Werth signs one-year contract

Just a quick note, from the Phillies' website:

Outfielder Jayson Werth agreed to a one-year contract with the Phillies, Assistant General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. announced today. Werth had been eligible for salary arbitration.

Werth, 27, will earn $1.7 million in 2008, plus performance bonuses. He hit .298 with eight home runs and a career-high 49 RBI in 94 games for the Phillies last year. Werth also set a career best with nine outfield assists, despite missing a month of the season with a left wrist strain.

Werth became the second Phillie to avoid arbitration, joining outfielder Chris Snelling. The Phillies have four arbitration-eligible players remaining: infielders Eric Bruntlett and Ryan Howard and righthanders Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson.

If Werth's getting $1.7 million, just let your mind wander about what Howard will earn this year. Not that they're not worth it; in my mind, they certainly are. I just hope the Phillies can find enough playing time for Werth to justify $1.7 million of payroll.

Snelling only exacerbates the playing-time problem. In fact, as you can see in my previous post, I don't think there's enough room on the active roster for Snelling. Does anyone have any insight into whether it makes sense that the Phillies inked Snelling to a Major-League deal but will likely have to send him to the minors? Is that normal?