Call to the pen
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Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves for 2020

By Tal Venada

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 11: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves and Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies during a game at Citizens Bank Park on September 11, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 11: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves and Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies during a game at Citizens Bank Park on September 11, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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Wheeler scored the largest contract in the offseason from the Phillies or Braves. Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images. /

Financials:

While the Phillies were third in NL free-agent spending, the Braves were fourth at $116.25 million. And Atlanta has increased their payroll to its highest level under their current ownership. Apparently, Liberty Media Corporation desires postseason glory, but will management be as active as last July?

The red pinstripes’ strategy for ’20 is inking difference-making pieces instead of volume. Yes, their $132 million outlay was third behind Washington’s $316.75 million and the Cincinnati Reds’ $164 million.

The Fightins are at $205 million AAV ($204.99 million AAV), which allows $20-23 million AAV to pick up hurlers for the five-man staff and relief corps. Basically, the execs will leave $2-3 million to cover incentives and other 40-man expenses, but $20 million can remedy their ills. And the 20 percent rate equals a $4 million tax.

Paying a 50 percent Luxury Tax again doesn’t appeal to the Nationals, but they are currently $10 million AAV under the CBT. So, they can avoid a fourth straight campaign of penalties. As for the Mets, they are at $201.7 million AAV and must move salary to have more than $6.3 million available for July.

Financially, the Phillies brass will have an advantage at the trading deadline. But which organization will have more surprises and expectations met than disappointments, injuries, and question marks? Only the baseball gods know!

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