Phils face decisions as tender deadline looms
PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies entered the offseason with seven players eligible for salary arbitration. They entered Tuesday with four.
The Phillies have until 11:59 p.m. ET Wednesday to tender contracts to right-handers Jeremy Hellickson and Jeanmar Gomez and infielders Freddy Galvis and Andres Blanco. Hellickson, Gomez and Galvis seem like certainties to be tendered, while Blanco is a possibility to be non-tendered.
The Phillies acquired Hellickson in a trade with Arizona. He will be in the rotation on Opening Day. Gomez proved to be one of the Phils' most effective relievers last season, with a 3.01 ERA in 65 appearances, and it is no secret they remain starved for pitching depth. Galvis will be Philadelphia's Opening Day shortstop, although it will be interesting to see whether top prospect J.P. Crawford can make a case to be promoted and usurp Galvis sometime next year.
Blanco had a strong season in a reserve role, hitting .292 with an .863 OPS in 261 plate appearances. He also proved to be a strong leader and positive influence in the clubhouse. But in the end, Blanco is a reserve, so the Phillies could non-tender him and try to re-sign him at a lower cost.