yay! loved this guy

Assuming Werth starts, he has to be the righthanded pinch hitter we have right now (Marson, as much as I love him, is still untested above Double-A). While that’s a sad statement in and of itself, it means that Iguchi is a solid pickup.

Here’s a question: Tad will likely qualify as a Type B free agent per the Elias rankings (per Tiger’s Thoughts). If the Phils offer him arbitration, will they be able to receive a supplemental pick if he signs elsewhere? Or will this situation play out like last year (where they didn’t receive a pick because of a clause in his White Sox contract)?

It’s a nice acquisition either way, but if there’s potential draft pick compensation, then it’s a very underrated move IMO.

…that they DFA’d Swindle to make room for Iguchi.

Now look, I realize Swindle struggled in his brief time in the majors, but isn’t it at least possible that he could have some worth as a LOOGY? Especially with the expansion of rosters, when Cholly can afford to go matchups late in close games. Whether he clears waivers or not is irrelevant at this point, because the Phils’ brass has clearly shown that they gave Swindle his one and only shot, and he’s classified as organizational filler at this point.

Put it this way: why DFA Swindle but keep Bohn on the 40-man? That qualifies as batshit crazy.

It depends. He’ll have to clear waivers first, but with expanded rosters right now, it wouldn’t be that difficult for someone to keep him on a major league roster. If I’m a team with any kind of roster flexibility, I certainly think about giving Swindle a shot as a LOOGY.

But seriously, what does T.J. Bohn bring to the table? If he isn’t good enough to get called up when rosters expand — while Jenkins is on the DL, mind you — then why keep him instead of Swindle?

I was thinking tonight—probably because after this loss, my thoughts are turning in a certain direction—that maybe the idea with Iguchi is to bring him back as a bench player for next season. As a middle infielder and a pinch-hitter, and probably a pinch-runner, he’s a clear upgrade on Bruntlett. The lousy numbers he put up as a regular in San Diego probably ended his realistic aspirations toward an everyday job. Manuel loves him and the team seems to as well.

A bench starting with Dobbs, Stairs and Iguchi isn’t bad.

I’m intrigued by that possibility, but I wonder how well Iguchi can play the other infield spots. He hasn’t played SS since 2000, and he didn’t really have any interest in playing 3B for the Phils last year.

I’m still on the “have Donald play 3B and 2B in the AzFL” bandwagon, with an eye toward letting him replace Bruntlett next year. Give me Dobbs, Stairs, and Donald, sign someone to replace Taguchi as 5th OF, and we’re in business.