-Shane Victorino, Joe Blanton, Chad Durbin, and Carlos Ruiz are the four Phillies who have filed for salary arbitration, which formally took place yesterday. Each will certainly get a nice raise, though Victorino looks to get the largest since his All-Star berth makes him a valued commodity. Here is a look at what they made last year along with their age at the start of the 2010 season.
Shane Victorino, 29: $3.125 MM
Joe Blanton, 29: $5.475 MM
Carlos Ruiz, 31: $475 K
Chad Durbin, 32: $1.635 MM
It’s appears a foregone conclusion that Victorino will get in the $6 million range, unless the Phillies decide to lock him up longer. I believe they will try to sign him to a two or three year pact, but that is merely a guess due to the uncertainty with Jayson Werth, who will seek big dollars soon. Blanton will likely not get an extension past next season as his number gradually pushes higher. This is likely the last season Big Joe will be in red pinstripes. Ruiz could double his figure from 2009 after a solid campaign and Durbin should also command a slight raise, perhaps a shade over $2 million.
Some other notable players field for arbitration on Friday as well. Tim Linecum of the Giants will get the biggest raise of all, coming off of his second Cy Young Award in 2009. He’ll definitely get eight figures, no doubt about it. Some others who will get nice deals: Edwin Jackson, Jonathan Papelbon, Justin Verlander, Jered Weaver, Jonathan Broxton, Zach Duke, and Josh Hamilton,
-In some other Phillies news, Brandon Duckworth is back after agreeing to a minor league deal according to Randy Miller of the Bucks County Courier Times. Duckworth spent three seasons with the Phillies before moving on to Houston, and then, Kansas City. The Duck Pond may be back if he does make the big squad, however, he was not invited to Spring Training. Duckworth, now 33, has a career ERA 5.28. This is clearly a depth-driven move for the minors.
