Well, the last two days have brought some interesting roster cuts, and a lot of offense, and yes, green uniforms. While your lucky charms might be getting a bit soggy by today, the race for the roster is heating up. What's the news of note?
- Justin De Fratus and Jake Diekman will be up the turnpike from Philadelphia in Allentown, as both were optioned out of camp on Sunday morning. Considering how high on these two the organization has been, I'm a little surprised by this move, for it's timing. I thought they'd hang in at least another week.
- Yuniesky Betancourt could be a trade candidate? Apparently the Cardinals want him, which is no shock. I don't see much chance that Betancourt wouldn't opt out next Sunday, because I don't believe the Phillies will option down Galvis and keep him. With that in mind, and the Cardinals interest, I see no reason not to look for some kind of minor league depth for him.
- Michael Cisco, Chris Duffy, and Gauntlett Eldemire were all shipped out of minor league camp, Cisco just given to the Angels and the others cut. These moves are a necessary part of the late spring, as the team makes long term decisions about whether a player fits into the plan.
- The Phillies hit the hell out of the ball today, but lost 17-10 to Atlanta. Cliff Lee pitched in the minor league game, but it's nice to see the line-up hit.
So now, with all this news, what's the roster gonna look like?
- Rotation: Hamels, Halladay, Lee, Kendrick, Lannan.
- Line-Up: Rollins-SS, Revere-CF, Utley-2B, Howard-1B, M. Young-3B, Brown-LF, Mayberry/Nix-RF, Kratz-C. In the running: Ruf-RF/LF.
- Bullpen: Papelbon, Adams, Durbin, Bastardo, Aumont, Horst, Valdes. In the running: Stutes, Cook.
- Bench: Mayberry/Nix, Frandsen, Inciarte, Galvis, Quintero. In the running: J. Mitchell, Ruf.
- DL: D. Young
- Restricted: Ruiz
- 40 Man, Inactive: Valle, Hernandez, Ruf, Gillies, Collier, Cloyd, Pettibone, Martin, Stutes, De Fratus, Diekman, Savery, Rosenberg, Robles.
I'd love to see us strike a deal to stash Inciarte in AA ball, perhaps moving someone from a 40 man slot who is out of favor right now, then use the two slots to add Cook and Mitchell, but I'm doubtful. This is what I see shaking out right now.
So then, the AAA club:
- Rotation: Cloyd, Pettibone, Lopez, Martin, Cochran. In the running: Bass, Morgan.
- Line-Up: Gillies-CF, Hernandez-2B, J. Mitchell-RF, Ruf-LF, Joseph-C, Fields-1B, Overbeck-DH/1B, Orr-3B, Blanco-SS. In the running: Asche-3B, Martinez, Valle-C.
- Bullpen: Stutes, De Fratus, Diekman, Rosenberg, Robles, Savery, Jimenez. In the running: Friend, Ramirez, Simon.
- Bench: Lerud, Martinez, D. Mitchell, Hanzawa. In the running: Suomi, Susdorf.
I hope this is the team, for the most part. Asche will get to AAA this team, he doesn't have to out of camp. On to AA:
- Rotation: Morgan, Rodriguez, Hyatt, Biddle, Buchanan. In the running: Wright, Colvin, Hollands.
- Line-Up: Collier-CF, James-RF, Asche-3B, Murphy-1B, Castro-LF, Valle-C, Hewitt-DH, Murphy-2B, Duran-SS.
- Bullpen: Friend, Simon, Ramirez, Hollands, Lafferty, Shreve, Whatcott.
- Bench: Susdorf, Suomi, Abreu, Tolbert.
Not a lot of changes. So, what about a stab at Clearwater?
- Rotation: Wright, Colvin, Garner, Stewart, Garcia.
- Line-Up: Altherr-RF, Hudson-CF, Dugan-LF, Franco-3B, Rupp-C, Martinez-1B, Alonso-DH, Cartwright-2B, Quinn-SS.
- Bullpen: Sosa, O'Sullivan, Neris, Rosin, Johnson, Murray, Knigge.
- Bench: Hill, Alvarez, Serritella, Gallagher.
I know this isn't going to be right- but hey, it's worth a stab.
