First, before we get into the last Lehigh Valley report of the season, a huge thank you goes to the front office of the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs for the access they allow Phuture Phillies. General Manager Kurt Landes, along with Media Relations Director Matt Provence and Media Relations Manager Jon Schaefer continue to provide access to players and information that helps make this site what it is. A special thank you goes to Media Relations Assistant Tim Doohan who dealt with all media with great professionalism and humor in what can be a trying environment. Whenever immediate information was asked for, Tim was there to provide what was needed efficiently, accurately, and with a great attitude.
Scheduling Note: Look for End of the Season reviews on each player in the organization starting with Corner Infielders late this week.
Lehigh Valley finished up their third season with the same lack of success as their first two years, finishing at 58-86, in 5th place of the Northern DIvision of the International League, 29.5 games behind division leading Scranton.
League Leaders: Hitting: John Mayberry finished 6th in the league in AB’s (496), 5th in runs (75); Andy Tracy was 7th in the league in homers (21), 5th in RBI’s (80), 2nd in walks (68), 10th in OBP(.374), 9th in Slg % (.493); Rich Thompson was 7th in stolen bases (28). Pitching: Brian Mazone is tied for the league lead in losses (13), lead the league in starts (28), lead the league in innings (165), 7th in homers allowed (19) and 9th in WHIP (1.24); Joe Savery was tied for 3rd in losses (12), Drew Carpenter is tied for 5th in losses(11), 5th in starts (27), 5th in walks (54) and 7th in strikeouts (111) and 9th in HR allowed (18); Scott Mathieson was 2nd in the league in saves (26).
‘Pigs Prospects:Vance Worley placed himself into the mix for the Phillies #5 starter going into the 2011 season with a very strong season in Reading followed by several solid efforts for the IronPigs. After going 9-4 with a 3.20 ERA in his 19 starts in Reading, Worley finished things up with 8 Lehigh Valley starts, going 1-3 with a 3.77 ERA. Worley threw 158 innings, a bit more than he threw in 2009, and perhaps most importantly, he remained solid in this late season starts in 2010 after late season troubles in 2009.
Drew Carpenter had an up and down season which was a bit disappointing after he saw a good deal of success in AAA in 2009. For the year, Carpenter finished 8-11 with a 4.05 ERA in 151 innings of work. He walked 54 and struck out 116, while opponents hit .265 against him. Post All Star break, Carpenter was 1-5 with a 5.24 ERA. Carpenter especially struggled after returning to Lehigh Valley after his second very short stint in Philadelphia. He should be back in the Lehigh Valley rotation in 2011, while hoping to regain his command which was a big part of his late season problems.
Scott Mathieson–In his first full season back after recovering from his second Tommy John surgery, 2010 has to be considered a very successful year for the 26 year old. In 54 appearances, Mathieson was 3-6 with a 2.80 ERA on 26 saves in 64.1 innings of work. He walked 24 and struck out 83 (11.6/9 innings), while holding the opposition to a .212 batting average. Mathieson had a WHIP of 1.13. With several openings expected in the Phillies bullpen in 2010 due to free agency, Mathieson is the prime candidate to step in and fill a void.
Michael Schwimer had a season that has to be considered extremely successful. After starting at Reading and earning 11 saves in his 32 appearances, Schwimer was promoted mid-season and was part of a very good back end of the bullpen in Lehigh Valley. In his 16 appearances with Lehigh Valley, Schwimer was 2-2 with a 1.35 ERA over 20 inniings of work. He held AAA hitters to a .213 avg., with a WHIP of 1.15. I would expect to see Schwimer start 2011 in Lehigh Valley with a very real possibility of time in Philadelphia next year.
Mike Stutes–A good year for Stutes who was called up to Lehigh Valley in mid June and acquitted himself generally well, with some command issues lurking. In 28 AAA games, Stutes was 4-1 with a 3.10 ERA and 1 save, serving primarily as a 7th or 8th inning set up guy. In 40.2 innings, Stutes walked 23 and struck out 42, holding the opposition to an impressive .207 average. Perhaps the most impressive stat when looking at Stutes line is he was 9/9 in stranding inherited runners.
Mike Zagurski placed himself back on the radar screen this season and earned himself a September callup with his performance in 52 games, going 2-3 with a 3.27 ERA and 3 saves. In 52.1 innings, Zagurski walked 27 and struck out a very impressive 71 hitters, holding opponents to a .228 average. He was unscored upon in his final 10 Lehigh Valley outings prior to his September 6th callup. With the likely departure of JC Romero from Philadelphia in the off-season, Zagurski and Antonio Bastardo will be candidates to full permanent positions in the Phils bullpen in 2011.
John Mayberry–Looking at Mayberry’s line, he had a good deal of success in 2010, but continues to deal with the same issues that have kept him out of the majors. His 2010 line: .267/.327/.410 with 15 HR and 65 RBI’s to go along with 20 stolen bases. He crushed lefties hitting .350 against them, but hit only .234 against right-handed pitching . His strike out rate improved from about 27% in 2009 to around 21% this season. Mayberry has an option left and he most likely will be in Lehigh Valley to start 2011, however can probably provide similar numbers as Ben Francisco (against lefties)at less money if the Phils decide to save a bit. Francisco will be arbitration eligible this off-season.
Matt Rizzotti–After dominating pitching at both High A and AA, Rizzotti struggled in his limited at bats in Lehigh Valley. The struggles could at least partially be attributed to injury as he battled a sprained thumb for much of the last 3 weeks of the season, spending a week on the disabled list. Just a .200 average in 45 Lehigh Valley AB’s, with strikeouts in just under a third of those at bats. Prior to Lehigh Valley, Rizzotti dominated at .358/.440/.575 with 17 HR and 72 RBI between CLearwater and Reading.
Notes: Another very successful season at the gate, as Lehigh Valley led all of Minor League baseball in attendance, averaging over 9200 fans a game for a team that has consistently been under .500. For a team in the 3rd smallest AAA market, Lehigh Valley had 70 “stadium openings” (2 games were rained out) and 60 of those 70 games were considered sellouts (over 8100, as that is the number of fixed seats). 20 of those sellouts were capacity sellouts (10,000). To close the season, Lehigh Valley sold out 41 consecutive games.
–Lehigh Valley finished 3-11 in extra innings and 16-35 in one run games.
—Andy Tracy had a league leading 3 grand slams in 2010 and was named the teams Most Valuable Hitter. He finished the season having hit in 9 of his last 10 games (.378, 3HR and 12 RBI).
Phuture Phillies 
It is hard to explain the success of Savery at bat. Maybe he could both hit and pitch relief for some winter league team.
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Savery looked great hitting today…In fact, the hardest hit ball was a liner to left field that was caught.
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Some quick (and probably unwarranted) reactions on LhV.
From what I’m seeing, Bastardo, Worley, Stutes and probably Schwimmer have bright futures. Bastardo is going to be a good ML pitcher if he can stay healthy and not get a big head. Worley has become intriguing and will likely be the no. 5 starter next year. Mike Stutes is the next Chad Durbin – he is going to be valuable.
As for Mathieson and Zagurski. Zagurski won’t be protected – I agree with that. Mathieson is an enigma, but will be given an opportunity to learn a splitter. He could be a very, very late bloomer, but he’s not a finished product yet. Guess what, the Phillies knew what they were doing with him in NOT promoting him.
Savery is fascinating. For all intents and purposes, he has skipped the lower minors and gone to AAA as a hitter. A lot of good full-time hitters never make that jump to AAA. He should start next year at first base in Reading and they can throw him in the bullpen from time to time, but, as far as I can see, this guy should be hitting.
Brown should stay in the majors, but if they don’t plan on playing him, they should send him back to AAA for a little more seasoning – like 2 months worth, not a lot.
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I agree with Bastardo as if healthy he should be on the ML roster. Mathieson will be given the opportunity for the last spot in the bullpen. It will be down to he and Herndon. Mike Stutes will pitch some time next yr in Philly (most likely a Sept call up). The same for Schwimer who in the long run could be a better choice then Mathieson.
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Let’s not get ahead of ourselves on Joe Savery as a hitter. The batting average is nice but it’s only 41 at bats. His K/BB ratio is 10:0. There is currently no book on Savery as a hitter, but eventually pitchers are going to figure out his weaknesses. And when they do, Savery’s average may plummett.
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Alan – your comments are well taken. That’s why my recommendation was to start him at AA, not AAA. Of course he needs to work a pitcher (for walks and better pitches) and, sure, they will develop a book on him. But to start the year as a pitcher, pick up a bat and start hitting the crap out of the ball at AAA is really, really impressive.
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Its ashame they didn’t convert him a couple years ago. As it is, he’s likely too old to ever make it as a hitter, especially at 1B.
I hope he proves me wrong.
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Congrat to the Fans and Marketing of LHV. Never seen them play but to continually put up that kind of attendance figures with huge losing sesaons is impressive
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I agree with Alan and have said the same thing. Savery’s success is quite encouraging. Shows the talent is there. But he needs to make up for a lot of lost time in lower minors. I would send him to FIL, start him at Clearwater next year, and hope to move him up to Reading mid-season.
Once a real book comes out on him and he is targeted, we could see some struggles. Why would he not get at least some of the development curve of a Ryan Howard or Chase Utley? He will need it, both for his development and evaluation.
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Left field?????? How fast is Savery anyone know?
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Send Savery to Australia, play in the Australian Baseball League, he will get his at bats in and get to pitch in relief
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Just wanted to throw a thank you out to Gregg for all the reports through the season.
Can’t say that LV was a team I paid much attention to through the season due to their general lack of prospects so your reports did a good job of keeping me current on the general happenings with the team.
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I will be surprised if the Phillies don’t bring up at least Mayberry and possibly Ransom to provide some right-handed pop off the bench instead of pinch hitting with Wilson Valdez all the time.
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Savery has enough speed to play a corner outfield position competently. Not fast, but not slow. He was originally an outfielder, however was moved to firstbase at Rice because of injuries and never left.
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Looks like it’s Mayberry and not Ransom due to no room on 40 man for Ransom. As mentioned above, Mayberry is hitting .350 against lefties and might be their best option for a right-handed pinch hitter against a left-handed reliever, when the situation arises.
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Not sold on the Bastardo, Mathieson, Zugurski bullpen options. All three throw hard, but just don’t seem to have any consistency at the big league level, in limited appearances. There is no way you can count on these guys, other than being possible bullpen options heading into next season. But none have earned a spot on what they have shown so far.
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I agree w/ Snakeman, lets go get more guys like D. Baez and spend 2.5mm per year for two guaranteed years. Guys from the Minors never pan out, just keep them in the minors.
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Gregg
Thanks . I would think right field is out if he wants to keep pitching. There is some danger. Atlee Hamaker probably would be in the hall if he didn’t get hurt playing the outfield but then again it was the day after he threw almost 16o pitches. Hey ya gotta luv them college coaches.
note Hamaker was limited to 100 pitches with the SF Giansts. Too bad he didn’t stay there
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JK
I like your style.
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Bastardo is absolute garbage. I don’t know why you guys think he’s so great, he’s a decent bullpen guy at BEST.
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I agree w/ Snakeman, lets go get more guys like D. Baez and spend 2.5mm per year for two guaranteed years. Guys from the Minors never pan out, just keep them in the minors.
At least baez has gotten hitters out in the major leagues. Let’s see if Bastardo, Mathieson, Schwimmer, Zagurski et al can get major league hitters out before we annoint them as the saviors of the Phillies money.
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You know, there IS a happy median on this.
If you look at the Phillies’ history on FA signings for relievers, there have been more good ones than bad ones. And there IS something to be said for going with proven major leaguers, especially when your talking about relatively cheap contracts (and sorry, 2.5 million is relatively cheap).
On the other hand, while most of the FA signings have worked out, there have been misses as well. Honestly there are a ton of guys in the minor leagues who can pitch to sub 3.50 era if they only have to pitch an inning at a time. And the Phillies do seem to have a number of people in the upper minors who might fit that bill. I’d like to see a couple of them get a shot.
And they probably will. There is every reason to believe that the Phillies are prepared to do just that – though they will, initially at least, plug those guys mainly into low leverage situations, leaving the high leverage situations for “proven” pitchers. As time goes on, if the guys from the system prove themselves, they’ll get into more high leverage situations.
I don’t see much point though in making huge changes this year. For the most part, the Phillies bullpen has been getting the job done over the past couple of months.
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Taylor Bucholtz has been designated for assignment. I would love to see the Phillies take a flyer on him.
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I see your point Jumpin. A winter’s rest might do it for the local guy. Certainly worth an invit.
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Taylor Buchholz, born in Lower Merion, was originally a 6th round Phillies draft choice in 2000 out of high school . They traded him away in 2003 for Billy Wagner. He was a top rated Phillies prospect at the time.
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Injury hit just as he hit his stride. Baseball can be amazingly cruel to some.
Woo woo just place.
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Not protect Zagurski- I don’t think so. What, based off his most recent appearance. As has been put on here before, there will be about 10 openings on the 40 man roster at the end of the season, and maybe about 7 guys that could remotely be added through projection for future uses. So, they don’t really need to drop anyone , why should they?
Especially since, with the likely buy-out of J.C. Romero, they will have all of 2 Current MLB candidates for a LH relief option in Bastardo and Zagurski, and maybe they look at Escalona and some others in Spring Training, but there is no reason to release any of these candidates before the Rule 5 draft.
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Good point, Marfis – I really had not done the 40 man roster “math” when I said we don’t need to protect Zagurski. If the team can hold onto him without jeopardizing other potentially important players, it’s no big deal holding onto him through ST. I think you can expect to see the Phillies sign one or two left specialists next year. They will obviously not pick up the option on Romero, but might try to negotiate another, reduced priced contract with him, perhaps with another option year. I wouldn’t be surprised if he stayed or left, but I am guessing he will leave. They will give Baez a chance in ST to redeem himself, but will likely eat the $2.5 m if they think he’s not going to turn the corner. I keep asking myself – how can a man throw 96 MPH, have good breaking stuff, lots of experience and still be as bad as Baez? It’s astonishing.
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I apologize for veering out of the realm of prospects. I always have to remind myself what we are doing here.
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OK JK, got your point, but you I guess your are in love with the LV bullpen. Not sure they have impressed anybody. Another bad outing by Bastardo last night. But we’ll keep running these guys out there in the middle of a division race to make you feel good.
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Yep glad you are coming around Snikeman, but I guess you are in love with the PHI bullpen. All those real major leagues last night were great, especially Romero and Contreras both performed so admirally.
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I don’t know why people assume that players with AAA success can automatically translate into MLB success. Romero may get wild at times, and his salary is a bit high, but he has gotten MLB hitters out. Bastardo and Zagurski have not shown much so far in the big leagues. Yet people here are saying, cut Romero and insert Bastardo/Zagurski. Are you kidding? If you had to get a tough lefty out, you would want Bastardo over Romero? That is crazy talk
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Actually Contreras has been fairly solid this year. Romero has been walking too many batters. But to think Bastardo, Mathieson, or Zagurski are the answer next year is questionable at best. Their throwing too many hitable pitches, when they get the ball over the plate. There will be better options available next year, through a trade or free agency. Stutes and Schwim need a little more work at AAA, but should be ready by mid-year.
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The thing is, though, that relievers are volatile from year to year. So to think anyone – major league free agents included- short of Rivera is “the answer next year” is “questionable at best.” Why take an expensive gamble when you can take a cheaper one, with as much upside? Our AAA relievers have good stuff. That should translate to major league baseball.
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If Herndon is in the minors next year and Romero’s option not picked up, the Phillies will have 4 open bullpen slots. With limited payroll available, they’ll be filling at least a couple of those spots on the cheap, whether with FAs or rookies. Even apart from the ancillary benefits of giving a shot to a couple of the AAA guys (i.e., cheaper than even a cheap FA, and if they work out you have them under control for several years), I’m inclined to think that they are likely to be better than a cheap FA (defined as a one year contract for 1 million or less – which seems to me the most the Phillies would be likely to spend on the back of their bullpen).
I usually am one of the commenters here suggesting that people should be cautious in projecting minor league performance … but some people here are taking that to extremes.
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I can’t imagine the Phillies having more than 2 rookies in the bullpen next year. Not their style.
I could see them taking a chance on 2 or 3 minimum vets, rehab type guys (Bucholtz anyone?) and seeing if anything takes.
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Not to mention the depth factor. You NEED to have some quality arms at AAA as the Phillies do this year for the bullpen. To go into a season without that is insane, and the Phillies won’t do it even if it means letting a couple of guys sit in AAA that should be promoted. Big picture folks!
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Jumpin. I’d agree that more than 2 is unlikely. But some of the people (the guru, snakeman) commenting in this thread seem to think that the true number will or should be zero.
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Using Bastardo and Matthieson (say) on the major league roster next year would still leave depth at AAA -at least Zagurski and Schwimer, the latter of whom may wind up being the best of the bunch.
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I just want to see any of these guys (Mathieson, Bastardo, or Zagurski) pitch well enough to earn a spot. So far, granted in limited action, I have seen nothing to think these three can consistently pitch at the big-league level. Even an inning here or there, these guys are either getting lit up, or are walking people. When Mathieson pitched Sunday, LA comments on the radio that he threw 6 straight sliders, none for strikes. And then they have to take him out in the midlle of an inning with 2 Marlins on base. Last night Bastardo comes in, gives up a run scpring hit, and is immediately pulled. They are just not doing the job so far.
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My belief: Mathieson and Bastardo to the Phils next year….Zagurski, Schwimer and Stutes in LV (with only Zagurksi on the 40). Both STutes and Schwim dont need to go on the 40 until after 2011.
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by Catch
“I keep asking myself – how can a man throw 96 MPH, have good breaking stuff, lots of experience and still be as bad as Baez? It’s astonishing.”
I don’t believe he ever intended to exert himself here. Just collect his money. Next year might be a different story as he plays for a new contract somewhere but I have seen enough.
I think the young reliever know they don’t have the backing of the coaches and feel
like they are walking a highwire. That is a bad place to be.
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You can use kids in the bullpen but you don’t want to lock yourself in to them. Personally I like to see five of the seven slots used for established pitchers who have proven themselves at the MLB level. The other two slots are good for rotating pitchers who you either don’t mind losing possibly on waivers, or young relievers who have options left. Relievers are volatile and you want some flexibility in your bullpen. Basically you can go with rookies, but you want to leave yourself with a Plan B.
Nowheels, you’ve certainly been on the anti-Baez bandwagon and I can respect that. But you really get into deep water when you question a player’s effort. Just because a player fails does not mean he is not giving his fullest effort, and I’m sure many of our failed prospects might tell you that it is devastating to give maximum effort and find the overall ability can no longer carry them upwards.
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Sorry Alan that is just my view. It like you don’t agree which bothers me not at all.
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Brown has a tight Quad and Rollins left tonights game injured
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May is brutalizing right now.
4 ip, 8k’s, 1h, 0bb.
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“that is just my view”
Generally speaking, aside from purely subjective opinions (“red is my favorite color”), it’s expected that people back up their opinions with some, you know, evidence, if they expect to be taken seriously. Now, certainly no one if forcing you to do that nowheels (I gather that you don’t realy care whether people take you seriously), but when that opinion is not just unsupported, but ascribes bad motives to someone, failure to do so is extremely rude at least.
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I do not think the Phillies want any one inning pitcher and due to Mathieson’s injuries, Ibelieve they tink that is who he is. I tink itis more likely that, except for the 2nd lefty (even if they do that) they would rather have Worley out there in the pen for a year. So my guess is, Mathieson gone in a trade, a spot for a long man, and a spot for a lefty and another veteran arm replacing Contreras.
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Apparently my “h” is broken.
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I think they might let one of Stutes, Mathieson or Schwimmer take Durbin’s spot in the bullpen, have Worley/ KK as the longman out of the bullpen and sign another former starter to take Contreras’s spot. Oh, and hope that Baez is better next year.
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LarryM
There has to be more in your life than me and…..
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I’m not saying that the Phillies bullpen won’t have any rookies (you always need long men), I’m just stunned that people think it’s so easy to replace Durbin or Romero. Those guys have been getting it done in Philly for a few years now. Mathieson, Bastardo, Zagurski have been iffy at best. As of now, they have not proven they can get hitters out on a consistent basis.
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Really believe Durbin is gone because of salary, Contresas is a maybe, Romero is gone too wild, too expensive. so its Madson, lidge. baez. mathieson and bastardo plus herdon i believe. scary to me. also how can they call up a catcher who is bad defensive like hoover over sardina, roberbson stinks has nothing.
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Sardinha was brutal towards the end of the year defensively. Not that Hoover is a whole heckuva lot better. But better then brutal.
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I actually think the Phillies might offer arbitration to Durbin. He’s making $2.1m this season and would probably end up somewhere around $2.8 in arbitration. I actually expect they will try to sign him to a 2-year deal similar to what they gave Baez (2-$5.75M) with a lower 2011 salary and a bigger # in 2012.
Romero will be gone since his option is for $4.5M which they will not pay. At this point, Romero & Bastardo are about the same type of pitchers. Both can get guys out when they throw strikes.
I then expect that one other rookie (Mathieson, Stutes, Worley, Zagurski) will make the team out of ST as the mop-up guy/long-man.
That means a 7 man pen of Lidge, Madson, Baez, Durbin, Bastardo, Rookie, and 1 veteran FA signing (Resign Contreras possibly).
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Guru, have you watched Romero for, say, the past season and a half (I’d say past two seasons, but he couldn’t even play for the first half of last season)?
And he’s been given far more opportunities “to get hitters out on a consistent basis.” I’d say that for what he’s given the Phillies in the past two years, he should be fairly easy to replace. Call me crazy.
The rookies, well, I didn’t mean to say that they’ll match Durbin’s 7th inning role. I think they hope Baez does that and have them as the Clay Condrey type option. I also think Herndon goes down to AAA to polish some pitches next year.
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Dave, I’ve seen Romero pitch a lot. Although he gets wild at times, I would rather see him faceoff against a tough lefty over Bastardo any day of the week. And that is what it boils down to. Yes, he’s making a lot for a reliever, but when he comes in and makes Brian Mccann look bad, you’re happy he’s pitching for the Phillies.
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Am I just missing something or why are we considering replacing a guy like Durbin when he has been getting it done in the pen? Durbin [lifting up one palm of hand], rookie [lifting up the other palm]… I think he will return, as I personally know he isn’t a guy that will expect a ton of money. The only reason I would see him go is to advance his business (ShowcaseU.com) or be with his family.
I don’t know, maybe I am missing something here since I only starting following prospects and more significantly throughout the entire organization as of last year. But I just cannot imagine all of these guys in AAA being considered. This is Philadelphia — winning is the goal and for the past few years, its almost expected.
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No, I’m not happy he’s pitching for the Phils, because Romero he doesn’t have it anymore. He’s lost 5 mph off of his fastball, his secondary pitches are mediocre, his WHIP is over 1.5 per inning (and would be higher, except his BABIP is .241), his K/BB is under 1, his FIP is over 5.5 (and was even higher last year) and the only reason his ERA isn’t higher than Baez’s is because a) he’s on a short enough leash that he hasn’t even averaged 2/3 of an inning per outing and b) other, better relievers come in and bail his sorry butt out.
Heck, his last two outings, he came in, walked a dude and then came out. They could have brought up Aumont to do that.
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Bottom line, he isn’t worth 4 plus million, so the Phillies won’t, and shouldn’t, pick up his option.
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I can live with starting the season with the guys in the organization now except Romero(money ). I just am tired of seeing FAs play when the only point is we gave them money.
Would it work if we invited players to ST with the promise of a bigger than usual one year contract if they make it? At least no free ride guys would apply.
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Durbin and Contreras are both possibilities, but I’m guessing that both would need more money and multiple years at this point. Given the tight payroll, that could be problematic. I’m assuming that for that reason neither will be back. If either or both are willing to sign for one year for about the same money – then sure, bring ’em back. That would still leave a couple spots for guys currently in AAA, since Herndon will likely be in AAA next year and Romero’s option won’t be picked up. Assuming, that is, that the Phillies think that Bastardo can take Romero’s role. I have no firm opinion on that, aside from trusting the Phillies judgment on that point. Otherwise they would need to sign a FA leftie – which would mean less money for signing Durbin and Contreras. So you still IMO most likely end up with a couple of rookies. And honestly I’m confused why so many people are so frightened by that possibility.
Someone suggested either Kendrick or Worley (whoever loses the battle for the 5th starter) in long relief. Maybe. My prediction: Kendrick gets non-tendered.
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Sounds reasonable. Schwimer probably in then?
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Wow, nowheels and I in agreement. Has hell frozen over?
I think Schwimer may well end up being the best of the relievers now in AAA and AA. Maybe he needs another few months in the minors, though? I’d trust the Phillies’ judgment either way. Probably Mathieson more likely, at least intitially. But again I trust the Phillies to sort out the best candidates.
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I think the Phils hope to promote from within. Why would they bring in an outside guy if they did not.
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I don’t think that Schwimer makes the team out of ST because I expect they’ll give him the chance to close for AAA for a few months first to see how he handles the role. Starting in 2012, they are going to need some late-inning set-up guys and Schwim would seem to be a potential candidate.
for 2010, Mathieson gets the first chance to win the job with a guy like stutes having an outside shot.
As for Kendrick, I doubt he gets non-tendered (not that I would mind) but they will probably try to deal him for a marginal veteran bullpen arm to throw into the mix.
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Ideally I’d think they take Schwim, Stutes and a few veterans NRIs into Spring Training and see who is throwing well.
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The impressive thing about Schwim has been his ability to keep his peripherals very strong over the past two seasons despite playing across 3 different levels in that time. Even in limited time in Lehigh, he still struck out 8.1/9 IP while keeping his BB rate an acceptable 3.2/9 IP.
Statistically, he looks like a guy that could step into a MLB bullpen at some point in 2011 and we need arms like that badly.
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I wouldnt rule out DeFratus in the bullpen next year at all. A strong AFL performance followed by a strong spring training he may find himself in the bullpen.
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Kendrick will be in the bullpen next yearor be with another team………..
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