Geoff Geary Is Pitching For Money Next Season

Yep, he and the Phillies decided to avoid the coming arbitration case and instead split the difference between their demands.   The two sides agreed to a one year deal worth 837 K, inbetween 925K request from Geary and 750K offer from the Phils.  Seems like a good compromise and a cheap way to get back a pretty decent bullpen arm.  Instead of being rash and signing him to a multi-year deal, or possibly dragging him through arbitration, they took the safe route.  One year deals for relievers are ideal simply because of how up and down their careers can go.  Look at Rheal Cormier as a prime example of this rule.

So what can we expect out of Geary next season?  One can only hope with relievers, but judging off his improving performance in 2006 we can expect a decent amount.  The 30 year old improved his control(3 to 1 K:BB ratio) from 2005 to 2006 and settled down after a horrid June to have a great second half.  His season WHIP may have been a bit high at 1.35, but his post all-star numbers were stellar with a 2.53 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 42.2 IP and 28 Ks and 6 walks.  He only gave up 6 homers in his entire 91 inning campaign.  And September?  He brought out the Ks, racking up 17 with only 2 walks in 17 innings.  Quite a finish for the guy.

No one quite knows with relievers.  He could start off horrible this season, find himself buried in the bullpen and never recover.  Or he could shoot out like a rocket and find himself setting up Gordon and even stealing a few saves.  I’d personally expect him to have a 3.30 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP with few homers and few walks.  And I’ll take it, especially at the cheap price we re-signed him.  This is what good teams do with their bullpens; they fill them up with guys like Geary.  Underpriced, underalued commodities who are still in arbitration.   Is there a chance that batters start finding holes inbetween the fielders behind Geary?  Yes, but I wouldn’t bet on it.