The Phillies have announced the signings of eight players to minor league deals with spring training invites. The list includes multiple players who could presumably play a role on the big league team if it deals from its current roster.
The list of announced players is as follows:
- Infielder Andres Blanco
- Outfielder Brian Bogusevic
- Infielder/outfielder Russ Canzler
- Infielder/outfielder Chase d’Arnaud
- Outfielder Jeff Francoeur
- Catcher John Hester
- Outfielder Darin Mastroianni
- Outfielder Xavier Paul
Every player on that list has MLB experience, and many have fairly extensive time in the bigs. Francoeur, of course, is a former top prospect and long-time starter who spent time both playing in the outfield and pitching last year in the Padres organization. He is one of several signees who could provide options if the Phillies were to move any of their current outfielders. The infield-capable members of this list may create some flexibility as well.
At various times, all of Marlon Byrd, Ben Revere, and Domonic Brown have found their names as rumored trade candidates. Though shortstop Jimmy Rollins and, to a lesser extent, second baseman Chase Utley have both been named as potential trade chips as well, those players enjoy full no-trade protection and appear less likely to be dealt.
Frenchy never recovered from the Sports illustrated cover curse
Wasn’t that- his swing got screwed up after playing golf in ST with Smoltzie and Tiger Woods. Never really recovered.
Ahh, yes, the “Can anybody be this good?” cover.
I come from the future to say, yes, a player can be that good. However, that player is not Jeff Francoeur.
Who was it? Lol
Everyone, your 2015 Phillies starting lineup!
You know, Mastroianni has played 2B. Put him, Blanco, and XP up the middle with Canzler and Chase at the corners and Francoeur and Bogusevic in right and left, and you’ve got… well, you’ve got the worst team in baseball.
I think our Cubs in August 2012 would have had a hard time beating them…
Frenchy Rocks!
Best Move the Phillies have made this off-season!
I am serious! =P
Glad to hear he’s better than the six other guys that received a minor league contract, considering that’s really all that the Phillies have done so far this off season.
Think I like the Sizemore signing better.
Just about every one of these guys could crack the 2015 Phils opening day roster, and that is not a criticism. Especially for a team which needs to unload some hefty contracts, it’s never a bad idea to sign a bunch of these types and see who pans out.
How has RAJ not dumped his stars yet? They could’ve expedited the rebuilding process by a few years already, but instead they’re letting the value of their current players depreciate.
well right now in hold till Lester, Shields, Max are signed right?
They only really missed on trading Cliff Lee (when the Dodgers claimed him) and at that time there was still optimism that 2012 was a fluke. Rollins blocked a Dee Gordon/Jimmy Rollins trade a few years ago, Hamels would’ve brought back a package headlined by Mike Olt (maybe they could’ve gotten CJ Edwards too but Olt was the centerpiece), Howard was always untradeable and the prospects in the Victorino and Pence deals flamed out.
Honestly, they wouldn’t be better off. Maybe they could’ve gotten something for Chase but he’s going to retire a Phillie.
I’d say we don’t know about the Pence deal yet, honestly. If, somehow, Tommy Joseph manages to not get concussed or tear his arm open for a few years running, he’s got a shot. He’s still crazy young (only 22? I could have sworn he was older), and his bat has been on the upswing lately.
That said, the odds are definitely against him, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up a total bust.
Dumped as in simply traded them away for salary relief? Because there’s literally no point in that.
Nobody said salary relief.
That’s sort of what “dumped” implies.
Last year I loved the Tony Gwynn and Grady Sizemore signings from the moment they got announced, I’m going to make a call that Frenchy and Paul make some type of contribution this year.
May I ask why you loved any of those signings at any point in time?
Sizemore looked like a solid 4th outfielder on a team that was running out a 5th outfielder every day in LF. Gwynn had a shot to be as good as JMJ… Then he wasn’t, but we traded JMJ, so we needed someone to take his spot anyway.
Little moves are important.
Looks like the Phillies are rebuilding on their roster and the only way to do it is remove Rollins Utley and Howard
Come again? Rollins is still one of the better SS in baseball, and his contract ends after this coming year. Utley is still one of the better 2B in baseball, and while his contract could be long, it essentially gets nullified if he gets injured for an extended period.
Howard’s really not worth moving at this point, because he brings back so little – even in pure salary relief. Given that the team isn’t on the cusp of contending, there’s no reason to take such a massive financial hit just to be able to say “Ryan Howard isn’t on this team anymore.”
Your saying keep all three I don’t think so Phillies don’t have enough money for all three vets
Um… First of all, the Phillies can’t move any of them. Rollins and Utley have 10 & 5 rights, meaning they can veto literally any trade. The only way to get rid of them is via outright release (which saves them a whole $500K/year for the rest of their contracts), or them consenting to a trade, and both have said they want to retire as Phillies. That said, they’re not going to put anybody there this year who’s any better, so it’s not like they’re realistically blocking some stud prospect or a young FA they managed to acquire.
Howard doesn’t have 10 & 5, but his contract is so much heavier than his value right now that it doesn’t matter. You’d have to eat too much to trade him to make it worth trading him.
Amaro signs Francoeur. Such a Rube move.