Blanco Returns, Shaffer Arrives, Klein & Rollins Depart

2017 Chachi New Additions #5

2017 Chachi Departures #8

Popular utility player Andres Blanco returned to the organization yesterday on a one-year deal, giving the Phillies a much-needed veteran who can play pretty much anywhere on the field.  In 90 games last season for the Phillies, Blanco hit .253 with 21 RBIs while seeing time at all four infield positions and left field.

The Phillies also claimed Richie Shaffer off waivers from the Mariners, and the former first round draft pick (Rays, 2012) is expected to start the season as the Triple-A IronPigs' every day third baseman.  In parts of two seasons with the Rays, Shaffer has hit .213 (26 for 122) with five home runs.  Shaffer had a bunch of mainstream 2016 baseball cards, including cards in the Topps flagship and Topps Heritage sets.

To make room on the 40-man roster for Blanco and Shaffer, the Phillies released pitcher Phil Klein and designated David Rollins for assignment.  Rollins had been with the organization for less than two weeks.

Finally, utility player Emmanuel Burriss signed a minor league contract with the Nationals, ending his one-year stay with the Phillies.  Burriss hit .111 (5 for 45) in 39 games with the Phillies in 2016.

Emmanuel Burriss Chachi Checklist
2016 Chachi #13
2017 Chachi Departures #8

Moving On - 2016-2017 Offseason

• Cedric Hunter - of (10/3/16) - Elected free agency.
• James Russell - lhp (10/3/16) - Elected free agency.
• Emmanuel Burriss - inf (10/7/16) - Outrighted off 40-man roster, elected free agency and signed as a minor league free agent with the Washington Nationals, 12/13/16.
• Frank Herrmann - rhp (10/7/16) - Outrighted off 40-man roster and elected free agency.
• Jimmy Paredes - of (10/7/16) - Outrighted off 40-man roster and elected free agency.
• Patrick Schuster - lhp (10/7/16) - Outrighted off 40-man roster, elected free agency and signed as a minor league free agent with the Los Angeles Dodgers, 11/5/16.
• Ryan Howard - 1b (11/3/16) - Team option declined and elected free agency.
• Charlie Morton - rhp (11/3/16) - Team option declined, elected free agency and signed with the Houston Astros, 11/16/16.
• Peter Bourjos - of (11/3/16) - Elected free agency.
• A.J. Ellis - c (11/3/16) - Elected free agency and signed with the Miami Marlins, 12/12/16.
• David Hernandez - rhp (11/3/16) - Elected free agency.
• Darin Ruf - 1b-of and Darnell Sweeney - inf-of (11/11/16) - Traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Howie Kendrick.
• Elvis Araujo - rhp (11/18/16) - Claimed off waivers by the Miami Marlins.
• David Buchanan - rhp (11/23/16) - Released.
• Cody Asche - of (12/2/16) - Designated for assignment and non-tendered.
• Phil Klein - rhp (12/14/16) - Released.

Coming Back

• Jeremy Hellickson - rhp (11/3/16) - Elected free agency, accepted team's qualifying offer, 11/14/16.
• Andres Blanco - inf (12/14/16) - Resigned by the Phillies to a one-year contract.

New Additions - 2016-2017 Offseason

• Pat Neshek - rhp (11/4/16) - Acquired from the Houston Astros for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
• Howie Kendrick - lf (11/11/16) - Acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers for Darin Ruf and Darnell Sweeney.
• Joaquin Benoit - rhp (12/6/16) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Toronto Blue Jays.
• Richie Shaffer - 3b (12/14/16) - Claimed off waivers from the Seattle Mariners.

Already Gone - 2016-2017 Offseason

• David Rollins - lhp (12/2/16) - Claimed off waivers from the Texas Rangers.  Designated for assignment, 12/14/16.