Final Look at 2015-2016 Offseason Moves

2016 Chachi Departures #19

2016 Chachi Departures #13

2016 Chachi Departures #15

2016 Chachi Departures #18

2016 Chachi Departures #14

2016 Chachi Departures #20

2016 Chachi Departures #22

2016 Chachi Departures #21

2016 Chachi Departures #16

2016 Chachi Departures #17

I wanted to take one last look at the offseason additions and departures before we get too far into the regular season.  As can be expected when a team loses 99 games, there were a ton of personnel moves between the final out in October and opening day in Cincinnati.

I also wanted to post the remaining Chachi Departures cards of the 2015 Phillies players who are no longer with the organization, some of whom have yet to latch on with a new club.

For the new additions below, I'm only including players who are currently on the 40-man roster.

Moving On - 2015-2016 Offseason

• Chase d'Arnaud - inf (10/9/15) - Outrighted off 40-man roster, elected free agency and signed as a minor league free agent the Atlanta Braves, 11/24/15.
• Justin De Fratus - rhp (10/9/15) - Outrighted off 40-man roster, elected free agency and signed with the Seattle Mariners, 12/2/15.
• Erik Kratz - c (10/9/15) - Outrighted off 40-man roster, elected free agency and signed as a minor league free agent with the San Diego Padres, 11/8/15.
• Sean O'Sullivan - rhp (10/9/15) - Elected free agency and signed as a minor league free agent with the Boston Red Sox, 12/11/15.
• Kevin Correia - rhp (10/10/15) - Elected free agency.
• Adam Loewen - lhp (10/10/15) - Outrighted off 40-man roster, elected free agency and signed as a minor league free agent with the Arizona Diamondbacks, 11/7/15.
• Dustin McGowan - rhp (10/10/15) - Elected free agency and signed as a minor league free agent with the Miami Marlins, 12/10/15.
• Seth Rosin - rhp (10/10/15) - Elected free agency and signed as a minor league free agent with the San Diego Padres, 2/8/16.
• Brian Bogusevic - of (10/26/15) - Outrighted off 40-man roster, elected free agency and signed with the Orix Buffaloes of the Japanese Pacific League, 12/9/15.
• Domonic Brown - of (10/26/15) - Outrighted off 40-man roster, elected free agency and signed as a minor league free agent with the Toronto Blue Jays, 2/25/16.
• Chad Billingsley - rhp (11/2/15) - Elected free agency.
• Jeff Francoeur - of (11/2/15) - Elected free agency and signed as a minor league free agent with the Atlanta Braves, 2/22/16.
• Aaron Harang - rhp (11/2/15) - Elected free agency.
• Jerome Williams - rhp (11/2/15) - Elected free agency.
• Cliff Lee - lhp (11/2/15) - Team option declined and elected free agency.
• Jordan Danks - of (11/6/15) - Outrighted off 40-man roster, elected free agency and signed as a minor league free agent with the Texas Rangers, 1/19/16.
• Ethan Martin - rhp (11/6/15) - Elected free agency and signed as a minor league free agent with the Atlanta Braves, 12/11/15.
• Jonathan Pettibone - rhp (11/6/15) - Elected free agency and signed as a minor league free agent with the Chicago Cubs, 1/29/16.
• Nefi Ogando - rhp (12/2/15) - Claimed off waivers by the Miami Marlins.
• Ken Giles - rhp (12/12/15) - Traded with Jonathan Arauz to the Houston Astros for Mark Appel, Harold Arauz, Thomas Eshelman, Brett Oberholtzer and Vince Velasquez.
• Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez - rhp (4/1/16) - Released.
• Ken Roberts - lhp (4/1/16) - Released.

New Additions - 2015-2016 Offseason

• James Russell - lhp (11/12/15) - Signed as a minor league free agent formerly with the Chicago Cubs.
• Jeremy Hellickson - rhp (11/14/15) - Acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks for Sam McWilliams.
• Emmanuel Burriss - inf (11/18/15) - Signed as a minor league free agent formerly with the Washington Nationals.
• Michael Mariot - rhp (11/30/15) - Claimed off waivers from the Kansas City Royals.
• Peter Bourjos - of (12/2/15) - Claimed off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals.
• David Hernandez - rhp (12/9/15) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
• Tyler Goeddel - of (12/10/15) - Selected from the Tampa Bay Rays in the Rule 5 draft.
• Daniel Stumpf - lhp (12/10/15) - Selected from the Kansas City Royals in the Rule 5 draft.
• Charlie Morton - rhp (12/12/15) - Acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates for David Whitehead.
• Brett Oberholtzer - lhp and Vince Velasquez - rhp (12/12/15) - Acquired with Mark Appel, Harold Arauz and Thomas Eshelman from the Houston Astros for Ken Giles and Jonathan Arauz.
• Cedric Hunter  - of (1/12/16) - Signed as a minor league free agent formerly with the Atlanta Braves.
• Taylor Featherston - inf (2/10/16) - Acquired from the Los Angeles Angels for a player to be named later or cash.

Already Gone - 2015-2016 Offseason

• Dan Otero - rhp (11/3/15) - Claimed off waivers from the Oakland Athletics. (Designated for assignment, 12/12/15 and traded to the Cleveland Indians for cash considerations, 12/18/15.)
• A.J. Achter - rhp (11/20/15) - Claimed off waivers from the Minnesota Twins. (Designated for assignment, 12/12/15 and claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Angels, 12/17/15.)

Final Look at 2014-2015 Phillies Transactions

2015 Chachi Almost #7

2015 Chachi Almost #13

2015 Chachi Almost #14

It's been an active year in terms of Phillies player movement, and I have a sneaky suspicion that this coming year will bring another boatload of moves.  As we get ready to mercifully close the books on the 2015 season I wanted to feature the final Chachi Almost cards of the five pitchers who spent all or most of the season on the disabled list and never got a chance to join the official Chachi set.

Jonathan Pettibone and Cliff Lee missed the entire 2015 season due to injury, and it's unlikely that Lee will ever pitch again.

Ethan Martin and Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez, both with the Phillies at points during the 2014 season, also both battled back from injuries.  Martin has been pitching with the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils while Gonzalez was crushed in two starts for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs.

2015 Chachi Almost #11

2015 Chachi Almost #12

Finally, the recently acquired Matt Harrison made three starts for the Rangers before moving to the Phillies in the Cole Hamels deal.  His bad back led to an early end to his 2015 season and hopefully we'll see him in Clearwater in 2016.

Here also is the final listing of offseason and in season player moves for your 2015 Philadelphia Phillies.

Moving On - 2014-2015 Offseason

• Reid Brignac (10/2/14) - Elected free agency and signed with the Miami Marlins organization, 11/19/14.
• Jeremy Horst (10/2/14) - Elected free agency and signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, 1/27/15.
• Jeff Manship (10/2/14) - Elected free agency and signed with the Cleveland Indians organization, 12/24/14.
• Tony Gwynn, Jr. (10/10/14) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster.  Elected free agency and signed with the Washington Nationals organization, 3/2/15.
• B.J. Rosenberg (10/27/14) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster.  Elected free agency and signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, 2/7/15.
• Mike Adams (10/30/14) - Team option declined, making him a free agent and signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, 3/1/15.
• Kyle Kendrick (10/30/14) - Elected free agency and signed with the Colorado Rockies, 2/4/15.
• Wil Nieves (10/30/14) - Elected free agency and signed with the San Diego Padres organization, 2/3/15.
• A.J. Burnett (11/3/14) - Declined option for 2015.  Elected free agency and signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates, 11/14/14.
• Brad Lincoln (11/4/14) - Elected free agency and signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, 11/18/14.
• Antonio Bastardo (12/10/14) - Traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Joely Rodriguez.
• Jimmy Rollins (12/19/14) - Traded with cash to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Tom Windle and Zach Eflin.
• Marlon Byrd (12/31/14) - Traded with cash to the Cincinnati Reds for Ben Lively.

Coming Back - 2014-2015 Offseason

• Andres Blanco (11/13/14) - Signed to a minor league contract and invited to spring training.
• Sean O'Sullivan (12/16/14) - Signed to a minor league contract and invited to spring training.

New Additions - 2014-2015 Offseason

• Brian Bogusevic (10/22/14) - Signed as a minor league free agent formerly with the Miami Marlins organization.
• Jeff Francoeur (11/11/14) - Signed as a minor league free agent formerly with the San Diego Padres.
• Elvis Araujo (11/13/14) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Cleveland Indians organization.
• Chase d'Arnaud (11/13/14) - Signed as a minor league free agent formerly with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
• Odubel Herrera (12/11/14) - Selected in the annual Rule 5 draft from the Texas Rangers.
• Aaron Harang (1/5/15) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Atlanta Braves.
• Jeanmar Gomez (1/8/15) - Signed as a minor league free agent formerly with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
• Jordan Danks (1/16/15) - Claimed off waivers from the Chicago White Sox.
• Chad Billingsley (1/29/15) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
• Dustin McGowan (4/5/15) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Departed During the 2015 Season

• Grady Sizemore (6/1/15) - Released and signed with the Tampa Bay Rays organization on 6/15/15.
• Phillippe Aumont (6/24/15) - Designated for assignment and elected free agency.  Signed with the Toronto Blue Jays organization on 7/24/15.
• Jonathan Papelbon (7/28/15) - Traded with cash considerations to the Washington Nationals for Nick Pivetta.
• Cole Hamels and Jake Diekman (7/31/15) - Traded with cash considerations to the Texas Rangers for Matt Harrison, Nick Williams, Jorge Alfaro, Jake Thompson, Jerad Eickhoff and Alec Asher.
• Ben Revere (7/31/15) - Traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for Jimmy Cordero and Alberto Tirado.
• Chase Utley (8/19/15) - Traded with cash considerations to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Darnell Sweeney and John Richy.
• Cesar Jimenez (8/21/15) - Claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers.

Arrived During the 2015 Season

• Kevin Correia (6/8/15) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the San Francisco Giants organization.
• Dalier Hinojosa (7/15/15) - Claimed off waivers from the Boston Red Sox.
• Erik Kratz (7/17/15) - Signed as a minor league free agent formerly with the Seattle Mariners organization.
• Jerad Eickhoff  and Alec Asher (7/31/15) - Acquired with Matt Harrison, Nick Williams, Jorge Alfaro and Jake Thompson from the Texas Rangers for Cole Hamels, Jake Diekman and cash considerations.
• Darnell Sweeney (8/19/15) - Acquired with John Richy from the Los Angeles Dodgers for Chase Utley and cash considerations.
• Ken Roberts (8/30/15) - Claimed off waivers from the Colorado Rockies.

Memory Lane

2011-2012 Offseason Moves
2012 In-Season Transactions
2012-2013 Offseason Moves
2013 In-Season Transactions
2013-2014 Phillies Transactions

2014 Bowman Chrome Top 5 Mini Refractors #BM-PP4 Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez

Tigers 6, Phillies 0
Spring Training Game 8 - Tuesday Afternoon, March 10th in Clearwater
Record - 3-4-1

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies managed five singles against the Tigers, dropping their latest spring game, 6-0.

What It Means:  It means a group of Phillies hitters took extra batting practice after this game in an attempt to wake up their bats.

What Happened:  Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez was roughed up in his two innings of work, allowing three runs on five hits.  He left the game in the third after getting hit with a Jose Iglesias line drive.

Featured Card:  With the news yesterday that Cliff Lee's season is in serious jeopardy and daily trade rumors swirling around Cole Hamels, Gonzalez could suddenly find himself in the middle of the Phillies starting pitching rotation.  Gonzalez has largely been a question mark since his signing out of Cuba in August 2013.  He pitched in six games in relief for the Phillies last season, going 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA.

Gonzalez shares a card with Maikel Franco in the recently released Topps Heritage set (more on that in a few days) and he also appeared in several Bowman sets last year.  All of his Bowman releases use the same awkward, strangely cropped, adequately Photoshopped photo.

2014 Chachi #63 Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez

#75

Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez

Relief Pitcher

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'3"  Weight:  200

Born:  September 23, 1986, Havana, Cuba

Home:  Miami, FL

Signed:  Signed as a free agent, August 30, 2013

Teams:  Phillies 2014

Acquired:  Via free agency

Phillies Cards in My Collection:

#1 - 2014 Bowman Prospects #BP105
#3 - 2014 Bowman Chrome Top 5 Mini Refractors #BM-PP4

Gonzalez climbed through the minor league ranks this season, appearing in Clearwater (8 games), Reading (11 games) and Lehigh Valley (12 games).  His rapid ascension meant that he was completely omitted from all 2014 Phillies minor league team sets.

First Chachi Card:  2014 Chachi #63

2002 Topps Archives #141 Richie Ashburn

Braves 7, Phillies 4
Game 139 - Wednesday Afternoon, September 3rd in Atlanta
Record - 64-75, 5th Place, 15 1/2 games behind the Nationals

One Sentence Summary:  A costly Chase Utley error and David Buchanan's inconsistent pitching doomed the Phillies in a 7-4 loss to the Braves.

What It Means:  The Phillies came back down to Earth in this game.  They'll have the day off today and then open up a weekend series in Washington.

What Happened:  Utley's error to start the third would eventually lead to three unearned runs.  Buchanan lasted just four innings before giving way to the bullpen.  Grady Sizemore temporarily tied up the game in the third with a two-run home run.

2014 Bowman Prospects
#BP105

Featured Cards:  Ben Revere had three more hits in this game, and as of right now, his .314 average leads the National League . . . which is actually kind of mind-boggling.  Revere has only 11 walks all season, and his OBP of .331 ranks 38th in the National League among 69 qualifying batters.  He could quite possibly become one of the worst hitters, statistically speaking, to ever win a batting title.

If he does win the title, and I'll be pulling for him, he'd become the first Phillie to win the crown since Richie Ashburn did it way back in 1958.  Whitey hit .350 that season.

Also, Cuban righty Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez made his Major League debut in this game, pitching an inning, allowing three hits and two walks and a couple of runs.  It wasn't the best debut, but I'm hoping he was just getting his feet wet.

2013 Chachi Almost #5 Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez

For ten teams, the postseason began last night.  (And it will continue for nine teams.)  For the Phillies, the offseason began when Cesar Hernandez flew out to Braves left fielder Justin Upton to end Game 162 and begin the long countdown to the day when pitchers and catchers report to Clearwater.

This post will serve as a look back at the in-season transactions made by the Phillies.  The only move below with serious ramifications for 2014 is the signing of Cuban defector and right-handed pitcher Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez.  Various reports I've read have him either slated as the team's third starter or as a back-end of the bullpen guy.  Either way, here's hoping the $12 million, three year contact the Phils gave to the pitcher pays off.

Arrived During the Season
Ezequiel Carrera (4/2/13) - Selected off waivers from the Cleveland Indians.
John McDonald (6/27/13) - Traded by the Cleveland Indians for a player to be named later or cash.
Casper Wells (8/13/13) - Selected off waivers from the Chicago White Sox.
Roger Bernadina (8/21/13) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Washington Nationals.
Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez (8/30/13) - Signed as a free agent.

Departed  During the Season
Ender Inciarte (4/2/13) - Designated for assignment and returned to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Ezequiel Carrera (5/2/13) - Selected off waivers by the Cleveland Indians.
Chad Durbin (5/31/13) - Released.
Humberto Quintero (7/24/13) - Designated for assignment.  Signed with the Seattle Mariners, 7/26/13.
Laynce Nix (8/6/13) - Designated for assignment.
Delmon Young (8/9/13) - Designated for assignment.  Signed with the Tampa Bay Rays organization, 8/22/13.
John McDonald (8/31/13) - Traded to the Boston Red Sox for pitcher Nefi Ogando.
Michael Young (8/31/13) - Traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for pitcher Rob Rasmussen.

Memory Lane
2012 In-Season Transactions