DENVER - Chad Durbin won't tiptoe around the fact he is a free agent at the end of this season. The righthander says he keeps his focus on the task at hand - making the postseason for a fourth straight season - but the topic comes up occasionally when talking to family and friends.
They all want to know: What will happen this off-season? It's a natural question to ask. Durbin is diplomatic about it.
"I definitely want to come back here," he said.
The Phillies, surely, would like to have Durbin back too. But the situation is more complicated than simple desires.
As the calendar turns to September, the time for decisions like Durbin inches closer. Of course, Jayson Werth will be a free agent. So will Jose Contreras and possibly J.C. Romero, who has a club option for 2011 that could be declined.
Durbin's case is an interesting one.
The 32-year-old righthander has filled a litany of roles for the Phillies in his three seasons. He is one of Charlie Manuel's most trusted bullpen arms.
"He's done a tremendous job for us," Manuel said. "He's been a big part of our team. We know that. The other part, from a financial standpoint and contract, that's all up to the front office of course."
Durbin will be a free agent for the first time in his career. He's making $2.125 million this season in the final year of arbitration. This off-season could provide Durbin with a chance for his only multi-year deal.
"It'll be something that's tough," Durbin said. "If somebody is offering two or three years, it'll be hard to say no to that to take a one-year deal where you really want to be."
Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said the internal discussions about Durbin and the other free agents will intensify during the season's final weeks. He said the subject of going more than one year on Durbin has yet to be discussed.
The question, ultimately, will be: What sort of price will the Phillies - and in a greater context, the market - place on a middle reliever? Entering Thursday, 29 of Durbin's 50 appearances were in either the sixth or seventh.
In three seasons, Durbin has filled that role admirably with a 3.52 ERA in more than 200 innings. He came to Philadelphia having never been a full-time reliever.
But the Phillies already have $146.35 million committed to 16 players for 2011. As Amaro said earlier in the season, some younger (and cheaper) players will have to step up somewhere. Durbin's spot could be one of them.
