Phillies To Sign Michael Saunders!

Philsmania 2017-01-16 21:57:43 UTC #19

Even in a best case scenario, Altherr's injury came with terrible timing. He didn't have a big window of opportunity to stake a claim to his position. By the time he is fully healed, others (ie. Williams, Cozens, just to name a couple) may blow past him on the depth chart. I remember thinking that when he first got hurt last spring, that possibly there went his big chance with this organization.

andyb 2017-01-16 21:59:35 UTC #20

I wonder if they also work Saunders in at 1B a little in Spring Training. He has never played it (and Blanco, Franco, and Kendrick all have), but that might provide a left-handed option there if Joseph struggles and Altherr needs playing time. That was Moss's one roster advantage but it is not like almost anyone (especially a 6'4" guy who is a decent athlete) can't learn it pretty easily.

On further reflection I can't believe how well the Phillies played the free agent market here. This guy is really 95% as good as Josh Reddick. He is young and there is still upside because of all the injuries. There is a non-zero chance he is our best offensive player. Also a non-zero chance his failures in the second half were real, but he is really young enough where they should not be. He has a decent track record when healthy and going to the slightly weaker league might help him finally put it together.

julio 2017-01-16 22:08:33 UTC #21

The reported contract detail from MLB Trade Rumors:

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that Saunders will sign a one-year, $9MM deal with an $11MM club option for the 2018 season. Saunders will be paid $8MM in 2017, and his option contains a $1MM buyout. Additionally, Saunders’ contract contains escalators that can drive the value of the option up to $14MM, per Rosenthal.

Nothing but money, and not all that much money. No out-year roster commitment at all. Could be traded in July if he plays well and we're out of things. Works for me.

Squire 2017-01-16 23:03:18 UTC #22

I think schooldoc has the lineup exactly right.

andyb 2017-01-16 23:35:01 UTC #23

Interesting option that does let them retain Saunders even if he has a great year. This is a guy that has a 2-4 year window where he could be very good. Little downside if he gets hurt again.

LoneStarPhan 2017-01-17 00:30:48 UTC #24

Saunders had his best offensive year last season at age 29. He hit 24 homers and posted a .815 OPS. If he can come close to those numbers in his age 30 season, he will be a significant upgrade to the Phillies' offense in 2017.

Last year, he was primarily a left fielder (106 games LF; 22 RF) but in 2014 with the Mariners, he played more right (68 RF, 12 CF, 1 LF). In 2012 and 2013, he played mostly CF for the Mariners. He should be fine in either left or right this year with the Phillies, depending on who else is starting in the outfield, and if needed in a pinch, he could handle center.

I think Williams and Quinn need AAA time and as several posters have noted, Altherr probably still is not 100% recovered from the wrist injury. Even with Herrera, Kendirck and Saunders on board, he should still get a good amount of playing time.

If Altherr proves he is ready to be a full time starter and one or more of the outfielders at AAA is burning it up, then Sauders could be a trade chip in July or even in August. If he is having a season close to his last season, he could be a sough commodity. Should he have a strong season and remain with the Phillies all year, he could be a candidate for an off season deal if the Phillies pick up that team option. If the Phillies don't see interest in him and don't see him in their 2018 plans, they can exercise the $1 million buyout and make him a free agent after this season.

Put me in the "like this signing" column.

allentown 2017-01-17 01:06:43 UTC #25

Yes, it is adding talent for only money and he does count as 'youngish' talent. It's a gamble that the first half of 2016 is more representative of his talent than the second half, which could have been nagging injury or the sort of funk Williams got into, and winter is likely to fix. It's a good gamble, although how it helps us long term does depend upon our manager getting ABs for the kids and flipping Saunders at trade deadline.

David_Criss 2017-01-17 02:18:25 UTC #26

Could the $11,000,000 option make him more valuable in July, especially if he is hitting bombs? What do we always hear during trade rumors...wont get much for a rental, but what if he is controllable for another year? Just saying.

allentown 2017-01-17 03:09:48 UTC #27

I think teams often are just as happy with a rental. His contract does give the best of both worlds. If you just want a rental, the buyout is only $1 million. If you want him for 2018, you own him and you know how much he costs. If he's really turned his career around, you can even make a QO in 2018. I was a little struck by the option. For an $11 million option, which is saying he's regarded as a potentially serious guy in 2018, the $1 million buyout seemed small.

julio 2017-01-18 14:20:22 UTC #28

10 posts were merged into an existing topic: Phillies 2016-2017 offseason Discussion

andyb 2017-01-17 21:12:16 UTC #35

Fangraphs on the signing:

allentown 2017-01-17 21:45:30 UTC #36

Let's hope that the speculation that the new tissue created by the stem cell injection wearing away is untrue. If it is true, we are likely looking and a quite disappointing season with the bat and a lot of time at 1B.

Austinfan 2017-01-17 23:10:17 UTC #37

Or more likely a platoon hitter who gets rest on a regular basis, and when the knee acts up.
Which would provide plenty of PA for Altherr.
And might explain why we were able to get him for a bargain price.

I think his 2016 fielding was an aberration, while he lost some speed last year, it wasn't enough to explain the bad fielding metrics.
If he gets back to mediocre, and hits like he did in either 2014 or 2016, even 400 PA should be worth the money.

VoteForKalas 2017-01-18 02:41:15 UTC #38

Low risk and short term deal is fine.

There may not be any of the type available on a 1 year deal, but I really wish Klentak would bring in some professional hitters in terms of OBP, plate discipline, walks and low SO%. I'd want Franco et al. to be surrounded and influenced by that type vet player.

Again, I hope the Phillies are establishing a system-wide offensive philosophy and teaching hitters at every level those skills. To me, its pretty clear that offenses that get on base at a high clip have a better chance to score runs and win games. This lineup seems full of hackers besides Odubel.

LoneStarPhan 2017-01-18 04:42:32 UTC #40

At least his 2014 and 2016 seasons show a marked improvement in OBP over his earlier career numbers. He has clearly performed at a higher level in those years and if he can come close to those numbers rather than his career average numbers, he should be a significant help to the offense.

Of course, he has to avoid any injury set backs and stay healthy.

andyb 2017-01-18 04:45:47 UTC #41

It could be a little bit of a 1-year aberration, but we should not assume Saunders is a platoon player. He had reverse splits last year with a 900+ OPS against LHP. His career difference is relatively small (722 vs 686) so he is not really a player that needs to be platooned. His problems have more been getting hurt and striking out/slumps. I am guessing with his injury history we should rest him once a week and that can be against LHP, but I'd rather see Altherr take at bats from Kendrick.

If there is a veteran player taking undeserving at bats on this roster it is much more likely to be Kendrick than Saunders. I really wonder if the team would have traded for Kendrick if they had known they would land Saunders.

julio 2017-01-19 16:42:16 UTC #42

Per Jerry Crasnick, formal announcement soon - which means we'll also find out who is coming off the 40-man roster to facilitate this:

David_Criss 2017-01-19 19:46:21 UTC #43

And it is Gonzo S. Gonzalez who is removed from the 40-man despite having an option remainig

Austinfan 2017-01-19 20:38:38 UTC #44

Surprising, given he's young, has ML experience.
Luis Garcia is 30, and despite top velocity, has never been consistent. Guess they're hoping he can repeat or improve on 2015.
Gonzalez had almost a K per inning and he's only 24.

andyb 2017-01-19 21:09:13 UTC #45

Gonzalez had a lower K rate in the minors so that is more of a small sample size variation.

I think they made the simple decision that Garcia is better and more likely to have a positive contribution to the major league roster. Better raw stuff and more experience. And they are both probably gone in a year anyway because better, younger players will take their place.