Call to the pen
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Phillies: 2020’s reloading with 3 top arms

By Tal Venada

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 10: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros pitches during Game 5 of the ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays at Minute Maid Park on October 10, 2019 in Houston, Texas. Houston advances with a 6-1 win. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 10: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros pitches during Game 5 of the ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays at Minute Maid Park on October 10, 2019 in Houston, Texas. Houston advances with a 6-1 win. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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Hudson has closing experience the Phillies will have interest in. Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images. /

Bottom line:       

In my last Phillies article, I provided Middleton’s route to Cole, a closer and an extension agreement for Realmuto. But if the only lengthened commitment for a pitcher involves Cole, Klentak could set aside $27.5 million AAV or $220 million for eight seasons. Ergo, $35.6 million AAV left.

For $16 million AAV over seven campaigns, Realmuto would receive $112 million total, and negotiations probably began in early October. So, $19.6 million could be for a starter and a reliever: They can’t count on Cole as a definite and must acquire a solid rotation piece beforehand.

As for a quality late-inning fireman, Dellin Betances earned $7.25 million in 2019. But he only recorded two outs (his only outing) before suffering a partial tear of his left Achilles tendon on Sept. 15. Perhaps, he’s worth $4 million with a $10 million vesting option in an incentive-ladened pact compensating success and health.

With $5 million AAV for two summers, Daniel Hudson or Will Harris would bring the total to $20-21 million AAV for Realmuto and one of Hudson, Harris or Betances. Therefore, Klentak would have at least $14.6 million AAV for a starter, and a two-slot arm could cost $14 million AAV.

Jake Odorizzi is 29 and a first-time free agent who could sign a four-year contract for $56 million or $14 million AAV. Meanwhile, Cole Hamels will be 36 and is now a mid-rotation moundsman. Plus while the AAV is roughly the same, the results and health risk are not. Besides, the other three aces didn’t make it to 36, did they?

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