The 2013 Philadelphia Phillies projected roster contains some stark contrasts, and some hints of how General Manager Ruben Amaro thinks they can find their way back to the playoffs after missing out last year for the first time in 6 seasons.
At 33, first baseman Ryan Howard will be the youngster in a starting infield with 34 year-olds Chase Utley at second base and Jimmy Rollins at shortstop. Michael Young, a 36 year-old former all-star acquired from the Rangers in December for prospects Lisalverto Bonilla and Josh Lindblom, will return to third base full time for the first time since 2010. They will earn a combined $62 million in 2013.
Cole Hamels will anchor a three-ace rotation featuring fellow left-handers Cliff Lee and John Lannan and right-handers Roy Halladay and Kyle Kendrick. They will earn a combined $71.5 million in 2013.
By contrast, the six outfielders (Delmon Young, John Mayberry, Jr., Ben Revere, Domonic Brown, Darin Ruf, and Laynce Nix) will earn a combined $4.05 million in 2013.
Five teams (Tampa Bay Rays, Pittsburgh Pirates, Oakland A’s, Miami Marlins, and Houston Astros) will have payrolls of $60 million or less for their entire 25-man rosters, or less than the cost of the Phillies infield or starting rotation. The average salary in the major league was $3.44 million per player, just under what the Phillies will pay for the six outfielders on their roster combined.
Amaro has put together a solid bullpen fronted by young arms the Phillies groomed in their farm system like Antonio Bastardo, B.J. Rosenberg, Tyler Cloyd, and Jake Diekman. He has backed them with free agents like setup man Mike Adams and closer Jonathon Papelbon. But clearly, Amaro is counting most on big bounce-back years from his aging rotation and his often-injured infield, with a young and inexperienced outfield now a question mark.
Here is how the lineup card Charlie Manuel fills out is likely to look on opening day in Atlanta, barring any injuries or late acquisitions:
Player stats and salaries provided by BaseballReference.com.
Dave Weaver is a lifelong Phillies fan who believes winter officially ends the day pitchers and catchers report to Clearwater, regardless of what Punxatawny Phil thinks.
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