Phillies’ $107 million contract for star pitcher includes lots of deferred money

The Philadelphia Phillies made a big move by giving ace pitcher Cristopher Sanchez a six-year deal worth $107 million right before Opening Day.

The new contract for Sanchez includes $104 million guaranteed, but it also includes deferred money that Sanchez will be getting all the way until 2044, according to Ronald Blum of The Associated Press.

“Philadelphia will defer $10 million each from his 2031 and 2032 salaries, which each will be payable in five $2 million installments. The 2031 money is due every July 1 from 2035-39 and the 2032 money every July 1 from 2040-44,” Blum wrote.

Here’s what Sanchez’s salary looks like for the next few years, according to the AP.

• 2027: $6 million
• 2028: $9 million
• 2029: $14 million
• 2030: $15 million
• 2031 and 2031: $27 million

A year ago, the Phillies gave Sanchez a four-year deal worth $47 million, so the franchise decided to double down on their investment and give the 29-year-old pitcher a new deal after his impressive 2025 campaign.

Sanchez went 13-5 with a 2.50 ERA in 32 starts in 2025 and a career-high 212 strikeouts, so it’s a well-deserved payday for the pitcher.

Deferred contracts have become more common as of late, and Los Angeles Dodgers sensation Shohei Ohtani raised eyebrows with a deferral-heavy deal after he came to LA on a whopping 10-year, $700 contract prior to the 2024 season.