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Phillies: Route to acquire Gerrit Cole for 2020

By Tal Venada

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 15: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros celebrates retiring the side during the sixth inning against the New York Yankees in game three of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 15, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 15: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros celebrates retiring the side during the sixth inning against the New York Yankees in game three of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 15, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Will Middleton be shaking hands with Cole after sealing the deal? Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images. /

One route:

As for Gerrit Cole, the Phillies need to move their second sacker and tarnished center fielder and non-tender their third baseman, plus the total for deducting arbitration estimates and adding buyouts for declined players is $46.2 million. Then, their projected AAV of $191.1 million minus $46.2 million AAV equals $144.9 million AAV.

According to 2020’s estimate, the Fightins have $63.1 million AAV. And Cole ($30 million AAV), Will Smith ($13 million AAV) and Realmuto ($20 million AAV) total $63 million AAV. But if you add a 162 to his offer, Cole at $220 million for eight campaigns ($27.5 million AAV) lowers the tally to $60.6 million AAV.

As for Realmuto, $120 million for seven seasons has a $17.1 million AAV, and $55 million for five summers of Smith has an $11 million AAV. Ergo, the $63 million AAV drops to a $55.7 million AAV to leave $7.4 million AAV available. But if you want Gerrit Cole, you might also get Velasquez for the fifth rung of five-man staff.

Excluding Smith, the tally is $18.4 million AAV to cover a starter and two relievers. In the pen, Klentak could ink Daniel Hudson and Will Harris each for two years at $10 million apiece, or Betances could be flier at $4 million plus incentives aplenty. Basically, the number crunchers will have a full plate.

$208 million competitive-balance threshold for 2020:

  • Astros: $230.9 million AAV with 8 departing free agents: 2 SPs, 4 RPs and 2 Cs.
  • Angels: $154.3 million AAV with 1 departing free agent: RP.
  • Dodgers: $182.8 million AAV with 4 departing free agents: 2 SPs, C and INF.
  • Giants: $139.2 million AAV with 6 departing free agents: SP, CL-RP, 2 RPs, C and INF.
  • Padres: $133.3 million AAV with 1 departing free agent: RP.
  • White Sox: $82.3 million AAV with 5 departing free agents: SP, 1B, 2 RPs and OF.
  • Cubs: $183.1 million AAV with 6 departing free agents: SP, 3 RPs, 2B and RF.
  • Cardinals: $168 million AAV with 4 departing free agents 2 SPs, C and LF.
  • Reds: $128.2 million AAV with 2 departing free agents: SP and SS.
  • Yankees: $214 million AAV with 4 departing free agents: SS, CF, RP and C.
  • Red Sox: $225.6 million AAV with 5 departing free agents: SP, RF, 2B and 2 1B.
  • Mets: $206.7 million AAV with 5 departing free agents:  SP, RP, 3B and 2 OFs.
  • Nationals: $140.5 million AAV with 9 departing free agents: 3B, CL RP, 2 RP, 2 2B, SP, OF and INF.
  • Phillies: $191.1 million AAV with 8 departing free agents: LF, SP, 4 RPs and 2 INFs.
  • Free agents not included in the team’s total AAV.

Middleton wants to win now and the Phils need pitching. An even though he had wanted Harper on a 15-season pact to lower the AAV even more, the agreement was for 13 campaigns with a $25.6 million AAV. So, is it possible the managing partner could use the same approach with Cole? Yes!

Next. Phillies: Rebuilding 2020's pen from the ashes. dark

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