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Phillies: Revised offseason money chase for 2020

By Tal Venada

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 15: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros in action 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. The Astros defeated the Yankees 4-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 15: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros in action 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. The Astros defeated the Yankees 4-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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The Nats and Friars are the top bidders for Strasburg’s services so far. Photo by Cooper Neill/MLB Photos via Getty Images. /

Nats and Padres:     

If the San Diego Padres compete with the Phillies for a stud, it’s San Diego-native Strasburg. But he probably wants to remain with the Washington Nationals, and he likely opted out to renegotiate his contract: add $50 million for two more campaigns. Thusly, maintaining his $25 million AAV.

If the Friars are to entice Strasburg, they may present him with a $28-30 million AAV proposal. Yes, they’ll offer more than his current $25 million AAV with $40 million in deferred payments. So luring him away from the Nationals will require a substantial monetary incentive besides his hometown.

On the other hand, the Padres GM must produce a .500 record, or San Diego will replace him. In ’19, they went 70-92 and were 36 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers after inking Machado for $300 million over 10 summers. But they are at $131.8 million and can easily add an ace or another top free-agent arm.

$208 million competitive-balance threshold for 2020:

  • Nationals: $132.7 million AAV.
  • Padres: $131.8 million AAV.
  • Phillies: $186.2 million AAV.
  • Astros: $239.4 million AAV.
  • Angels: $150.2 million AAV.
  • Yankees: $215.4 million AAV.

Financially, the Nats will add length but remain at $25 million AAV for Strasburg. And doing that allows them $75.3 million AAV to replace their departing free agents: a closer, a second baseman, a third sacker and a first baseman: five major pieces including Strasburg.

However, losing Harper and now Rendon might influence Strasburg to test the free-agent market because he had a career year. His double “humper” had 2019 and 2020 as opt-out possibilities.

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