Phillies Sign Right-Hander Max Kranick to Split Contract
The 33-year-old reliever will receive a non-roster invite to spring training.
By Lucia Herrera ·
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Max Kranick is set to receive a split contract and a non-roster invite to spring training, according to The Athletic reporter Will Sammon.
The specific financial terms of the agreement have not yet been disclosed. A split contract establishes two different salary rates depending on the player's level. If Kranick serves on the major league roster, he will earn one amount. If he remains in the minor leagues, he will earn a separate, lower amount. The Phillies used this structure for pitcher Garrett Stubbs in each of the last two seasons. Stubbs’ 2026 deal paid him $925,000 if he was in the majors and $575,000 if he was at Triple-A. This structure typically provides a higher relative income for players in the minors to encourage patience within the organization.
Kranick was selected in the 11th round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He attended Valley View High School in Archbald, Pennsylvania. He has appeared in 52 major league games, including nine starts, for the Pirates, New York Mets and Washington Nationals. His career earned run average stands at 5.55.
His recent performance has been mixed. Kranick struggled in 17 appearances for the Nationals during the 2025 season, posting a 9.33 earned run average. He was working out of the bullpen at the time and had recently recovered from flexor tendon surgery. In the 2024 season, he performed better for the Mets, finishing with a 3.65 earned run average in 24 games.
Health has been a primary concern in Kranick's career. In addition to the flexor tendon injury, he underwent Tommy John surgery in June of 2022.
The Phillies plan to give Kranick a chance to pitch as a starter. The team currently fields one of baseball’s strongest starting rotations, featuring Cristopher Sánchez, Jesús Luzardo, Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola and Andrew Painter. Building depth behind such a strong core group often requires signing players with potential, and Kranick represents one such opportunity.
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