Does Bowker replace Gload?
News blogs, sports blogs, entertainment blogs, and more from Philly.com, The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News.
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.
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
Download our NEW iPhone/Android app for easy access to all of our Phillies coverage, plus app-exclusive videos and analysis. Get it here.
Kaz Matsui?!?!— dgabs- Do you mean Hideki Matsui?....Kaz Matsui was a second baseman. — bearsfriend
- This deal is another example of the quality of the Phillies front office. This is a "can't lose" deal. Nothing against Ross Gload but he's hurt and cannot produce. So the Phils give Bowker a shot after the rosters expand. If he can produce we've got everything to gain and nothing to lose by replacing Gload with Bowker. Having a good left handed pinch hitter might be the difference in a playoff game. Does the name Matt Stairs ring a bell?— Al Wilson
- Why is it that you state Bowker CANNOT HIT LEFTIES PERIOD? His slash line at AAA against lefties looks like it might be a little better than RHoward's slash against lefties. Is this an implicit dig that Howard also CANNOT HIT LEFTIES PERIOD? BTW, I wouldn't argue with you if you said it was. I really don't think he has a prayer against them myself.— Mark1npt
- The slash line that Matt posted for Bowker against lefties (.242/.264/.367) was from Bowker's time in AAA this year. Matt Gelb is undoubtedly assuming that we can expect those numbers to be lower against major league lefties. — raltman
- Most left handed hitters are significantly worse vs. LHP than RHP( and of course, also worse than right handed hitters are vs LHP), and those that aren't are usually singles hitters.I'll take Howards 40 homers and 130 RBI's and live with what he doesn't get done vs. LHP. — drbob1
- You probably meant Hideki Matsui, dgabs. Kaz was a SW middle infielder (who hit a GS against the Phillies in the playoffs while with Colorado in '07) that I think is out ML baseball.— EL Zorro
- SH, as a switch hitter. LOL
— EL Zorro - Well, they should put Gload on the 60-DL by 11:59 tonight so he can be replaced by another player for the playoffs. It doesn't make sense for the Phillies to carry him for the rest of the regular season and then not include him on the playoff roster. BTW, I found the explanation for the rule about replacing players on the 60-DL:
In 2007 Red Sox director of baseball operations Brian O'Halloran was quoted by the Boston Globe:
"The position-player-for-position-player / pitcher-for-pitcher requirement is indeed now gone for substitutions prior to a series," O'Halloran wrote in an e-mail. "However, teams now are allowed to substitute for an injured player during a series. Such in-series substitutions are position-player-for-position-player / pitcher-for-pitcher, and the injured player cannot be active for the remainder of that series or the next series. Those substitutions also require MLB approval.
— EL Zorro - Uh - wasn't the Contreras move to the 60 day DL to get Bowker on the 40 man roster? That doesn't leave a wild card slot to add someone new to the 40 man. They would have to transfer Blanton to the 60 day or DFA someone else.— Dan in Holmesburg
- Sending Schwimer down to LHV after the game last night was the move that put Bowker on the roster, so Contreras spot is still open as Matt said. — drbob1
- I would think Bowker is a possibility however more likely the phils give Brandon Moss a shot and have Bowker replace Moss. Moss is a lefty with some pop having hit 23 HRs.
Gload does not have a HR and just 6 rbis. Even though Ross is hampered by his injury, the Phils would like a stronger lefty option off the bench and Moss maybe the guy. D Brown is struggling in triple a and Moss has been a consistent power bat for Lehigh.
— Fan74 - Dan, Blanton is on the 60 day DL.....— Mark1npt
- A player on the 60-Day DL still can be replaced, Dan come playoff time. I believe Blanton is already on the 60-Day.— EL Zorro
- Mark1npt, Saint Chase is batting .224 against lefties. Why the hatred towards Howard?— palmyra21
