All Aboard the Manship: Phillies finalize roster

Around the time it was announced that the Phillies' exhibition season finale has been canceled due to heavy rain and/or offensive drought, the team finalized its 25 man roster to open the season. Here it is:

Catchers: Carlos Ruiz, Wil Nieves

Infielders: Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Cody Asche, Jimmy Rollins, Jayson Nix, Cesar Hernandez

Outfielders: Domonic Brown, Ben Revere, Marlon Byrd, John Mayberry Jr., Tony Gwynn Jr.

Starting Pitchers: Cliff Lee, A.J. Burnett, Kyle Kendrick, Roberto Hernandez

Relievers: Jonathan Papelbon, Antonio Bastardo, Jake Diekman, Brad Lincoln, Mario Hollands, Jeff Manship, Justin DeFratus, B.J. Rosenberg

DL: Freddy Galvis, Darin Ruf,  Mike Adams, Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez, Cole Hamels, Ethan Martin

The latest additions are Gwynn, Hollands, and Manship. Jayson Nix, acquired last night from the Rays for cash, beats out Reid Brignac for the last infield spot and seems likely to prove that sometimes there is no "right brother."

Of the thirteen position players, six are 34 or older; zero had an on-base percentage over .350; and the three additions other than Byrd each have a career OPS under .650. Nix or Hernandez will go to triple-A when Galvis returns. Once Ruf is healthy, the team will have an interesting decision to make: his power, patience and terrible defense, or Gwynn's good glovework, speed, and non-existant bat?

Jeff Manship, world-cass porn name notwithstanding, has a career 6.42 ERA. Hollands, a 25 year-old lefty swingman with deception, was left unprotected off the 40-man roster this winter and has a career 3.93 ERA in the minors. They seem the two guys most likely to be optioned when Adams and Hamels return, hopefully in April.

Opening Day is Monday.