With September 1 quickly approaching, decision time comes once again for the Phillies, this time to decide who from the minor league system warrants a September recall. As we know, there are a number of factors in addition to minor league performance that are considered in the decision making process. The current 40 man roster, along with the cost of $67,000 per player in salary are probably the considerations on the forefront of managements mind. In order to recall someone who is not on the 40 man, space must be cleared, by removing a player, subjecting them to waivers. The other alternative is moving someone from the 15 day to the 60 day disabled list (i.e. Bastardo), which means that even though they are on the 40 man, their spot doesnt’t count against the 40 man.
Looking at the 40 man roster, I would anticipate a first move of moving Bastardo from the 15 day DL to the 60 day DL, effectively creating one spot. The 40 man roster spots of Joe Bisenius, Brad Harmon, Joel Naughton, and maybe even Drew Naylor appear to be in some jeopardy depending upon how much help the Phils decide they need. All four have been disappointing, Bisenius and Harmon certainly much more so than Naughton and Naylor.
The Phils will surely recall a third catcher, and that will come down to Paul Hoover, Tuffy Gosewisch and Naughton. I simply do not think the Phils will call up a player that has not made it past A ball(Naughton). Hoover is the better offensive player than Gosewisch but what Tuffy lacks offensively, he gives you defensively. Hoover also has a bit of major league experience. Depending on how Gosewisch performs over the next two weeks recovering from his injury, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see him get the call.
Even with John Mayberry’s struggles, he will be recalled I believe because of his easy movement on the 40 man and his power potential off of the bench. He is the only position player (other than catcher) on the 40 man that has good potential for recall. After Mayberry we have to look outside the 40 man for help which will include the necessity of a roster move. The possibilities include: Miguel Cairo who has hit consistently over .300 all year with Lehigh Valley after being sent down by the ‘Pigs. He would give the Phils some versatility and a competent pinch hitting appearance. Other Lehigh Valley names with major league experience include Mike Cervenak, Andy Tracy, and Terry Tiffee. All would require addition to the 40 man, as was done with both Cervenak and Tracy in September of last year. Cervenak is a right handed bat whose selectivity at the plate could be a bit better, but is consistently above .280 in a long AAA career. He is a gap hitter that drives in runs and can play the corner infield positions. Tracy is a power hitting first baseman that is good defensively and gives you a very good at bat, and is among the IL leaders in walks. His average is low this year (around .235), but would be another powerful left handed bat. Tiffee is a switch hitting third baseman that is a high average contact hitter, that could again provide a bit of pinch hitting versatility.
Other hitters that may be more of a “long shot” for September recall, are Michael Taylor and Quintin Berry. Taylor, who probably has the most talent of anyone mentioned is not on the 40 man, and the Phils would have to both add him, and use up an option when he starts next year in AAA, a likely scenario. Additionally, the Phils may be skeptical of starting his major league clock before they truly need to. Berry would be a nice addition simply because of his speed. He has over 40 stolen bases for Reading this year and a late inning pinch runner would be helpful for the Phils. Again, Berry is not on the 40 man, although he will have to be added after this year or he will be Rule 5 eligible.
Looking at the pitching staff, the Phils should have Clay Condrey, JC ROmero, and Brett Myers all returning from the DL to the roster in September. A corresponding 40 man roster move will need to be made with Myers’ activation, because he is on the 60 day DL. Kyle Kendrick and Drew Carpenter both look to be coming back up for long relief purposes and both are on the 40 man. Other possibilities from the 40 man include lefties Jack Taschner and Sergio Escalona along with righties Rodrigo Lopez and Steven Register. From the group of four, I believe one possibly two will see Philly again this year. As opposed to earlier days when each team had a large group recalled each September, now most teams limit their recalls to between 4-7 players.
Phuture Phillies 
Of course we’d all love to see Michael Taylor up in Philly. I know there’s a business side to all of this but he definitely deserves it with the way he’s played this year.
I’d like to see Cairo get a shot to prove he’s better than Eric Bruntlett.
Isn’t Yohan Flande going to be a rule 5 guy? Will they protect him? if so, could he get a call-up?
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Good write up.
I think Kendrick/Escalona/Carpenter/Cairo/Myers/Cervenak/Mayberry/Hoover get called up. It maybe alot but the Phills know they need to scale back some innings on our arms up here and we need to see if Cairo can replace Bruntlett.
Also this maybe the look they want to give Carpenter to see how he fits with this org going further.
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One name I was thinking of was David Newhan. He has major league experience, is a professional hitter and someone I’d rather see pinch hitting instead of Bruntlett. Do you think the Phils would consider Newhan?
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what about mathieson?
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Kendrick/Escalona/Carpenter/Cairo/Myers/Cervenak/Mayberry/Hoover
A real snoozefest there. Myers is the only name that’s really notable and he’d be a different type of “call up” since he’s really recovering from injury, not a minor leaguer.
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Tom, I believe that Newhan is a left-handed hitter, so not a true replacement for Bruntlett as a bat off the bench.
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I don’t think Newhan will be in consideration. Too many other candidates that can do more. Mathieson I believe is a longshot but still a remote possibility. The Phils have been very pleased with his progress.
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If Berry has to be put on the 40 man this winter, I don’t see why they wouldn’t look hard to get him on for september and give him a couple AB’s if possible. The phillies also seem to like to expose the youngs guys to the bright lights and have them around the veteran’s for advice.
I won’t include Myers because he isn’t really a call up.
Kendrick, Carpenter, Naylor, Zagurski, Escalona, Cairo, Mayberry, Hoover, Harman.
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I just don’t see how Cairo AND Hoover AND Harman can be brought up. Some players have to get dropped of the 40 man. Harman sees like the #1 canidate. IF Bastardo replaces Myers and goes on the 60 day DL that’s 1 easy replacement. But remember, Hoover, Cairo, Cervenak all have to replace someone. Lopez/Harman/Bisenius seem like the ones on the outs.
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“Marfis” had a great post in the discussion of the 40-man roster. Hopefully, it can be re-posted in the comments here.
I think Hoover and Cairo need to be added. Mayberry probably the only other bat recalled. Personally I would like to see Berry added prior to Sep 1 since he could be a pinch runner in the playoffs (more valuable than Mayberry). Bastardo moved to 60-day so only two spots need to be opened though I think Bastardo could help the bullpen. Bisenius and Taschner get removed from 40-man. Lopez would be the next to get cut since he is unlikely to be needed. Harman either brought up or released to get another bat.
Which mid relief pitchers do they keep? Register still has option for next year. Walker is pitching well so probably keep him instead of Mathieson getting called up. Kendrick, Carpenter, Escalona to add to bullpen.
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If the reports on Mathieson are legit, they almost have to recall him. How can you pass on a guy who sits mid-90s and reportedly is throwing an effective change?
Given what he’s gone through–a big reason so many of us are rooting so hard for him–it would be a great story. More important for the team, though, he could be a useful piece down the stretch and maybe even in October, if they make it.
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Michael Taylor provided another good read. Earned the September call up.
http://phillies.scout.com/2/889594.html
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I think it’s safe to assume the 25 guys on the active roster plus Myers, Romero, and Condrey will all be on the active roster in September. It makes sense the Phils might bring up a C, INF and maybe an OF (?, ?, and Mayberry). That puts the roster at 31 guys. There’s really very little need for many more guys beyond that…maybe another pitcher or two (Kendrick, Carpenter or Mathieson). I certainly wouldn’t expect any prospects to be added to the 40 man at this point in the season.
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Mathieson has been touching 98.
Im surprised that Gose hasnt been mentioned along with Berry because of his speed, but it would make sense, because it would be strictly a business decision
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Gose is definately not solely because they don’t want to start his service clock running. Berry would be added for pinch running if anybody is.
I’m with you on Mathieson. For all he has gone through and where he is at, they need to reward the guy with a callup. Even if he doesn’t pitch his hard work has been phenominal.
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I think Harman gets dropped to make room for Cairo, Bisensius for Mathieson and DL Bastardo for Myers.
I don’t see them starting Taylor’s clock yet, unless they really plan on using him and think he’ll help a lot. I think he could.
I think they have to look at Mathieson, isn’t he a FA at the end of the year?
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RodeoJones,
I agree, I think Cairo, Matheison, Myers are the big ones, Kendrick and Carpenter as well. Then you add Romero and Condrey from injuries and you are looking at about 6 pitchers total. Also add in Mayberry and I would think Taylor based on what he did this season. I mean we need to start looking at postseason rosters too.
Post season looks like this so far
Ruiz/Bako
Howard/Utley/Rollins/Feliz/Dobbs
Werth/Ibanez/Victorino/Stairs/Francisco
My guess is you go with maybe Cairo or Bruntlett for the last spot, but maybe Taylor gets in on that too, if his sept is great. Maybe 14 position players in the early rounds only a a 5 game series.
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The great thing about Francisco is he that he doesn’t force them to use Taylor earlier then they need to.
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I’d be interested in seeing Berry back up. I think they’ll bring Escalona back up as another lefty in the pen.
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I meant Berry up, as he’s never been up before *
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The only guaranted callup is Rodrigo Lopez because when he was optioned back to Lehigh Valley, the Phillies had to get his permission to use the option since he was a 5 year man that always requires that he be added when the rosters expand to 40 on Sept 1. He gave up his right to be waived (and be claimed by another major league team and he would be in the major leagues currently) in order to remain with the Phillies.
I also believe that the Phillies will add Mathieson, and Berry to the 40 man roster and they will also be called up.
I also believe that they will call up:
Naughton as the 3rd catcher
Escalona as a left handed relief pitcher
Harmon as a back-up infielder and hitter
Mayberry as a hitter.
Myers as a relief pitcher
Condrey as a relief pitcher
Romerio as a left handed relief pitcher.
Lopez will cost the Phillies about $110,000 in salary.
Mathieson will cost about $78,000 in salary.
Berry will cost about $67,000 in salary.
Escalona will cost about $67,000 in salary.
Harmon will cost about $67,000 in salary.
Mayberry will cost about $67,000 in salary.
Myers will cost nothing since his salary is guaranted.
Condrey will cost nothing since his salary is guaranted.
Romero will cost nothing since his salary is guaranted.
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I saw Mathieson pitch the night Pedro struck out 11. He hit 98 twice, 97 5 times and had a plus changeup. He is a free agent at the end of the season and surely will be pursed by numerous clubs if the Phillies do not call him up. A shame to lose him with all the hard work he has put in and the investment the Phillies have put in.
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Jon:
If what you say about Mathieson’s velocity is true (and I have no reason to doubt what you say), they will almost certainly protect him this off-season. I’m not sure if that means his being on the 25-man roster or the 40-man roster, but, with them needing righty relief help so desperately, and with him throwing so hard, it’s a perfect fit.
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thats a real immortal cast of call-ups, especially tuffy goosewich. mathieson, mayberry, cairo seem to be the only worthy ones. taylor will not be called up. i believe very few players have mlb. ability out of the bunch mentioned. the real prospects seem to be a year away, aside from you know who.
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Mathieson, Escalona, and Kendrick should be the guys to watch for next year in the call ups. All should be in the pen next year.
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What do you think as this starting five in Cleawater next year to begin the season- Correa, Sanchez, De Fratus, May, and Hyatt?
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This for reading- Velasquez, Cloyd, Worley, Flande, and Cisco?
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This for Allentown, Carpenter, Stutes, Drabek, Bastardo, and Savery?
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Mathiesom struggled a little tonight…but my friend said the plus note was he hit 99.
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Thanks NEPA Philly.
You know your team is good with depth when September callups have such an effect on the 40man roster.
I guess Lopez stays then. Doubt he’ll pitch an inning though.
Naughton getting called up from A ball to call MLB games seems unlikely. Hoover for Bisenius.
I think Cairo needs to be added just to find out if he is worth taking Bruntlett’s spot in the playoffs. If Bruntlett is going to stay regardless then maybe instead add a hitter like Cervenak for PH.
Walker will probably be dropped from 40man when demoted, so Mathieson might get that callup for September.
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I think it is misguided to consider the dropping of the young ;players from the 40 man roster. Harman is at least 2 years younger than any AA infielder and at least 5 years younger than any AAA infielder the Phillies have right now. And if he can provide some good defense in the Middle Infield, he is a candidate to be drafted by another team. Naughton was put on the list for defense, and I see nothing that says that has regressed. His numbers are not as bad as some have imagined. He has shown a little power as well. Naylor, they will not give away a promising pitcher, when they have older and less accomplished players to release first.
I originally , had the removal of Lopez, Taschner, Bisenius, Register , and Walker. I would now reconsider the removal of Walker (as he will likely last past September 1 due to injury complications). I think Bastardo will be all right and also would consider the calling up of fellow 40 man roster players Mayberry and Escalona. I now advocate additionally calling up Cairo, Cervenak, Thompson, and Gosewisch. Call-ups at Catcher I would rate as 1. Gosewisch 2. Tim Gradoville (coach) 3. Paul Hoover. I think Terry Tiffee and David Newhan are also possibilities as well.
I don’t see Miguel Cairo as a Middle Infield back-up to replace Bruntlett whatsoever. The Middle Infield back-up should be capable of playing Short Stop with enough range that you could have some faith in , if inserted as a late game defensive replacement at SS in a close game. Miguel Cairo being 36 and 210 pounds may not be up for that at this point. Cairo also qualifies for MLB Free Agency after the season, so if he is not given a new contract before Free Agency starts he might not return anyway, and there ain’t no stacking him on the 40 man roster anyhow.
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My thing now is trying to guess the arizona fall league guys, I think it Susdorf, Stutes, Worley, Swimmer, Brown, Taylor
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I agree with Marfis on the 40-man issue. The only players we should drop are the older players like Register and Bisenius. If we want a backup infielder we could use Harman. It is not as if this player will get serious at bats. I assume Mayberry is a definite callup to take those pinch hit AB away from Bruntlett.
3rd catcher is a little trickier. Every team should have one in September. Naughton is not ready. Tuffy is probably the best choice but that costs you a roster spot.
Other than Myers and Mathieson, there really are not any pitchers not on the 40-man that I would want to call up. We will have 16-18 pitchers with those 2 and a few of the easy callups on the 40-man. That is plenty.
That still means we need to clear 2-3 spots off the 40-man depending on what we do at catcher.
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The objective of the expansion should be to produce a better team and reward accomplishment.
Michael Taylor has demonstrated that he is the best right handed batter in our minors system and his performances across two leagues warrants a system acknowledgement.
It is quite realistic to envision that he could have a dramatic impact with the Big club as he has had with the 4 previous stops. They should even make room for him before Sept so that he could be a possible playoff piece.
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I’d bet the 3rd catcher will be Tuffy. Then the Phils have that emergency backup, homegrown, in AAA for the next 2 years until d’Arnaud arrives.
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one thing as far as taylor. why he wont be called up. besides the option as no wheels and rickey b. have pointed out for some reason it takes taylor time to warm up to a change which you dont have in september. mayberry, matheison lopez, escalona, bastardo, myers. forget any 3rd catcher especially goosewich. his name alone brings up memories of mack burke and valmy thomas. how old is harmon, if he,s not on ss he sounds like he,ll be here.
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forget about harmon. he,s hitting .202 at reading? next year will be fun at call up time. nepp since you were the 1st person i recall touting d,arnaud last year i would,nt worry about his spelling.
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Regarding Taylor and the warm-up period, it just doesn’t make sense for a few reasons.
1) It is not etched in stone that it will always occur.
2) During the previous warm up periods he holds his own before jumping to Phenom Status.
3) Other alternatives are average so he holds the line
while warming up.
4) To see him in person is to understand the difference. Incredible weapon offensively and defensively.
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prior to the trade deadline i wouldve called taylor up but the aquisiton of ben francisco allows for him to complete the year at aaa and get more ab. even though taylor is a good defensive player, francisco seems to have good speed to get to the balls and an average arm.
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If it’s a close call, I don’t think Taylor will get called up. They don’t want his service time to begin now if it’s not likely to result in a material benefit to the team. If they think his recall will materially benefit the team (more than just a pinch hitter and situational player in September), then it might happen.
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went to my usual weekday game last night and i must admit , i wasnt quite as high on lee as others. but he is a hell of a pitcher. complete control of 3 pitches. afa taylor your probably right about the time factor, but i doult he will be up. it,s still a woeful crop of callups. i cant wait til nextyears.
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i remember being really impressed with mathieson two years ago, if everything i,m reading is right theres no way this kid cant be called up. anybody know this years stats.
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From what I see above, it seems some people are confusing call-ups and the 40 man roster. Releasing the 3 or 5 veteran players on the 40 man generally agreed to will open up space for some veteran call-ups, and in the offseason the veteran UFA’ will open up lots of space on the 40 and the veterans called up after the last day of play can be outrighted to the minors, released, or they will qualify for free agencey.
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Yesterday, Andy Tracy was credited with 3 HR’s (though the 1st game was continued from a suspension so maybe it was not exactly yesterday) giving him 23 on the year, so maybe Tracy is putting on a push to again be included in the September call-ups .
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Marfis–
All of Tracy’s homers were, in fact, yesterday. It was a complete doubleheader with Game One having been rescheduled to Coca Cola Park because of rain the previous night in Scranton. I was there and it was a very impressive performance by Tracy.
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From David Murphy’s Saturday Phils notes in the DN:
‘The Phillies are making final preparations for the players they will call up when rosters expand on Sept. 1. Rather than prospects such as Michael Taylor, expect such names as Rodrigo Lopez, John Mayberry Jr. and Jack Taschner to reappear, along with a third catcher’
I wonder if they’ll make room for Chacin to call him up?
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Harmon DFA’d
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Re: Harmon … Is there a another shoe to drop or does this signify the Phils are throwing in the towel with regard to Harmon as a prospect i.e. clearing a spot on the 40 man roster?
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Chacin would be interesting. I just don’t see enough names to kcik off the 40 man roster to fit him in.
Furthermore, aren’t there too many names on it to begin with. Once Myers comes back someone has to go right?
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If you read the Todd Zolecki tweet the Harman DFA comes from , it says Phillies select the contract of RHP John Ennis and DFA Harman to make room on 40 man roster. So there might be one of your call-ups.
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The logic they are now saying is that Ennis will be put on the 15 day DL so they can add ANY pitcher in the organization to the post-season roster even if they weren’t on the 40 man as of today.
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Okay , I think the rule is that because Phillies have around 6 on the DL come September 1, when the playoffs come there will be considered to be 6 openings on the 25 man roster which can be filled by any player in the organization before September 1 .
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