Phillies claim former longtime Twins outfielder Jake Cave

Jake Cave joins a crowded list of Phillies outfielders on the 40-man roster.

Lost in Philadelphia Phillies offseason rumors on Friday — including Rob Thomson’s interesting change of weekend plans — is that the organization added another player to its major-league roster.

The Phillies claimed outfielder Jake Cave off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles — increasing their 40-man roster to 38 players.

A five-year veteran who slashed .235/.297/.411 with 43 doubles, 10 triples, 33 home runs, and 118 RBI across 335 games with the Minnesota Twins from 2018 to 2022, Cave gives the Phillies extra outfield depth. Along with the former sixth-round New York Yankees draft pick, the Phillies now have nine outfielders on their 40-man roster, with the others being: Nick Castellanos, Brandon Marsh, Nick Maton, Símon Muzziotti, Jhailyn Ortiz (minors), Johan Rojas, Kyle Schwarber, and Matt Vierling.

This does not include Bryce Harper, who when hopefully healthy near the latter weeks of the 2023 regular season, is expected to make a long-awaited return to his right-field position. Last month, the 2022 NLCS MVP underwent Tommy John surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament tear in his right elbow. He could return as a designated hitter by the All-Star Break.

In 54 games last season with the Twins, Cave slashed .213/.260/.384 with seven doubles, three triples, five home runs and 20 RBI. He has played all three outfield positions in the majors during his career. This past season, his six outfield assists from left field ranked as the fifth-most in the American League. Cave will turn 30 years old on Sunday, December 4.

Just two months prior, the Orioles selected the Virginia native off waivers from the Twins, and later agreed to terms with him on a one-year contract for the 2023 season. A change of Orioles’ plans to keep Cave caught President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski’s eyes, and he ultimately made the move to claim him.