With their pursuit of a free agent left-handed starter foiled, the Phillies focused their energy internally on Friday, locking up the arbitration-eligible LHP Randy Wolf for the next four years. The contract, worth a reported $22.5M, will buy out all of his arbitration years and delay his free agency for a season. Wolf will receive a $500,000 signing bonus, $2.5M in 2003, $4.25M in 2004, $6.5M in 2005, and $9M in 2006.

I think the Phillies should have focused on locking OF-R Pat Burrell into a long-term contract before securing Wolf. Nevertheless, Wolf should be a pitcher Philadelphia wants on their staff throughout the course of this contract. The Phillies drafted Wolf out of Pepperdine University in the second round of the 1997 draft, so he has the added appeal of being completely homegrown. While his strikeout numbers were below target levels in his rookie season, he's since brought them in line with the rest of his solid skills.

Given his heavy workload this past season combined with the elbow tendinitis he experienced before the season, I'm a bit concerned about potential injury problems. However at 26, the risk to Wolf is less than for a pitcher whose arm is still developing. If he remains healthy, Wolf should provide the Phillies with a very good value for their money until the last season of the deal when his salary should match his production.

Philadelphia has also re-signed LHP Dan Plesac to a one-year, $2M contract. The 40-year-old was set to retire from his 17-season major league career had the Phillies not come through with an offer, but his skills still remain solid. Plesac only has pitched for Philadelphia since late May when the club picked him up from Toronto for RHP Cliff Politte, however he found the experience sufficiently enjoyable that he was willing to delay retirement. Although there are other options on the free agent market, Plesac is able to fill the team's need and costs significantly less than most of the alternatives. Philly should be happy with his performance next season.

Of their unsigned free agents, the Phillies have offered arbitration to RHP Terry Adams, RHP Ricky Bottalico, OF-R Doug Glanville, and C-R Todd Pratt. I don't expect Adams to return, as he'll want to head to a team where they'll use him as a starter. Bottalico almost certainly will work out a deal with the team, since he's recovering from shoulder surgery. Glanville could return, but I believe he'll search for a club that will give him an opportunity to start. Pratt also likely will attempt to find a larger role.

Across the state the Pirates' big move has been to re-sign RHP Brian Boehringer. Boehringer agreed to a two-year, $3.8M contract on Thursday. He'll receive $1.5M in 2003 and $2M in 2004. The club holds a $3M option with a $300,000 buyout for 2005. Through the incentives in the contract, Boehringer can earn an additional $20,000 for 65 G, $30,000 for 70 G, and $50,000 for 75 G each season.

Unfortunately while Boehringer's skills remain strong and the contract somewhat favors Pittsburgh financially compared to what Boehringer might have earned elsewhere, the team would have benefited more by allowing him to depart. The Pirates have several younger pitchers who could have replaced him in relief and now one of those pitchers likely won't be able to find a place in the pen. Consequently, the money spent on Boehringer is a waste.

Among the reasons Pittsburgh didn't need to re-sign Boehringer is RHP Al Reyes, who Pittsburgh signed to a one-year, $450,000 split contract one day later. Prior to this past season, he'd struggled with his control. However, the 31-year-old appears to have corrected those problems and should certainly be worth $150,000 above minimum wage next season. By making the deal a split contract, the Pirates were able to insure that if he's optioned to the minors, they'll only have to pay him $115,000. Due to Boehringer's return there may not be room for Reyes in the pen, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Pirates took 12 pitchers, since they don't have a lot of strong bench players. Consequently, unless Pittsburgh acquires another reliever, which they have no reason to do, I expect Reyes to earn his full salary.

Lastly, a week ago, the Pirates signed MI-S Abraham Nunez to a one-year, $675,000 contract. Although, the 26-year-old has demonstrated the ability to take a walk, he's never displayed strong strike zone judgment and his meager production reflects that problem. He also fails to offer the team any power off the bench, and his speed skills are erratic at best. Consequently, I think Pittsburgh likely should have looked for an alternative, as there are reserve middle infielders who can provide some offense in addition to position flexibility.