new city.

Herrera played 39 games with a .222 average, so replacing him with Haseley is an improvement. Meantime, Franco hit .234 with 17 bombs and stopgap Miller averaged .260 with 13 homers. At second base, Kingery will basically provide equal offensive production to Hernandez for an adequate bottom of the order.

The red pinstripes averaged 4.9 runs per ballgame with Cutch leading off in the first 59. Also, they had 4.6 runs per contest after Cutch but before Manuel and 5 runs per game during their final 43 ballgames despite Hoskins’ slump. And they fired the hitting coach because managing partner John Middleton reportedly wanted Manuel.

Additionally, the analytical pitching coach preferred by Kapler and Klentak has departed because of an unsuccessful reliance on stats. Plus Middleton probably had strong doubts about him as well. But is the delay on Kapler’s future more about changing some coaches –and if so, who is behind the skipper? Klentak!

If you have any questions or opinions regarding Philadelphia Phillies players, please open the comments section.