2020 Phillies Spring Training News, Notes & Discussion

[julio]

I have seen a number of other teams have released their list on their official web sites. Interestingly, it appears that players can be added later. Orioles list is 44 with 16 spots to be filled later, according to the posted article. The Yankees list is 58. Erik Kratz is one of their catchers on the list.

So what was the point of the deadline? Or do they just not have the complete information?

Clubs were required to submit lists by 4 pm, so I think we can assume that the clubs have done that.

As of now, 17 clubs' lists have been tweeted by mlb.com, and those seventeen have been posted on team web sites. (In the NL East, the Braves, Marlins and Nationals are up; Mets and Phils are not.) In addition, mlb.com tweeted that the D-Backs will release their list tomorrow morning. Don't know why; perhaps their office staff are quarantining or something - it is Phoenix.

[zambonir]

Don't know why; perhaps their office staff are quarantining or something - it is Phoenix.

Hey for all we know the Phillies point person on all this tested positive for the virus.

I said that kind of tongue-in-cheek but actually, it's still an important question. There are going to be 60 names on that list but not all of them will be able to report on July 1. Is there still a scenario where COVID-positive players don't count against your 60?

[julio]

I said that kind of tongue-in-cheek but actually, it's still an important question. There are going to be 60 names on that list but not all of them will be able to report on July 1. Is there still a scenario where COVID-positive players don't count against your 60?

Obviously I don't know... but many (most?) of the seventeen club lists that have been released have fewer than 60 players on them. It may be that clubs are leaving slots open for players who, for whatever reason, cannot report on July 1. That reason could be quarantining, or something else. Don't know.

It would be nice to see the Phils' list, though. Of course, if it excludes established major leaguers who have tested positive (as it well could), we might freak out a little bit, depending on what names are missing!

[andyb]

I imagine teams will scour the free agent market for players too, maybe with split contracts. Something like $50K to be on someone's 60-man roster and then a pro-rated major league salary (not necessarily the minimum) like most non-roster players would sign before Spring Training. I imagine you hold a few spots open while the market shakes out.

We might also see 60-man DL moves today (Seranthony) so they can clear a few spots off the 40. We'll definitely need a few of those even with a 26-man roster.

[LoneStarPhan]

One thing we can be sure of is that we really don't know what is going on. New rules, new strategies in roster building, etc. all cloud the issue. Frankly, I suspect even the clubs themselves are struggling with understanding all the consequences of the 60 man pool and "normal" roster moves for this very unnormal season.

The coming week will at least give us more news as teams open the Spring II camps. I assume the usual reporters will get some information even if not unfettered access.

[andyb]

On the 60-day DL front I am curious what they do with David Robertson. A 60-day DL move now would make him eligible to come back on 8/27. That timing might be about right and they probably could use his spot in the early going if he is not ready to pitch.

[Lucky_Beagle]

It appears mlbtraderumors has a list of 19 teams 60 man roster with 11 still to go.

[julio]

On the 60-day DL front I am curious what they do with David Robertson. A 60-day DL move now would make him eligible to come back on 8/27. That timing might be about right and they probably could use his spot in the early going if he is not ready to pitch.

For what it's worth, they've re-defined the 60-day IL as a 45-day IL for this season - which would affect your math here.

[julio]

It appears mlbtraderumors has a list of 19 teams 60 man roster with 11 still to go.

Twenty lists have been tweeted by mlb.com's Mark Feinsand, and I believe all twenty have been linked on team websites (last one tweeted was Rockies). Phils are not one of the twenty...

[andyb]

Then that means 8/12 to come back. We might need an extra 40-man spot for the 30-man roster weeks.

[Lucky_Beagle]

When would a starting date be set for a 45 day stay begin? Would it be today or can it be back tracked to include a few days in March meaning it might only be needed for 35 more days or so?

[julio]

When would a starting date be set for a 45 day stay begin? Would it be today or can it be back tracked to include a few days in March meaning it might only be needed for 35 more days or so?

No idea. It might be covered in one of the stories reporting on the special rules, or it might not. As far as I know, mlb hasn't released an actual set of special rules (equivalent to the Major League Rules) that would lay everything out in legal detail. Probably, they're still working on the details of the language; it's not trivial to spell things out in an airtight way.

[bkox]

Saw Jim Callis tweet that the Angels signed their 1st rnd pick and added him to their 60 man list.. so lots of interesting things going on with the rosters

[julio]

...been sittin' here, doin' stuff, checking Twitter and the Phils' web site every few minutes. Goin' off now - wife and I are going to watch a local theater groups recording of a Shakespeare performance... probably back around midnight. See if the Phils' kick their release back to tomorrow or not.

G'night.

[andyb]

There was a transaction freeze until Friday, so any 45-day DL could only be backtracked a couple more days anyway.

Of course we are all hoping David Robertson can pitch but we also need to remember that whatever he gives us will be pitching without any real rehab games. Expectations should be modest unfortunately. Any TJ surgery guy really needs at minimum the 30 days of minor league rehab they get. Now we'll get a half dozen "Spring" games against other teams and a few scrimmages and that is it. Who knows if that is enough?

[zambonir]

David Robertson is already on the 60-Day DL. Since February 12. I remember being surprised at the time because I thought that usually didn't happen until the end of spring training. It was done to make room for Tommy Hunter, who has a guaranteed major league contract.

[zambonir]

The Mets have now announced. I guess I still don't understand what the point of the deadline is if you don't have to add all 60 players, unless it affects when a player can report (i.e. everyone added today can begin arriving Wednesday - or maybe even begin the medical stuff tomorrow - but later additions would also get to camp later).

I assume when we do see the list it will include some players who were released and re-signed, to take care of their opt-outs, as we've seen a few other teams do.

[Squire]

Phillies list is out. The notion that it would be chock full of prospects is false. Just Bohm and Howard....though they have only named 53 as of now

[Squire]

Catchers (3): Realmuto, Knapp and Gruillon

Infielders (10): Hoskins, Segura, Kingery, Gregorious, Forsythe, Walker, Torreyes, Gosselin, Harrison, Bohm

Outfielders (9): Harper, Haseley, McCutchen, Bruce, Quinn, Williams, Garlick, Martini, Mahtook

LHP (8): Morgan, Liriano, Suarez, Alvarez, Cleavinger, Irvin, Jones, Romero

RHP (23): Nola, Arrieta, Eflin, Wheeler, Velasquez, Pivetta, Neris, Arano, Brogdon, De Los Santos, Garcia, Guerra, Howard, Hunter, Kelley, Llovera, McClain, Norris, Parker, Rosso, Russ, Seabold, Stock

[andyb]

53 players so a little room to grow. Phillies clearly took the tact of who is most likely to play for them this year with a little depth everywhere. 3 catchers is a bit of a surprise. The Athletic had Marchan on there and I was expecting Bethancourt.

They did include a bunch of young, upper minors, C-level relief prospects (Brogdon, Llovera, Rosso, Russ, Seabold, Cleavinger, Jones, Romero). No Medina who I was expecting.