06/07 Phillies Offseason Thread

[Eaglez]

Howard is no way a fluke. The guy has a dominant bat and he displays it frequently. There is no reason to Hoyda foot around with him, especially in the MLB no with league-imposed barriers to signing players to huge contracts (i.e. salary cap).

However, arbitration was implemented to protect the teams, so they will probably use arbitration when Howard is eligible and worry about signing long term later. 

I just hope the negotiations are fruitful and both parties remain on good relations during them. I really don't want to hear in the media that both parties "are far apart on terms" after extensive negotiations elapsed.

[Wingspan]

the payroll right now is about $90M? right? there is NO was this team keeps all three in Hamels, Howard, and Utley.

giving all three of those what the market has bared recently would give them a payroll of over $120M and there isnt a chance in hell that happens. 1 of those three, maybe 2 of them, will never see a 2nd contract with the phillies.

[MDS]

Not true.
Abreu's money goes to Howard
Burrell's money goes to Utley
Lieber's money goes to Myers
Parts of Garcia/Eaton/Moyer's money go to Hamels

Now not those will obviously add up dollar for dollar, but they will ballpark it and the payroll will increase...but not by more than $10 mil.

[SD_Eagle5]

the payroll right now is about $90M? right? there is NO was this team keeps all three in Hamels, Howard, and Utley.

I'm pretty sure it's in the $70-$80 million range right now. They dumped Abreu and Thome's contract which is a lot of dough. I'm sure Ed or Vorpman has the exact payroll numbers somewhere.

[Wingspan]

thome is still being paid by the phils

[Eaglez]

All 3 aren't FA eligible for a while. I just hope relations continue to be good and that when the time comes a deal can be struck.

Right now, what the Phils have to do is show a great commitment towards the 'big three' (Hamels, Utley, and Howard) and let them know that they really want them to be their core for the future. When the arbitration game runs out, and hopefully the Phils make a playoff appearance or two (allowing payroll to increase as the Phils become a player on the national stage and fans show a greater commitment), then we'll see what happens.

The first stage, however, is to be on the same page as those 3 players. Once they cultivate a friendly environment hopefully everything will fall in place.

[mpmcgraw]

The Phillies are going to have to raise their little self imposed cap within the next 6 years if they want to survive. 

If all three are still on the team around 2013 the three of them will probably combine to make around 50 million a year. 

That leaves 45 million for 22 players.  They need to either fix the farm system, fast, or raise their budget. 

[SD_Eagle5]

Howard's a cash cow

[mpmcgraw]

Not true.
Abreu's money goes to Howard
Burrell's money goes to Utley
Lieber's money goes to Myers
Parts of Garcia/Eaton/Moyer's money go to Hamels

Now not those will obviously add up dollar for dollar, but they will ballpark it and the payroll will increase...but not by more than $10 mil.

I just saw this.

While the numbers may come close there most likely wont be players of Utley, Howard, Hamels, and Myers caliber playing for virtually nothing.   

The smart thing to do here if they cant increase the payroll may be to not resign any of them right now and go all in for 07, 08, and 09.   

Then we may have to trade some of them for prospects and start rebuilding again...

[ice grillin you]

Then we may have to trade some of them for prospects and start rebuilding again...


NO

[MDS]

The 4 of them aren't going anywhere. Stop worrying like a little girl. They'll eventually be resigned, it'll just happen when some money is cleared up so the cheap ass Phils owners don't have an engorged payroll for a year or two.

[mpmcgraw]

They may not go anywhere, but if the Phillies dont raise the payroll chances are the team will still suck. 

[BigEd76]

Phils interested in David Wells?

Giants manager Bruce Bochy gave David Wells a call right before the team signed Zito to let him know they were still interested in him. Wells, who said he definitely will pitch in '07, has also drawn interest from Philadelphia, San Diego, and Arizona. Don't be surprised if the Mets kick the tires.

um....why

[PhillyPhreak54]

He's garbage.

[MDS]

Probably as a bullpen pitcher. Or maybe those Myers rumors are serious.