Call to the pen
Fansided

Phillies eyeing Luxury Tax loophole for 2020

By Tal Venada

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 29: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action against the Miami Marlins during a game at Citizens Bank Park on September 29, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 29: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action against the Miami Marlins during a game at Citizens Bank Park on September 29, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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If Wheeler was the Phillies target, was Cole out of the picture early on? Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images. /

Voices:     

If you change Phillies fans to Yankees supporters, you’ll hear similar comments. In New York, the Yanks faithful the day after inking a $324 million contract for Gerrit Cole were expressing concern for an all right-handed lineup: They want a left-handed bat with power for first base. Yes, literally, the next day!

The locals are wondering if the good guys will make additional transactions. Well, they inked Zack Wheeler to slot behind Aaron Nola and shortstop Didi Gregorius as a left-side hitter with pop to separate more right-handed stars. And they could pick up pitching at or under $10 million per arm.

Even though some franchises have the financial resources, Luxury Tax rules are there to deter unbridled spending. But their fan bases exert pressure to sign free agents and/or re-up their stars, while those deaf to reason ignore opposing arguments.

Basically, the Phils consider the tax to be empty dollars, and the Yanks believe their money is going to clubs who will win more games against them as a result during the next 162. But now New York (AL) has transcended the third penalty ceiling of $248 million AAV by being at $261.56 million AAV.

Parity’s problem is it works: The Yankees and the red pinstripes haven’t been to the World Series since 2009. Realistically, top regulars become more costly, and their salary increases push a team over the CBT. Or management trades them and/or replaces them with in-house talent.

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