When looking at who is likely to progress, the contract status of those on the current 25 man and 40 man roster is critical to evaluating potential next steps, so here it goes:
Catcher: Carlos Ruiz will be back and is scheduled to make $8.5M next season. Wil Nieves has done a real nice job as a back up and is scheduled to become a free agent at the end of this season. He made $1.125M this year and should probably be in line to get between $1.5–2M next year. The Phils would be wise to bring him back based on the large question marks surrounding both Tommy Joseph and Cameron Rupp right now. Going into next season, Joseph will have two options remaining and Rupp will have one option left.
Corner Infield: Ryan Howard’s $25M salary is well documented and as much as I would like to see him move on, I expect him back at 1B, collecting in excess of 450 AB’s next year. Cody Asche will have a salary right around the major league minimum of $510K and all three options remaining next year. It will be interesting to see how things play out with Maikel Franco a certainty to be added to the 40 man roster and will be knocking at Asche’s doorstep. Darin Ruf will go into next season slated to make just above the major league minimum if he sticks and has one option remaining. Continue reading 2015 Phillies Roster Make Up