clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

The Roster

It's actually not quite finished: one spot remains open, presumably pending a possible trade. But the Phillies have 24 of their 25 opening pieces in place as of late Sunday, and here they are:

Catchers (2): Rod Barajas, Carlos Ruiz

Infielders (6): Greg Dobbs, Wes Helms, Ryan Howard, Abraham Nunez, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley

Outfielders (5): Michael Bourn, Pat Burrell, Aaron Rowand, Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth

Starting Pitchers (5): Adam Eaton, Cole Hamels, Jamie Moyer, Brett Myers, Zach Segovia

Relief Pitchers (6): Antonio Alfonseca, Clay Condrey, Geoff Geary, Tom Gordon, Ryan Madson, Matt Smith

Disabled List (4): C Ryan Budde, C Chris Coste, SP Freddy Garcia, RP Jon Lieber

It seems to me that there's more than the usual flexibility here. Victorino and Bourn are both viable options at all three outfield positions, Dobbs is a true "four corners" guy, Helms can play first or third (though God help us if he's needed for more than a half-dozen or so games at first...), Werth is fine in all three outfield spots and can catch in an emergency, Nunez can play anywhere in the infield. Injured Jon Lieber can start or relieve, as can his replacement, Segovia. Maybe Jimy Williams as bench coach will push Charlie Manuel to better leverage these potential tactical advantages.

As to that 25th spot, the Phillies Pravda piece linked above suggests it will be a pitcher. If there's no deal, relief prospect Joe Bisenius might make the team after all. He'd be the fourth rookie on the roster, joining Segovia, Dobbs, and Bourn.

On the injury front, it sounds like the Phils are going to be prudent with both Garcia and Lieber, the two most important walking wounded. Garcia is set for two rehab starts in Florida, April 5 and 10; if all goes well, he'll likely make his Phillies debut April 15 at home against Houston. Lieber is set for an extended Spring Training start on Wednesday, April 4.

This is it. It's been a long off-season with, it seems to me, more than the usual ups and downs. I'm just deeply happy to have real baseball back. Here's hoping it's a great ride for all of us.