That Balls Outta Here
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Phillies clear two spots on the roster in preparation for winter meetings

By John Town

MILWAUKEE, WI - JULY 14: Cameron Perkins #30 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with teammates after scoring a run in the fifth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on July 14, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - JULY 14: Cameron Perkins #30 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with teammates after scoring a run in the fifth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on July 14, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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In preparation for the MLB Winter Meetings next week, the Phillies placed two players on waivers to open their space on the 40-man roster.

With the craziness of the MLB Winter Meetings about to commence (arguably, the craziness has already started if you are the Marlins or Mariners). The Phillies are preparing for moves of their own, clearing two spots on the 40-man roster according to Matt Breen of Philly.com.

According to Breen’s source, the team placed outfielder Cam Perkins and infielder Engelb Vielma on waivers. If the two clear, they can stay with the team.

Perkins made his major-league debut this year after being drafted in 2012. He was called up as the outfield was decimated by injuries to Howie Kendrick, Aaron Altherr, and Odubel Herrera on separate occasions.

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In 42 games, the 27-year-old hit .182/.237/.273 with one home run and eight runs batted in. He had a 5.2 percent walk rate and 23.7 percent strikeout rate. Perkins was worth -0.7 fWAR.

Vielma was claimed off waivers last month when the team added other prospects to the roster to protect from the Rule 5 draft. The Twins designated him for assignment in September, and the Giants claimed him before then waiving him again during their roster crunch.

After these moves, the team now has some leeway to make a couple signings and/or trades at the winter meetings next week. The open spot could also be used in the Rule 5 draft, which has some intriguing prospects.

The club could very well clear even more room through trade. They are expected to definitely explore trading one or more of Cesar Hernandez, Freddy Galvis, Tommy Joseph, and Cameron Rupp. They could also waive another player like Zac Curtis, Jake Thompson, or Yacksel Rios.

Next: Could the Phillies surprise us at Winter Meetings?

The winter meetings are getting even closer, and Philadelphia is definitely preparing to make some moves.

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