Jose Contreras and the Phillies have finalized the two-year contract extension that was reported over the weekend. He’ll get $5.5 million for two seasons and according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com the Phillies also have a team option for 2013.
Based on his 2010 performance alone Contreras is certainly worth the investment, as he thrived in his first full season as a reliever by going 6-4 with a 3.34 ERA and 57/16 K/BB ratio in 57 innings. However, he seemed to wear down somewhat in the second half and turns 39 years old next month.
Any multi-year commitment to a 39-year-old pitcher is a huge risk and the presence of a third-year team option is sort of amusing. What are the chances of the Phillies wanting to exercise their option on a 41-year-old Contreras come 2013?