Sunday morning thoughts and observations
News blogs, sports blogs, entertainment blogs, and more from Philly.com, The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News.
Sunday morning thoughts and observations
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
We're limping to the finish line here at High Cheese. Thirty-six hours until the flight home. Five days until Opening Day. But it is Sunday morning and the sun is shining here in Orlando, the happiest place on Earth (or the creepiest, depending on your point of view), and things are starting to come into focus with regards to the Phillies' roster situation.
Here are some key points as the Phillies get ready to take on the Braves in their penultimate game of the Grapefruit League:
1) Among three players re-assigned to the minors today is Josh Barfield, an infielder who had been competing for playing time at second base. Technically, the move leaves five players competing for three spots on the roster: John Mayberry Jr., Delwyn Young, Luis Castillo, Pete Orr and Michael Martinez.
In a perfect world, the Phillies would have three players -- Castillo, Orr, Martinez -- competing for one open infield position. But Placido Polanco's hyper-extended elbow could make the team thinking about keeping two of that group. Polanco is in the line-up today, but it remains to be seen how conerned the Phillies are with the possibility of the pain in the joint flaring up at random times.
2) I think John Mayberry Jr. has a spot on the team locked up. With Ben Francisco likely starting in right field, Mayberry represents the only right-handed power option that Charlie Manuel has at his disposal in late-game situations. Mayberry played a ton during the first three weeks of Grapefruit League play -- his 61 at-bats rank fifth on the team -- but has not been in the starting line-up in four of the last five games. That could be construed as the Phillies preparing him for a role as a pinch-hitter/defensive replacement. He has appeared in such a role in three of the last four games, going 2-for-3 with a couple of singles.
At this point, I still think the Phillies end up keeping Delwyn Young instead of an extra utility infielder. Young has been used as a pinch-hitter in eight of the last 10 games. His ability in that type of role is the primary reason the Phillies brought him into came. He is a switch-hitter who has had a solid, if unspectacular, spring. And while the Phillies view him primarily as an outfielder -- although not a particularly strong one -- he has the ability to play second or third base in a pinch. So even if Polanco's elbow flares up, the Phillies could have Young as an emergency infielder behind Wilson Valdez and whatever infielder they choose to keep out of Castillo, Orr and Martinez.
The two wild cards are Castillo and Martinez. If Martinez is not on the active roster, the Phillies must offer him back to the Nationals, so they stand a good chance of losing him. But Ruben Amaro Jr. has already said that Castillo will not start the season in the minor league system. Orr is the better base-runner and defender, but the Phillies also have a lot of flexibility with him, since they can send him to the minor, and since he has an option remaining.
As of today, I'd project the Phillies bench to go Ross Gload, Brian Schneider, Mayberry, Castillo and Young with Orr available to be summoned from Triple-A if Polanco's elbow turns into a lingering issue. Although if the Phillies feel strongly enough about Martinez, they could end up saying goodbye to Castillo or Young and keeping the Rule 5 pick around.
3) With Brad Lidge expected to start the season on the disabled list, I'm curious whether the Phillies would give any serious consideration to bringing up Mike Stutes and starting David Herndon in the minor leagues. Herndon has had a solid spring and has made tremendous strides with his slider. He has a full season of big league experience, too. But in terms of stuff, location, and pitchability, few players have shown more this camp than Stutes. A former starter, he can pitch multiple innings, and he has the kind of mound presence that makes you think he wouldn't be fazed by a hastened promotion to the big leagues.
Right now, I'd still project Herndon to make the team. But I'm curious how seriously the Phillies will discuss Stutes during their meetings about the roster.
Download our NEW iPhone/Android app for easy access to all of our Phillies coverage, plus app-exclusive videos and analysis. Get it here.
Contest: Vote for Philly's Fan Favorite
Buy Phillies tickets 
Castillo makes the top of the lineup much better with his patience, contact hitting and ability to draw walks. When he's on base, he still is a threat to steal a base even at this point of his career. The other day he had a key AB, where he got a walk and Rodrigo Lopez threw a fastball in a off pitch count to Rollins and he hammered over the RF wall. That's what he brings to the table better than Polly.— EL Zorro- BTW, I would keep Martinez over Young and Orr. I don't see Young fitting on the ballclub now if they are keeping 12 pitchers. You have Mayberry and Gload as RH and LH pinch hitters. Martinez is a better defensive player who can play both the INF and OF, has more speed and is also a SH. He has shown a little pop also.— EL Zorro
- Good stuff, Murph. It sounds like you feel Castillo will make the club but Valdez will start the season at 2B. I have mixed feelings about Castillo on the club at all but Charlie loves veterans, giving guys like Castillo and Herndon an edge over the others.— eman
- If Castillo isn't cut loose before they come north, I'm going to lose faith in Amaro's judgement. He would just be taking up a roster spot for a younger, more talented position player.— 1republican
- I agree that Mayberry is a lock at this point. And I think Orr eventually gets sent to the minors. I'm not so sure about the Young/Martinez call though. Seems like they would hang on to Martinez a little longer rather than offer him back to the Nats. I don't see much downside to doing that and starting Young in the minors.— s
- Haven't seen him much but from what I've read, I don't know what else Martinez has to do to stick as a Rule 5'er...or maybe RAJ gets his rights from the Nats.— PhillySubsMac
- ESPN is reporting that Polanco's elbow issue is a lot more series than anyone in the Phillies organization is letting on. I think their going to need a legitimate thirdbaseman at some point this year.— Jeff Dowder
- I'd like to dump Martinez and Kendreck and keep Barlow and Stutes. This team doesn't have the option of keeping Martinez just to keep him. What does Martinez and Castillo add to your club? I am all about keeping the best players....Castillo and Martinez are not.— scootch
- Yeah, like I said, I think Martinez is a big Wild Card. I know a lot of people like him. His ability to play CF is a big factor. But if Victorino went down, I'd think Mayberry would get the call, and Orr would probably get the call-up. So, in the end, what are you keeping Martinez around for? He's 28 years old. At the same time, the Phils aren't really in a position to sacrifice any sort of defensive depth up the middle. And how much will Delwyn Young contribute if the pitchers go as deep as everyone thinks and Mayberry and Gload are your top options from their respective sides of the plate? I think I just talked myself into giving Martinez the job.— David_Murphy
- Martinez is out of here— shawnmac
Comment removed.- Keep hoping Stutes will make it to the Show...— M60tanker
- I think Castillo only makes the team if he is to be the starter.— Joe at the shore
- Murph, you're cracking me up. But I have the same basic thoughts: to start the season, there's enough outfield depth with Mayberry and Gload. All the infield depth other than Martinez can be sent to the minors and called up as needed later. That gives Martinez an edge in my opinion. Martinez is also a hustle guy and has played some SS. It just seems worth seeing him in some real games before letting him walk. Of course, that assumes they're in a position to actually use him. For hitting off the bench, Gload and Mayberry are going to get the call first. That last bench guy may be doing a lot of sitting.— s
- Like Herndon but Stutes has definitely earned a spot on the staff- especially if they go with 12 pitchers— HAROLD Eskin
