📰 NEWS FLASH: Phillies standout lefty caps a monumental 2025 season by securing a bonus that highlights just how vital he became ⚡.DD
Cristopher Sánchez was worth every penny, and then some.
The holiday season has just begun, but one Philadelphia Phillies pitcher is cashing in on an early present, courtesy of MLB’s pre-arbitration bonus pool. Left-hander Cristopher Sánchez is taking home an extra wad of cash after putting together an incredible season.
In the list of bonus pool recipients, released by the Associated Press earlier this week, Sánchez claimed the second-highest bonus payout with a $2,678,437 payment based on his 2025 performance. The Phillies ace came in behind Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes and his $3,436,343 bonus.
The pre-arbitration bonus is determined by a WAR formula, with players receiving set amounts for award finishes. After three Phillies players received bonuses last year, Sánchez is the lone Phillies representative this season after he put together a Cy Young-worthy season. His unanimous second-place finish in the voting for that award earned him $1.75 million of his total amount.
Cristopher Sánchez more than earned his bonus for the Phillies this season
After showing the potential to be an ace in 2024, Sánchez put everything together this season for the Phillies, especially when they needed it the most. Coming into 2025 as possibly the most underrated starter in MLB, the soon-to-be 29-year-old stepped out of Zack Wheeler’s shadow and announced his arrival to the league.
Sánchez went 13-5 in 32 starts with a 2.50 ERA, a 1.06 WHIP, and a career-high 212 strikeouts in 202 innings.
He posted a 2.50 ERA in the first half but somehow didn’t get named to the National League All-Star Team when the original roster was announced. He was snubbed multiple times before finally being offered a spot, which he had to turn down due to his pitching schedule. The Phillies did the right thing, however, and still paid him the $50K All-Star incentive bonus in his contract.
When Wheeler went down with his blood clot and thoracic outlet injury, Sánchez led the starting rotation in his stead. Without Wheeler, who was on pace for a potential Cy Young, the Phillies’ starters compiled the second-best fWAR in the majors at 6.4.
The best news for the Phillies is that Sánchez just completed the first year of the four-year, $22.5 million contract he agreed to during the 2024 season. The deal, which runs through the 2028 season also includes club options for 2029 and 2030. Even with those options escalating up to $15 million and $16 million, respectively, getting the quality of starting pitching that Sánchez provides for that cost is a steal for the front office.
