2012 Topps Heritage #192 @JustinDeFratus

Braves 8, Phillies 1
Spring Training Game 13 - Monday Afternoon, March 10th in Clearwater
Record - 2-9-2

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies fell flat again in spring training action against the Braves, losing 8-1.

What Happened:  It's just not going well for the Phils, and if their play in the first 13 games of the exhibition season is any indication, we're in for a very long season.  Cliff Lee pitched into the fourth inning, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out five.

A Maikel Franco error in the seventh led to five unearned Braves runs scored off Jonathan Papelbon.

Featured Card:  With the team suffering as a whole, I'm trying to look for little reasons to be optimistic as April quickly approaches.  Justin De Fratus has quietly put together a solid spring, allowing a run over four innings while striking out five.  He's a lock to make the team's bullpen and he turned in a nice diving play in yesterday's game which you can view here.

De Fratus will hopefully get a new standard-sized Phillies card in 2014, as he hasn't appeared on a Topps or Panini baseball card since 2012.  This is his solo card from the 2012 Topps Heritage set, not to be confused with his multi-player Rookie Stars card.

2013 Quarry Unlimited Jeff Manship

Phillies 1, Twins 1

Spring Training Game 12 – Sunday Afternoon, March 9th in Fort Myers

Record - 2-8-2

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies and Twins game ended in a tie, as starter Jeff Manship continued to help his chances to make the team's starting pitching rotation.

What Happened:  Manship pitched three innings, allowing a run on two hits.  His performance was followed by six scoreless innings from the bullpen, with B.J. Rosenberg and Brad Lincoln each throwing a pair of scoreless innings.  The offense managed only two hits, and they were being no-hit by the Twins until Tony Gwynn, Jr.'s bloop single in the sixth.

Featured Card:  I thought I should take a look at Manship's baseball card history, given that he's currently in the lead to be the team's fifth starter to start the season.  Manship was drafted by the Twins in 2006, and he appeared in 41 games for the team between 2009 and 2012, going 3-2 with a 6.20 ERA.  He played for the Rockies last season, where he produced an unattractive 0-5 record with a 7.04 ERA.  

Manship's first official cards can be found in the 2006 Just Rookies set and in 2007 he was included in the Bowman Heritage Signs of Greatness autograph set.  Over the next two seasons, Manship appeared again in Bowman products, this time in their 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospects inset set and the 2009 Bowman Draft set.  To date, his last major baseball card appearance came within the 2010 Finest set.  Manship has been completely overlooked in recent years for cardboard consideration, but he does have an excellent virtual card within the 2013 Quarry Unlimited set, featured here.

IF he makes the Phillies opening day roster, there's a really good chance he'll find himself in the team issued postcard set and there's a 100% chance he'll earn his first Chachi card.

2014 Topps #182 Carlos Ruiz

Phillies 11, Astros 3
Spring Training Game 11 - Saturday Afternoon, March 8th in Clearwater
Record - 2-8-1

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies managed an impressive victory over a less than impressive, split squad Astros team, 11-3.

What Happened:  It's a start, but you have to take this win with a grain of salt given that the Phils were playing half of the possibly worst team in baseball.  Both Cody Asche and Carlos Ruiz hit three-run home runs and John Mayberry, Jr. drove in three runs.  The probable third starter, Roberto Hernandez, allowed a run on two hits in his 3 1/3 innings of work.

Featured Card:  Spring stats mean nothing of course, but it's encouraging to see Chooch swing the bat well.  He's played six of the team's 11 spring games, going 5 for 13 (.385) with two doubles and two home runs.  This is his base card from the Topps flagship set.

Camp Head Count:  58 - 7 = 51.  Before the game, relievers Michael Stutes and Luis Garcia were optioned to the minors.  I was very surprised to see Stutes in the first round of cuts, but he had definitely struggled in his three spring appearances.  Stutes was one of the team's most reliable relievers in 2011, but he's fallen off the radar a little the past two seasons due to lingering shoulder issues.  Following the game, top prospect Jesse Biddle was also reassigned to minor league camp.

Joining Biddle in minor league camp will be outfielders Aaron Altherr, Leandro Castro and Kelly Dugan, along with catcher Sebastian Valle.

2014 Donruss #38 Cameron Rupp

Orioles 15, Phillies 4
Spring Training Game 10 - Friday Afternoon, March 7th in Sarasota
Record - 1-8-1

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies turned in perhaps their worst game of the spring, getting completely demolished by the Orioles, 15-4.

What Happened:  It's not going well for the Phils at this point.  Every Phillies pitcher to toe the rubber allowed at least one run in this game.  A.J. Burnett (3 IP, 6 ER) and Miguel Gonzalez (1 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 2 BB) were the worst offenders.  All reports indicate that Gonzalez looks no where near Major League ready.

On the field, the Phillies made numerous mental mistakes and they're now batting just .189 as a team - lowest among all teams.

Featued Card:  Cameron Rupp and Darin Ruf both homered in the game.  Ruf isn't featued in the new 2014 Donruss set, but Rupp has cards in the base set and in The Rookies insert set.  I've featured his base card here, which combines elements of the 1978 Topps set with the 1987 Donruss set to come up with something that looks vintage-y, yet modern at the same time.  It's a shame that Donruss doesn't have a Major League baseball license, as these cards would look even better if team logos were included.

Still, it's great to have Donruss back in the fold and I'll happily add this Phillies team set to my collection.  Now if someone would just resurrect the Fleer brand . . .

2014 TSR Custom #114 Kyle Kendrick

Yankees 4, Phillies 3
Spring Training Game 9 - Thursday Afternoon, March 6th in Clearwater
Record - 1-7-1

One Sentence Summary:  Despite home runs from Freddy Galvis, Carlos Ruiz and John Mayberry, Jr., the Phillies still lost to the Yankees, 4-3.

What Happened:  In a game delayed at the outset by torrential rains, the Phillies lost yet again.  They join the Braves and the Red Sox as the only three teams at this point in the exhibition season with only one win.  Starting pitcher Kyle Kendrick allowed just a run in his three innings of work.  Relievers Jeremy Horst and Phillippe Aumont continued their spring struggles with mediocre outings.

Featured Card:  Kendrick has suddenly become an important cog in the team's starting pitching rotation as Cole Hamels has been shut down with "arm fatigue".  Kendrick figures to be the third starter in the rotation to start the season behind Cliff Lee and A.J. Burnett.

While everyone is anxiously awaiting the release of Topps Heritage, the packs that I'd really love to see in my local Target are the 2014 TSR Baseball wax packs.  The crack design and production crew over at The Shlabotnik Report have created a fantastic looking set of cards this year, with a design that rivals anything recently offered by Topps.  This is a set I would gladly save up my allowance money for, and just scrolling through the first pack of 2014 TSR Baseball was exciting.  As much as I loved the design for last year's set, I actually like this year's design even more.

The lone Phillies card in the initial pack belonged to Kendrick, and I can only hope future packs result in more Phillies cards.

1991 Medford Phillies Update #11 Jim Fregosi MG

Phillies 2, Braves 2

Spring Training Game 8 – Wednesday Afternoon, March 5^th in Clearwater

Record – 1-6-1

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies didn't lose and they pulled off a 2-2 spring training tie with the Braves, in a game that will be remembered mostly for the moving pre-game tribute to Jim Fregosi.

What Happened:  Former friends, family and colleagues gathered on the field prior to the game to pay their respects to the late, great Fregosi.  In a nice touch, several players lined up at third base wearing the various uniforms worn by Fregosi throughout his playing and managing career.  Former Phillies Darren Daulton and Kent Tekulve took place in the ceremonies.

In game action, non-roster invitee and starting pitcher Sean O'Sullivan threw three shutout innings against the Braves.  Kevin Frandsen had two hits, knocking in the Phillies first run and scoring the go-ahead run in the seventh.  The Braves would tie up the ballgame after pitcher Brad Lincoln's throwing error.

Featured Card:  I featured a Fregosi card a few weeks back when I learned of his passing, and here's another of his team issued cards from the '90s.

2003 Upper Deck Vintage #294 Marlon Byrd

Blue Jays 5, Phillies 3

Spring Training Game 7 – Tuesday Night, March 4^th in Clearwater

Record – 1-6

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies dropped another game, losing a rare spring training night game to the Blue Jays, 5-3.

What Happened:  Starting pitcher Cliff Lee had a decent outing, allowing just a run on three hits in his three innings of work.  Marlon Byrd hit his first home run of the spring with a two-run shot in the third off Blue Jays pitcher R.A. Dickey.

Featured Card:  We're getting closer to the release of 2014 Topps Heritage, and I was excited to see that Byrd was featured in the faux-Heritage set, 2003 Upper Deck Vintage.  Unfortunately, the Byrd card from the set doesn't contain the familiar pennant motif, but rather a different vintage-ish look.  I had already pulled out my 2003 Phillies binder to search for the card, so I thought I'd feature it anyway.

According to the official 2014 Topps Heritage checklist, Byrd is #48 in the set and it will be his first Phillies card since 2005.

2009 Upper Deck Spectrum #106 Lou Marson

Rays 6, Phillies 1
Spring Training Game 6 - Monday Afternoon, March 3rd in Port Charlotte
Record - 1-5

One Sentence Summary:  The Rays broke the game open with a five-run seventh inning against Michael Stutes, on their way to a 6-1 win.

What Happened:  From the Phillies perspective, not much happened.  Wil Nieves had an RBI-single in the fourth and the offense seemingly shut down for the rest of the day.  Roberto Hernandez threw three scoreless innings in his second spring start.  Stutes struggled in his outing, allowing five runs on three hits and two walks.

Featured Card:  Stutes' bad inning could have been abbreviated if not for a botched play at the plate by catcher and non-roster invitee Lou Marson.  With the new home plate collision rules in place, Marson poorly executed a block of home plate and Rays runner Justin Christian easily scored around him.  I was very surprised at how publicly critical manager Ryne Sandberg was of the play, who did not mince words when he said it "was not a good play," and "It was bad technique at home plate."

Former Phillie Marson was a long-shot to make the team out of Clearwater, and it appears as if his chances just got even slimmer.

2013 Topps Heritage High Numbers #H583 Cody Asche

Pirates 4, Phillies 1
Spring Training Game 5 - Sunday Afternoon, March 2nd in Clearwater
Record - 1-4

One Sentence Summary:  A.J. Burnett made his debut as the Phillies fell to the Pirates, 4-1.

What Happened:  Burnett looked good in his two innings of work, allowing a run on one hit while recording five ground ball outs.  Tony Gwynn, Jr. added two hits in the losing effort.

The scariest part of the game came in the fifth inning when Pirates pitcher Yao-Hsun Yang drilled third baseman Cody Asche in his right hand with a pitch.  Asche left the game and fortunately there was no break - only a deep bruise.

Featured Card:  By all indications, there's a competition between Asche and fellow prospect Maikel Franco for the starting third baseman's job.  I have to believe that Asche has the inside track though, after his impressive performance last year at both the minor and major league levels.  Asche made his regular Topps Heritage debut in last year's High Numbers release, and he's card #75 in this year's highly anticipated Heritage set.  Jenna and I broke down and purchased a few Topps Heritage boxes from Blowout Cards, and in a few days I'll start anxiously checking for a delivery e-mail from our friendly UPS guy.

2012 Bowman Platinum Prospect Autographs #AP-DBU David Buchanan

Yankees 4, Phillies 0
Spring Training Game 4 - Saturday Afternoon, March 1st in Tampa
Record - 1-3

One Sentence Summary:  Cuban-born, Man of Mystery Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez made his less than impressive first appearance as the Yankees blanked the Phillies, 4-0.

What It Means:  It's only his first appearance, but the Phillies brass has to be a little nervous about their four-year, $12 million deal with the righty pitcher.  Originally projected to be a key cog in the starting rotation, Gonzalez could be headed to Lehigh Valley to start the season.

What Happened:  Gonzalez was removed after 1 2/3 innings and his 50-pitch limit.  He allowed two hits and walked four while striking out two, while facing mostly Yankees minor leaguers.  Jeremy Horst also struggled in his inning of work, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks.

Featured Card:  The sole bright spot from the game was the scoreless two innings turned in by starter David Buchanan.  Buchanan struck out both Derek Jeter and Brian Roberts in the first, and he could find himself in the mix this year if injuries tamper with the rotation.  I must be slipping in my old age, because I completely missed the announcement about a week ago that Buchanan had been added to the list of non-roster invitees.

Buchanan split last season between Reading and Lehigh Valley, going 10-13 with a 4.40 ERA in 28 starts.  His most recent Topps baseball cards came in the 2012 Bowman Platinum Prospects and Pro Debut sets.

Camp Head Count:  57 + 1 = 58.  And for the record, here's an updated list of the official 18 non-roster invitees.

Player (position) - 2013 Organization - Last Major Baseball Card Appearance

1.  Shawn Camp (rhp) - Cubs/Diamondbacks - 2012 Topps Update #US238 (Cubs)

2.  Leandro Castro (of) - Phillies - 2010 Topps Pro Debut #84 (Phillies)

3.  Cesar Jimenez (lhp) - Phillies - 2009 Upper Deck #857 (Mariners)

4.  Clete Thomas (of) - Twins - 2010 Topps #441 (Tigers)

5.  Reid Brignac (inf) - Yankees/Rockies - 2013 Topps Update #US206

6.  Andres Blanco (inf) - N/A - 2007 Topps #659 (Royals)

7.  Jeff Manship (rhp) - Rockies - 2010 Finest #141 (Twins)

8.  Tony Gwynn, Jr. (of) - Dodgers - 2012 Topps #284 (Dodgers)

9.  Lou Marson (c) - Indians - 2013 Topps #443 (Indians)

10.  Sean O'Sullivan (rhp) - Padres - 2011 Topps Update #US89 (Royals)

11.  Dave Sappelt (of) - Cubs - 2012 Topps #657 (Cubs)

11.  Jesse Biddle (lhp) - Phillies - 2013 Bowman Draft Top Prospects #TP-6 (Phillies)

12.  Maikel Franco (3b) - Phillies - 2013 Topps Heritage Minors #158 (Phillies)

13.  Ken Giles (rhp) - Phillies - None

14.  Mario Hollands (lhp) - Phillies - None

15.  Sebastian Valle (c) - Phillies - 2012 Topps Heritage Minors #144 (Phillies)

16.  Ronny Cedeno (inf) - Astros/Padres - 2011 Topps Heritage #270 (Pirates)

17.  Chad Gaudin (rhp) - Giants - 2013 Topps Update #US86 (Giants)

17.  Bobby Abreu (of) - None - 2012 Topps Heritage #H669 (Dodgers)

18.  David Buchanan (rhp) - Phillies - 2012 Topps Pro Debut #192 (Phillies)

2003 Upper Deck Vintage #141 Jimmy Rollins

Phillies 10, Tigers 6
Spring Training Game 3 - Friday Afternoon, February 28th in Clearwater
Record - 1-2

One Sentence Summary:  Jimmy Rollins hit a three-run home run leading the Phillies to a 10-6 win over the Tigers.

What It Means:  The Phillies will not lose every spring training game this year.  And this is probably an incredibly obvious statement, but isn't it great to have baseball back?

What Happened:  Rollins' home run capped an eight-run third inning and he reached base in each of his three plate appearances with two walks.  Marlon Byrd was the only other Phillie with a multi-hit game.  Kyle Kendrick had a rough first outing, allowing three first inning runs.

Featured Card:  We're just a few days away from the highly anticipated release of 2014 Topps Heritage, which will look much more like the actual 1965 Topps set than the half-hearted imitation attempt by 2003 Upper Deck Vintage.  I'll have a whole post on the set once it's released, but in the meantime definitely check out yesterday's preview post from 14,000 Phillies and the series of posts by Phungo celebrating the original.

2013 Topps Heritage Minor League #67 Ethan Martin

Blue Jays 7, Phillies 5
Spring Training Game 2 - Thursday Afternoon, February 27th in Dunedin
Record - 0-2

One Sentence Summary:  Home runs from Darin Ruf and John Mayberry, Jr. weren't enough to overcome the Blue Jays and the hot bat of Jose Bautista as the Phillies lost, 7-5.

What It Means:  Ruf and Mayberry are seemingly both competing for roster spots, and both delivered an impressive performance in this game.  But it's still very, very early.

What Happened:  Cliff Lee made his spring debut and allowed a run while striking out three in his two innings of work.  Ethan Martin got roughed up in the fifth and left the game with shoulder discomfort after not retiring a batter.  Ben Revere had a three-hit day.

Featured Card:  Topps revealed the final checklist for the 2014 Topps Heritage set yesterday, and I'm extremely excited for the set's release.  Compared to the tame 1964 Topps design, pictured here on Martin's Topps Heritage Minor League card from last year, the 1965 Topps design is much more exciting, colorful and just plain groovy.

Based on the official 2014 Topps Heritage checklist, Martin will share a Rookie Star card with catcher Cameron Rupp.

It's also timely that I'm sharing an IronPigs card in this post, as the team recently announced it will wear an alternate hat this year featuring a cartoon rendering of bacon.  Yes, you read that sentence correctly.

Baseball is Back!

2014 Topps Upper Class #UC-26

Blue Jays 4, Phillies 3 (7 Innings - Rain)
Spring Training Game 1 - Wednesday Afternoon, February 26th in Clearwater
Record - 0-1

One Sentence Summary:  For the love of all things good and pure, baseball - sweet, sweet baseball - is back.

What It Means:  See above.  Also, for the fourth straight year, I'll be recapping each and every Phillies game from the Grapefuit League season.  These posts won't contain any breaking news or hard-hitting game analysis, but they will feature the occasional marginally amusing commentary and a baseball card somehow related to the game.

What Happened:  The Phils lost 4-3 in a rain-shortened game.  Pitchers Roberto Hernandez and Phillippe Aumont were touched for two runs a piece, while non-roster invitee Jeff Manship tossed two scoreless frames.  Ryan Howard and Marlon Byrd contributed RBI-singles for the Phillies in the first.

New Phillies announcers Jamie Moyer and Matt Stairs made their debuts in the booth, and I honestly enjoyed listening to a television broadcast for the first time in many years.

Featured Card:  I feel like I need to feature a newish 2014 baseball card in the first game summary post of the year.  This is Howard's Upper Class insert card from the Topps flagship release.  I really don't see the reason for this particular insert set, other than to perhaps take a subliminal dig at the departed Upper Deck?  Upper Class seems like an insert set name that Upper Deck would have used back when it was still producing baseball cards.

Camp Head Count:  57.  As the exhibition season begins, the Phillies sit at 57 active players on their roster.  They'll whittle that count down to 25 prior to the regular season opener in April.

2014 Chachi Preview #4 Tony Gwynn, Jr.

Tony Gwynn, Jr. may be a long-shot to make the opening day roster, but I didn't want that to hold him back from having his very own Chachi card.  I was browsing through the team's picture day photos posted on the ESPN photo wire, and once I saw that Gwynn's picture was included I knew he was going to get his first Phillies card - albeit a virtual one.  If Gwynn makes the club, he'll be the third son of a Hall of Famer to play for the Phillies.

Dick Sisler (1948-1951), son of George Sisler (HOF 1939)

Earl Averill, Jr. (1963), son of Earl Averill (HOF 1975)

Tony Gwynn, Jr. (2014?), son of Tony Gwynn (HOF 2007)

And I might as well post an updated list of non-roster invitees.  Pitcher Chad Gaudin failed his physical on the first day of spring training and was released.

Player (position) - 2013 Organization - Last Major Baseball Card Appearance

1.  Shawn Camp (rhp) - Cubs/Diamondbacks - 2012 Topps Update #US238 (Cubs)

2.  Leandro Castro (of) - Phillies - 2010 Topps Pro Debut #84 (Phillies)

3.  Cesar Jimenez (lhp) - Phillies - 2009 Upper Deck #857 (Mariners)

4.  Clete Thomas (of) - Twins - 2010 Topps #441 (Tigers)

5.  Reid Brignac (inf) - Yankees/Rockies - 2013 Topps Update #US206

6.  Andres Blanco (inf) - N/A - 2007 Topps #659 (Royals)

7.  Jeff Manship (rhp) - Rockies - 2010 Finest #141 (Twins)

8.  Tony Gwynn, Jr. (of) - Dodgers - 2012 Topps #284 (Dodgers)

9.  Lou Marson (c) - Indians - 2013 Topps #443 (Indians)

10.  Sean O'Sullivan (rhp) - Padres - 2011 Topps Update #US89 (Royals)

11.  Dave Sappelt (of) - Cubs - 2012 Topps #657 (Cubs)

11.  Jesse Biddle (lhp) - Phillies - 2013 Bowman Draft Top Prospects #TP-6 (Phillies)

12.  Maikel Franco (3b) - Phillies - 2013 Topps Heritage Minors #158 (Phillies)

13.  Ken Giles (rhp) - Phillies - None

14.  Mario Hollands (lhp) - Phillies - None

15.  Sebastian Valle (c) - Phillies - 2012 Topps Heritage Minors #144 (Phillies)

16.  Ronny Cedeno (inf) - Astros/Padres - 2011 Topps Heritage #270 (Pirates)

17.  Chad Gaudin (rhp) - Giants - 2013 Topps Update #US86 (Giants)

17.  Bobby Abreu (of) - None - 2012 Topps Heritage #H669 (Dodgers)

Burnett Joins Rotation

2014 Chachi Transactions #18

On Sunday morning, the addition of A.J. Burnett to the Phillies pitching roation for 2014 (and perhaps 2015) became official.  He has a one-year, $16 million deal with a mutual option for 2015, performance bonuses and a limited no-trade clause.  Burnett joins the rotation behind Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels, who could start the year late due to shoulder issues.  Kyle Kendrick, Miguel Gonzalez, Roberto Hernandez and Jonathan Pettibone (also battling arm issues) will most likely round out the bottom of the rotation.

The move instantly makes the Phillies a better team.  But just how much better remains to be seen.  Burnett, 37, will be entering his 16th season in 2014 and his best season was back in 2008 when he went 18-10 with 231 strikeouts and a 4.07 ERA for the Blue Jays.  With the Yankees, he started two games against the Phillies in the 2009 World Series.  He pitched the Yankees to a Game 2 victory, but the Phillies knocked him out after just two innings in Game 5.  He's spent the last two seasons with the Pirates and he went 10-11 last season with a 3.30 ERA.

Manager Ryne Sandberg was particularly excited about the signing:

Ryne Sandberg, on A.J. Burnett: "He’s the belated Christmas present and Valentine’s Day present that I've been waiting for. "
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) February 16, 2014

Burnett has worn #34 since the 2002 season with the Marlins, and he'll assume that  number with the Phillies in 2014.  This in spite of the number originally being unofficially set aside for the season to honor the recently retired Roy Halladay.  Lefty reliever Joe Savery was designated for assignment to make room for Burnett on the 40-man roster.  I would hope to see Savery to be back in camp shortly as a non-roster invitee.

Here's the latest list of offseason moves, and I'd have to think this list is pretty much complete at this point.  Let's play some ball!

Moving On

Steven Lerud (10/1/13) - Elected free agency.  (Signed as a minor league free agent with the Atlanta Braves, 11/23/13)

Raul Valdes (10/2/13) - Claimed off waivers by the Houston Astros.

Tyler Cloyd (10/2/13) - Claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Indians.

Michael Martinez (10/7/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.  (Signed as a minor league free agent with the Pittsburgh Pirates, 12/18/13)

Zach Miner (10/7/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.  (Signed as a minor league free agent with the Seattle Mariners, 2/11/14)

Pete Orr (10/7/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.  (Signed as a minor league free agent with the Milwaukee Brewers, 1/27/14)

Roger Bernadina (10/17/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.  (Signed as a minor league free agent with the Cincinnati Reds, 1/31/14)

J.C. Ramirez (10/17/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.  (Signed as a minor league free agent with the Cleveland Indians, 11/1/13)

Casper Wells (10/17/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.  (Signed as a minor league free agent with the Chicago Cubs, 11/23/13)

John Lannan (10/17/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.  (Signed as a minor league free agent with the New York Mets, 1/18/14)

Roy Halladay (10/31/13) - Elected free agency.  (Signed by the Toronto Blue Jays and announced his retirement, 12/9/13)

Mauricio Robles (11/5/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and became a minor league free agent.

Erik Kratz (12/3/13) - Traded with Rob Rasmussen to the Toronto Blue Jays for Brad Lincoln.

Coming Back

Cesar Jimenez (11/15/13) - Signed to a minor league contract and invited to spring training.

Carlos Ruiz (11/21/13) - Resigned by the Phillies to a three-year contract with a club option for a fourth year.

New Additions

Marlon Byrd (11/12/13) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Brad Lincoln (12/3/13) - Acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays for Erik Kratz and Rob Rasmussen.

Wil Nieves (12/5/13) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Kevin Munson (12/12/13) - Selected in the Rule 5 draft from the Arizona Diamondacks.

Roberto Hernandez (12/18/13) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Tampa Bay Rays.

A.J. Burnett (2/16/14) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Pittsburgh Pirates

Jim Fregosi (1942-2014)

1992 Medford Phillies #11

I was very sad to learn of the passing of former Phillies manager Jim Fregosi earlier this morning.  By all accounts, Fregosi was a genuinely great guy and the baseball world is mourning his loss.

Fregosi came to the Phillies in May 1989, hired by his good friend Lee Thomas to be the GM's special assistant.  He spent the 1990 season as the team's minor league pitching instructor/special assignment coach before briefly joining the broadcast booth for the start of the 1991 season.  On April 23, 1991, Fregosi replaced the fired Nick Leyva as the team's new manager, inheriting a team that would see major changes over the course of the season.  His team finished in last place in 1992, but they shocked all of us, and won our hearts in the process, by defeating the Braves in the N.L.C.S. and advancing to the World Series in 1993.

Fregosi's next three seasons with the Phillies were rough, and he was let go following the 1996 campaign. His final record with the Phils was 431-463, placing him fourth on the franchise's list of all-time wins by manager behind Charlie Manuel (780), Gene Mauch (645) and Danny Ozark (594).

Fregosi appeared on a number of Phillies baseball cards between 1991 and 1996, with my favorite easily being the team issued card picturing him at the 1993 All-Star game surrounded by his players.

Attention Pitchers and Catchers: REPORT

2013 Phillies Team Issue #23

Moyer and Stairs Join the Booth

2010 Phillies Fan Appreciation Day Postcards

You know it's been a slow offseason for your team when the two most exciting moves are the naming of a new coaching staff and the hiring of two new television broadcasters.  Yesterday, the Phillies announced the replacements for ousted broadcasters Chris Wheeler and Gary Matthews, bringing back 2008 Phillies teammates Jamie Moyer and Matt Stairs.

It seems as if the team decided to go with the two most genuinely likable guys they could find, and it helps that both are legends in town thanks to their parts in the magical 2008 season.  Moyer and Stairs will join hold-over TV voice Tom McCarthy in the booth.  It should also be noted that Moyer's hiring most likely marks the official retirement from active duty for the 51-year-old southpaw.

Moyer and Stairs join a long, distinguished list of former Phillies who eventually joined the broadcast team.  As much as I love listening to Scott Franzke and Larry Andersen on the radio, I might just have to switch over to the TV audio every once in a while this season.

Richie Ashburn, 1963-1997
Robin Roberts, 1974-1976
Tim McCarver, 1980-1982
Garry Maddox, 1987-1996
Mike Schmidt, 1990
Kent Tekulve, 1991-1997
Jay Johnstone, 1992-1993
Larry Andersen, 1998-
John Kruk, 2003
Gary Matthews, 2007-2013
Jamie Moyer, 2014-
Matt Stairs, 2014-

2014 Chachi Transactions #16 Roger Bernadina

Whenever I get around to working on my 2013 Phillies Missing Links post, outfielder Roger Bernadina  will be listed as one of the unfortunate few to never have an official Phillies baseball card.  Bernadina was outrighted off the 40-man roster in mid-October and he signed last week with the Reds on a minor league contract.

The speedy outfielder was released by the Nationals in mid-August, after spending the first 5 1/2 years of his career with the club.  The Phillies picked him up and he proceeded to go 14 for 75 (.187) with two home runs.  He split time between right and center field, starting 18 of his 27 games with the Phils.

Bernadina had a base card (as a National) within last year's Topps Gypsy Queen set.  He received virtual Phillies cards from me (actually one of my favorite 2013 Chachi cards) and the Phillies, in the form of a giant-sized 2011 Topps-style card.

2014 Chachi Transactions #15 Pete Orr

Infielder Pete Orr joined the ranks of former Phillies when he was outrighted off the team's 40-man roster in the week following the 2013 season.  He's since landed with the Brewers, where he'll go to spring training as a non-roster invitee.

Orr played in parts of three seasons for the Phillies, accumulating a .247 average over 96 games.  He made the team's opening day rosters in both 2011 and 2012, but spent the majority of last season playing for the Triple-A IronPigs.  His sole Phillies card can be found in the team's second postcard set from 2011, although I have four IronPigs cards of his in my collection.

2014 Chachi Transactions #14 John Lannan

We're just nine days away from pitchers and catchers officially reporting to Clearwater, which means I need to clear out some of the clutter in my draft post folder.  It's somewhat fitting that I equate the word clutter with John Lannan's last official Chachi card.  Lannan signed a minor league contract with the Mets last month.

Lannan will be remembered more by Phillies fans for breaking Chase Utley's hand in July 2007 than he will for going 3-6 in 14 starts for the 2013 club.  He earned one standard sized baseball card as a member of the Phillies, which can be found within the 2013 Topps Update set.  He also appeared in both team issued sets last year.

As pointed out in his comment to the Michael Martinez "tribute" post, Jim from Downingtown noted that there is an inordinate number of former 2013 Phillies who could only land minor league deals this offseason.  That's definitely a testament to the lack of actual Major League depth on last year's team.  Of the 13 players to depart the team since October, only two are currently on their new teams' 40-man rosters - catcher Erik Kratz (Blue Jays) and reliever Raul Valdes (Astros).  Roy Halladay retired, Zach Miner and Mauricio Robles have yet to find employment, and the other eight guys, including Lannan, have minor league deals.

2014 Phillies Want List

2014 Topps #105

Donruss

Base Set - 19 Utley DK

Breakout Hitters - 20 Brown

Game Gear - 22 Lee, 39 Brown

Team MVPs - 22 Schmidt

Topps Series 1
Manufactured Commemorative Patch - CP-23 Utley
Super Veterans - SV-8 Rollins, SV-14 Halladay
Trajectory Relics - TR-MS Schmidt
Upper Class - UC-45 Sandberg

The Michael Martinez Era (12/9/10 - 10/7/13)

2014 Chachi Transactions #13

On October 7, 2013, the long and painful relationship between Michael Martinez and the Philadelphia Phillies came to an end.  Now I don't have statistical proof to back this up, but Martinez will go down in the franchise annals as one of the worst players of this mostly glorious era.  In parts of three seasons with the club, Mini Mart hit .187 over 162 games.  It was a constant source of consternation to Phillies fans everywhere as to why this guy was taking up a roster spot.  For whatever reason, former manager Charlie Manuel seemed to have a soft spot for Martinez, and he kept coming back up from Lehigh Valley like a persistent summer mosquito that just won't go away.

And now he's property of the Pirates.  Which means he'll probably hit a huge, dramatic game-winning home run against the Phillies at some point this year.

Moving On

Steven Lerud (10/1/13) - Elected free agency.  (Signed as a minor league free agent with the Atlanta Braves, 11/23/13)

Raul Valdes (10/2/13) - Claimed off waivers by the Houston Astros.

Tyler Cloyd (10/2/13) - Claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Indians.

Michael Martinez (10/7/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.  (Signed as a minor league free agent with the Pittsburgh Pirates, 12/18/13)

Zach Miner (10/7/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.

Pete Orr (10/7/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.  (Signed as a minor league free agent with the Milwaukee Brewers, 1/27/14)

Roger Bernadina (10/17/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.  (Signed as a minor league free agent with the Cincinnati Reds, 1/31/14)

J.C. Ramirez (10/17/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.  (Signed as a minor league free agent with the Cleveland Indians, 11/1/13)

Casper Wells (10/17/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.  (Signed as a minor league free agent with the Chicago Cubs, 11/23/13)

John Lannan (10/17/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.  (Signed as a minor league free agent with the New York Mets, 1/18/14)

Roy Halladay (10/31/13) - Elected free agency.  (Signed by the Toronto Blue Jays and announced his retirement, 12/9/13)

Mauricio Robles (11/5/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and became a minor league free agent.

Erik Kratz (12/3/13) - Traded with Rob Rasmussen to the Toronto Blue Jays for Brad Lincoln.

Coming Back

Cesar Jimenez (11/15/13) - Signed to a minor league contract and invited to spring training.

Carlos Ruiz (11/21/13) - Resigned by the Phillies to a three-year contract with a club option for a fourth year.

New Additions

Marlon Byrd (11/12/13) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Brad Lincoln (12/3/13) - Acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays for Erik Kratz and Rob Rasmussen.

Wil Nieves (12/5/13) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Kevin Munson (12/12/13) - Selected in the Rule 5 draft from the Arizona Diamondacks.

Roberto Hernandez (12/18/13) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Tampa Bay Rays.

You'll notice I haven't added any of the players signed to minor league contracts to this New Additions list.  In an effort to keep the list semi-manageable, I've made the decision not to add the non-roster invitees to the list until after they've officially made the team.