Lords at the Bank:
While many Phillies faithful have over-the-top expectations, Klentak must free up money before pursuing free-agent moundsmen. He can non-tender Maikel Franco plus trade Cesar Hernandez and Odubel Herrera, plus the exec can replace them with Brad Miller (stopgap for Alec Bohm), Scott Kingery and Adam Haseley respectively.
Financially, Franco ($6.7 million), Herrera ($6.1 million) and Hernandez ($11.8 million) account for $24.6 million AAV. And those deductions would lower the Fightins’ tally to $161.6 million AAV or an available $46.4 million AAV plus an arbitration estimate of $10.3 million for Realmuto included in the $161.6 million total.
For $110 million over seven campaigns, Realmuto’s AAV would be $15.7 million or $5.4 million AAV more than the projected $10.3 million for arbitration. So, the $5.4 million would lower the Phils’ AAV availability to $41 million for pitching. And signing Cole for $220 million over eight seasons would be $27.5 million AAV.
In other words, Klentak would have $13.5 million for another starter and/or relievers. Translation: Velasquez could be the five-slot hurler.
Currently, the roster has five spots for acquired players. And Klentak would prefer signing pitchers without a qualifying offer: southpaws Ryu, Keuchel and Hamels: two portsiders to separate the righties? Ergo, $41 million AAV signs Hamels ($15 million on a one-year deal), Ryu ($17 million AAV), and $9 million for the pen.
To sum up, waiting out Boras for one ace will be an expensive risk many organizations won’t take, and predictions are iffy at best percentage-wise. Every winter, fans express their impatience as the free-agent market drags on into January, and what’s the one thing they never receive? Certainty!