What are the Phillies doing? The team appears to be up to something. Just what exactly, remains to be seen.
Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly reports that the Phillies are trying to slip Rule 5 pick Andy Oliver through waivers:
It does not appear as if lefty Andy Oliver will win a spot in the bullpen.
According to a major league source, Oliver is on waivers. As a Rule 5 player, he could end up on another major-league roster or be offered back to the Pittsburgh Pirates. If Oliver clears waivers, the Phillies could look to acquire him from Pittsburgh in a trade.
So four days before the opener, the Phillies don’t know the final makeup of their bullpen.
Oliver is pretty much feast or famine. In 12 innings pitched, Oliver has struck out 21 batters. However, he has also walked 10.
The Phillies' website lists an active roster of 25 right now on their website that includes Oliver. However, there are also injured players on the roster, so it is not an indication as to who will make the team. While other teams are making final roster decisions, the Phillies may make a move or two, and to do so, the Phillies might have to create 40-man roster room.
Subtracting Oliver leaves the Phillies with 37. However, the Phillies need to add an infielder, whether it be Andres Blanco or someone yet to be acquired. That leaves one space for an incoming starter and one for the bullpen. The Phillies could create more room by moving reliever Mario Hollands to the 60-day disabled list, since his injury should keep him out longer than that.
With the flexibility to move Hollands to the 60-day disabled list, it is surprising that the team would not just take a chance on Andy Oliver. The Pittsburgh Pirates will have the option to take Oliver back for $25,000. If the Pirates decline, the Phillies could let Oliver try to gain control at AAA and see if the strikeout talent can ever lose the walks. Still, in a rebuilding Phillies team, why not try in the big leagues?
The Phillies bullpen will likely include:
- Jonathan Papelbon (CL)
- Ken Giles (RHP)
- Jake Diekman (LHP)
- Justin DeFratus (RHP)
- Luis Garcia (RHP)
That means the Phillies need at the very least another left-handed reliever (Cesar Jimenez?) and someone who could be a long man (Jeanmar Gomez?).
Additionally, the Phillies seem to be very down on Darin Ruf. In recent weeks, Ruf has exclusively played first base, as if the Phillies have no plans to use him in the outfield. With Ryan Howard at first base, finding room on the roster for Ruf will be difficult if the Phillies carry five outfielders. On the bench there is room for two backup infielders and two backup outfielders.
The infield positions need to include a capable backup at third base, second base, and shortstop. Cesar Hernandez can fit the bill at second base, while being able to play third base or shortstop in a pinch. Andres Blanco could be the backup shortstop, should the Phillies add him to the roster.
The starting outfield appears to be the all-lefty Ben Revere, Odubel Herrera, and Grady Sizemore to start, while Jordan Danks could be on the roster while Domonic Brown recovers. That would seem to give the Phillies the need for a right-handed bat. Ruf could back up Howard and pinch hit, but that could leave the Phillies short. If the Phillies are willing to use Herrera in the infield too, there could be some added flexibility.
But at the end of Grapefruit League action, the Phillies need another starter, need a backup infielder, and now seem to need a bullpen piece. Not all of those answers seem to be internal. So, the Phillies are likely to acquire someone.
