Posted by Frank Klose
Courtesy poppel.com
According to John Clark on Phillies Post Game Show on MyPhl17, the Phillies will option infielder Pete Orr to the minor leagues to make room for Chase Utley on the active roster before tomorrow's game at Citizens Bank Park.
I am pretty disappointed that Orr was optioned to the minor leagues. Compared to Michael Martinez, Orr has major league experience that the team could really use right now. While Orr was just hitting .230, Martinez is hitting .194. Further, Orr's speed could come in more handy as the last man off the bench than others.
Martinez probably was kept on the roster over Orr for two reasons.
First, Orr had a minor-league option remaining on his deal. An "option" means that a team may send the player up and down to the minors as much as they want. All players come to the major leauegs with three option years. After the third, they must be subject to waivers before they could be sent to the minor leagues. Martinez, a Rule 5 draft pick, would have to be offered back to the Nationals should the Phillies give up his roster spot.
Second, Martinez can play center field. Because Shane Victorino is on the disabled list with an injury, the Phillies have no natural center fielder. The Phillies have, however, signed outfielder Scott Podsednik to a deal, and he may replace Martinez on the roster going forward.
Overall, I would recommend the Phillies simply try to work out a trade with the Nationals or hope the Nationals do not wish to spend a roster spot to take Martinez back, should they need an upgrade on the major league roster. The Nationals have many prospects of their own and Martinez may not be a priority.
Bottom line: the offense is not working right now, and every little upgrade offensively means so much right now. I would have kept Pete Orr.
