Phillies release Chris Coghlan; Brock Stassi's chances improve
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Brock Stassi's unlikely path to reaching the major leagues cleared a little bit Tuesday when the Phillies released veteran outfielder Chris Coghlan.
Stassi, a 33rd-round pick in 2011, is one of only three players left in camp competing for the team's final two bench roles. He entered professional baseball with a $1,000 signing bonus and little else. He now might be three days from leaving Florida as a major leaguer.
"It's hard to evaluate in spring training. Stassi has obviously made a great impression, mainly because, not necessarily because of his results, but the fact that he had a lot of quality at-bats," manager Pete Mackanin said. "It looks like he can handle making adjustments to the different pitchers and different situations. He seemed to handle left-handers well. He made a good impression."
Stassi is joined in the competition by Daniel Nava and Jesmuel Valentin. Stassi and Nava — who appear to be the favorites — are both first basemen and outfielders. Valentin is a middle infielder. The team might still trade for a bench bat.
According to two sources, the Phillies have recently shopped the pitchers who are on the fringe of the 40-man roster in the hope of acquiring a reserve player or freeing up a spot for Stassi and Nava. Valentin is already on the roster, which plays to his advantage as the Phillies will not have to waive a player if he makes the team.
Coghlan, 31, had nine hits in 39 at-bats this spring after winning a World Series last season with the Chicago Cubs. The outfielder was also available to be used as an infielder.
His minor-league deal would have paid him $3 million had the Phillies added him to the roster. They had to grant Coghlan an active roster spot by Tuesday, or pay him a $100,000 retention bonus.
Stassi has 16 hits this spring with 5 homers in 50 at-bats. He spent all of last season at triple A and has worked this spring in left and right field to add versatility that could prove vital to his earning a role with the Phillies.
Nava, 34, has 13 hits this spring in 36 at-bats. Like Stassi, Nava forced his way to professional baseball. He was cut from his college baseball team and spent two years as the team's manager. He finally played as a senior, but went undrafted. Nava played independent ball and was signed by Boston, which stashed him as a backup at single A. He reached the majors with the Red Sox two years later.
Valentin would benefit from returning to triple-A, as there is a starting job waiting in Lehigh Valley. Plus, Andres Blanco is already the team's backup infielder. It might be tough to find Valentin playing time in the majors at the start of the season.