Dollars for 2020:
If the Phillies free up $24.6 million with transactions involving Franco, Herrera and Hernandez, they will have $46.26 million AAV available. But they must fill other spots like they did last winter before signing Harper. Translation: They won’t count on Cole joining the team.
Using that approach, they could work out a deal with Hamels for $10 million AAV (see page one), and Klentak could ink Moustakas for $7 million AAV. That $17 million AAV tally would leave $29.26 million for pitching.
Route one: The front office could add a club option for Cole’s eighth summer with a $10 million buyout. They could guarantee $30 million per 162 for seven campaigns plus the buyout for $220 million total and a $27.5 million AAV. However, the new pitching coach and Joe Girardi must develop Dominguez into a solid bullpen option.
Alternative route: The Phils could acquire Hyun-Jin Ryu for $15.5 million AAV: $18 million each for three years and a team option with an $8 million buyout for $62 million total. And this path would leave $13.76 million AAV for a solid reliever like Daniel Hudson and a trading deadline addition as well.
To sum up, the Fightins could either add Hamels, Moustakas and Cole to Realmuto; or they could pick up Hamels, Moustakas, Ryu and Hudson while extending the All-Star catcher. On the other hand, what is one pitching consideration that will automatically change the runs allowed from 2019 to 2020? A hurler-friendly ball!