The Phils made a big mistake today by not offering Aaron Fultz a new contract or at least offering him arbitration. Fultz has been an effective reliever for the last few years, and would have been a big asset to the ailing bullpen. In 2005 he went 4-0, with a 2.24 ERA in 62 games and last year he went 3-1, with a 4.54, in 66 games. He is also very effective against lefties, holding them to .242 average over the last three years.
It appears that the plan is to use Matt Smith as the lefty handed specialist next year but given the lack of left handed relief pitching the exploding market for pitching, it seems to be that it would have been wise to keep Fultz around. Even if the Phils didn’t keep him, Fultz is a type A free agent, so just by offering arbitration they could get a first round pick in compensation.
While the financial terms are not available yet it appears that he is a bargain in comparison to some of the signings this year.
It appears that the plan is to use Matt Smith as the lefty handed specialist next year but given the lack of left handed relief pitching the exploding market for pitching, it seems to be that it would have been wise to keep Fultz around. Even if the Phils didn’t keep him, Fultz is a type A free agent, so just by offering arbitration they could get a first round pick in compensation.
While the financial terms are not available yet it appears that he is a bargain in comparison to some of the signings this year.
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