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| Photo by Richard Wilkins Jr. |
A few more days into camp, we now know a little bit more about the 2014 Phillies roster. We know that Ronnie Cedeno isn't making the team, and we know that Bobby Abreu's decision day is now Sunday. We also know that David Buchanan will take his first couple of turns with Lehigh Valley, and the Phillies will carry four starting pitchers.
Beyond that, the mechanics of this haven't changed since my last post, really. There are 37 people on the 40 man, and that means they can add three guys by Monday. Coincidentally, they have about three spots open right now without a front-runner on the roster. Right now, the following are locks:
- Starting Rotation- Lee, Burnett, Kendrick, Hernandez
- Line-Up- Revere, Rollins, Utley, Howard, Byrd, Brown, Ruiz, Asche
- Bench- Nieves, Hernandez
- Bullpen- Papelbon, Bastardo, Diekman, De Fratus, Rosenberg
Now, I know, I put a few surprises on there for you. Hernandez, all we've read, was a long shot from day one, is a lock. He has a 40 man spot, he can play at least five positions, and he was good last year in AAA, so why not? De Fratus had a great spring, while Rosenberg was good last year, so they are also in good shape, since someone has to make the bullpen.
What does this leave? A back-up infielder, two back-up outfielders, and two bullpen slots. At least three of these can be non-roster invitees, though I'd suggest that someone like Garcia or Horst could lose their 40 man slot, and Mayberry would if he doesn't make the team. Who wins these battles?
- Back-Up Infielder- The only real candidate in camp is Reid Brignac. I can't imagine what else the Phillies will do internally here. The options are Brignac, go outside, or not carry one. I'm going to say that Brignac looks solid here to me.
- Back-Up Outfielders- I'm leaning here that Abreu and Mayberry edge out Gwynn Jr. here. That's not what I would want to see, but it's what i'm guessing happens. Mayberry's ability to play first keeps him here, for now. I think Abreu, the likely DH in Texas, is their primary lefty bat off the bench. I'm still hoping to see Gwynn Jr. make the team.
- Bullpen- Based on Abreu and Brignac making it under my prediction, the Phillies have one more 40 man slot to use. This isn't good news for Brad Lincoln and Phillippe Aumont. This puts Shawn Camp and Jeff Manship in the running. If I had to guess right now, I'd guess on the non-roster guys, as they bring more to the table. Camp has at least as much ability as the two rostered guys, and Manship can be a valuable long man. Of course, there's only one spot though on the 40 man for them, unless they cut Garcia or Horst. I'm going to therefore bet on Lincoln and Manship, even though, again, I don't like it.
