With the recent trading of Ronny Paulino for Jack Taschner, the Phillies roster picture has become a lot clearer. With Paulino gone, Chris Coste is now officially the backup catcher. With Taschner brought in, it's safe to say that J.A. Happ will be in the starting rotation. The addition of Taschner also shortens up the bench by one spot as the Phillies go with a 12 man pitching staff. Here is my second attempt at predicting what the Phillies roster will look like come Opening Day. Changes from my previous projection are listed in bold.
Catchers (2): Carlos Ruiz, Chris Coste
Infielders (7): Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Pedro Feliz, Eric Bruntlett, Greg Dobbs, Miguel Cairo
Outfielders (4): Jayson Werth, Shane Victorino, Raul Ibanez, Geoff Jenkins
Starting Pitchers (5): Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Jamie Moyer, Joe Blanton, J.A. Happ
Bullpen (7): Brad Lidge, Ryan Madsen, Chad Durbin, Clay Condrey, Chan Ho Park, Scott Eyre, Jack Taschner
Will start season suspended: J.C. Romero
50 games for Romero for violating the MLB substance policy. Taschner is the second lefty in the bullpen until Romero is back.
Players on the bubble:
IF: Marcus Giles, Pablo Ozuna
A few weeks ago it appeared that Giles had the inside track in getting the utility infielder role, now it looks like Cairo is the guy due to his versatility. Giles is really just a second baseman, and with the return of Chase Utley, his role would be greatly diminished. Ozuna was always a longshot at best.
OF: Matt Stairs, John Mayberry
Matt Stairs now becomes a victim of the numbers game. The Phillies already have a left handed hitting outfielder in Geoff Jenkins so keeping Stairs around would be redundant. Miguel Cairo appears closer to making the team simply because of his right handed bat and his versatility. If the Phils found someone willing to take Jenkins' salary off their hands, they would be able to keep their postseason hero, Stairs, around. Mayberry has certainly earned a spot with a strong spring but if Stairs can't make the team then there is definitely no room for Mayberry. Let him get his at-bats in the minors so he can continue to develop.
P: Carlos Carrasco, Gary Majewski, Mike Koplove
Carrasco is still a year or two away from making the club. Majewski and Koplove were always longshots to make the team and the acquisition of Taschner makes it impossible for them to start the year in the majors.
That's the team as I see it. Did I leave anyone off? Who should or shouldn't make it from this group?
Stairs is expendable as longs as greg dobbs is around. mayberry just may stick as a right handed batter, even though I think he needs to spend g months at lehigh valley.
ReplyDeletei still think chan ho park wins that last spot then goes to the pen after happ gets just a little more seasoning. (i don't think park will last a whole season as a starter)
would hate to see them make the same mistake with happ as they did with kendrick (bringing him up too soon)