Phillies Roster Push to Contention
Bullpen – Based on complete speculation on my part (bit isn’t it all)
Morgan, LHP – Does not seem like the door is completely locked shut on his possibly returning to a starting role, but it is closed for now, with the hand on the bolt.
Windle, LHP – Was moved to the pen in the middle of last season. He has gotten his fastball to touch 96 and can pitch to righties and lefties. His control has been an issue this season, but he has time to clean it up before next year.
Gonzalez, RHP – His velocity has increased since a move to a pen, but his control has not diminished. I do think he can have some success out there in the pen in the long run.
FA Reliever – There are plenty of veteran relievers the Phillies could bring in on cheap deals to stabilize an otherwise very young bullpen.
Cordero, RHP – I love the upside in him. He touches 102, but mostly sits 97-100 (la-dee-dah, right?). Injury has plagued his development this season, but I am hoping that he comes back with enough time to show dominance in AAA, so he can start the year in the majors next season.
Neris, RHP – He has straightened himself back out quite a bit. When he is able to throw his split for strikes, he is virtually unhittable. Could be a closer.
Ramos, RHP – Not much to be said here. The early returns are that he has the stuff to close. We are going to see as this year progresses how the league adjusts to him, and then he to it.
What we have here is hope for next year. Will it all happen? Will any of it? I have no idea. The Phillies have a plan and it is more than likely smarter than mine.
However, I would like to see the young kids get a taste of winning next season. Short term deals with big money payouts are very possible for the Phillies. Let the kids learn the ropes while winning some games.
Jim Salisbury wrote an article after Andy MacPhail’s state of the Phillies press conference yesterday. In that article, Salisbury quotes MacPhail saying, “We won’t shun the free-agent market by any stretch. If we can find something that makes sense for us and is a nice fit, we would do it...”
The idea across baseball is that the Phillies are building another perennial power: Tons of talented prospects and what seems like endless money.
By the end of 2018, all of the kids will all be in position. Meanwhile, the owners will be handing the front office whatever resources they need to fill in the rest of the pieces. And trust me, 2018 is the right time for all the pieces to fall into place.
But that’s a story for another day…