As the Winter Meetings approach this Sunday, the Phillies have provided updates to their roster and payroll projections for the 2024-25 offseason. While the progress might not be as extensive as hoped, the following highlights significant changes and noteworthy details regarding the team’s financial and roster strategies.
Rule 5 Draft Highlights
The Rule 5 Draft, scheduled for December 11th, is an important event for the Phillies. Currently, the team has the ability to protect 21 out of 25 players eligible for the minor league phase of the draft, thanks to open slots on their Triple-A roster. This strategic move hints at the Phillies’ potential interest in acquiring players from other organizations.
Summary of Updated Expenses
Total Costs:
- Sunk Costs: $21,766,667
- Guaranteed Contracts: $222,687,104 (13 players)
- Arbitration Salaries: $26,000,000 (5 players)
- Pre-Arb Salaries: $2,280,000 (3 players)
- Options: $1,000,000 (Whit Merrifield buyout)
- Grand Total: $273,733,771
Competitive Balance Tax (CBT) Thresholds:
- Over the 1st CBT ($241M): $32,733,771
- Over the 2nd CBT ($261M): $12,733,771
- Under the 3rd CBT ($281M): $7,266,229
- Under the 4th CBT ($301M): $27,266,229
Key Details by Category
Sunk Costs
- Player Benefits: $17.5M
- Minor League Salaries: $2.6M
- Zero-to-Three-Year Bonus Pool: $1.67M
Guaranteed Contracts
Major commitments include:
- Zack Wheeler: $42M (2025 salary/luxury tax)
- Bryce Harper: $27.54M/$25.38M
- Trea Turner: $27.27M/$27.27M
- Aaron Nola: $24.57M/$24.57M
- J.T. Realmuto: $23.88M/$23.1M
Other key contracts include Nick Castellanos, Kyle Schwarber, and Taijuan Walker.
Arbitration-Eligible Players
Projected arbitration salaries total $26M, with key contributors:
- Ranger Suárez: $8.9M
- Alec Bohm: $8.1M
- Bryson Stott: $3.5M
Pre-Arbitration Players
The minimum MLB salary for 2025 is $760,000. Internal candidates like Orion Kerkering, Tanner Banks, and Rafael Marchan are likely to fill some of the remaining roster spots.
Free Agents and Trades
The Phillies have seen minimal free-agent movement, with no qualifying offers extended to departing players. While active in exploring trade scenarios, the pursuit of LHP Garrett Crochet stalled over unresolved prospect exchanges.
Rule 5 Draft Roster Protections
Players like Mick Abel, Jean Cabrera, and Moisés Chace have been added to the 40-man roster to shield them from the major league phase of the draft. However, adjustments to the Lehigh Valley roster suggest flexibility in protecting minor league players.
Upcoming Key Dates
- December 4, 2024: Deadline for Outright Waivers before Rule 5 Draft
- December 8-11, 2024: MLB Winter Meetings in Dallas, TX
- December 11, 2024: Rule 5 Draft
Conclusion:
With their updated roster and payroll strategies, the Phillies remain focused on maintaining competitiveness while navigating luxury tax thresholds. Their Rule 5 Draft approach highlights a blend of retention and potential acquisitions, signaling continued efforts to refine the roster ahead of the 2025 season.
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