Jan. 12, 2:07 PM: Per a team announcement, the signing is now official.
Jan. 10, 10:25 PM: The Blue Jays have agreed to a contract with righty David Phelps, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca (Twitter link). It’s said to be a one-year deal that comes with a club option.
Phelps will receive a $2.5MM guarantee, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (links to Twitter). The deal also dangles a variety of incentives along with a floating option value depending upon how many frames Phelps throws in the season to come.
The terms reflect the fact that Phelps, a client of Jet Sports Management, is coming off of a season lost to Tommy John surgery. The 2020 option price will start at just $1MM. It goes up to $3MM if he appears in 30 games and hits $5MM if he makes his 40th outing. If Phelps reaches fifty appearances the option will jump to $7MM; it can climb by another $1MM if he also finishes forty games, which obviously would not take place unless he earns and keeps the Jays’ closer job for much of the season.
In terms of incentives, Phelps can boost his 2019 pay quite a bit if he’s able to get on the hill early and often. He’ll get a quarter-million boost upon throwing his 25th, 30th, and 35th games, then take home successive $350K payouts if he can reach appearances 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60. The option year also has available incentive pay.
All told, the contract generally reflects an optimistic view about Phelps’s outlook. The 32-year-old had been on a great run when he ran into arm troubles during the 2017 season. Unfortunately for him and the Mariners, the issues reached a breaking point last spring, when it was decided he’d require Tommy John surgery just before the start of the 2018 campaign.
Before things went south, Phelps had been on an excellent run of success. Something of a non-descript starter earlier in his career, Phelps caught fire in a relief role in 2016 and never really looked back. He ultimately threw 142 1/3 innings of 2.72 ERA ball, with 11.1 K/9 against 4.0 BB/9, over the 2016 and 2017 campaigns.
Looking ahead, it seems fair to presume that Phelps will be looked upon to play a significant role in a generally inexperienced Blue Jays bullpen. He joins veteran hurlers Matt Shoemaker and Clayton Richard as recent veteran additions who will head to Toronto in search of a rebound. Though Phelps has plenty of experience as a starter — including an intriguing but brief return to the rotation late in 2016 — it seems from his incentive structure that he will not be joining Shoemaker and Richard in the competition for a starting job.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
driftcat28 2
Like Phelps, good move for the blue jays
xXabial
great addition of he returns to old form. why a team like the Boston not taking a chance just tells me DD taking chances amd Boston will end I’m 3rd via division .
xXabial
I hate auto-correct and being drunk
canocorn
Techmology has sharp teeth.
Phillies2017
If I wasn’t using the app, I would upvote this
TheDukeOfOntario
Techmology, eh ? Lovely…
ayrbhoy
Dragqueen- just ask Mariners fans about taking chances on this guy! We saw Phelps for 10 games after trade deadline, he looked really good first few games then not so good last couple due to elbow issues, out for the rest of the yr. That’s ok we thought- at least we have him for the 18’ season. 2/3 thru ST blows out his elbow, done for the yr! We gave up a #6,16 and 22 prospects in a 4 for 1 deal for 10games of D Phelps;((
ayrbhoy
Incidentally- the Mariners gave up 8 of their prospects that year for Drew Smyly Shae Simmons and David Phelps. Smyly didn’t pitch 1 inning for Seattle, we got 10g from Phelps and 5 or 6 innings from Simmons before his Ms career was done! The Mariner way baby- we succeed in failure
martiny44
More mopping up energy.
nmendoza7
I read this way too fast and thought it said “Price” instead of Phelps
xXabial
g4u
xabial
Eovaldi 2.0? Idk, he doesn’t throw 100+ mph. But Good luck
coldbeer
He’s a potential setup man…what are you talking about Eovaldi?
xXabial
what???? look at the transactions page before u respond.
for you and X…he’s not evoldi
GONEcarlo
I mean he was traded for Eovaldi…
khopper10
Huh?
basebaIl1600
Is David Phelps R.A Dickey 2.0? He doesn’t throw a knuckleball, but good luck.
clepto
16 downvotes + 25 yesterday on 2 comments? Maybe you take a hint? Wow….
Costandreward
Or Eovaldi is Morrow 2.0 without the injuries. But good luck
DarkSide830
Like this deal for the Jays. nice upside/floor, team option could be pretty nice.
coldbeer
Maybe makes Tepera available to continue to boost the farm. Then flip Phelps at the deadline to do the same.
Seems like the play for the Jays right now.
xXabial
exactly
BlueJayFan1515
I’m just here waiting for #scouteyes to try to trash the signing, call the Jays garbage and request for Atkins and Shapiro to be fired.
iverbure
Yep anything less than Harper signing Atkins and Shapiro need to be fired. #scoutseyes
jimmertee
lol. I am humbled by the flattery. See my comment on Phelps below. If Atkins and Shapiro do good, I’ll say it, like below but most of their attempts are just futility.
The key I am watching from Jays Management is their attempts at acquiring ANY elite players, whether it be from the draft or trading or FA’s. The are only a few possible elite players in the entire organization right now. Good wins nothing, 8 or 9 elite players at the MLB level wins championships.. #Scoutseyes
SuperSinker
If you have a magic formula to develop or identify elite talent, the rest of baseball would like in on the secret
jimmertee
Supes, look at Dombroswki and Cashman, they seem to be able to do it, to have that magic formula. It only took each of them 1-2 years to retoool.
Shapiro and Atkins have already had 2 years and the Jays are at least 3 more years away.
flippinbats79
Cherington built up Boston’s farm system for years before Dombrowski blew it up for a few shots a the World Series. What do you think Cherington is doing in Toronto now?
aussiejaysfan
Exactly. We are 8 or 9 players off of winning anything. And we don’t have the salary space to sign those. Do scout eyes all you like but maybe you should put your GM eyes on. You know. The eyes that understand to actually run a business and understand money doesn’t just get thrown at things without getting anything in return. The owners want to make money that’s the bottom line. And to do that a clean out and offloading cumbersome wages need to happen first. Signing superstars just compounds the problem and doesn’t get us any rings
jimmertee
Yah, Bosox signing Moreland, Nunez and Martinez during the last offeseason didn’t help them at all. Sarcasm heavy.
its_happening
I love how everyone get’s agitated by #scoutseyes. Snowflakes. You guys resort to online bullying while Jimmer and I can have honest disagreements.
Level headed people have that ability.
clrrogers 2
Good signing for the Jays. If he has a good start to the season they could flip him at the deadline. With the club option, he should bring a similar return to what they got for Oh. If he struggles they could hope for a good start to next season and trade him then.
jdgoat
Good call. I’m kind of hoping they do something like this with a lefty like Blevins or Sipp. But as far as upside goes, I think you’d be hard pressed to find a better pitcher than Phelps. I really like this move.
thelastonetodie
Agreed.. I like the incentive laced deal.. minimal risk. And with the upside. A solid flip candidate, no commitment after this year.. I hope there’s more of these one and an option, incentive laden deals for the jays..
thelastonetodie
And sipp would be a good bounce back candidate.. and a needed lefty
Chris
Phelpsy! Lol Girardi and his nicknames
jimmertee
Hey, The Jays did good! Great signing. It is all about David Phelps health and what comes back at 32 after tommy john. I like this roll of the dice. #Scouteyes
MetsFanaticDanny
Whoa, I thought this guy retired. Haha!!!
Ricetto
World Series here we come!
xXabial
Carlos Delgado said hi
luclusciano
Always a fan when he pitched for the Yankees. Was wondering what happened to him.
Blake Douglas
I will take any help we can get. Hopefully he has a good first half and can be flipped at the deadline
the kutch
Maybe we should be focusing on “date local moms”….
its_happening
Good signing by the Jays.
Now wondering, if Phelps makes the team, who the 7 bullpen arms will be. Based on who’s on the roster they may be looking to trade or release a bullpen arm or officially feel certain guys are going to be in AAA regardless. Jays fans, look at the depth chart and you’ll understand,
kbarr888
If he returns to his previous form, it’s a great signing.
But I have to wonder………..
It’s late September in 2019 and Phelps has appeared in 49 games. The Blue Jays are technically in the race for a Wild Card, and they HAVE to win the game to stay in it….although a lot of things will have to work out right for them to actually end up in the WC game.
It’s 5-4 in the 8th, 2 walks were just issued, and Phelps can close the door.
If he comes in, that means his 2019 salary jumps $350K (no biggie)…..but also…his 2020 salary jumps $2 Million.
Does the coach THINK about that at All?
Is Ownership “on the phone” to the dugout saying “Don’t You Dare!!!”………???
TheBoatmen
If the Jays are fighting for a wild card spot in late September then it is already a win. It means they kept there fan base despite playing there youngsters and there is an extra $40M at the turnstiles. I don’t think they will care about the $2M especially if there is another possible $10M if they actually made the post season.
bleacherguy
There is no their there.
rybowski
If it’s a team option then they can always decline it if they think it’s too high.
its_happening
A loaded hypothetical KBarr. Certainly a lot would have to happen for the Jays to be in that position. But I’ll be your huckleberry….
Jays let him pitch in that situation. First because winning becomes a greater priority. Two because the money would, theoretically, recouped by the driving fanbase that come back to the park and to the TV set to watch a near miracle happen. Three because the Jays are nowhere close to being in-danger of exceeding the luxury tax. Four because he’d have to pitch like a stud to help that team, so his 2020 salary would be justified.
They can worry about 2020 the day after they are officially eliminated from that hypothetical wild card hunt.
commentinggenius
not a good signing IMO
PeeWeeGaskins
Why?
luclusciano
Why
bravesfan
Relief pitching being picked off one by one and the braves are no where. The guys I want are still on the market though.
I really hate Phelps but he’s a heck of a pitcher. Good move for the Jays
jdgoat
How do you hate David Phelps of all pitchers? A little Miami-Atlanta drama?
luclusciano
So you respect him, but hate him? I’m confused. What happened?
nentwigs
Good Morning Mr. Phelps. Your mission, if you decide to accept it, is to bring stability to the Toronto Blue Jays bullpen for the 2019 season. Should you or any of your bullpen force be caught or captured, the Secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions……
kodion
Got enough rebounders now.
Need 3pt shooters …and defenders with good range
DTI812
should you accept this contract, mr Phelps…..
Yankeepatriot
I’ve always liked pelpsie, he has a good two seamer