Does Bowker replace Gload?
Does Bowker replace Gload?
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
CINCINNATI — John Bowker is not automatically on the Phillies' postseason roster. Just because he was acquired in a trade from Pittsburgh on Wednesday, the day postseason eligibility is determined, does not mean he immediately becomes a key cog off the bench.
He will have a chance in September to prove his value. The Phillies have sought a bench upgrade for the entire season and decided, given the circumstances of having the lowest waiver priority, that this was the best route to explore.
It immediately creates an interesting dynamic for September. Can Bowker surpass Ross Gload on the depth chart? Of course, it will not take much for Bowker to do just that.
Gload is 1 for 15 in August, 3 for his last 31, and homerless this season. He can no longer play the outfield, Charlie Manuel said, and usually, if Gload reaches base in the late innings, he requires a pinch-runner. His torn hip has sapped him of his power and ability.
Bowker is effectively the same player Gload is when healthy. He's lefthanded, plays first base and the corner outfield positions. Historically, he is a decent pinch-hitter. Bowker is a .301 (22 for 73) pinch-hitter with four doubles, two triples and one home runs.
Then again, Bowker, 28, wasn't good enough to crack the majors with the Pirates for much of this season. He began the year in Pittsburgh, played 19 games, and has since spent his season in triple-A Indianapolis. He is first-time arbitration-eligible in 2012, so if the Phillies like him enough, they can tender him a contract.
Bowker, very much like Gload, cannot hit lefties. Period. At triple-A, he had a slash line of .242/.264/.367 against lefties. Twelve of his 15 home runs at Indianapolis came vs. righties, which he posted a .336/.384/.536 slash line against.
If Bowker can demonstrate competency as a pinch-hitter, Gload is out of the picture. It provides more flexibility on the bench, and still leaves a spot open for another minor-leaguer if the Phillies choose to carry 10 pitchers in the divisional round.
By transferring Jose Contreras to the 60-day disabled list Wednesday, the Phillies also created a "wild card" spot for postseason eligibility. When the clock strikes midnight tonight, they will have a pool of 28 players to pick from for October.
In reality, it's more than 28. It's the current 25-man roster, plus the disabled: Jimmy Rollins, Joe Blanton and Contreras. But because Contreras will definitely end the season on the DL, he can be replaced by anyone at all in the entire organization.
It's not guaranteed that Bowker is one of those 25, but it won't take much to elevate his status here.
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I can see that name in lights...JOHN BOWKER....Now, watch, he'll be the MVP of the playoffs. Amaro must have some top-secret info.— Edae- I wish the story read...."To make room on the 25 man roster, the Phillies designated Bad Lidge (No typo) for assignment"....— scootch
- wow. platooning Howard. Crazy talk. You might as well platoon Utley, Polly, ibanez. Ain't going to happen. And saying Howard hits HR off of bad pitchers inflates his numbers is absurd. And if he didn't, you'd be complaining why can't Howard hit HRs off bad pitchers?!! Deal with what you have, 100+ RBIs, 30+HRs every year. Platoon. Ugh.— palmyra21
- @palmyra: Amen. I love Chase, but he's inexplicably bulletproof compared with all the grief that Howard gets. It makes no sense.— andrewfrombrooklyn
- Miggie and Rowand DFA'd by the Giants today....With players not being able to juice up anymore, their hopes of playing well into their late 30's, injury free and at a high level are finished. Most players will drop back to average earthly numbers around age 32-34 now.....people who are complaining that we have seen Jroll's, Utley's and Howard's numbers dropping steadily over the past 4 years are not as far off of the new reality that will be sinking into sports in the next few years. The game will change and you won't be seeing guys in the 33-34 age group breaking records and getting 4,5,or 6 year contracts anymore. Pujols is crazy if he really believes that at 31 he's going to get a 10 year contract from anyone in MLB. That's what his agent is asking for, but.... Ain't gonna happen. Sadly, while our Philly players are still very good, we have probably seen the best yearly numbers they will ever have, already in the record books.— Mark1npt
- So when does Aaron Rowand join the Phils? DFA today...— Blue and White
- I like Chase too but Howard is way under-appreciated here. As is Rollins. And yes, it does make sense. There is a reason. A very visible reason.— eman
- Gee! I wonder why Utley is beloved and Howard is hated by a number of posters here who shall remain nameless (they are anyway). Let me think! Hello? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?— chuckw
- Putting Contreras on the 60 day DL only opens a slot for a pitcher. Gload (or somebody else) would have to go there to open a slot for a position player. (Not sure if the person would have to be on the 6- day list as of midnight tonight or whether it's a later date.)— judas_priest
- There is a certain SS tearing up AAA, who would be an amazing pinch runner. It can't hurt with the Rollins negotiations either.— KINGOFZED
- Aaron Roward will be available— MooseBreathMints
- Mark1npts-you are an idiot. Baeball doesn't turn into a league filled with AAA and AA players starting in September. The Phuillies might see two pitchers like that and ,ost likely they are players with a serious future, hence the reason they got called up. Your point is exactly why Howard bashersw have no legs. When he carried the Phillies singler hab-ndidly to the playoofs ion three out of 4 years during crunchtime with the Phillies trailijg in the standings, he copnveniently is beating up on imaginary AA call-ups. When he is the first player in baseball since babe Ruth to put up RBI numbers like he has, it's because of the awesome players in front of him(ignoring that Rollins is a mediocre leadoff guy AND between him, the 2 hole hitter and Utley, they hit like 60+ HR's emptying the bases that many times YET Howard still averages Pujol's best RBI year) It's convenient the way you can sell whatever story you want with no factual basis. The Phillies signed Howard to a 25 million a year contract becasue if they didn't 20 other teams in the m,eague were lined up to do so. Get a clue.— UncleStosh
- i want to see howard produce in the playoffs when it counts.his pro duction during the season is great.you don't pay him the big money to stand there and take a called third strike in the biggest game of the playoffs. playoff production is where it counts. GO PHILLIES!!!— lfran55
- I was hoping for Jim Thome...oh well— psubrian
- Aaron Rowand may be here very soon!— leecee
