The Phillies opened a couple roster spots ahead of the Winter Meetings, which begin today in Orlando, Florida by placing outfielder Cameron Perkins and infielder Engelb Vielma on waivers. Should either player have cleared waivers, the Phillies may have hoped to retain either by outrighting them to the minor leagues. The strategy did not work for Perkins.
According to Devan Fink of SB Nation, the Seattle Mariners have claimed Perkins on waivers from the Phillies.
The move is somewhat surprising, being that Perkins is 27 years old and batted just .182 in the 42 at bats he had with the Phillies big league club. Perkins is, however, the type of player very useful in an organization, able to swing between Triple-A and the major leagues, providing decent defense and able to sub all three outfield positions and first base in a pinch. Usually players such as Perkins fall in to the "Quadruple-A" category and clear waivers.
The Mariners may try to put Perkins through waivers themselves next time they need a roster spot and try to keep him in their organization. The Phillies may have employed that strategy when they claimed Vielma, who was put through waivers at the same time. No update has been made on Vielma's status as of this time.
The Phillies organization loses a player very popular with fans during his stops at Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Perkins spent parts of the three seasons with the IronPigs along with parts of two seasons with the Fightin' Phils.
