Busy weekend for the Phillies that saw them agree to deals with two pitchers — lefty John Lannan appears to be set to serve as the fifth starter and righty Mike Adams looks likely to set up Papelbon.
This article says that the deal with Adams is for two years, $12 million and the deal with Lannan is one year, $2.5 million.
Lannan has made 19 starts against the Phillies over his career, throwing to an ugly 5.53 ERA with a 1.74 ratio. Opponents have hit 329/404/546 against him in Citizens Bank Park. So that could be better. In 94 1/3 innings against the Phillies in all stadiums he’s hit 11 batters. In 689 1/3 innings against all other teams, he’s hit 19 batters. In his major league debut on July 26, 2007, Lannan was ejected in the fifth inning after hitting Utley and Howard back-to-back. The ball that hit Utley broke his hand.
Here’s my guess on how the pitcher staff for 2013 looks at this point as well as the top candidates to fill the last two slots:
| Role | Pitcher | Others | |
| 1 | SP | Halladay (R) | Stutes (R) |
| 2 | SP | Lee (L) | Schwimer (R) |
| 3 | SP | Hamels (L) | De Fratus (R) |
| 4 | SP | Kendrick (R) | Cloyd (R) |
| 5 | SP | Lannan (L) | Rosenberg (R) |
| 6 | RP | Papelbon (R) | Valdes (L) |
| 7 | RP | Adams (R) | Savery (L) |
| 8 | RP | Bastardo (L) | Diekman (L) |
| 9 | RP | Horst (L) | |
| 10 | RP | Aumont (R) | |
| 11 | RP | ||
| 12 | RP |
On Friday, the Phillies claimed 23-year-old left-handed reliever Mauricio Robles off of waivers from Seattle. Robles was primarily a starter in Seattle minor league system through 2011. In 2012 he made 43 appearances, 37 of which were in relief, and threw to a 5.78 ERA with 1.69 ratio between Double-A and Triple-A. He walked 63 in 71 2/3 innings. That’s not a joke, it’s actually a stat.
This suggests that the Phillies and Mariners are among the teams interested in Cody Ross and that Ross may be looking for a three-year, $25 million contract.
This suggests that the Phillies may have one payroll slot left, which would allow them to pay a new outfielder about $7 million.
December 17th, 2012 on 1:29 pm
I’m guessing Rosenberg (long guy) and Stutes will be the final two of the ones that you mention. I also have a gut feeling that Diekman will be the second lefty over Horst.
December 17th, 2012 on 1:43 pm
I’m with you on Stutes. He’d be my early guess to take one of the two remaining spots at this point.
If Diekman and Horst are both healthy and on the team, I will be really surprised if Diekman makes the squad and Horst doesn’t. Horst was really, really good last year. Diekman threw to a 3.95 ERA, but with a 1.65 ratio. He allowed 20 walks in 27 1/3 innings.
If I had to pick now, I would go with Stutes and Valdes getting the last two spots, even if it means three lefties to start the year. Valdes was really fantastic last season also.
People will surely be hurt, though, so I’d guess they will be looking at different lists anyway by the time it comes to actually have to make a choice.
December 17th, 2012 on 3:02 pm
I had forgotten how good Valdes was last year. I suppose he does make sense.
One more name to throw on your list for political reasons is J.C. Ramirez. He is out of options and therefore needs to be on the 25-man roster or exposed to waivers. He isn’t nearly as good as the guys already on the list, but he may be given extra opportunities for that reason.
December 17th, 2012 on 4:05 pm
I definitely agree he’s not as good as the other guys on the list and also agree he could get a spot to avoid losing him. Kinda hope they decide not to do that, though.