Friday was a surprisingly full day of roster moves out of Clearwater for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Clearly, the headline is the Phillies’ signing of super-utility Whit Merrifield to a one-year, $8 million deal with a club option for 2025. While we can expect the official announcement of the contract within the next few days, here are the rest of the notables from Friday worth knowing as we enter the weekend.
Alec Bohm’ Arbitration Hearing
Third baseman Alec Bohm won his salary arbitration case with the Phils for 2024, announced on Friday.
For those who may not be familiar with how Major League Baseball’s arbitration system works, players are allowed to negotiate with their teams for the first time after three years of service time at the league minimum to determine how much money they will make. This process, known as arbitration, involves the player and team coming to the table with a proposed amount the player is worth. If they settle on a number, then they sign the contract. If not, an arbitration hearing is called and a third party determines which figure is more accurate.
Once a player enters the arbitration period of their rookie contract, they will have the chance to negotiate yearly salary increases until they reach free agency after their sixth season of service time.
In Bohm’s case, the third baseman asked the Phillies for $4 million for the 2024 season while the Phillies offered $3.4 million. Given that Bohm earned $748,000 in 2023, the extra $600,000 is a significant victory for the 27-year-old Daycare ringleader.
Also of note, Bohm’s arbitration victory secured the first winning record for Major League players since 2019. Players who went to the full arbitration hearing this offseason won 8 of 15 cases, with Tanner Scott of the Marlins still awaiting his results at the time of publication.
Phillies Sign David Dahl to Minor League Deal
Hours after the Merrifield news broke, the Phillies added another outfielder with Major League experience to the system. David Dahl, 29, signed an agreement with the Phillies on a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training Friday night.
Dahl, the former 10th overall pick by the Colorado Rockies in the 2012 MLB Draft, has six years of MLB experience dating back to 2016. A career .271 average in the Majors, Dahl has spent much of the last two seasons bouncing around the Minor League systems of the Milwaukee Brewers, Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Diego Padres.
In a brief four-game stint with the Padres in 2023, Dahl went 1-for-9 with his sole hit being a solo home run to tie the Padres’ game with the Diamondbacks at 4-4 in the bottom of the 9th on April 3rd. Ha-Seong Kim then followed up with Dahl with another solo shot to walk off the Diamondbacks.
If the Phillies find themselves down an outfielder or two throughout the season, I would expect Dahl to come up as an extra bat and possibly get a start or two per week depending on how he performs. Having extra Major League experience available in the farm system will not hurt the Phillies and, if Dahl has an excellent showing this Spring, he may challenge Garrett Cave or Cristian Pache for their slots on the Opening Day roster.
Phillies Lose Castillo and Moore to Waivers
Diego Castillo spent exactly 11 days with the Philadelphia Phillies. On February 5, the Phillies claimed the shortstop off waivers from the New York Yankees. Eight days later, on February 13, the Phillies designated him for assignment. Friday, the Baltimore Orioles claimed Castillo.
Meanwhile, the Phillies also lost McKinley Moore, who was claimed by the Yankees. Moore, a right-handed pitcher who made his MLB debut with the Phillies on April 10, 2023, was originally traded to the Phillies in 2022 by the Chicago White Sox for Adam Haseley.
In Moore’s brief time with the Phillies in 2023, he allowed seven runs over 3.1 innings pitched, walking five batters.
Uncle Charlie’s Back at Camp
There are certain people who are just staples at Phillies Spring Training every year. Charlie Manuel is one of those people. And despite his recent health struggles, Manuel has returned to Clearwater for another Spring of talkin’ shop with the boys.
Manuel’s value to the Phillies can never be understated, so we won’t even try here. This year, more than usual, his presence at Spring Training might be one of inspiration rather than knowledge as he demonstrates what true perseverance looks like every day.
Photo Credit: (AP Photo/Scott Kane)
