Ranking the Penny-for-Penny Value of All Philadelphia Phillies Players

In a season where the Philadelphia Phillies can lay claim to the highest payroll in the National League and finish near the bottom of the National League East, you better believe that fans are going to start asking questions.

How can a team with a payroll that rivals the behemoth New York Yankees, currently in first place in the American League East, fall victim to teams like the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves?

Well, there is a simple answer. They’re not spending wisely. You can spend all the money in the world on this sport, on one team, but if you’re not spending money on the right players and personnel, you’re not going to win. It’s as simple as that.

When a team like the Phillies isn’t winning, however, the conversation is anything but simple. People want to know and will be quick to point out players that are making far too much money, the best steals on the roster, and even which players should be guaranteed money long term.

So let this slideshow serve as something like a “primer.” Heading into the offseason, we’re going to hear a lot about the Phillies’ payroll and the massive, albatross contracts that saddle it.

If you really want to know who’s burdening this club, however, you have to look at the penny-for-penny value. That’s right. You have to compare the amount of money that each player is making to the value of their services on the club.

So naturally, cheaper players are going to be more valuable. That won’t stop some big-money players from being extremely important to this roster though. It also won’t stop big-money players from tying down the payroll like an anchor.

So in this battle of perceived value versus guaranteed money, who on this club is coming out on top?

*Note: This slideshow is discussing the 2012 season only. We will discuss the player’s 2012 salary and their value to the club for this season.

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