How Does the New Competitive Balance Tax from seestyle's blog

The Philadelphia Phillies currently have $178,692,948 committed to their luxury tax salary. Before the ratification of the 2022 MLB CBA, the competitive balance tax was set at $210 million.Now that total has jumped over 9% to $230 million for the first luxury tax threshold. The Phillies had just over $31 million to spend before hitting the luxury tax in 2022, now theyll have $51 Satchel Paige Jersey million to spend.Phillies owner John Middleton has made it very clear in the past that he will not exceed the luxury tax for anything le s than a championship contender. Now the Phillies could become that championship contender without even clearing the first luxury tax threshold.Philadelphias problem since 2018 has been a lack of depth. They Abraham Almonte Jersey have top level stars on huge contracts like Bryce Harper ($25.4 million AAV), Zack Wheeler ($23.6 million AAV) and J.T. Realmuto ($23.1 million AAV), but theyve been mi sing the role players to replace those stars when they get injured.That extra $20 million in spending room will afford the Phillies a huge level of po sibilities. Now theyll be able to sign at least one more high-level player and have room for a variety of utility players to fill the bullpen and bench.They could also go all-in with their current strategy, signing two top Eddie Robinson Jersey level players, perhaps Kyle Schwarber, whos been linked with the Phillies repeatedly, and Kris Bryant, who could fill multiple positions, from third base to outfield, as an elite utility man.Scroll to ContinueThat money could also be used to extend expiring contracts currently on the roster. Rhys Hoskins and Aaron Nola are only under contract through 2023, while Zach Eflin is set to become a free agent this offseason.Though there are multiple paths the Phillies could send Jim Thome Jersey the extra $20 million, more importantly, it gives the Phillies flexibility in their plans.If Phillies President Dave Dombrowski now wishes to extend all three expiring contracts, he can. If Dombrowski wishes to spend $35 million on an elite bullpen, he can. If the Phillies want to trade for a high-risk, high-reward contract like Mike Moustakas to be a bench bat, they can handle his Kenny Lofton Jersey salary.As MLB free agency resumes at 6 p.m. ET on Thursday, expect a flurry of moves all acro s the league and for the Phillies to be involved. They have a variety of holes to fill, from shortstop to left field and center field, to a leadoff bat and bullpen.The Phillies will need to make plenty of moves to be a competitive team come Opening Day, set for April 7, but now they have plenty of money to do so.More From SI's :