Garrett Stubbs is coming back for a fourth season in the Phillies organization. There’s no guarantee that he will begin the year with the big league club due to his contractual status: He has one minor league option remaining, but not enough major league service time to reject an optional assignment. His main competitor for the backup catcher role, Rafael Marchan, is also out of minor league options.
It’s why the Phillies and Stubbs agreed to a relatively unique one-year deal to avoid arbitration. The split contract, according to Ronald Blum of the Associated Press, guarantees him $925,000 if he reaches the majors and $450,000 if he’s in the minors.