The Phillies have announced the release of veteran outfielder/infielder Chris Coghlan. He was an Article XX(B) free agent, meaning today was the deadline for the organization either to promise him an active roster spot or commit to paying him a $100K retention bonus.
Coghlan, 31, had signed a minors pact over the offseason and seemingly had a good chance of cracking the rebuilding Phillies’ roster. But he didn’t do much to win a job with his performance in the Grapefruit League. Coghlan ended up with a .231/.319/.282 batting line in camp.
Still, the veteran has done enough in recent years to think he’s still plenty capable of functioning as a handy MLB bench piece, featuring defensive versatility and quality production against righties. While he got off to a terrible start last season, he finished strong with a .252/.391/.388 batting line over his final 128 plate appearances.
With Coghlan on his way back onto the open market, the Phils may be set to turn to Brock Stassi as a bench option. He certainly has done all he can this spring to earn a shot, with a .320/.370/.680 batting line in game action.
That said, there could be something else afoot, according to Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer (via Twitter). The organization may end up dealing a pitcher off of its 40-man roster in a swap that would deliver an alternative bench option, Gelb suggests.
Did Jesmual Valentine make the bench then?
Bench is Knapp, Altherr, Blanco, Stassi, and Nava
Good. He wasn’t worth $3 million
but considering the payroll of the team currently, that shouldnt make an ounce of difference to any of us.
Could head back to the Cubs. He seems to like leaving only to come back soon after
hope it’s not Alec Asher that gets traded
Why? He’s a 5th starter/swingman guy long term.
It is
Very surprised. Before the spring began i figured he was a lock to make the team.
Luis Garcia needs to go
Completely agree.
No, they won’t clear two 2 roster spots and since Stassi and Nava both aren’t on roster, only 1 or none will make the team. Otherwise Jesse Valentin seems to be a lock.
They could. Luis Garcia and maybe Tyler Goedell…if there is no trade.
Excellent news! While Couglan is/was a decent major league bench player, with versatility, he seemed destined to be this year’s Peter Bourjous…a player with no real long-term purpose on a team going nowhere, simply around to take at-bats and playing/developmental time away from younger players. Glad to see the Phillies cut bait.
As long as he is okay with staying in AAA.
Just trade Asher for cash or PTBNL from Orioles
Chris Coghlan’s not sweating his release. He’ll find a gig somewhere, then be part of the Cubs 25-man active roster by August 31st and their postseason roster in October. lol