As expected, the Phillies tendered contracts to all of their arbitration-eligible players late Monday night.
Cole Hamels, Hunter Pence, Kyle Kendrick and Wilson Valdez are all eligible to have their 2012 salaries determined by an arbitration panel in February. Of course, the players could reach agreement on contracts with the team long before thenand thats what usually happens.
It was a given that the Phils would tender contracts to Hamels and Pence, both of whom are cornerstone contributors. Kendrick and Valdez were tougher calls, but in the end both have value, Kendrick as a pitcher who can start or relieve and Valdez as a jack-of-all-trades infielder.
Kendrick went 8-6 with a 3.22 ERA in 34 games (15 starts) in 2011. He made 2.45 million. His salary could eclipse 3 million in 2012. He is likely to enter spring training as a starter, where he could push Joe Blanton for a spot in the rotation. Blanton missed most of last season with an elbow strain. The Phillies are hopeful that his health is no longer an issue. If it is, Kendrick will provide valuable depth.
Valdez also provides depth in an infield that was banged-up last season. Chase Utley missed most of the first two months with knee issues, Jimmy Rollins missed time late in the season with a groin problem, and third baseman Placido Polanco is coming off double sports hernia surgery. Valdez played in 99 games last year at second, third and shortstop. He also famously pitched an inningpicking up the winin a marathon against Cincinnati in May. He made 560,000 in 2011 and could push 1 million in 2012.
Before Monday, the Phils had one other arbitration-eligible player in outfielder Ben Francisco, but he was traded to Toronto for minor-league lefty Frank Gailey.
The trade of Francisco leaves the fifth outfield spot wide open. Veteran Scott Podsednik, who will be in camp as a non-roster player, will get a good look for the job. The Phils could also bring in other non-roster candidates and its possible they could sign a player that was not tendered a contract by another club. Ryan Spilborghs, non-tendered by Colorado, is an intriguing possibility. The Phils have had a longstanding interest in him, but he struggled with a foot injury last season and hit just .210. Spilborghs is a lifetime .305 hitter in pinch-hitting situations. He made 1.95 million last season. Colorado has expressed an interest in bringing him back at a lower rate.
MLB
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com.
