Phillies Sign Catcher Nieves

2014 Chachi Transactions #9

In early October, I resigned myself to the fact that I probably wasn't going to get too excited about the moves the Phillies were going to make this offseason.  However, I was at least hoping to be optimistic about the moves they were going to make.  So far, that hasn't been the case.

Last Thursday, the Phillies officially signed catcher Wil Nieves to a one-year deal.  The 36-year-old veteran will back up Carlos Ruiz following the trade of Erik Kratz to the Blue Jays earlier last week.  The past two seasons have been the best of Nieves' 10-year career, as he hit .299 over 103 games with three home runs and 30 RBIs with the Rockies and Diamondbacks.  In the eight seasons that proceeded 2012, he hit .221 over 282 games with the Padres, Yankees, Nationals and Brewers.  The Phillies website has already assigned him uniform #21.

As a prospect with the Padres, Nieves appeared on his first mainstream baseball cards back in 2002.  His cardboard appearances waned throughout the decade, and his last major baseball card can be found in the 2010 Upper Deck set, when he was a member of the Nationals.

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.

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.

Roger Bernadina (10/17/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.

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.

Roy Halladay (10/31/13) - Elected free agency.

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.