The Philadelphia Phillies have a total payroll of $158 million in 2013, down 10.8% from last season's $175 million. The Phillies payroll of $158 million in 2013 ranks second in the National League, and third in major league baseball.
These are the ten highest paid players on the Philadelphia Phillies payroll in 2013. The ten players on this list are collectively making $140.8 million this season. That represents 89.1% of the Phillies total payroll this season.
Have the Philadelphia Phillies spent their money wisely this season?
Highest paid players on the Philadelphia Phillies in 2013
1. Cliff Lee - $25 million
With a 2013 salary of $25 million, Cliff Lee is the highest paid player on the Philadelphia Phillies this season. Lee will make another $25 million in both 2014 and 2015.
The Phillies then have a $27.5 million option on him for 2016, or they can buy him out for $12.5 million. Cliff Lee can also guarantee himself the $27.5 million in 2016, by pitching 200 plus innings in 2015, or 400 total innings in 2014-15.
Cliff Lee has not pitched badly for the Phillies the last two seasons, but for $25 million he should win them a Cy Young award.
2. Cole Hamels - $20.5 million
Cole Hamels is the second highest paid player on the Philadelphia Phillies in 2013, with a salary of $20.5 million. That includes a $1 million signing bonus. Hamels is guaranteed to make $22.5 million a season from 2014 to 2018.
T-3. Roy Halladay - $20 million
Two-time Cy Young award winner Roy Halladay is making $20 million in salary in 2013. Halladay has a vesting option in his contract for another $20 million in 2014.
To get the money, Roy Halladay has to pitch 225 innings in 2013, and not end the season on the disabled list. Despite what happened in 2012, Roy Halladay is a great pitcher, and I fully expect him to pitch the 225 innings this season to get another $20 million in salary in 2014.
I know it did not work out for the Phillies in 2012, but pitching is how you win in baseball. So I think the Phillies will have a much better year this season, with three great starting pitchers being the highest paid players on the team.
T-3. Ryan Howard - $20 million
Ryan Howard is making $20 million this season. He is then guaranteed to make $25 million a season through 2016.
The Phillies then have a $23 million option on him for 2017, or they can buy him out for $10 million. I'm looking for Ryan Howard to be completely back from his Achilles injury, and have a big year this season.
5. Chase Utley - $15.286 million
Chase Utley is in the last year of his contract, and is making $15.286 million this season. That includes a $286,000 signing bonus. Most players have big years in the last year of contracts with free agency looming, but Utley is 34 years old.
6. Jonathan Papelbon - $13 million
Closer Jonathan Papelbon is making $13 million in 2013. Papelbon will also make $13 million in both 2014 and 2015. He can make another $15 million in 2016 if he finishes 55 games in 2015, or 100 total games over 2014-15.
The Philadelphia Phillies have three great starting pitchers, and a great closer on the payroll in 2013. That alone is enough pieces to compete for a World Series title this season.
7. Jimmy Rollins - $11 million
Shortstop Jimmy Rollins is making $11 million in 2013. Rollins will make another $11 million guaranteed in 2014.
He can make another $11 million in 2015 if he has 600 plate appearances in 2014, or has 1,000 plate appearances in 2013-14, and is not on the disabled list at the end of the 2014 season.
8. Michael Young - $6 million
After acquiring Michael Young from the Texas Rangers in a December trade, the Philadelphia Phillies will pay Young just $6 million to play third base in 2013. Young is actually making $16 million this season, but the Rangers are paying $10 million of that.
This is the last year of Michael Young's contract, so if he has anything left in the tank as a hitter look for him to show it this year to try and earn another big contract as a free agent.
9. Mike Adams - $5 million
The Phillies signed reliever Mike Adams to a free agent contract over the winter that is paying him $5 million this season. Adams is guaranteed another $7 million in 2014.
He can earn another $6 million in 2015, if he pitches 60 innings in 2014, or $6.5 million in 2015 if he pitches 120 innings in 2013-14, with at least 60 innings coming in 2014.
T-9. Carlos Ruiz - $5 million
Catcher Carlos Ruiz is making $5 million this season. Ruiz will be a free agent in 2014, so look for him to play well this season, as he's playing for another contract.
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