The Phillies have until midnight to offer binding salary arbitration to free agents Jamie Moyer and Pat Burrell. A guest of 610-WIP, GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said the Phillies do not intend to live in the past.
Yesterday, readers strongly criticized Todd Zolecki’s Sunday article in the Inquirer, which opened the door to the possibility that the Phils may forgo draft pick compensation and decline arbitration for Burrell. While keeping it close to the vest, today on WIP, Amaro supported Zolecki’s notion by emphasizing that by offering arbitration to Burrell, they may not have the financial flexibility to address other areas of the roster down the road. Burrell earned $14 million last season, and by offering arbitration, the Phils would be bound to a one-year contract to be determined by an arbiter, a figure likely to exceed $14 million. Budgeting for that amount, in case Burrell does not find a suitable offer and elects to return, would limit what they could do to address other areas of the roster, Amaro said.
Still, prevailing wisdom among the writers, including Ken Mandel from Phillies.com, seems to be that offering arbitration will be a simple, procedural decision guaranteeing draft picks should Burrell or Moyer sign elsewhere, especially Moyer, who they definitely want back. The Phils are believed to be close to a deal with Moyer, but it’s something that many thought would happen last week.
Beerleauger: By the time WIP posts audio of the interview, the Phils will have made their decision. I’ll do my best to relay what I heard. Reading between the lines with Amaro, this Burrell decision is no small matter, and I was struck by his comment about how this is not the time to make “sentimental” choices. Amaro, more or less, said the Phillies got hot when they needed to, but can’t expect to win again if they sit still with the same cast of characters. In Amaro’s “perfect world,” he said Moyer will be their fourth starter and Kyle Kendrick, Carlos Carrasco and J.A. Happ would capably audition for the final spot. In addition, Adam Eaton’s chance of being with the club is “less than 50/50,” he said. As if there was much doubt.
Burrell barely entered the conversation, except for the explanation as to why offering arbitration isn’t as cut and dry as one would assume. He also expressed confidence that Jayson Werth could provide enough lineup protection behind Ryan Howard and said they would look toward platooning in left and also seek a trade should Burrell walk away.
A point of note: Amaro mentor Ed Wade was burned in 2004 when Placido Polanco surprised the Phillies by accepting arbitration, basically becoming an expensive utility player, one who would eventually be squeezed off the team. A similar situation happened the year before with Kevin Millwood.
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