Hunter Returns; Updated List of Offseason Moves

2019 Topps #619

2020 Chachi Departures #11

2020 Chachi Departures #10

2020 Chachi Departures #5

On Wednesday, the Phillies brought back reliever Tommy Hunter on a one-year deal and moved David Robertson to the 60-day disabled list.  Robertson is recovering from Tommy John surgery and at best he could be back with the team in the second half of the season.  Hunter was limited to 5 1/3 innings last season for the Phillies and missed most of the year with an elbow injury.

Listed below is a look at an updated list of comings and goings for the Phillies, and by my unofficial tally there are still a few ex-Phillies out there looking for new homes as spring training gets started:  RHP Jared Hughes, Pat Neshek and Fernando Salas, LHP Pat Neshek and third baseman Mitch Walding.  Sean Rodriguez reportedly signed with the Marlins, although that deal has yet to be officially announced.

I'm bummed that Phillies Room favorite Brad Miller won't be coming back.  He was one of the sole bright spots last year in an otherwise disappointing season.

Moving On - 2019-2020 Offseason

• Rob Brantly - c (9/30/19) - Elected free agency, signed the San Francisco Giants (1/18/20).
• Fernando Salas - rhp (9/30/19) - Elected free agency.
• Corey Dickerson - of (10/31/19) - Elected free agency, signed with the Miami Marlins (1/7/20).
• Brad Miller - inf (10/31/19) - Elected free agency, signed with the St. Louis Cardinals (2/12/20).
• Logan Morrison - 1b (10/31/19) - Elected free agency, signed with the Milwaukee Brewers (1/9/20).
• Juan Nicasio - rhp (10/31/19) - Elected free agency, signed with the Texas Rangers (1/22/20).
• Sean Rodriguez - inf-of (10/31/19) - Elected free agency.
• Drew Smyly - lhp (10/31/19) - Elected free agency, signed with the San Francisco Giants (1/16/20).
• Nick Vincent - rhp (10/31/19) - Elected free agency, signed with the San Francisco Giants (2/9/20).
• Jose Pirela - of (11/1/19) - Released, signed with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp (Japan) (11/2/19).
• Jared Hughes - rhp (11/4/19) - Club option declined, elected free agency.
• Pat Neshek - rhp (11/4/19) - Club option declined, elected free agency.
• Jason Vargas - lhp (11/4/19) - Club option declined, elected free agency.
• Jerad Eickhoff - rhp (11/4/19) - Outrighted, elected free agency, signed with the San Diego Padres (12/27/19).
• Mike Morin - rhp (11/4/19) - Outrighted, elected free agency, signed with the Milwaukee Brewers (1/31/20).
• Edubray Ramos - rhp - (11/4/19) - Outrighted, elected free agency, signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers (1/8/20).
• Mitch Walding - 3b (11/4/19) - Elected free agency.
• Maikel Franco - 3b (12/2/19) - Non-tendered, elected free agency, signed with the Kansas City Royals (12/27/19).
• Cesar Hernandez - 2b (12/2/19) - Non-tendered, elected free agency, signed with the Cleveland Indians (12/29/19).

Coming Back - 2019-2020 Offseason

• Phil Gosselin - inf (11/4/19) - Outrighted, elected free agency, signed with the Phillies (12/20/19).
• Blake Parker - rhp (11/4/19) - Outrighted, elected free agency, signed with the Phillies (2/5/20).
• Tommy Hunter - rhp (10/31/19) - Elected free agency, signed with the Phillies (2/12/20).

New Arrivals - 2019-2020 Offseason

• Robert Stock - rhp (10/30/19) - Claimed off waivers from the San Diego Padres.
• Cristopher Sanchez - lhp (11/20/19) - Acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays for Curtis Mead.
• Zack Wheeler - rhp (12/9/19) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the New York Mets.
• Didi Gregorius - ss (12/13/19) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the New York Yankees.
• Nick Martini - of (1/14/20) - Claimed off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds.
• Reggie McClain - rhp (1/31/20) - Claimed off waivers from the Seattle Mariners.
• Deolis Guerra - rhp (2/5/20) - Claimed off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers.

8 File for Free Agency; Pirela Released

2020 Chachi Departures #4

2020 Chachi #23

2020 Chachi Departures #5

2020 Chachi Departures #6

2020 Chachi Departures #7

On Halloween, the day after the conclusion of the World Series, eight Phillies filed for free agency.  Of the eight, I could see Brad Miller returning to fill a bench role and Drew Smyly might provide some depth at Triple-A.  It would be great to see Corey Dickerson return, but it's not clear how he would fit in to an already crowded outfield.

In a paper move only, outfielder Odubel Herrera was activated from the restricted list where he has languished since mid-May due to his arrest for domestic violence.

2020 Chachi Departures #8

2020 Chachi Departures #9

2020 Chachi Departures #10

2020 Chachi Departures #11

Finally, outfielder Jose Pirela was released as he'll pursue an opportunity to play in Japan.  In 12 games for the Phillies, Pirela hit .235 (4 for 17) with a home run and two RBIs.  He leaves having appeared on zero Phillies baseball cards, making him a prime candidate for a future Phillies Missing Links custom set.

I'm showing off some of the 2020 Chachi cards I created for these departed players above.  As I've done in the past, I'll also create a variation card for each player with whatever new team they land with.  I have to say I'm enjoying working with the 1991 Topps template more than I thought I would, and I'm looking forward to spending all next season with this design.

Moving On - 2019-2020 Offseason

• Rob Brantly - c (9/30/19) - Elected free agency.
• Fernando Salas - rhp (9/30/19) - Elected free agency.
• Corey Dickerson - of (10/31/19) - Elected free agency.
• Tommy Hunter - rhp (10/31/19) - Elected free agency.
• Brad Miller - inf (10/31/19) - Elected free agency.
• Logan Morrison - 1b (10/31/19) - Elected free agency.
• Juan Nicasio - rhp (10/31/19) - Elected free agency.
• Sean Rodriguez - inf-of (10/31/19) - Elected free agency.
• Drew Smyly - lhp (10/31/19) - Elected free agency.
• Nick Vincent - rhp (10/31/19) - Elected free agency.
• Jose Pirela - of (11/1/19) - Released.

New Arrivals - 2019-2020 Offseason

• Robert Stock - rhp (10/30/19) - Claimed off waivers from the San Diego Padres.

2019 Chachi #67 Jose Pirela

#67
Jose Manuel Pirela
Outfield

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'0"  Weight:  220
Opening Day Age:  29
Born:  November 21, 1989, Valera, Venezuela
Signed:  Signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent, July 2, 2006
Teams:  New York Yankees 2014-2015; San Diego Padres 2016-2019; Phillies 2019
Acquired:  Purchased from the San Diego Padres, July 27, 2019
Contract Status:  Signed through 2019

2015 Topps #594

First Topps Flagship Base Card:  2015 Topps #594
First Phillies Card:  N/A
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  N/A
First Phillies Minor League Card:  N/A
First Topps Phillies Flagship Base Card:  N/A
Newest Card Added:  N/A

0 - Pirela baseball cards in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 9/15/19.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2019 Chachi #67

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

Game 137 - 2019 Topps Archives #200 Bryce Harper

Phillies 6, Reds 2
Game 137 - Tuesday Night, September 3rd in Cincinnati
Record - 72-65, 3rd place, 12 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  A productive offense and a reliable bullpen combined to send the Phillies to a 6-2 win over the Reds.

What It Means:  For the first time since mid-June, the Phillies are seven games over .500.

What Happened:  Vince Velasquez lasted only three innings, but six relievers combined to allow one Reds run on two hits over the final six innings.  Hector Neris struck out the side in the ninth.

The Phillies' first four runs came courtesy of sacrifice flies or singles.  Scott Kingery homered (17) in the ninth and Corey Dickerson added an RBI double.

Featured Card:  In the fifth, Bryce Harper singled home Dickerson, giving the right fielder 100 RBIs for the season.  He's the first Phillies player to the century mark for RBIs since Ryan Howard in 2011, and the first Phillies outfielder to do it since Pat Burrell in 2005.

2018 Topps Heritage #500

Transactions:  Pitcher Nick Pivetta and outfielder Jose Pirela were recalled from Lehigh Valley, giving the Phillies 33 active players.  Pirela was purchased from the Padres in late July and he's played in parts of six seasons with the Yankees and Padres.

Pirela first appeared in a few Bowman sets in 2011, and his most recent cards can be found in 2018 Topps, 2018 Topps Heritage and 2018 Topps Update.

Arrived During the 2019 Season

• Jay Bruce - of (6/2/19) - Acquired from the Seattle Mariners with cash considerations for Jake Scheiner.
• Brad Miller - inf (6/13/19) - Purchased from the New York Yankees.
• Fernando Salas - rhp (6/13/19) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League.
• Logan Morrison - 1b (7/15/19) - Signed as a minor league free agent formerly with the New York Yankees organization.
• Mike Morin - rhp (7/20/19) - Acquired from the Minnesota Twins for cash considerations.
• Drew Smyly - lhp (7/21/19) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Milwaukee Brewers organization.
• Jose Pirela - of (7/27/19) - Purchased from the San Diego Padres.
• Jason Vargas - lhp (7/29/19) - Acquired with cash from the New York Mets for Austin Bossart.
• Blake Parker - rhp (7/30/19) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Minnesota Twins.
• Corey Dickerson - of (7/31/19) - Acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates for a player to be named later and international bonus money.
• Nick Vincent - rhp (8/10/19) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the San Francisco Giants.
• Jared Hughes - rhp (8/15/19) - Claimed off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds.

Departed During the 2019 Season

• Aaron Altherr - of (5/12/19) - Selected off waivers by the San Francisco Giants.
• Dylan Cozens - of (8/1/19) - Released and signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Rays, 8/9/19.
• Yacksel Rios - rhp (8/3/19) - Selected off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
• Drew Anderson - rhp (9/2/19) - Released.