Phillies DFA Taschner, call up Lopez

So long, Jack Taschner, it was nice getting to know you on "The Pen". The Phillies designated the lefty for assignment today, making room for Rodrigo Lopez, who will start tonight's game against the Mets. Taschner, who was originally acquired from the Giants back in March, departs the team sporting an ERA of 5.20 and a WHIP of 1.95. He has been particularly atrocious lately, so this move comes as no surprise.

Here is the updated list of Phillies bullpen roles:

Long relief:
Chan Ho Park
Chad Durbin

Situational Lefty:
Sergio Escalona

6th inning:
Tyler Walker

7th inning:
Chad Durbin

8th inning:
J.C. Romero
Ryan Madson

Closer:
Brad Lidge

Phillies lose out on Sheffield, finalize bullpen

That didn't take long. After hearing grumblings all morning that the Mets had interest in Gary Sheffield, the 40 year old slugger has already signed a deal with New York. The Phillies had expressed interest in bringing Sheffield in as a pinch hitter but he opted for the extra playing time he will get with the Mets as he platoons with Ryan Church in the outfield.

Sheffield never looked like a great fit for the Phils and I'm not at all upset that they didn't sign him. Sheff would have likely been more trouble than he was worth as he would have surely complained about not getting enough at bats. He will get some big hits for the Mets but I don't think he swings the division in their favor or anything.

While they lost out on Sheffield, the Phillies did announce their final bullpen spots today. Lefties J.A. Happ and Jack Taschner will round out the bullpen as the Phillies Opening Day roster appears to be set:

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, Matt Stairs

Starting Pitchers (5): Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Jamie Moyer, Joe Blanton, Chan Ho Park

Bullpen (7): Brad Lidge, Ryan Madsen, Chad Durbin, Clay Condrey, Scott Eyre, Jack Taschner, J.A. Happ

Keeping Happ is an interesting choice because it gives the bullpen a third lefty, an option that this team doesn't usually have. Chances are they kept Happ to help raise his spirits after missing out on the rotation spot to Chan Ho Park, and you can bet that Happ will be getting all of the available spot starts.

All that is left now for the Phillies is confirm whether Miguel Cairo has made the team or they will be bringing in another right handed bench bat, not that there are a lot of options left out there.

Phillies acquire lefty Jack Taschner for Ronny Paulino, roster looks to be taking shape

Well, that didn't take long! Two days after the Phillies announced that they were looking to trade catcher Ronny Paulino, they found a taker: the San Francisco Giants acquired Paulino from the Phils for lefty reliever Jack Taschner. The trade of Paulino officially makes Chris Coste the backup catcher for this season, or until Lou Marson is ready. The acquisition of Taschner will have a domino affect on the final Opening Day roster spots and also tells us who will win the 5th starter spot.

Taschner, 31, will be the Phillies second lefty option out of the pen after Scott Eyre. Taschner lost his spot in the Giants bullpen seemingly the moment they brought in Jeremy Affeldt in the offseason, so he became expendable. He hasn't put up great numbers in the past, including a career ERA over 5, so I wouldn't expect him to start mowing hitters down now. He is likely expected to hold down his spot for about 50 games, or until J.C. Romero is back from suspension.

This trade gives the Phillies 12 pitching spots for their Opening Day roster and it likely means that J.A. Happ has won the 5th starter spot and Chan Ho Park will start the season in the bullpen. If Happ was going to be starting the year in the bullpen, the Phils would have no reason to go out and get another lefty.

This move also means that the Phillies will have one less bat for their bench, meaning either Matt Stairs or Miguel Cairo has to go. The smart money right now would be on Cairo winning the spot because the Phillies need another right handed bat, but it's still tough seeing Stairs getting cut. The Phils could always trade Geoff Jenkins and keep Stairs around, although I doubt anyone would want to take on Jenkins' salary.

Ronny Paulino was acquired from the Pirates in the offseason for catcher Jason Jaramillo, so this trade essentially works out as Jaramillo for Taschner. While Taschner is nothing special, he will fill a specific role that the Phillies really needed.

In all, a nice move by GM Ruben Amaro but nothing to get too excited about.