Taschner, Ring Possible 2nd Lefty Targets?

As the lefty reliever discussion goes ’round, more rumors surface.

The Giants are likely dangling Jack Taschner, who went 3-2 with a 4.88 ERA last season (lefties were .279 AVG/.339 OBP/.394 SLG). The Phillies are said to be possibly interested in the left-hander.

Add another name: Royce Ring. The Cardinals picked him up for spring training, but the left-hander hasn’t impressed (5.2 IP/11.12 ERA). Saint Louis outrighted him, so any team can claim him and his $475K contract. He went 2-1 with an 8.45 ERA for Atlanta last season; righties smoked him, but left-handers had some trouble (.264 AVG/.339 OBP/.396 SLG). Even more comforting news? Ring was completely dominated by the Phillies (2.2 IP/10 H/7 ER).

Are either of these players potential signings as a second left-hander? Possibly. Both have eerily similar stat lines and might be able to flourish in the non-threatening second-lefty role.

Tim Malcolm

Tim first found the Phillies as a little infant at Veteran’s Stadium, cheering on a Juan Samuel game-winning home run in his very first game. With the pinstripes in his blood, he witnessed Terry Mulholland’s 1990 no-hitter, “Steve Carlton Night” at the Vet, game three of the 1993 World Series, countless games during the charmed 2008 championship season and various road excursions. Since November 2007 Tim’s been writing about them daily at Phillies Nation, becoming one of the world’s most popular Phillies scribes. You can catch him on Twitter and Facebook, as well. When he’s not talking about the Phils he’s relaxing with a St. Bernardus ABT 12 or one of his many favored brews.