Examining the Roster, Part 2

Earlier this week, I examined the Phillies roster with a number of moves that will have to be made. The carousel of players may not stop turning any time soon as the injuries continue to mount. Shane Victorino is now likely to have an MRI on his leg, so he could be the next one to hit the DL. Someone new will be forced to step in and attempt to help a tattered roster.

[EXAMINING THE ROSTER, PART 1]

Here’s a look at the updated roster:

• Infield: Howard, Valdez, Orr, Rollins, Polanco, Ruiz, Sardinha (7)
• Outfield: Ibanez, Victorino, Francisco, Mayberry, Gload, Martinez (6)
• SP: Halladay, Lee, Oswalt, Hamels, Blanton, (5)
• RP: Madson, Bastardo, Romero, Baez, Kendrick, Stutes, Matheison (7)
• DL: Lidge, Contreras, Utley, Schneider (4)

With the inability to get people out, Danys Baez and JC Romero are on a very short leash – at least they should be. Here are a few more moves that should be made by this team. Because they are no longer getting anything positive from several players:

DOMONIC BROWN FOR WILSON VALDEZ

Originially, I believed that Josh Barfield should be brought up for Valdez, just to change things up a bit. That was before I listened to Ruben Amaro say two feet from me that Domonic Brown is nearly ready. Amaro said its a matter of “when” and not “if”. Let the countdown begin. There is really nothing more he can do in the minor leagues. How long can you let the guy tear up lesser pitching before being tested once again at the highest level. Cutting Valdez leaves Orr and Martinez as your utility guys.

(NOTE: If Victorino hits the DL, it’s likely a Brown-for-Victorino trade off instead).

CHASE UTLEY FOR MICHAEL MARTINEZ

Speaking of Martinez, he has to go when Chase comes back. Martinez is not doing anything Orr cannot already do. The idea of keeping the Rule 5 guy around would be a good one, if he wasn’t a light-hitting, 5’9″, 140 pound utility guy that’s 28 years old. There is nothing wrong with Michael Martinez, but if you’re a team with World Series aspirations, you can’t try to slip a Rule 5 guy through the cracks on your roster for another season.  I figure the Phillies will still want to keep him around, but they may not have a choice once the healthy regulars return.

RON MAHAY or MIKE ZAGURSKI for JC ROMERO

Zagurski really hasn’t done much and Mahay has retired (or is unemployed), but it doesn’t matter. They are both equal to or greater than the option of JC Romero. He has flat out lost the ability to throw strikes, unless you count the one to Lance Berkman a strike. JC has done the Phillies a world of good during his tenure, however, they should have let him go when they had the opportunity. Right now, he’s hurting them. Make a call to Mahay, who has had very good numbers as a LOOGY in his career, or try Zagurski once again. Just because Romero is a veteran doesn’t mean it’s the correct move to continue using him.

DREW CARPENTER, BRIAN GORDON, or MICHAEL SCHWIMER for DANYS BAEZ

Any one of these guys is a similar option to Baez, without the big contract. Baez is basically toast an it seems to be a matter of time before he’ll have to pack his things and say adios. My personal favorite here is Schwimer, but any of the three will do. Once Brad Lidge were to return, this spot will be filled anyway, so it would only be for about a month.

VANCE WORLEY for JOE BLANTON

We’ll be able to tell a little bit more on Thursday night after Blanton makes his start – but clearly something is up in that elbow. Amaro doesn’t think it’s a huge deal and neither does Blanton. However, if this is something that knocks him out soon, make the move to Worley and shut Blanton down. Big Joe is still an important piece to this team down the road, so a healthy Joe Blanton is essential. Not a 75 percent-healthy Joe Blanton. And we all know Worley is more than ready.