A Look Back at the Phillies Transactions - 2020 to 2021

2021 Topps Heritage #337

2021 Topps Heritage #442

2021 Chachi Departures #2

2021 Topps Heritage #69

2021 Topps Heritage #421

I put together this listing each year for the sake of completeness, and similar to recent years I feel the need to hit Publish and quickly move on for the good of my own mental health.

Departures - 2020-2021 Offseason

• Deolis Guerra - rhp (10/14/20) - Elected free agency, signed with the Oakland Athletics (2/2/21).
• Trevor Kelley - rhp (10/14/20) - Elected free agency, signed with the Chicago Cubs (12/14/20).
• Jose Alvarez - lhp (10/28/20) - Elected free agency, signed with the San Francisco Giants (3/6/21).
• Jake Arrieta - rhp (10/28/20) - Elected free agency, signed with the Chicago Cubs (2/17/21).
• Jay Bruce - of (10/28/20) - Elected free agency, signed with the New York Yankees (2/12/21).
• Tommy Hunter - rhp (10/28/20) - Elected free agency, signed with the New York Mets (2/14/21).
• Brandon Workman - rhp (10/28/20) - Elected free agency, signed with the Chicago Cubs (2/18/21).
• Phil Gosselin - inf (10/30/20) - Outrighted off 40-man roster, elected free agency, signed with the Los Angeles Angels (2/11/21).
• Heath Hembree - rhp (10/30/20) - Outrighted off 40-man roster, elected free agency, singed with the Cleveland Indians (2/5/21).
• Adam Morgan - lhp (10/30/20) - Outrighted off 40-man roster, elected free agency, signed with the Chicago Cubs (2/12/21).
• Blake Parker - rhp (10/30/20) - Outrighted off 40-man roster, elected free agency, signed with the Cleveland Indians (2/16/21).
• David Phelps - rhp (10/30/20) - Club option declined, elected free agency, signed with the Toronto Blue Jays (2/11/21).
• David Robertson - rhp (10/30/20) - Club option declined, elected free agency, signed with the Tampa Bay Rays (8/16/21).
• Reggie McClain - rhp (12/10/20) - Selected by the Yankees in the minor league portion of the annual rule 5 draft.
• Garrett Cleavinger - lhp (12/29/20) - Traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers with the Phillies receiving Jose Alvarado in exchange from the Tampa Bay Rays.
• Kyle Garlick - of (1/22/21) - Claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves.
• Victor Arano - rhp (1/22/21) - Claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves.
• Cole Irvin - lhp (1/30/21) - Traded to the Oakland Athletics for cash considerations.

Coming Back - 2020-2021 Offseason

• Ronald Torreyes - inf (10/15/20) - Elected free agency, re-signed with the Phillies (1/4/21).
• J.T. Realmuto - c (10/28/20) - Elected free agency, re-signed with the Phillies (1/29/21).
• Didi Gregorius - ss (10/28/20) - Elected free agency, re-signed with the Phillies (2/10/21).

2021 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs Update #26

2021 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs #11

2021 Choice Reading Fightin Phils #3

2021 Topps Allen & Ginter #29

2021 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs #7

New Additions - 2020-2021 Offseason

• Jose Alvarado - lhp (12/29/20) - Acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays with the Dodgers receiving Garrett Cleavinger in exchange.
• Neftail Feliz - rhp (1/4/21) - Signed as a free agent.
• Sam Coonrod - rhp (1/9/21) - Acquired from the San Francisco Giants for Carson Ragsdale.
• Archie Bradley - rhp (1/18/21) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Cincinnati Reds.
• David Paulino - rhp (1/18/21) - Signed as a free agent.
• Matt Moore -lhp (2/3/21) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks.
• Chase Anderson - rhp (2/8/21) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Toronto Blue Jays.
• Matt Joyce - of (2/10/21) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Miami Marlins.
• Brandon Kintzler - rhp (2/10/21) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Miami Marlins.
• Travis Jankowski - of (2/12/21) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Cincinnati Reds.
• Brad Miller - inf (2/17/21) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Arrived During the 2021 Season

• Jorge Bonifacio - of (5/25/21) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Detroit Tigers.
• Cam Bedrosian - rhp (7/7/21) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Oakland Athletics.
• Hans Crouse - rhp, Kyle Gibson - rhp and Ian Kennedy - rhp (7/30/21) - Acquired from the Texas Rangers with cash for Josh Gessner, Kevin Gowdy and Spencer Howard.
• Freddy Galvis - inf (7/30/21) - Acquired from the Baltimore Orioles for Tyler Burch.

Departed During the 2021 Season

• David Hale - rhp (6/27/21) - Granted free agency.
• Neftali Feliz - rhp (7/3/21) - Granted free agency, signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers (7/5/21).
• Spencer Howard - rhp (7/30/21) - Traded to the Texas Rangers with Josh Gessner and Kevin Gowdy for Hans Crouse, Kyle Gibson, Ian Kennedy and cash.
• Brandon Kintzler - rhp (8/2/21) - Released.
• Chase Anderson - rhp (8/27/21) - Released, signed with the Texas Rangers (8/31/21).
• Vince Velasquez - rhp (9/12/21) - Released, signed with the San Diego Padres (9/15/21).
• Enyel De Los Santos - rhp (9/13/21) - Selected off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
• Matt Joyce - of (9/26/21) - Released.

Bamboo Brad Returns; Flurry of Ex-Phils Sign Elsewhere

2021 Chachi New Additions #10

2021 Chachi Departures #3

2021 Chachi Departures #4

2021 Chachi Departures #5

2021 Chachi Departures #6

On Wednesday, the official first day of spring training, the Phillies announced the return of popular super utility player Brad Miller, who had spent last season with the Cardinals.  Miller's introduction of a lucky bamboo plant to the Phillies clubhouse during the summer of 2019 sparked a mini winning streak, and led to an increase in bamboo sales across the local area.  To make room for Miller on the 40-man roster, reliever Seranthony Dominguez was placed on the 60-day IL as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery.

At this point, most of the ex-Phillies that made up the rogue's gallery of the 2020 team have found new homes, with the exceptions of relievers Jose Alvarez and David Robertson.  The day will come when we no longer have to reflect back on the pain caused by the team's 2020 bullpen.  Of the players listed below, I'm saddest to see the departure of Phil Gosselin and I hope The Phillies Room Favorite finds himself a steady job on the Angels' roster.

Departures - 2020-2021 Offseason

• Deolis Guerra - rhp (10/14/20) - Elected free agency, signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics (2/2/21).
• Trevor Kelley - rhp (10/14/20) - Elected free agency, signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs (12/14/20).
• Jose Alvarez - lhp (10/28/20) - Elected free agency.
• Jake Arrieta - rhp (10/28/20) - Elected free agency, signed with the Chicago Cubs (2/17/21).
• Jay Bruce - of (10/28/20) - Elected free agency, signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees (2/12/21).
• Tommy Hunter - rhp (10/28/20) - Elected free agency, signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets (2/14/21).
• Brandon Workman - rhp (10/28/20) - Elected free agency.
• Phil Gosselin - inf (10/30/20) - Outrighted off 40-man roster, elected free agency, signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels (2/11/21).
• Heath Hembree - rhp (10/30/20) - Outrighted off 40-man roster, elected free agency, singed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians (2/5/21).
• Adam Morgan - lhp (10/30/20) - Outrighted off 40-man roster, elected free agency, signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs (2/12/21).
• Blake Parker - rhp (10/30/20) - Outrighted off 40-man roster, elected free agency, signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians (2/16/21).
• David Phelps - rhp (10/30/20) - Club option declined, elected free agency, signed with the Toronto Blue Jays (2/11/21).
• David Robertson - rhp (10/30/20) - Club option declined, elected free agency.
• Reggie McClain - rhp (12/10/20) - Selected by the Yankees in the minor league portion of the annual rule 5 draft.
• Garrett Cleavinger - lhp (12/29/20) - Traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers with the Phillies receiving Jose Alvarado in exchange from the Tampa Bay Rays.
• Kyle Garlick - of (1/22/21) - Claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves.
• Victor Arano - rhp (1/22/21) - Claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves.
• Cole Irvin - lhp (1/30/21) - Traded to the Oakland Athletics for cash considerations.

2021 Chachi Departures #7

2021 Chachi Departures #8

2021 Chachi Departures #9

2021 Chachi Departures #10

2021 Chachi Departures #11

Coming Back - 2020-2021 Offseason

• Ronald Torreyes - inf (10/15/20) - Elected free agency, re-signed with the Phillies as a minor league free agent (1/4/21).
• J.T. Realmuto - c (10/28/20) - Elected free agency, re-signed with the Phillies (1/29/21).
• Didi Gregorius - ss (10/28/20) - Elected free agency, re-signed with the Phillies (2/10/21).

New Additions - 2020-2021 Offseason

• Johan Quezada - rhp (10/30/20) - Claimed off waivers from the Miami Marlins.
• Ian Hamilton - rhp (12/7/20) Claimed off waivers from the Seattle Mariners.
• Kyle Holder - inf (12/10/20) - Selected from the Yankees in the annual rule 5 draft.
• Jose Alvarado - lhp (12/29/20) - Acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays with the Dodgers receiving Garrett Cleavinger in exchange.
• Sam Coonrod - rhp (1/9/21) - Acquired from the San Francisco Giants for Carson Ragsdale.
• Archie Bradley - rhp (1/18/21) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Cincinnati Reds.
• C.J. Chatham - inf (1/18/21) - Acquired from the Boston Red Sox for a player to be named later.
• Matt Moore -lhp (2/3/21) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks.
• Chase Anderson - rhp (2/8/21) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Toronto Blue Jays.
• Brad Miller - inf (2/17/21) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Already Gone - 2020-2021 Offseason

• Kyle Holder - inf (1/30/21) - Traded to the Cincinnati Reds for cash considerations.
• Ian Hamilton - rhp (2/5/21) - Claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Twins.
• Johan Quezada - rhp (2/10/21) - Traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for cash considerations.

Game 34 - 2020 Topps Total #18 Jake Arrieta

Phillies 5, Mets 3
Game 34 - Friday Night, September 4th in Flushing
Record - 19-15, 2nd Place, 2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Jake Arrieta rebounded to throw seven strong innings and the Phillies played some small ball to defeat the Mets, 5-3.

What It Means:  The Phillies stayed hot, winning their 5th in a row and their 10th game out of their last 11.

What Happened:  Arrieta was atrocious in his last start, but in this game he battled through 7 innings, scattering 7 hits and allowing a pair of runs while striking out 7.  Hector Neris struggled before the bullpen duo of Tommy Hunter and Brandon Workman recorded the final five outs needed for the win.  Workman earned his fifth Phillies save.

The struggling Bryce Harper was given the day off and Phil Gosselin made his first ever start in right field.  He rewarded manager Joe Girardi's decision by doubling with two-out in the 7th off Jared Hughes and scoring on Roman Quinn's RBI single to give the Phillies a 3-2 lead.

Featured Card:  Arrieta has been maddeningly inconsistent throughout his tenure with the club, but when he's good, as he was in this game, it serves as a reminder that he's still a pretty good option as a middle of the rotation starting pitcher.  Hopefully he's got a few more outings like this left in the tank for the rest of 2020.

2020 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2020 Season Summary Index / 2020 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 8 - 2020 Topps #144 Jake Arrieta

Phillies 5, Braves 0
Game 8 - Saturday Night, August 8th in Philadelphia
Record - 4-4, 3rd Place, 2 1/2 games behind the Marlins

One Sentence Summary:  Jake Arrieta pitched six solid shutout innings with J.T. Realmuto and Jay Bruce providing a pair of fourth inning home runs in this 5-0 win over the Braves.

What It Means:  The Phillies will try to move beyond the .500 level with a double header against the Braves on Sunday, necessitated by Friday's rain-out.  Top pitching prospect Spencer Howard is expected to make his much-anticipated debut today.

What Happened:  Arrieta was brilliant, allowing three singles and a walk while striking out six.  The bullpen did their job too, with Jose Alvarez, Tommy Hunter and Deolis Guerra making the last three innings look easy.

The game was scoreless until Realmuto hit his solo home run in the fourth off Braves' starter Kyle Wright.  Didi Gregorius followed with a sharp single to left and then Jean Segura walked, setting up Bruce's three-run blast.  The score stood at 4-0 until Gregorius drove home Bryce Harper in the eighth with an RBI single.  Earlier in the game, Harper made an impressive diving catch to take away a sure double from Adam Duvall.

Featured Card:  Arrieta, a potential free agent at season's end, looked wonderful.  Here's his card from the Topps flagship set, and it feels as if this was released years ago.

2020 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2020 Season Summary Index / 2020 Chachi Set Checklist

2020 Chachi #18 Jake Arrieta

#49
Jacob Joseph Arrieta
Starting Pitcher

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'4"  Weight:  230
Opening Day Age:  34
Born:  March 6, 1986, Farmington, MO
How Obtained:  Signed as a free agent, March 12, 2018
Contract Status:  Signed through 2020 with club options for 2021 and 2022
Major League Teams:  Baltimore Orioles 2010-2013; Chicago Cubs 2013-2017; Philadelphia Phillies 2018-

First Phillies Card:  2018 Topps Now Spring Training #ST-10
First Phillies Minor League Card:  N/A
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  2018 Phillies Team Issue #49

Newest Card Added:  2020 Topps Now Road to Opening Day #OD-283

Topps Flagship Set Appearances (11):  2010-2020

41 - Arrieta baseball cards in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 8/4/20.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2018 Chachi New Additions #5
2018 Chachi #30
2018 Chachi Phillies Phestival #16
2019 Chachi #15
2019 Chachi Phillies Phestival #18
2019 Chachi Ballpark Visits #25
2020 Chachi #18

This could be Arrieta's final season with the Phillies as his contract expires at the end of the year, but the team holds a club option for 2021.  Through 56 starts with the Phillies dating back to 2018, Arrieta is 18-20 with a 4.28 ERA.

He's appeared in every Topps flagship set since 2010, with his first appearance coming in the 2010 Topps Update release as an unbearded young pitcher with the Orioles.  Arrieta's greatest success came with the Cubs, winning the N.L. Cy Young in 2015 and helping the club win the 2016 World Series.

2020 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2020 Season Summary Index / 2020 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 4 - Phillies Return! (And They're Not Blown Out!)

2020 Topps Now
Road to Opening Day #OD-283

Yankees 6, Phillies 3
Game 4 - Monday Night, August 3rd in New York
Record - 1-3, 4th Place, 2 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Following a seven-day lay-off due to the COVID-19 outbreak on the Marlins' team, the Phillies returned to play and respectably lost to the Yankees, 6-3.

What It Means:  I'll admit I had braced for a complete blow-out at the hands of the powerful Yankees, but the Phillies hung in there and battled.  Tonight's game has already been postponed due to the effects of Hurricane Isaias, to be made up as a double header at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday.

What Happened:  Jake Arrieta gave up a first inning home run to DJ LeMahieu and a pair of runs in the third on a Brett Gardner home run and an Aaron Hicks double.  But it could have been a lot worse.  Arrieta lasted five innings, giving up three runs on seven hits.  Deolis Guerra was victimized with a three-run home by Gio Urshela in the sixth, basically putting the game out of reach.

Jay Bruce homered in the third for the Phillies off Gerrit Cole.  A few late inning runs were added on RBI singles from Adam Haseley and Jean Segura.  The game was halted for just over an hour before the seventh inning for a rain delay.

Featured Card:  These Topps Now Road to Opening Day cards still seem appropriate for these early games.  It's early August, but in my mind it feels like the baseball season is still stuck in late March/early April.  I'm having difficulty dealing with the time jump.

Transaction:  Reliever Reggie McClain was placed on the paternity list and Enyel De Los Santos was recalled from Lehigh Valley.

2020 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2020 Season Summary Index / 2020 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 118 - Leaving San Francisco with a Loss

Giants 9, Phillies 6
Game 118 - Sunday Night, August 11th in San Francisco
Record - 60-58, 4th place, 9 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Jake Arrieta was roughed up and Nick Pivetta couldn't keep the Giants off the scoreboard as the Phillies lost late, 9-6.

What It Means:  The offense actually battled, but the bullpen couldn't do its job in the late innings.  After a Monday off day, the Phillies open a three-game series with the Cubs with new hitting coach (!) Charlie Manuel.

What Happened:  Arrieta departed after three innings, having allowed five runs on seven hits.  The Phillies had battled back to tie the game at 6-6, but Pivetta was hit hard in the eighth inning, allowing three runs to score on three hits.  Bryce Harper had two more RBIs and Cesar Hernandez collected three hits.

Featured Card/Field Report:  Our last full day in San Francisco, we spent the morning in Muir Woods, one of the most beautiful and serene places I've ever visited.  After hamburgers in Sausalito, we walked to Oracle Park one last time hoping the Phillies could split the series.  They couldn't.

We were in Section 102 for this game, again behind the Phillies bullpen, so we got to see quite a few Phillies relievers warming up.  Despite the losing series, we had a great time in San Francisco and with the release of the 2020 Phillies schedule we've turned our attention towards figuring out where we should head next.

Here's an updated list of my ballpark visit list, and I now have 12 to go for the stadiums still active:

Team - Ballpark (First Game Visited) 
1.  Baltimore Orioles - Oriole Park at Camden Yards (5/23/1992)
2.  Colorado Rockies - Coors Field (5/29/2000)
3.  Pittsburgh Pirates - PNC Park (7/2001)
4.  Cleveland Indians - Progressive Field (8/2001)
5.  Chicago White Sox - Guaranteed Rate Field (9/17/2002)
6.  Kansas City Royals - Kauffman Stadium (9/26/2002)
7.  Chicago Cubs - Wrigley Field (9/28/2002)
8.  Detroit Tigers - Comerica Park (8/9/2003)
9.  Cincinnati Reds - Great American Ballpark (8/12/2003)
10.  Philadelphia Phillies - Citizens Bank Park (4/12/2004)
11.  Tampa Bay Rays - Tropicana Field (4/16/2006)
12.  Los Angeles Dodgers - Dodger Stadium (4/20/2011)
13.  Boston Red Sox - Fenway Park (8/16/2014)
14.  Washington Nationals - Nationals Park (8/24/2016)
15.  Atlanta Braves - SunTrust Park (5/17/2018)*
16.  San Diego Padres - Petco Park (6/30/2018)
17.  Arizona Diamondbacks - Chase Field (7/2/2018)
18.  San Francisco Giants - Oracle Park (8/8/2019)

Crossed off the list, now inactive:

1.  Philadelphia Phillies - Veterans Stadium (7/15/1979)
2.  Atlanta Braves - Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (8/1/1995)
3.  St. Louis Cardinals - Busch Stadium I (9/27/2002)
4.  Montreal Expos - Olympic Stadium (9/25/2004)
5.  New York Yankees - Yankee Stadium I (8/14/2005)
6.  Washington Nationals - RFK Stadium (10/2/2005)

*Game rained out, but I’m counting it since a hot dog and beer were purchased and I waited through the 2 1/2 hour rain delay.

Game 89 - 2019 Stadium Club #127 Jake Arrieta

Mets 6, Phillies 5
Game 89 - Saturday Night, July 6th in New York
Record - 46-43, 3rd place, 6 1/2 games behind the Braves

Annual Post-Vacation Game Summary Catch-Up, Part 10 of 10

One Sentence Summary:  The Mets took care of Jake Arrieta and the Phillies in this 6-5 win.

What It Means:  In his last seven starts, Arrieta has a 6.63 ERA, having allowed 53 hits in 38 innings.  (Per Jim Salisbury Tweet.)  Following this game, Arrieta revealed he had been suffering from an elbow injury, and the extent of his injury isn't yet known.

What Happened:  Arrieta was pulled in the fifth inning having allowed six runs (five earned) on 11 hits.  Jay Bruce (22) and Maikel Franco (13) both homered for the Phillies in the loss.

Featured Card:  I'll go with an Arrieta card, only because I may not get the chance to feature one of his cards again this season.  To date, in his 1 1/2 seasons with the Phillies, Arrieta is 18-18 with a 4.23 ERA in 49 starts.  Those aren't exactly ace-like numbers.

Highlights from the 2019 Phillies Phestival (Part 2) #StrikeOutALS

2019 Chachi Phillies Phestival #20

2019 Chachi Phillies Phestival #24

2019 Chachi Phillies Phestival #25

Yesterday, I include a summary of our time at this year's Phillies Phestival benefitting the ALS Association.  The first half of the cards I created to commemorate our day were included in that post, and this post gathers the remaining cards.

We're already anxiously awaiting next year's event!

2019 Chachi Phillies Phestival #12

2019 Chachi Phillies Phestival #13

2019 Chachi Phillies Phestival #15

2019 Chachi Phillies Phestival #17

2019 Chachi Phillies Phestival #18

2019 Chachi Phillies Phestival #21

2019 Chachi Phillies Phestival #22

2019 Chachi Phillies Phestival #23

Phillies Phestival Memory Lane

2017 Part 1 and Part 2

2018 Part 1 and Part 2

2019 Part 1 and Part 2

Game 52 - 2019 Topps Heritage #403 Jake Arrieta

Phillies 7, Brewers 2
Game 52 - Saturday Afternoon, May 25th in Milwaukee
Record - 31-21, 1st place, 2 1/2 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Jake Arrieta (5-4) threw eight solid innings and the Phillies offense showed some punch in this 7-2 win.

What It Means:  The Phillies are ten games over .500, their high water mark so far this season.  After going for the series sweep this afternoon, and a Monday off day, they'll open a three-game series at home against the Cardinals.  (An off day on Memorial Day?  That's a little disappointing.)

What Happened:  Arrieta allowed five hits and two runs while striking out eight, before yielding to Jose Alvarez to pitch the ninth.  Andrew McCutchen (8), Cesar Hernandez (5), Rhys Hoskins (13) and J.T. Realmuto (8) all homered in the winning effort.

Featured Card:  Arrieta hadn't earned featured card status since back in mid-April, so I'll gladly scan one of his many 2019 baseball cards for this post.

Transactions:  Reliever Pat Neshek landed on the Injured List with right elbow soreness and JD Hammer had his contract selected from Lehigh Valley.  Hammer was one of three players acquired from the Rockies when they originally shipped Neshek to Colorado prior to the 2017 trade deadline.  David Robertson was transferred to the 60-day IL to make room for Hammer on the 40-man roster.

2019 Chachi #15 Jake Arrieta

#49
Jacob Joseph Arrieta
Starting Pitcher

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'4"  Weight:  225
Opening Day Age:  33
Born:  March 6, 1986, Farmington, MO
Drafted:  Selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 5th round of the June 2007 draft
Teams:  Baltimore Orioles 2010-2013; Chicago Cubs 2013-2017; Phillies 2018-
Acquired:  Signed as a free agent formerly with the Chicago Cubs, March 12, 2018
Contract Status:  Signed a 3-year contract, taking him through 2020 with team options for 2021 and 2022

2010 Topps Update #US251

2018 Topps Now Spring Training #ST-10

2018 Chachi #30

2018 Topps #606

2018 Chachi Phillies Phestival #16

First Topps Flagship Base Card:  2010 Topps Update #US251
First Phillies Card:  2018 Topps Now Spring Training #ST-10
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  2018 Phillies Team Issue #49
First Topps Phillies Flagship Base Card:  2018 Topps #606
Newest Card Added:  2019 Topps Gypsy Queen #31

2018 Phillies Team Issue #49

25 - Arrieta baseball cards in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 4/23/19.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2018 Chachi New Additions #5
2018 Chachi #30
2018 Chachi Phillies Phestival #16
2019 Chachi #15

2019 Chachi Set Checklist
Virtual Phillies Wall - Featuring Current Active Roster

Game 17 - 2019 Topps Gypsy Queen #31 Jake Arrieta

Phillies 3, Mets 2
Game 17 - Wednesday Afternoon, April 17th in Philadelphia
Record - 11-6, 1st place, 1 1/2 games ahead of the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Jake Arrieta was in complete control in this 3-2 win over the Mets.

What It Means:  The series win gives the Phillies their biggest lead to date in the division, and they'll head to Denver for a four-game series against the last place Rockies beginning on Thursday night.

What Happened:  Arrieta pitched eight strong innings, scattering six hits and allowing two runs.  Hector Neris recorded the final two outs of the game for his second save.  Scott Kingery (2) and Cesar Hernandez (2) homered in the win.

Featured Card:  This is the newest Arrieta card in my collection, from the Gypsy Queen set released in late March.

2019 Chachi Photo Cards #9

Transactions:  In a somewhat surprising move, Nick Pivetta was optioned to Lehigh Valley and it was announced Jerad Eickhoff would be taking his spot in the rotation.  Pivetta owns a 8.35 ERA through his first four starts of 2019, and in his final 21 starts of 2018 he went 3-11 with a 5.60 ERA.  With other options available at Triple-A, the Phillies apparently had him on a short leash to start the season.

Infielder Phil Gosselin had his contract purchased to take Pivetta's roster spot as Jean Segura tweaked his hamstring in Tuesday night's game.  Gosselin becomes the first player on the 2019 Phillies without a Phillies baseball card to date.  His Chachi card can be found on the Virtual Phillies Wall, but I also thought he should have a card in the team-issued photo card set.

Tommy Hunter was moved to the 60-day IL to make room for Gosselin on the 40-man roster.

Game 12 - 2019 Topps Opening Day #179 Jake Arrieta

Phillies 9, Marlins 1
Game 12 - Friday Night, April 12th in Miami
Record - 8-4, 2nd place, 1/2 game behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Jake Arrieta baffled the Marlins line-up and Andrew McCutchen had a big night at the plate as the Phillies won the series opener in Miami, 9-1.

What It Means:  The Phillies are a half game behind the Mets as the Mets have played (and won) one more game than them at this point.

What Happened:  McCutchen had a three-hit game and solidified the win with a three-run home run (3) in the eighth inning.  The Phillies plated five in the third inning on four straight hits from Bryce Harper (RBI single), Rhys Hoskins (RBI double), J.T. Realmuto (RBI single) and Odubel Herrera (two-run double).  Jean Segura also had three hits in the win.

Featured Card:  Arrieta notched his 100th career win with seven strong innings, allowing a run on five hits.  He struck out a season-high eight batters.

Transactions:  In the first roster move of the season, struggling reliever Edubray Ramos (9.00 ERA over four innings pitched) was optioned to Lehigh Valley and Victor Arano was recalled.  Arano pitched the final two scoreless innings in this game.

Grapefruit Game 10 - 2018 Topps Walmart Holiday Snowflake #HMW90 Jake Arrieta

Phillies 3, Twins 3
Spring Training Game 10 - Sunday Afternoon, March 3rd in Fort Myers
Record - 6-2-2

One Sentence Summary:  Jake Arrieta impressed in his spring debut as the Phillies and Twins played to a stalemate.

What It Means:  Arrieta's return to form will be key for the 2019 Phillies, and hopefully this impressive first outing is a sign of things to come.

What Happened:  Arrieta pitched three crisp shutout innings, allowing no hits or walks and striking out four.  Shane Robinson had a pair of hits and Andrew Romine hit a two-run home run (1) in the third.

Featured Card:  It's snowing again in New Jersey as I write this, so here's an appropriately themed card of Arrieta from the appropriately named Walmart Holiday Snowflake set.

Camp Head Count:  62.  Bryce Harper is set to make his Phillies debut next Saturday.