Feb. 7 -- CHECKING THE PAYROLL

BY SCOTT LAUBER

One week from today, Phillies pitchers and catchers will hold their first workout at the Carpenter Complex, which means the countdown to spring training is winding down. In today's News Journal, we launched our week-long spring-training preview by examining the tough task of winning back-to-back World Series.

Here at Phillied In, I thought we'd take another look at the Phillies' 2009 payroll. Believe it or not, no team -- not even the Yankees -- hiked its payroll more this winter than the Phillies, who will see an increase from $98 million on Opening Day last year to about $130 million when the 2009 season starts. (The Yankees, by the way, actually will have a slightly lower payroll to open 2009 despite signing CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira, which tells you just how much money Jason Giambi, Bobby Abreu, Mike Mussina and Carl Pavano were making last season. But I digress...)

Anyway, here's a salary breakdown for the 2009 Phillies. The figures include signing bonuses. (2008 salaries are in parentheses). Note: Our projection doesn't factor in a $3 million payment to the White Sox for Jim Thome.

*1B Ryan Howard: $14 million or $18 million ($10 million)
RHP Brett Myers: $12 million ($8.5 million)
RHP Brad Lidge: $11.5 million ($6.35 million)
2B Chase Utley: $11 million ($7.5 million)
RHP Adam Eaton: $8.5 million ($7.635 million)
SS Jimmy Rollins: $8.5 million ($8 million)
LF Raul Ibanez: $8.5 million (N/A)
OF Geoff Jenkins: $6.75 million ($5 million)
LHP Jamie Moyer: $6.5 million ($7 million)
RHP Joe Blanton: $5.475 million ($3.7 million)
3B Pedro Feliz: $5 million ($3 million)
LHP Cole Hamels: $4.35 million ($500,000)
CF Shane Victorino: $3.125 million ($480,000)
RHP Ryan Madson: $3 million ($1.9 million)
RF Jayson Werth: $3 million ($1.7 million)
**LHP J.C. Romero: $2.75 million ($3 million)
RHP Chan Ho Park: $2.5 million (N/A)
LHP Scott Eyre: $2 million ($3.8 million)
RHP Chad Durbin: $1.635 million ($900,000)
INF Greg Dobbs: $1.15 million ($440,000)
OF Matt Stairs: $1 million ($2.25 million)
INF Eric Bruntlett: $800,000 ($600,000)
RHP Clay Condrey: $650,000 ($420,000)
***C Carlos Ruiz: $500,000 ($425,000)
***C Chris Coste: $500,000 ($415,000)
***C Ronny Paulino: $500,000 ($423,500)
***RHP Kyle Kendrick: $500,000 ($445,000)
***LHP J.A. Happ: $400,000 ($380,000)
(*Howard's salary will be determined through arbitration)
(**Romero's salary includes projected loss from 50-game suspension)
(***Projected salaries after contracts are renewed)

Total: $129.685 million or $133.685 million