Posted: Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:45 AM | 72 comments |
 

Giles Released, Mayberry and Carrasco sent down
options
 

And the roster continues to settle.  The Phillies have released INF Marcus Giles, who was attempting a comeback after missing the entire 2008 season.  P Carlos Carrasco and OF John Mayberry Jr. have been optioned to Triple-A, and P Mike Koplove. OF Jason Ellison and INF Pablo Ozuna have been told that they will not make the opening day roster, but will travel to Philadelphia for the exhibition series against Tampa Bay.

These moves simply confirm what had become obvious. Giles batted .167 and lacked the defensive versatility of Miguel Cairo, who looks like he'll be the righty bat off the bench--unless the team makes a trade, which they'd like to do. The fast recoveries of Chase Utley and Pedro Feliz essentially ended Giles' audition.

Koplove has pitched well (1.23 ERA), but as a righty in a righty-heavy bullpen, faced long odds.  The Taschner trade was not good news for him.  Mayberry's and Carrasco's need for further development was clear.  Ellison and Ozuna were always headed for Triple-A, barring injuries to someone else.

 

 
Posted by Andy Martino @ 8:45 AM  Permalink | 72 comments
72
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:14 AM, 03/30/2009
    Koplove/Majewski - will they go to Lehigh Valley? And if so, any chance we see them in pinstripes this year?
    — Philth
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:49 AM, 03/30/2009
    Koplove will go to Lehigh. No offical word yet on Majewski, but that seems to be the most likely destination.
    — Andy Martino
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:57 AM, 03/30/2009
    Majewski hasn't been sent down yet, and with the acquistion of Taschner, it is a possibility that he opens the season in the ML bullpen, should Park win the 5th starter's job. I can't imagine they would force Happ into the 'pen with two lefties already out there, and another due back May 31 or June 1.
    — RollinsWasRight
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:22 AM, 03/30/2009
    WALLY24.......From Previous Thread, No reason at all to rush Happ along, but I'm figuring the Phils are going to need him at some point this season. If Park gets the 5th spot, there's no telling how he will hold up under the increased demands/innings he will be throwing. Also, as much as I hate to bring up the "I" word, our starters were remarkably healthy last year.
    — bski
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:22 AM, 03/30/2009
    The Rotation is going to be Myers, Moyer, Blanton, Hamels, Park, and if that don't get you worked up your dead. The real questions lie in the Pen and the Bench because one effects the other personel wise. It seems obvious that Cairo or Giles will stay but after that you have to wonder if they will release Stairs or work some kind of a trade to make room. I like both players offensively but I think Cairo has the edge on defense. Another question to ask is will they carry 3 lefties in the pen when Romero comes back? Is there a trade in order before the end of June?
    — Wally 24
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:28 AM, 03/30/2009
    Where does Happ fit in? He'd blow a gasket if sent to AAA.
    — NiceToBeHere
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:49 AM, 03/30/2009
    Ugh Wally, did you even just read that article? Giles was released...
    — dmurphy2103
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:56 AM, 03/30/2009
    With Dobbs, Bruntlett, Coste, Jenkins, Cairo, & Stairs on the bench that leaves 6 slots open in the Pen: Lidge, Condrey, Madson, Durbin, Eyre, & Taschner & with the return of Romero someone has to go. So once again what makes sense? Do you take a chance on Happ and release Park or do you keep him at AAA and let him progress.
    — Wally 24
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:57 AM, 03/30/2009
    Happ's not going anywhere. He's most likely getting the 5th spot in the rotation with the Phils picking up another lefty reliever or he's going to the bullpen with Park in the 5th spot in the rotation.
    — JimG
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:00 AM, 03/30/2009
    I did say I thought Cairo had the edge. Right? You are right I did include Giles my error.
    — Wally 24
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:02 AM, 03/30/2009
    I watched Carrasco throw a few times and was not impressed. His motion is not all that smooth, among other things... Any chance the Padres would take Myers and Carrasco for Peavy?
    — Cameiros
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:09 AM, 03/30/2009
    Wally, you are mathamatically challanged. Yuo have 8 starters (Ruiz, Howard, utley, Rollins, Feliz, Ibanez, Victorino, Werth) 5 starters (Cole, Myers, Moyer, Blanton and park/Happ) 7 relief Pitchers (12 all together) Lidge, Madson, Eyre, Condry, Durbin, Happ/Park (looser) and either Taschner or Majewski depending on who wns the starter role. If Happ starts, Taschner is on team and Maj is in AAA. If Park starts,Maj is on team and Happ is in Pen with taschner in AAA. This leaves 5 bench spots. Dobbs, Coste, Brunlett, Jenkins and Cairo. No room for Stairs
    — jeff gross
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:16 AM, 03/30/2009
    Peavy has a no trade clause and last I heard was not interested in being traded to Philadelphia.
    — dmurphy2103
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:19 AM, 03/30/2009
    Today is Park last outing of the spring. If he pitches well and goes more than 4 or 5 innings, he should be the 5th starter. He's been solid with an ERA under 3.00 and 18 K's in 15 innings. But that is a big if, because he was a little tender with a hammy the other day. Happ did not pitch well the last time out in a ML game. He has another start, though. He has pitched well too. Either choice is a big upgrade from a year ago.
    — EL Zorro


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