Jan. 21 -- ARBITRATION ANALYSIS

BY SCOTT LAUBER

On Dec. 4, Ruben Amaro Jr. and Scott Proefrock sat side-by-side in a Center City restaurant and talked about the Phillies' daunting list of 10 arbitration-eligible players.

"I can't remember ever having any more than [10 eligible players], that's for sure," Proefrock said with a smile.

Less than two months later, the Phils have reached settlements with all but Ryan Howard. They struck multiyear deals with Greg Dobbs, Cole Hamels, Ryan Madson and Jayson Werth and reached one-year accords with Eric Bruntlett, Clay Condrey, Shane Victorino, Joe Blanton and Chad Durbin. After those deals, their 2009 payroll stands at approximately $109 million (not including a $3 million payout to Jim Thome), a club record. And once Howard signs, they'll have at least $123 million, and possibly $127 million, committed to their players. That puts the Phillies in the company of the Boston Red Sox ($133 million payroll last season) and even the New York Mets, whose opening-day payroll in 2008 was $137.8 million.

Let's analyze each arbitration deal, in order of when they were completed.

Condrey (one year, $650,000 on Dec. 13): It was pretty simple, really. Condrey, 33, posted a 3.26 ERA in a career-high 56 appearances last season, so the Phillies rewarded him with a nice raise from his 2008 salary of $420,000.

Bruntlett (one year, $800,000 on Dec. 13): This one wasn't difficult either. Bruntlett, 30, batted only .217 last season, but years from now, when we talk about the 2008 World Series, we'll remember that he scored the winning run in Games 3 and 5. He filled in admirably for shortstop Jimmy Rollins in April and was a solid late-inning defensive replacement for left fielder Pat Burrell. Thus, he got a $200,000 raise.

Dobbs (two years, $2.5 million on Jan. 16): In his first arbitration go-around, the majors' top pinch-hitter got a two-year deal. That's notable because, with Pedro Feliz's contract expiring after the 2009 season, Dobbs, 30, could be a relatively inexpensive third-base solution in 2010.

Hamels (three years, $20.5 million on Jan. 17): A win-win for both sides. The Phils get cost control on their ace. Hamels, 25, gets financial security without compromising his final arbitration year or giving up free agency. He'll make $4.35 million in 2009, $6.65 million in 2010 and $9.5 million in 2011, modest enough numbers that it may allow the Phillies to retain more of their core players and make a run at another World Series before tough-to-sign Howard becomes a free agent after 2011. And if Hamels continues to be among the NL's top pitchers, the Phillies can always rip up this contract in 2011 and re-negotiate a longer-term deal.

Madson (three years, $12 million on Jan. 19): One year from free agency, agent Scott Boras advised Madson that a solid 2009 season could spark interest next winter from teams that may be looking for a closer. That would've brought a bigger payday, but Madson, 28, wanted the financial security of a multiyear deal, especially after a shoulder strain in 2007 made him realize how capricious a major-league career can be.

Victorino (one year, $3.125 million on Jan. 20): Victorino, 28, led Phillies regulars with a .293 average in the regular season, and his grand slam against CC Sabathia and two-run shot in NLCS Game 4 against the Dodgers were two of the biggest homers in the club's postseason history. But Victorino was arbitration-eligible for the first time, so he didn't have much leverage to negotiate a multiyear deal. The Phillies didn't have great urgency to get it done either, but they did reward him with a handsome raise from his $480,000 salary in 2008.

Blanton (one year, $5.475 million on Jan. 20): Here's what we know: Blanton, 28, is a durable, 200-inning workhorse. But after trading for him midway through last season, the Phillies don't know enough yet about Blanton to commit to a multiyear deal. They have time to find out. Blanton can't become a free agent until after the 2010 season.

Werth (two years, $10 million on Jan. 21): When the Phils decided not to retain Burrell, Werth, 29, became the top right-handed power threat in a decidedly lefty lineup. He established career-highs with 24 homers, 67 RBIs and 20 stolen bases in 418 at-bats in 2008, and given more than 500 at-bats, the Phillies believe he can be a 30-30 player. Werth was looking for $4 million in 2009. He'll make only $3 million, including a $1 million signing bonus. But, for giving up his right to become a free agent after the season, the Phils will pay him $7 million in 2010. If he'd been allowed to go out on the open market, would he have made more than that?

Durbin (one year, $1.635 million on Jan. 21): He made $900,000 last year and had his career-best season, posting a 2.87 ERA and leading NL relievers with 87-2/3 innings pitched. Durbin, 31, asked for $1.95 million in 2009; the Phillies offered $1.65 million. So, the sides met in the middle. Easy, right?