In just a few weeks, the Phillies will start arriving in Clearwater. In years gone by, picking the roster has been easy, and it still is for some guys. The 25 man roster will have some of the regulars of recent years, but the depth isn't there anymore. The 2014 spring training camp will have more legitimate competitions than recent years, and could have more surprises.
So who gets onto this roster? It starts with the position players, and this area seems pretty well set, at least to me. While there's a very remote shot that third base is competitive between Asche and Franco, not much else is up for grabs coming into camp:
- Revere- CF
- Rollins- SS
- Utley- 2B
- Howard- 1B
- Brown- LF
- Byrd- RF
- Ruiz- C
- Asche- 3B
The next part of the roster in question is the rotation, and for the first time in a bit, it's an open question. There's no doubt that Hamels and Lee will be the top two in any order you want, but after that it's a pretty open question. Kyle Kendrick has a contract, and Miguel Gonzalez wasn't signed to pitch in AAA. Roberto Hernandez has a guaranteed deal, so you should pencil him in, but is Jon Pettibone destined for AAA? How about Chad Gaudin, coming off a good year, does he have a shot? My list right now:
- Lee- LHP
- Hamels- LHP
- Gonzalez- RHP
- Hernandez- RHP
- Kendrick- RHP
Last year, the Phillies were done in by a poor bullpen, for the second straight year. Once again, and this sounds like a broken record, they should be better in 2014. I go into this season hoping the competition will bring about a better group. My predicted bullpen is:
- Closer- Papelbon
- 8th Inning Set-Up- Adams
- 8th Inning Set-Up- Diekman
- Lefty- Bastardo
- 7th Inning- Lincoln
- 7th Inning- De Fratus
- Long Man- Gaudin
I was tempted to put Ethan Martin on, but I'm guessing he starts out starting in AAA. B.J. Rosenberg also will be close if he comes in like he pitched in the second half of last year. Horst, Stutes, Savery, and Aumont all will be lucky to make this team.
So then, the bench. The bench has been the point of contention for me all off-season. The Phillies gave a lot of deals out to guys I wasn't thrilled to see sign this off-season. So what will end up as the team?
- Catcher- Wil Nieves
- Right-Handed Bat/Outfielder/First Baseman- Darin Ruf
- Left-Handed Bat/Outfielder- Bobby Abreu
- Infielder- Kevin Frandsen
- Utility Man- Cesar Hernandez
I'm probably going the furthest out on my limb here. Nieves should emerge from the scrum of five catchers competing for a spot in camp. Ruf is probably not a lock going in, but he's a strong candidate to make this team. He offers a righty bat at first base if needed, he can play the corners in the outfield, and he can hit for power. That's where it gets hard. I picked Abreu to come into camp and play well, and be the lefty bat off this bench. That leaves four guys for two spots. I think Kevin Frandsen will make it, though I don't agree with that idea. I picked Hernandez to beat out Freddy Galvis here, because he can play center field. I think Mayberry is in some trouble now, because Abreu is lefty, and more offensively useful. If I picked this team, Galvis would make it, but I'm guessing he starts in AAA at shortstop.
