Four Players Depart the Phillies Organization

2017 Chachi Almost #1

2017 Chachi Almost #2

2017 Chachi Departures #7

2016 Choice Reading Fightin Phils Holiday #20

A few recent Phillies-related moves give me an excuse to feature a few new baseball cards.

Both Matt Harrison and Jimmy Cordero recently departed the organization without ever having played a game for the Phillies.  Harrison (who came over in a salary maneuvering move in the Cole Hamels deal with the Rangers) was released from the 40-man roster last month to free up some much-needed room.  Harrison will earn $15 million in 2017 in the final year of his contract and the Phils will recoup some of this via insurance relief.

Cordero was also the victim of the roster squeeze, getting dealt to the Nationals for a player to be named later.  He was originally acquired as part of the Ben Revere trade with the Blue Jays in 2015.

Catcher A.J. Ellis signed a one-year deal with the Marlins, meaning Andrew Knapp will most likely enter the 2017 season as the back-up catcher for the Phillies.  Ellis came over from the Dodgers in August for Carlos Ruiz.

A.J. Ellis Chachi Checklist
2016 Chachi #59
2017 Chachi Departures #7

Finally, the Phillies lost minor league pitcher Hoby Milner to the Indians in the Rule 5 draft on Thursday morning. Milner has been with the organization since 2012 and he split last season between Double-A and Triple-A.  His likely final Phillies-related baseball card was released a few weeks ago in the Reading Fightin Phils Holiday set.  For the second year in a row, the minor league team has released a holiday-themed set complete with some players in their Christmas in July uniforms and "snow" falling on the fronts of the cards.

16 Who Were Almost Phillies

2016 Chachi Almost #10

2016 Chachi Almost #11

2016 Chachi Almost #12

2016 Chachi Almost #13

Beginning in Spring Training, whenever I come across a cool photo of a newer player or coach in a Phillies uniform, I set it aside and eventually create a Chachi card.  I also make it a point to create Chachi cards for anyone added to the team's 40-man roster, or anyone who played for the Phillies in a prior season who is still with the organization.  This way, when an Alec Asher or a Roman Quinn gets the call to the big leagues, their Chachi card is ready to go.  The Phillies Room and the Chachi card creation process runs like a well-oiled machine, the envy of custom card creators throughout the land.*

These are the 16 remaining cards I created this year for players (and one coach) who didn't suit up for the Phillies in 2016.

Will Venable (of) - The final outfield spot on the opening day roster came down to Venable or Cedric Hunter, with Hunter getting the nod.  Venable requested and was granted his release in June to allow him to sign with the Dodgers.  In 12 games with the Dodgers, he went 1 for 18 (.056).

Angelys Nina (inf) - Nina was released by the IronPigs on the same day Venable was let go.

Reinier Roibal (rhp) - Roibal appeared in 19 games for the IronPigs and Fightin Phils, and was released by the Double-A team in late June.

Edward Mujica (rhp) - The former big league All-Star was an All-Star for the IronPigs before requesting and being granted his release in mid-July.  He spent the rest of the season with the Royals and Twins organizations.

2016 Chachi Almost #14

2016 Chachi Almost #15

2016 Chachi Almost #16

2016 Chachi Almost #17

Mark Appel (rhp) - The top prospect's season ended in late June when he had elbow surgery.

David Buchanan (rhp) - After starting 15 games for the club last season, Buchanan didn't make it back up to the majors in 2016.  In 26 starts for the IronPigs, he went 10-9 with a 3.98 ERA.

Jimmy Cordero (rhp) - A member of the 40-man roster, Cordero lost most of the season to a shoulder injury.

Matt Harrison (lhp) - Get used to seeing this card again in the style of the 2017 Chachi set. Harrison will most likely never pitch for the Phillies due to ongoing back issues, but he has a guaranteed contract and a spot on the team's 40-man roster.

2016 Chachi Almost #18

2016 Chachi Almost #19

2016 Chachi Almost #20

2016 Chachi Almost #21

Mario Hollands (lhp) - Hollands last pitched for the Phillies in 2014 and he's spent the last two seasons recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Gregory Infante (rhp) - A non-roster invitee, Infante spent the bulk of the season in Double-A.  He last pitched in the majors with the White Sox in 2010.

Gabriel Lino (c) - A back-up catcher, Lino split time in 2016 between Clearwater and Reading.

John Mizerock (coach) - The team's assistant hitting coach in 2014 and third base coach in 2015, Mizerock was a coach for the Rooke-A Williamsport Crosscutters in 2016.

2016 Chachi Almost #22

2016 Chachi Almost #23

2016 Chachi Almost #24

2016 Chachi Almost #25

Logan Moore (c) - Another back-up catcher, Moore played for both Lehigh Valley and Reading this season.

Brock Stassi (1b) - Stassi appeared in 117 games for the IronPigs in 2016, hitting .267 with 12 home runs and 58 RBIs.

Darnell Sweeney (inf/of) - Like Buchanan, Sweeney seemed to be poised to be a major part of the team's plans in 2016 but like Buchanan he never got the call to the big club in 2016.  In 118 games with the IronPigs, the versatile Sweeney hit just .233.

Nick Williams (of) - Williams hopes to be a part of the team's starting outfield in 2017.  In 125 games with the IronPigs, he hit .258 with 13 home runs and 64 RBIs.

*Maybe.  But probably not.

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

Where Can You Find Baseball Cards for the Newest Phillies/Ex-Rangers?

2014 Topps #536

2014 Topps Pro Debut #123

2014 Choice Frisco RoughRiders #8

Cole Hamels (and Jake Diekman) are now officially members of the Texas Rangers and the Phillies have six new players in their organization that I've honestly never heard of before.  No offense meant here, but if Matt Harrison, who was an A.L. All-Star in 2012, bumped into me on the streets of Philadelphia I'd have no idea he was the newest Phillies starting pitcher.

The best way for me to get acclimated with these new guys is to summarize their baseball card careers to date.  I won't attempt to provide scouting reports on these players as I'm just purely interested in getting to know them through their baseball cards for now.  If you want something a little more in-depth, I thought this article was a good read.

New Phillies
Matt Harrison (LHP) - Harrison came up with the Rangers in 2008 and was an 18 game winner in 2012.  He's been limited to just nine starts over the past three seasons due to back injuries and the lefty underwent spinal fusion surgery in June 2014.  He's been appearing in Topps sets since 2009 and his most recent mainstream release is from Series Two of the 2014 Topps set.  He was also in the 2014 Topps Heritage set.

Alec Asher (RHP - AAA) - Asher has split this season between AA and AAA compiling a record of 4-10 with a 4.43 ERA in 20 starts.  Asher's only mainstream baseball card to date can be found in the 2014 Topps Pro Debut set.

Jerad Eickhoff (RHP - AAA) - Eickhoff has been in the Rangers organization since 2011 and he's appeared in 18 games this season (17 starts) for the AAA Round Rock Express.  It doesn't appear as if Eickhoff has any mainstream baseball cards to date, although he has appeared in a number of Rangers minor league team sets.

2015 Topps Pro Debut #172

2014 Bowman Draft Top Prospects #TP66

2015 Topps Pro Debut #191

Based on everything I've read, it seems as if these next three prospects are the key to this deal.

Jorge Alfaro (C - AA) - Alfaro was ranked the third best prospect in the Rangers system in Baseball America's pre-season rankings.  He's going to miss the rest of the 2015 season as he's been out of action since mid-June with a left ankle injury.  It seems as if Alfaro has more baseball cards available than any other player acquired in this deal (with the exception of Harrison) and he's had cards in Topps Heritage Minors, Bowman Chrome and Topps Pro Debut sets since 2012.  Alfaro also has a card in the 2015 Topps Pro Debut set.

Jake Thompson (RHP - AA) - Thompson was ranked the second best prospect in the Rangers system in Baseball America's pre-season rankings.  In 17 starts with the Frisco RoughRiders this season, he's 6-6 with a 4.72 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 87 2/3 innings.  Thompson has been featured in multiple Topps Heritage Minors and Topps Pro Debut sets since 2010, and his most recent mainstream card was in the 2015 Bowman Inception set.

Nick Williams (OF - AA) - Williams was ranked the fifth best prospect in the Rangers system in Baseball America's pre-season rankings.  In 97 games this season with Frisco, he's hitting .299 with 13 home runs and he's split time between center and right field.  Williams started appearing in Bowman releases in 2012 and his most release mainstream baseball cards can be found in the 2015 Bowman Prospects insert set and the 2015 Topps Pro Debut set.

All images have been taken from completed or ongoing eBay auctions.