Does Bowker replace Gload?
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Does Bowker replace Gload?
Matt Gelb
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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- Howard can't win in this town. Period. Way more under-appreciated than McNabb and Howard has the hardware that McNadd doesn't. And it is a shame that everyone ignores Utley and his struggles. He has had plenty of time to show that he has regained his power stroke, but at this point it is almost non-existent. And for the most part, Howard has better career playoff numbers than Utley does, but yet Howard 'never shows up' for the post-season.
— ESFjellin - It's amazing Gload can even walk with a torn hip.— tbone pickins
Comment removed.- Best record in baseball, and better with Utley in the lineup. That's all.— HandNik
- Allow Gload heal for next spring training. Bowker?? What about Moss as a PH and bench guy? And why just keep 10 pitchers for the division races? The Pen will be overwhelmed unless they have some cushion. Doesn't make sense.— Koons
- And better with Howard too.— EL Zorro
- Gload is done in Philly. He'll be a FA after this season.— EL Zorro
- Gload needs surgery, it's the only way he can go back to being a premier pinchitter. Agreed that Utley's numbers against lefties are terrible this year when atleast he is usually close to what he hits off righties. The point I was making was the Gelb stated in no uncertain terms that Bowker couldn't hit lefties and he gave us his numbers to that effect. Those numbers are very near if not worse for Howard against lefties, so why isn't it unequivocally stated that "Howard can't hit lefties period?" I like Howard a lot, but only against RH pitchers and would prefer to see mayberry at 1st when we face lefties. Howard's numbers back me up on that. If you go by numbers and say Bowker can't hit lefties, then the same or worse numbers for Howard must state the same thing. Call a spade a spade. You can't cherrypick what player you say "can't hit lefties" when the numbers bear it out. Same for Chase (this year) sad to say.— Mark1npt
- @Dan: Sending Michael Schwimer to the minors after last night's game was how they put Bowker on the roster, which means Contreras spot is still a "wild card" spot.— drbob1
- And I'm not picking on Howard either....he tattooed two bad pitchers last night in his usual end of season assault against the mediocre AA and AAA arms he's gonna see. And don't tell me Arroyo won 17 MLB games last year because that's not who you're getting THIS year. This Arroyo belongs in AAA this year but they're paying him too much to demote him. Really disappointed in Chase though. He looks lost most at bats and seems to have been reduced to a one legged singles hitter.— Mark1npt
- Arroyo came into last night's game leading the league in home runs allowed with 35...He's Livan Hernandez with a high leg kick and bad hair.— bearsfriend
- Everything to gain, nothing to lose. I like it. DL Gload, the injury is too severe. Didn't Howard just rip 2 against the Reds. Seriously Mark1kaput, save the rants for when he's slumping. Ranting about him after his last game makes you look stupid. Not that you need any more help in that department!— Grazman
- What hardships Philadelphia faces- do we use this guy, or that guy? Which of our 5 top pitchers to use; do we send Kendrick in once in a while to give the big guns a rest? Imagine if you were a Mets fan. Their message boards must be so much fun.— verve
- Fitz, if memory serves me, both Polly and Gload's injuries go back to early May. In older players (think 30 and up mostly)these tears can happen from just about anything they do. First step out of the batter's box accelerating to run up the line, pop! Diving back into first on a pickoff attempt, pop! Sliding in the OF to make a catch or diving in the hole to snare a grounder, pop! That's not even mentioning, the pre-game stretching, BP, running to loosen up, pop! Just like JRoll's calf before the game last year. And that doesn't even coverstepping down awkwardly out of the team bus while you're talking on your cell phone with your agent......pop!— Mark1npt
- Aaron Rowand just became available when the Giants released him this morning. So drop Gload and get Rowand.— echosmyron
