Phillies: Promises made to Joe Girardi for 2020
By Tal Venada
Top of the rotation:
While Gerrit Cole is atop the Phillies wish list for starters, Scott Boras is his agent. In fact, Cole wore a Boras Corporation cap when he announced his unemployment status after the seventh game. Yes, he knew GMs had their eyes on him, and he wore an implied message on his head.
Cole wants to top the $217 million pact David Price received for seven seasons. However, free agency has changed with so many deep-pocketed clubs at or slightly over the competitive-balance threshold. Like Harper, the stud will probably receive a Phils’ AAV-type offer of $220 million over eight summers ($27.5 million AAV).
While Stephen Strasburg has opted out with $100 million ($40 million deferred) remaining on his contract, he is reportedly negotiating a new deal with the Washington Nationals. But keep in mind, Anthony Rendon turned down the Nats’ offer of $210-215 million for seven 162s. So, is Strasburg’s opting out a strategic re-signing?
Concerning the right-hander’s 33 outings, he went 18-6 with a 3.32 ERA for 209 frames. And he added a World Series MVP trophy to his hardware. That stated, some feel the Fightins will pursue him rather than Cole. In both cases, though, Boras will drag things out until February but might use a Strasburg pact to up Cole’s price.
Potential Phillies targets:
- Cole, 29: $220 million for 8 yrs. with a $27.5 million AAV.
- Strasburg, 31: $140 million for 6 yrs. with a $23.3 million AAV.
- Ryu, 32.5: $54 million for 3 yrs. with an $18 million AAV.
Southpaw Hyun-Jin Ryu could balance the top of the red pinstripes’ five-man staff, and price-wise he may sign for $18 million AAV for three campaigns. In ’19, however, he had a career year with 29 opportunities: a 14-5 mark with a 2.32 ERA for 182 2/3 innings. But he only made 68 starts for 2017-2019.