Predicting the Phillies roster, version 3.0
CLEARWATER, Fla. — It's almost here. The Phillies, in one week, head north. They have spent almost six weeks together here in Florida, and a team that entered the spring mostly set in place has remained as such.
This is the third and final installment of our misguided stab at predicting the Phillies' opening-day roster. It should be noted that the roster on April 3 is just that, the roster on April 3. Remember Cedric Hunter?
The first two roster predictions can be found here and here.
STARTING PITCHERS (5)
Jeremy Hellickson
Jerad Eickhoff
Clay Buchholz
Vince Velasquez
Aaron Nola
Nothing has changed here. The Phillies are quite happy about that.
RELIEVERS (7)
Jeanmar Gomez
Hector Neris
Joaquin Benoit
Pat Neshek
Edubray Ramos
Luis Garcia
Joely Rodriguez
The Phillies will hold another long man audition Saturday against the Red Sox when Alec Asher, Adam Morgan and Rodriguez are scheduled to pitch. Rodriguez and Morgan have an edge because they're lefthanded, and the Phillies will need to carry at least one lefty in the bullpen. The guess here is Rodriguez, with his high-powered fastball, prevails. He used to be a starter, so he could provide length if the Phillies ever need it.
CATCHERS (2)
Cameron Rupp
Andrew Knapp
They have the option of putting three catchers on the roster, but that still appears unlikely. It has been discussed. Both Ryan Hanigan and Bryan Holaday can ask for their release this weekend. The Phillies would like it if one of them stayed in the organization and went to triple A to be Jorge Alfaro's backup.
INFIELDERS (5)
Tommy Joseph
Cesar Hernandez
Freddy Galvis
Maikel Franco
Andres Blanco
All five were locks before spring training began and still are.
OUTFIELDERS (6)
Howie Kendrick
Odubel Herrera
Michael Saunders
Aaron Altherr
Chris Coghlan
Daniel Nava
Coghlan and Nava, both on minor-league deals, could qualify as outfielder/infielder. The Phillies have to add Coghlan to the roster this weekend, or he can seek a job elsewhere, which he would be able to find. His current deal would pay him $3 million if the Phillies add him.
Nava does not have an out in his contract until June 15, but it looks like the Phillies could value Nava's experience over Brock Stassi, who would be the last player to miss making the roster in this scenario. Nava's deal would pay him $1.35 million if he's on the 25-man roster.
Both Coghlan and Nava can play first base. Coghlan could play second or third base in a pinch. They have been bench players in the majors before.
Stassi, who has had a great spring, would head to triple-A Lehigh Valley and probably be the designated hitter with a few starts at first base. If Coghlan or Nava flounder in the early portion of the season, the Phillies could summon Stassi from the minors.