Post by Bish on Aug 24, 2023 11:53:24 GMT -5
Phillies Locking Up Core
General Manager Stevie B has truly turned around what was an absolute shit show of a franchise of the then San Diego Padres. They had maybe Ben Sheets and Chris Young. From there, he was able to draft guys like Curtis Granderson, Cole Hamels, Joe Mauer, Chad Cordero, Nick Adenhart, and others who were later turned into other more established players or younger prospects. Those guys were the following: John Thomson, Brian Giles, Jim Edmonds, Chase Utley, Matt Kemp, Scott Rolen, etc.The ability to go back home and switch his entire roster that he helped build was certainly pleasing for the Philly native. Let’s break down some of the latest contract extensions and what it means for this franchise moving forward dating back to last season.
Age in parenthesis…
SP Ben Sheets (28): 6 Years–$44.22M–$7.37M Per Year
Verdict: Locking up arguably the best pitcher in the NL for just under $7.5M per year is massive. Ben Sheets has been fantastic for quite some time now, but with a roster that is finally ready to compete, he’s really putting on a special type of season. He’s ELITE at literally everything with fantastic stuff. He can go the distance whenever. This is the ACE of the staff right now, but he’s got some serious competition brewing when Cole Hamels and Chris Young hit their peak.
2B Chase Utley (27): 6 Years–$69M–$11.5M Per Year
Verdict: Perhaps their most talented everyday player. Chase Utley is literally a 5-tool player at a position that is tough to fill. The Phillies gave up a good bit just for the rights of his services, and they were smart to lock him up. I’d say this contract is pretty dang solid considering what Utley can give you on a day-to-day basis. This is a guy that if all goes right, could have a 40-40 season with a gold glove mixed in. The Phillies just moved him to the leadoff spot, and he has not looked back. Fabulous ballplayer.
3B Scott Rolen (31): 4 Years–$24M–$6M Per Year
Verdict: Rolen is actually in his 30s whereas most of this Phillies core is all under 28 years old. With Rolen, he’s another 5-tool guy. Plays great defense, can steal a bunch of bags, and has some good pop. Rolen was an FA pickup, and has gotten even better since.
SP Chris R. Young (27): 6 Years–$21M–$3.5M Per Year
Verdict: General Manager Stevie B wanted to lock Chris Young up on a team friendly contract with the thought of…what if he realllllllyyyy figures it out. With the most recent PD, this guy can now really take those next steps, and it’ll be interesting to see if Young gets to an even higher level. Absolute bargain of the century for the Phillies perhaps.
Anyway, with these guys locked up, and Jim Edmonds and DeShields contract coming off the books, the Phillies are actually going to have a really nice team salary for next season with the ability to start locking up other prominent young players such as a Granderson, a Matt Kemp, a Cole Hamels, a Joe Mauer, etc. The Phillies are here to stay, and are looking to try and have one of those runs.
Thanks for reading!
General Manager Stevie B has truly turned around what was an absolute shit show of a franchise of the then San Diego Padres. They had maybe Ben Sheets and Chris Young. From there, he was able to draft guys like Curtis Granderson, Cole Hamels, Joe Mauer, Chad Cordero, Nick Adenhart, and others who were later turned into other more established players or younger prospects. Those guys were the following: John Thomson, Brian Giles, Jim Edmonds, Chase Utley, Matt Kemp, Scott Rolen, etc.The ability to go back home and switch his entire roster that he helped build was certainly pleasing for the Philly native. Let’s break down some of the latest contract extensions and what it means for this franchise moving forward dating back to last season.
Age in parenthesis…
SP Ben Sheets (28): 6 Years–$44.22M–$7.37M Per Year
Verdict: Locking up arguably the best pitcher in the NL for just under $7.5M per year is massive. Ben Sheets has been fantastic for quite some time now, but with a roster that is finally ready to compete, he’s really putting on a special type of season. He’s ELITE at literally everything with fantastic stuff. He can go the distance whenever. This is the ACE of the staff right now, but he’s got some serious competition brewing when Cole Hamels and Chris Young hit their peak.
2B Chase Utley (27): 6 Years–$69M–$11.5M Per Year
Verdict: Perhaps their most talented everyday player. Chase Utley is literally a 5-tool player at a position that is tough to fill. The Phillies gave up a good bit just for the rights of his services, and they were smart to lock him up. I’d say this contract is pretty dang solid considering what Utley can give you on a day-to-day basis. This is a guy that if all goes right, could have a 40-40 season with a gold glove mixed in. The Phillies just moved him to the leadoff spot, and he has not looked back. Fabulous ballplayer.
3B Scott Rolen (31): 4 Years–$24M–$6M Per Year
Verdict: Rolen is actually in his 30s whereas most of this Phillies core is all under 28 years old. With Rolen, he’s another 5-tool guy. Plays great defense, can steal a bunch of bags, and has some good pop. Rolen was an FA pickup, and has gotten even better since.
SP Chris R. Young (27): 6 Years–$21M–$3.5M Per Year
Verdict: General Manager Stevie B wanted to lock Chris Young up on a team friendly contract with the thought of…what if he realllllllyyyy figures it out. With the most recent PD, this guy can now really take those next steps, and it’ll be interesting to see if Young gets to an even higher level. Absolute bargain of the century for the Phillies perhaps.
Anyway, with these guys locked up, and Jim Edmonds and DeShields contract coming off the books, the Phillies are actually going to have a really nice team salary for next season with the ability to start locking up other prominent young players such as a Granderson, a Matt Kemp, a Cole Hamels, a Joe Mauer, etc. The Phillies are here to stay, and are looking to try and have one of those runs.
Thanks for reading!
