Checking in with a Few Ex-Phillies

2017 Chachi Departures #11

2017 Chachi Departures #13

2017 Chachi Departures #14

We're inching closer to actual game action in 2017, and I wanted to check in on the comings and goings since the last Phillies game was played in October.  A number of former Phillies signed minor league contracts throughout January and early February, and they've joined the highly collectible Chachi Departures insert set.  Here's a look at the master checklists for the latest ex-Phillies.

Jimmy Paredes Chachi Checklist
2016 Chachi Archives #5
2016 Chachi #44
2016 Chachi Photo Day #13
2017 Chachi Departures #11

Severino Gonzalez Chachi Checklist
2015 Chachi #36
2016 Chachi #47
2017 Chachi Departures #13

Peter Bourjos Chachi Checklist
2016 Chachi New Additions #5
2016 Chachi #7
2016 Chachi Photo Day #28
2017 Chachi Departures #14

2017 Chachi Departures #15

2017 Chachi Departures #16

James Russell Chachi Checklist
2016 Chachi #21
2017 Chachi Departures #15

David Hernandez Chachi Checklist
2016 Chachi New Additions #6
2016 Chachi #24
2016 Chachi Archives #10
2016 Chachi Photo Day #16
2017 Chachi Departures #16

If my tracking is correct, the only members of the 2016 Phillies squad still seeking employment are Ryan Howard, Cedric Hunter and Frank Herrmann.  Hunter, last year's opening day right fielder, received a 50-game suspension in November for testing positive for amphetamine.

Moving On - 2016-2017 Offseason

• Cedric Hunter - of (10/3/16) - Elected free agency.
• James Russell - lhp (10/3/16) - Elected free agency and signed as a minor league free agent with the Cleveland Indians, 2/13/17.
• 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, elected free agency and signed with the Chiba Lotte Marines (Japan), 1/15/17.
• 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 and signed as a minor league free agent with the Chicago White Sox, 1/27/17.
• 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 and signed as a minor league free agent with the San Francisco Giants, 2/14/17.
• 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 and signed with the Yakult Swallows (Japan), 12/20/16.
• Cody Asche - of (12/2/16) - Designated for assignment, non-tendered and signed as a minor league free agent with the Chicago White Sox, 1/6/17.
• Phil Klein - rhp (12/14/16) - Released and signed with the Yokohama BayStars (Japan), 12/20/16.
• Severino Gonzalez - rhp (1/19/17) - Designated for assignment and traded to the Miami Marlins for a player to be named later or cash considerations, 1/24/17.

Coming Back

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

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.
• Clay Buchholz - rhp (12/20/16) - Acquired from the Boston Red Sox for Josh Tobias.
• Michael Saunders - of (1/19/17) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Already Gone - 2016-2017 Offseason

• David Rollins - lhp (12/2/16) - Claimed off waivers from the Texas Rangers.  Designated for assignment, 12/14/16.
• Richie Shaffer - 3b (12/14/16) - Claimed off waivers from the Seattle Mariners.  Designated for assignment, 12/20/16.

2016 Topps Tier One Prime Performers Autographs #PP-JPA Jimmy Paredes

Phillies 4, Marlins 3 (13)
Game 148 - Friday Night, September 16th in Philadelphia
Record - 47-58, 4th place, 15 games behind the Nationals

One Sentence Summary:  Jimmy Paredes hit a bases loaded, walk-off single in the 13th to score Peter Bourjos and give the Phillies a 4-3 win.

What It Means:  The win probably wasn't Topps Now worthy, but it was still exciting.

What Happened:  Up until the winning hit from Paredes, the biggest Phillies hit from this game was Ryan Howard's solo home run (22) in the bottom of the sixth.  The Phils held a 3-2 lead going into the eighth, but Edubray Ramos surrendered a pinch-hit home run to Derek Dietrich.  Frank Herrmann pitched a scoreless 12th and 13th innings for the win, his first since 2011.

Featured Card:  Added to the roster on June 1st through a trade with the Blue Jays (for cash considerations), Paredes is probably one of the least known members of the 2016 Phillies roster.  His sole Phillies card can be found within the second series, team-issued photo card set but Topps has included him in several of their sets this year.  As a member of the Orioles, Paredes cards can be found within Topps flagship, Topps Heritage, Topps Gypsy Queen, Stadium Club and Topps Tier One.  I (cheaply) added the card featured here to my collection through a recent COMC purchase.

As discussed in this post, I'm taking a poll on how collectors track baseball card collections. 

Please vote in the poll on the sidebar if you haven't already.  Thanks!

2016 Phillies Team Issue 2 Update #41 Jimmy Paredes

Phillies 7, Rockies 6
Game 119 - Sunday Afternoon, August 14th in Philadelphia
Record - 56-63, 4th place, 14 1/2 games behind the Nationals

One Sentence Summary:  Jimmy Paredes paced the offense, falling a triple short of the cycle, as the Phillies held on to defeat the Rockies, 7-6.

What It Means:  The Phils swept the Rockies and they have a nice little four-game win streak going. They're four games behind the Mets in the East, and six games behind in the race for the second Wild Card.

What Happened:  Paredes drove in three runs during his big day, including a solo home run (5) in the fourth.  The Phillies took advantage of a sloppy Rockies team, who committed four errors.

Making his first start in the Majors since early July, Adam Morgan was knocked out of the game in the fourth when a screaming line drive hit him in his pitching arm.

Featured Card:  For a while, I was worried that Paredes was going to join the ranks of those Phillies players who spent time with the club and never officially appeared on a Phillies baseball card. Thanks to a tip from fellow collector Steve F., I knew a Paredes photo card had been created for him to honor autograph requests, and I'm now very thankful that the Phillies decided to insert this card into their "update" set.  (Please see the set's listing here for a complete rundown of the new cards.)

Paredes has a number of mainstream cards available throughout several Topps products this year, but all of those cards feature him with the Orioles.  His time with the organization may be limited, but at least now he's got an official Phillies baseball card.

Transaction:  Morgan was recalled from Lehigh Valley and reliever Luis Garcia was sent back down.

Be sure to check out the 2016 Season Summary page with game results and links to game summary posts.

Fun at the @Phillies Photo Day! (Part Two)

2016 Chachi Photo Day #19

Mets 5, Phillies 0
Game 93 - Sunday Afternoon, July 17th in Philadelphia
Record - 43-50, 4th place, 13 games behind the Nationals

One Sentence Summary:  Jacob deGrom completely dominated the Phillies line-up in this 5-0 Mets win.

What It Means:  The Phillies dropped the series with the Mets and they'll open up a four game series against the Marlins on Monday night.  It would be nice to take at least three of four from the Fish in order to creep up a little closer in the Wild Card standings.

What Happened:  The only hit allowed by deGrom was a single to Phillies pitcher Zach Eflin.  Eflin allowed three runs on five hits in his six innings of work.

Featured Cards:  There's certainly no reason to commemorate this game from a Phillies fan's perspective, so I'm presenting the next round of Photo Day cards taken on Saturday afternoon.

Be sure to check out the 2016 Season Summary page with game results and links to game summary posts.

2016 Chachi Photo Day #11

2016 Chachi Photo Day #12

2016 Chachi Photo Day #13

2016 Chachi Photo Day #14

2016 Chachi Photo Day #15

2016 Chachi Photo Day #16

2016 Chachi Photo Day #17

2016 Chachi Photo Day #18

2016 Chachi Photo Day #20

2016 Chachi Photo Day #22

2016 Chachi #44 Jimmy Paredes

#41
Jimmy Santiago (Terrero) Paredes
Outfield

Bats:  Switch  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'3"  Weight:  200
Born:  November 25, 1988, Bajos de Haina, San Cristobal, D.R.
Signed:  Signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent, July 2, 2006
Teams:  Houston Astros 2011-2013; Kansas City Royals 2014; Baltimore Orioles 2014-2015; Toronto Blue Jays 2016; Phillies 2016
Acquired:  Acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays for cash, June 1, 2016

2012 Topps #585

0 Paredes Baseball Cards in My Collection per Zistle
First Card:  N/A
First Phillies Card:  N/A
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  N/A
Latest Card:  N/A

First Topps Flagship Base Card:  2012 Topps #585

Complete Chachi Checklist
2016 Chachi #44

Card statistics through 6/4/16.

Far Out! 2016 Chachi Archives Cards Have Arrived! Phils Win!

Phillies 6, Brewers 3
Game 55 - Friday Night, June 3rd in Philadelphia
Record - 27-28, 4th place, 6 games behind the Nationals

One Sentence Summary:  Andres Blanco's three-run home run and strong relief pitching led to a 6-3 win over the Brewers, snapping the team's seven-game losing streak.

What It Means:  The Phillies won and they looked super groovy doing it!

What Happened:  Blanco's home run gave the Phillies a 6-0 lead in the fourth inning, and their first genuinely comfortable lead of the season.  Cameron Rupp also homered and Tommy Joseph had a two-hit night.

Once again, Vince Velasquez couldn't escape the fifth inning, allowing two runs on four his while laboring through 94 pitches.  Andrew Bailey, Hector Neris and Jeanmar Gomez (18th save) all contributed scoreless innings in relief.

Featured Cards:  It was 1970s Retro Night at the ballpark and both the Brewers and Phillies wore uniforms from 1976.  It was an odd and interesting sight to see, as these two teams played in opposing leagues in 1976 and wouldn't have ever played each other.  As an added bonus, the Phillies went with the pillbox caps they wore occasionally during the Bicentennial season.  I absolutely love these old uniforms, and I was inspired to create a small insert set of 2016 Chachi Archives cards to highlight some of my favorite photos from the game.

Please click on each of the cards above to enlarge.  These were fun custom cards to create, and I was thankful I still had the templates I had created back in the day for the 2007 Chachi set.

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

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 Phillies Team Issue - 2nd Edition

Number of Cards:  44
Card Size:  4" x 6"
Description:  Following the standard formula for team-issued photo card sets in recent years, the front of the cards feature the player's name, position and uniform number on a band across the bottom of the card.  The band for this set is wood-grained, using a design element last used for the 2012 first edition team set.  A Phillies logo appears on every card in the top left.  The horizontal card backs feature biographical information and complete career statistics.

With the exception of the Cody Asche card, all photos used for these cards are from the first month and a half of the 2016 season.

How Distributed:  The second series set went on sale at Citizens Bank Park on or around May 20th for $5 a set.  I attended the game on May 17th, and I'm fairly certain the first series set was still on sale at that point.

An update set was sold at the ballpark beginning with the August 12th Alumni Weekend series.  The update set removes four cards and adds six cards to the set.

Complete Standard Checklist (38):  The cards are unnumbered, but I've presented them below ordered by uniform number.

2 - Tyler Goeddel 3 - David Lough 4 - Andres Blanco 5 - Steve Henderson CO 6 - Ryan Howard 7 - Maikel Franco 8 - Juan Samuel CO 9 - John McLaren CO 10 - Larry Bowa CO 12 - Mickey Morandini CO 13 - Freddy Galvis 15 - Emmanuel Burriss 16 - Cesar Hernandez 17 - Peter Bourjos 18 - Darin Ruf 22 - Bob McClure CO 25 - Cody Asche 27 - Aaron Nola 28 - Vince Velasquez

29 - Cameron Rupp 30 - David Hernandez 33 - Rick Kranitz CO 34 - Brett Oberholtzer 37 - Odubel Herrera 38 - Andrew Bailey 39 - Adam Morgan 45 - Pete Mackanin MG 46 - Jeanmar Gomez 48 - Jared Eickhoff 50 - Hector Neris 51 - Carlos Ruiz 57 - Luis Garcia 58 - Jeremy Hellickson 59 - Elvis Araujo 60 - Colton Murray 94 - Dalier Hinojosa Phillie Phanatic Phillies Broadcasters

Complete Update Checklist (6)

19 - Tommy Joseph 41 - Jimmy Paredes 52 - Severino Gonzalez

56 - Zach Eflin 61 - Edubray Ramos 25 - Jim Thome (Alumni)**

One and Done (0 for now)
First Appearances (7):  Eflin, Gonzalez, Joseph, Murray, Neris, Paredes, Ramos
Returning Players (26):  Araujo, Asche, Bailey, Blanco, Bourjos, Burriss, Eickhoff, Franco, Galvis, Garcia, Goeddel, Gomez, Hellickson, C. Hernandez, D. Hernandez, Herrera, Hinojosa, Howard, Lough, Morgan, Nola, Oberholtzer, Ruf, Ruiz, Rupp, Velasquez

The First Appearance designation is for players who have never before appeared within a Phillies team issued set.  These players may have already appeared on other Phillies baseball cards.

Manager (1):  Mackanin
Coaches (7):  Bowa, Henderson, Kranitz, McClure, McLaren, Morandini, Samuel
Phillie Phanatic (1):  The Phanatic is shown wearing the day week day alternate red jersey top.
Broadcasters (1):  After an absence in the first series, the broadcasters card returns with Tom McCarthy, Larry Andersen, Ben Davis, Scott Franzke, Gregg Murphy, Mike Schmidt, Matt Stairs and Jim Jackson.
Other Cards (1):  Thome (Alumni Card)

The following players who were in the first series set have been dropped from this second series set (6):  Bobby LaFromboise, Charlie Morton, Edward Mujica, James Russell, Daniel Stumpf and Darnell Sweeney.  Morton is out for the season with an injury, Stumpf has been suspended for PEDs and the other four players are all currently with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

The following players/cards have been added (4):  Elvis Araujo, Colton Murray, Hector Neris, Broadcasters.

Variations/Rarities (6/13/16):  Fellow collector Steve F. sent the scan below of cards for Joseph and Jimmy Paredes, which were available at the ALS Festival on June 9th.  Hopefully these cards make it into the sets currently for sale at the ballpark.  (They did - see above!)

• 19 - Tommy Joseph
• 41 - Jimmy Paredes

Update Set (8/13/16):  On August 12th, I purchased an update set which added cards of the six players listed above and removed the cards for the following four players:  David Lough, Emmanuel Burriss, Elvis Araujo and Dalier Hinojosa.

Update (8/29/16):  As pointed out by Steve F. in his comment the Thome card should be considered a short-print, as it was only intended to be included within the photo card set during Alumni Weekend.

Update (12/15/18):  At the recent Phillies holiday sale, an annual event held at Citizens Bank Park, Steve found another rare version of a card in this set's style.  There's a Tommy Joseph card available showing him wearing the team's alternate, home day-game uniform.

• 19 -  Tommy Joseph (alternate uniform)

Also See:  Ben & Doug's Amazing Autograph Adventure