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 Chachi #21 James Russell

#40
James Clayton Russell
Relief Pitcher

Bats:  Left  Throws:  Left  Height:  6'4"  Weight:  205
Born:  January 8, 1986, Cincinnati, OH
Home:  Colleyville, TX
Drafted:  Selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 14th round of the June 2007 draft
Teams:  Chicago Cubs 2010-2014; Atlanta Braves 2014; Chicago Cubs 2015; Phillies 2016
Acquired:  Signed as a minor league free agent formerly with the Chicago Cubs, November 11, 2015

2010 Topps #355

2016 Phillies Team Issue #40

1 Russell Baseball Card in My Collection per Zistle
First Card:  2016 Phillies Team Issue #40
First Phillies Card:  2016 Phillies Team Issue #40
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  2016 Phillies Team Issue #40
Latest Card:  2016 Phillies Team Issue #40

First Topps Flagship Base Card:  2010 Topps #355

Complete Chachi Checklist
2016 Chachi #21

Card statistics through 5/11/16.

Lefty Russell Added as First Non-Roster Invitee

2015 Topps #255

I'm sure I've mentioned this before on this blog, but I've always thought Non-Roster Invitees would make a fantastic band name.

At this point in the young offseason, the Phillies have one non-roster invitee - left-handed reliever James Russell who had a 5.29 ERA in 49 games with the Cubs last season.  Russell has been a relatively effective reliever since coming up with the Cubs in 2010, but he had an off year last season. Russell came up with the Cubs and was swapped to the Braves at last season's trade deadline.  The Braves released him at the end of spring training and he signed back with the Cubs.

As I've done the past several seasons, I'll track the team's non-roster invitees as they're added.

Player (position) - 2015 Organization - Last Major Baseball Card Appearance
1.  James Russell (lhp) - Cubs - 2015 Topps #255 (Braves)