Brett Myers is set to rejoin the Phillies soon but the question is for long?
Myers, the Phillies' opening day starter for the past three seasons, is set to be a free agent after 2009, the final year of a 3 year, $25.75 million contract.
The Phillies have the power to offer Myers arbitration after the season and since he is currently on the cusp of being a Type B free agent, they may receive a compensatory draft pick if he rejects arbitration and signs with another team. However, I would expect Myers to accept arbitration since he seems to enjoy playing for the Phillies and could get a salary close to the $12 million he is making this year, a number is unlikely to find on the free agent market.
It would make sense for the Phillies to not offer Myers arbitration and attempt to re-sign him as a free agent. I imagine Myers and the Phillies would agree to a contract around 2 year, $14 million and he would provide a great amount of depth for Phillies' pitching next year. The Phillies' first four members of their starting rotation seem set for next season with Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, J.A. Happ and Joe Blanton. Jamie Moyer will probably get another shot at the fifth spot in the rotation with Kyle Drabek waiting in AA Reading or AAA Lehigh Valley.
Therefore, the Phillies could place Myers in the bullpen to begin next year and move him into the rotation if there is an injury to a starter. Myers could also step in as closer if Brad Lidge continues to falter. However, having a player in that role is a luxury and if another team is willing to pay Myers bigger money (such as a deal similar to the 3 year, $36 million deal Oliver Perez signed with the Mets in the offseason), the Phillies would be wise letting Myers move on and saving that money to fill any new needs that arise.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
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It seems to me that Myers is an example (or could be) of a team willing to pay way more for the devil they know rather than the devil they don't. Myers can be great, but at times he sucks, and isn't really reliable. I'd say no arbitration, and if you can get him crazy cheap, great, if not, it's not like the Phillies are short of slightly above average pitching. How about spending the money to get a real utility man?
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