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.

2016 Topps #6 Jimmy Paredes

Nationals 7, Phillies 2
Game 53 - Wednesday Night, June 1st in Philadelphia
Record - 26-27, 4th place, 6 1/2 games behind the Nationals

One Sentence Summary:  Max Scherzer dominated, leading the Nationals to a 7-2 win and a three-game sweep of the free-falling Phils.

What It Means:  The Phillies are below .500 for the first time since April 24th.  The offense is just gone.

What Happened:  Scherzer cruised, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out 11 over eight innings of work.  Tyler Goeddel provided the only offense with a two-run home run off Scherzer in the seventh.

Adam Morgan saw his ERA increase to 7.07, allowing six runs on nine hits.

2016 Phillies Team
Issue 2 #15

Featured Cards/Transaction:  On Wednesday afternoon, the Phillies acquired outfielder/infielder Jimmy Paredes from the Blue Jays for cash considerations.  Emmanuel Burriss was designated for assignment to make room for Paredes on the roster.
 
Paredes has been designated for assignment twice already this season, beginning with the Orioles a few weeks ago and then most recently by the Blue Jays a few days ago.  In seven games with the Blue Jays, Paredes hit .267 (4 for 15) with a home run.  He's a lifetime .257 hitter and I suppose the Phillies are hoping he provides a slight spark to the struggling offense.

Paredes has 2016 baseball cards in the Topps flagship, Topps Heritage and Topps Orioles retail team sets.  He also has a Topps Gypsy Queen autographed insert card.  He made his Phillies debut in the bottom of the sixth, pinch-hitting for Morgan and striking out swinging.

Burriss hit .121 (4 for 27) in his time with the Phillies, and he appeared in both of this year's team issued photo card sets.

Recently added to The Phillies Room - 2016 Season Summary page with game results and links to game summary posts.

2016 Chachi #13 Emmanuel Burriss

#15
Emmanuel Allen Burriss
Infield

Bats:  Switch  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'0"  Weight:  190
Born:  January 17, 1985, Washington, DC
Home:  Washington, DC
Drafted:  Selected by the San Francisco Giants between the 1st and 2nd rounds of the June 2006 draft
Teams:  San Francisco Giants 2008-2012; Washington Nationals 2015; Phillies 2016
Acquired:  Signed as a minor league free agent formerly with the Washington Nationals, December 3, 2015

2008 Topps Update #UH177

2016 Phillies Team Issue #15

1 Burriss Baseball Card in My Collection per Zistle
First Card:  2016 Phillies Team Issue #15
First Phillies Card:  2016 Phillies Team Issue #15
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  2016 Phillies Team Issue #15
Latest Card:  2016 Phillies Team Issue #15

First Topps Flagship Base Card:  2008 Topps Update #UH177

Complete Chachi Checklist
2016 Chachi #7

Card statistics through 4/29/16.

2010 Topps Update #US-82 Emmanuel Burriss

Orioles 8, Phillies 7
Spring Training Game 29 - Friday Night, April 1st in Philadelphia
Record - 15-11-3

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies received home runs from Maikel Franco, Ryan Howard and Darin Ruf, but Dalier Hinojosa couldn't hold the lead in the ninth and the Orioles ultimately won, 8-7.

What It Means:  This was the final official spring training game of the year, with the Phillies playing their last exhibition game (weather permitting) against the Phillies Futures club this afternoon.  Hot at the start of the spring, the Phillies tailed off in the past few weeks.  They were one of five National League teams with at least 15 spring victories.

What Happened:  Aaron Nola pitched three strong innings, striking out five, before torrential downpours ended his night early.  Ernesto Frieri was hit hard in his outing, allowing four runs on two hits (both home runs) and two walks in 1/3 of an inning.

Garabez Rosa went 3 for 3 for the Orioles including the game-tying home run off Hinojosa in the ninth.  The eventual Orioles winning run scored on a Hinojosa wild pitch.

Featured Card:  With the roster moves made after the game (see below) it would appear as if non-roster invitees Emmanuel Burriss, James Russell and Cedric Hunter have all made the club.  Of the 25 guys expected to be on the opening day roster, Burriss is the only player I've never featured on this here blog.  I'd thought I remedy that with his most recent mainstream card from the 2010 Topps Update set.

Camp Head Count:  36 - 4 = 32 - Following the game, pitchers Andrew Bailey and Frieri, catcher J.P. Arencibia and outfielder Will Venable were reassigned to minor league camp.  These final moves would seem to indicate that the opening day roster is now set as there are seven players expected to start the season on the disabled list.