The Phillies made three major trades last week: Jonathan Papelbon to the Washington Nationals, Cole Hamels to the Texas Rangers, and Ben Revere to the Toronto Blue Jays. The trades netted the Phillies eight prospects that came into the system. Here is a breakdown of which prospects landed in each location, and what happened to each club's roster to make room.
Nick Pivetta, received in exchange for Jonathan Papelbon
Pivetta was assigned to AA Reading. Pivetta had only three starts at AA under his belt prior to joining the Fightin' Phils. The 22 year-old got roughed up in his first start for Reading, going five innings and allowing seven earned runs. Pivetta could begin next season in Reading, too, given his age and experience.
Jake Thompson, received in exchange for Cole Hamels and Jake Diekman
Thompson will be assigned to AA Reading, though he has yet to be added to the roster. Thompson last pitched a week ago for AA Frisco. For the Rough Riders, Thompson went 6-6 with a 4.72 ERA. Thompson could be added to AA Reading Tuesday, whose listed starter is TBD. Another roster move will need to occur first before he gets assigned.
Alec Asher, received in exchange for Cole Hamels and Jake Diekman
Asher is assigned to AAA Lehigh Valley. The IronPigs are currently in Norfolk to take on the Norfolk Tides. Asher will make his first start in the Phillies organization tonight. Asher is 3-6 with a 4.73 earned run average in AAA this season.
Jerad Eikhoff, received in exchange for Cole Hamels and Jake Diekman
Eikhoff is assigned to AAA Lehigh Valley. Eikhoff pitched two games for AA Frisco, but has spent most of 2015 with AAA Round Rock. Eikoff has appeared in 20 games, with 19 of them being starts. Combined, Eikoff is 10-4 with a 4.11 earned run average. Eikhoff has not appeared in a game for the IronPigs just yet.
Jorge Alfaro, received in exchange for Cole Hamels and Jake Diekman
Alfaro is on the disabled list for AA Reading. Alfaro was placed on the disabled list on June 13 after breaking his ankle. The injury was called "significant" and Alfaro may or may not play again in 2015. Reading has 2013 second-round draft pick Andrew Knapp starting at catcher for the time being.
Nick Williams, received in exchange for Cole Hamels and Jake Diekman
Williams will be assigned to AA Reading, though he has yet to be added to the roster. The outfielder has spent this season at AA Frisco, batting .299 with 13 home runs and 45 runs batted in. To accommodate Williams, the Fightin' Phils will have to make a corresponding roster move.
Jimmy Cordero, received from Toronto in exchange for Ben Revere
Cordero is assigned to AA Reading. The reliever already made his debut for the Fightin Phils on Saturday, allowing two earned runs in one inning. Cordero has appeared in 33 games so far in 2015 for Class A Dunedin, AA New Hampshire, and now AA Reading, going 0-1 with a 3.00 earned run average. Cordero has been clocked pitching at 102 miles per hour.
Alberto Tirado, received from Toronto in exchange for Ben Revere
Tirado had the shortest distance to move of all those traded: Tirado will be assigned to Class A Clearwater after pitching for nearby Class A Dunedin upon the Threshers' return from a road trip. Tirado has appeared in 31 games in relief for Dunedin, going 4-3 with a 3.23 earned run average.
Who exited to make room for these players?
Here is a quick summary of some of the transactions thus far that made room for the new prospects at the various levels.
- Outfielder Kelly Dugan was promoted to AAA Lehigh Valley; outfielder Jordan Danks took Revere's MLB roster spot
- AAA pitcher Juan Rodriguez was given his outright release
- David Buchanan moved from AAA Lehigh Valley to the majors
- Pitcher Colton Murray moved from AA Reading to AAA Lehigh Valley
- Pitcher Chris Leroux moved from AA Reading to AAA Lehigh Valley
- Pitcher Ethan Martin, at AA Reading, was moved to the disabled list
There are two more moves to make.
Potentially in trouble: infielder Harold Martinez. Martinez once was a prospect that ranked ahead of Maikel Franco at third base. Lately, Martinez has bounced from one lower-level to another, filling whatever position happened to be open.
Pitcher Joelys Rodriguez, acquired for Antonio Bastardo, has disappointed and might not make the cut. Rodriguez was demoted to AA after going 2-6 with a 6.32 earned run average. Rodriguez has hardly been better at AA Reading, going 3-2 with a 5.93 earned run average. Having lost a rotation spot, Rodriguez also occupies a 40-man roster spot that the Phillies might wish to have back.
