Postseason Preview: Updated look at Phillies' likely roster for Division Series
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Postseason Preview: Updated look at Phillies' likely roster for Division Series
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
A number of things have come into clearer focus since we took our first whack at projecting the Phillies' roster for this year's National League Division Series. First and foremost, the team is now likely to keep 11 pitchers. Secondly, they have eliminated several players from contention. You can read about that here.
Right now, we're projecting that the Phillies have 23 locks for the roster. They are:
Regulars (8): Jimmy Rollins, Placido Polanco, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Hunter Pence, Raul Ibanez, Shane Victorino, Carlos Ruiz
Starters (4): Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Roy Oswalt
Relievers (6): Ryan Madson, Antonio Bastardo, Brad Lidge, Mike Stutes, Vance Worley, Kyle Kendrick
Bench (5): Brian Schneider, Ross Gload, John Mayberry Jr., Ben Francisco, Michael Martinez
Of those 23 players, I'd say Martinez and Kendrick are the only ones who have any shot at not being included, but it is a very slim shot, which is why they are still going in this blog post as locks.
So it is six relievers, five bench players with two open spots. Both Manuel and Amaro said today the Phils are likely to keep seven relievers, which brings Joe Blanton and David Herndon into the equation. Justin De Fratus, Joe Savery and Michael Schwimer are out of the discussion, as you can read in the above link. If the playoffs started tomorrow, I think Blanton would get the nod, but both he and Herndon will have at least one and maybe two chances to pitch against the Braves.
So the big question is who fills the final bench spot? I'm putting Martinez on the team because he is a switch hitter who has not battled a hamstring injury, which gives him the edge over Wilson Valdez. Francisco is on the team because Manuel needs a RHB off the bench on days when John Mayberry Jr. starts in left field, which Manuel said today could happen against lefties. Schneider and Gload are both locks.
So who is the final man on the bench? Is it Valdez? Is it left-handed utility man Pete Orr? Or is it John Bowker, who has not produced much since the Phils acquired him from the Pirates. It definitely isn't Domonic Brown or Brandon Moss, neither of whom is being considered by the Phillies.
Valdez would get the edge if the Phillies feel like A) he is healthy and B) they need an extra infielder due to the banged up nature of their regulars. Orr would get the edge if the Phillies feel they need an extra infielder but are willing to sacrifice Valdez's defense for Orr's baserunning ability and left-handedness. Bowker would get the edge if the Phillies feel like they absolutely need some power from the left side of the plate and that Bowker's limited playing time and productions does not preclude him from the ability to get a big power hit at a big time in a big postseason spot.
I don't have a great feel for the direction the Phillies are leaning, but at this point I would project Orr to be the last man on the squad.
So there it is. Projection No. 2 in the books. Blanton and Orr along with the 23 players listed above.
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pretty much spot on here Murph...while everyone likes Wilson and his glove, beyond the ability to play D if called upon, Orr does everything else better that could be utilized off the bench ( better hitter and much faster runner). No doubt Charlie will choose Joe B ( and he should) to be the extra arm over Herndon...— TheLon- Bowker "has not produced much" since being acquired? Murph, what is your definition of MUCH?— dasher
- Manuel said Mayberry COULD start against lefties? My, that's really going out on a limb...Personally, I favor Valdez over Martinez for defensive ability and experience. It's ashame they never gave Moss a chance. I like guys that can come off the bench and do a Matt Stairs so I like Erik Kratz, but again that will never happen...Orr probably will make it cause he can run a bit.— bearsfriend
- I cannot imagine Valdez left off the roster (unless the hammy hasn't healed). The defense and arm have been valuable all season, and for most of the season his BA with RISP was tremendous. He deserves the shot and could always be pitched upon to pitch the 19th inning in an NLDS game— natufian
- I know everyone loves to hate on Herndon, and he certainly isn't one of my favorite players, but why Blanton over him? Kendrick can fill the role of long relief in the event of an extra innings marathon or (god forbid), an early exit by a starter. Blanton is not a reliever and has a history of being slow getting started.— blaqjaq
- I agree with natufian....unless Valdez is hurt, he needs to be on the roster. Orr can run but that's about it— hey buddy
- it makes NO difference the Phillies will LOSE the NLDS if it is against the Brewers OR the cardinals...we all KNOW that.— wxdavid
- wxdavid, we KNOW that? All we KNOW is that you LOVE capital letters. I'm sure you'll be back here if the Phillies beat either of those teams, saying, "Wow, I can't believe it!"— Nutburgers
- I would include Valdez in the open bench slot. Hopefully the decision between Blanton and Herndon won't matter when the starters go 7, 8, or 9 innings...— JohnFC
- Does Chase Utley know how to bunt? Because he sure doesn't know how to hit anymore. Why can't he help the team out by moving runners over and help these pitchers out with a run or two. Likely all they're going to get and hopefully all they'll need.— Cameiros
- please keep Wheels off the playoff roster— dave13
- JohnFC, spot on. If the starters fail to go at least 7 and Blanton and Herndon are needed, the team is in trouble. That being said, I see nothing short of 7, maybe 8 innings from the big 4 on a regular basis in the playoffs. I would go Orr, just to have him pinch-run for someone late in the game. I would hate to see Schneider or Gload be on second with 2 outs in a close game.— ESFjellin
- if anyone seriously thinks the Phils would include someone 0 for his career as a Phillie (aka Bowwow), you must think Phils mgmt as being even stupider than I think of them...— warbiscuit
- I can see it now. Ryan is on second late in the game, and we need to go ahead. If Wilson is ok, you keep him and Orr. You run for Ryan or chooch with Orr and if the game goes extra innings or something you still have Wilson to hit. They aren't going to put a defensive replacement in our infield for anything. You just need specialists and Martinez doesn't do any one thing well. Wilson can get a bunt down or get a base hit for us.— Drumphil
- Shouldn't Valdez make the roster just in case the Phils play an extra inning game and they run out of pitchers in the pen?— T-Money
- All we get from the left side out of the pen is "can't get anyone out since July" Bastardo? Yikes. Savory would have been nice there.— makrom
- how much faster is Orr than Valdez? It better be a big difference, or else Valdez needs to be there...He has been invaluable during the season filling in at 2B, SS, 3B, etc. He's a great talent to have around...It would be hard to keep him off the playoff roster— ericyshel
- I'd take Valdez over Orr and Blanton over Herndon. I'm with warbiscuit on Bowker -- no way he makes it having not gotten a hit as a Phillie yet.
— s - I like Pete Orr but if healthy, I take Valdez. Any talk about taking Bowker has to be tongue in cheek. That guy can't hit the ground when he drops his bat.— jburd641
- If WillieV is not on roster, there should be an investigation. EZ should Chair the panel.— NewMick314
- Why doesn't Charlie pull Raul late in close games for defensive purposes? Phils used this successfully w/Luzinski long ago— fpa-fla
I don't care whether they go with Herndon or Blanton since neither will appear in a game.
Bowker is a bust, he was brought in as insurance for Gload but Gload's hitting now so no need for Bowker. Funny how certain know-it-alls praised this guy based on minor league stats and it took 10 ABs before he could get a ball out of the IF.
I'd rather see Valdez than Martinez, the switch hitting element is irrelevant when the hitter is under the Mendoza line.There's a reason he was rule 5. Valdez is a better hitter (not saying much), a better fielder and has been an integral part of the team. If Polly, Jimmy or Utley get hurt I'd much rather see Valdez run out there. Dump Martinez and keep Orr or DBrown as pinch runners.— mtairy1- I'd keep Valdez over Orr for the defense alone. We win playoff games 2-1 and 3-2, not 8-5 anymore. I'd leave wxdavid off the roster though. His comments are inane and officious. Go Fightins!— IdahoMoose
- Lidge/Bastardo for the 8th is already giving me night sweats.— Cheesedog
- Thanks Murph for your insite! I want to congatulate The Phils on their Win #100! My newly departed Canine Son, Wolfie watched every game with me, and I promised him they'd make it to triple digits! Yesterday win was for him, in my heart!
— SalGalB43 - I agree Bowker is a complete bust! Valdez is a much better choice. Blanton scares me! In fact the whole pen is sketchy. I hope they are all great in the NLCS!— SalGalB43
- Where's Bruntlett?— Ed3
- To me, Valdez has always had the whiff of being an unlikely post season hero. He always plays relaxed with a bit of a chip on his shoulder and has sent balls out to the fences more than a couple of times in key situations.— jtj06
- Keep Martinez off the Playoff Roster and add both Valdez and Orr. Both can bunt and run bases. Plus this combo gives us a real switch-hitter instead of a switch-out. This combo is also better defensively. PLEASE SEND MARTINEZ BACK TO HIS TEAM OF ORIGIN.— garcia7
- Bowker, Gload, & Schneider are all awful. At least the Kratz kid has the ability to hit the ball painfully hard. Although most would not agree, he should have 1 of the post season spots occupied by the 3 bums listed above.— kelprod2
