Phillies Network

Within a week’s time, the Phillies took three of their four arbitration-eligible players off the board. That left one player left to deal with before the core of the 2012 team would be signed for the season.

Looks like the Phillies’ will be eating good for another season.

The Phillies have signed Hunter Pence to a one-year, $10.4 million deal, avoiding arbitration.

The two sides met in the middle on the arbitration figures exchanged last Tuesday. Pence had asked for $11.8 million. The Phillies offered $9 million.

Pence hit .324 with 11 home runs and 35 RBIs in 54 games with the Phillies last season.

Pence is arbitration-eligible until after the Postseason in 2013, when he will enter the free agent market. The Phillies still have plenty of time to hash out a long-term deal for him if they want him around. The feeling from Pence’s side seems to show a deal could be easily reached.

Pence brought an energy and style all his own when he was acquired in a trade with the Houston Astros in July 2011. From his first few games in a Phillies’ uniform, to his big, little hit that won the Phillies’ franchise-record 102nd game, it is clear Pence is a fit in a winning combination for the Phillies.

For people who thought Pence didn’t have that great a season after the trade, note that his numbers in a normal season were on pace for a .300 or higher batting average, and that between his two teams in 2011, he hit .314 with 22 home runs and 97 RBIs.

He is a superstar in the making, and having him around for a full season in 2012 and 2013 will likely make the Phillies take a strong look at a long-term possibility of having Pence in right field, especially when you consider that Pence is only 28, a youngster in a rapidly aging core.

So break out the “Let’s Go Eat!” chants and shirts and dust off that No. 3 jersey. Hunter Pence is here to stay.

Kevin Durso is a writer for Phillies Network. In addition to his work on Phillies Network, you can find articles by him for Philliedelphia and The Loquitur. Also listen to him every Wednesday on 89.1 WYBF-FM in Radnor, PA from 2-4 p.m. on The Block Party, a music show hosted by Kevin featuring sports talk, as well as from 8-9 p.m. on Sports Source, featuring sports talk on all Philly sports. You can follow him on twitter @KDursoPhilsNet. Also check out Phillies Network's page on Facebook or @PhilliesNetwork on twitter for new posts and updates.