The Phillies announced that they signed 30 year old OF Clete Thomas to a minor league deal today with an invite to major league Spring Training.  Thomas was originally a 6th round pick of the Tigers in the 2005 draft and has spent parts of four seasons in the majors, most recently in 2013 with the Twins where he hit .214 with 4HR and 13RBI in 290 AB’s.  He spent part of last season with AAA Rochester where he hit .296 with 9HR and 25RBI in 125 AB’s. 

It’s looking like a crowded Lehigh Valley outfield as is typical this time of year.  Pitchers and catchers report February 12th (89 days…not like I am counting).

The Phillies are making their annual forray into the over 35 year old minor league pitcher market with todays signing of soon to be 38 year old Sean Camp.  Camp began last year pitching for the Cubs after signing a one year/1.35M deal but was designated for assignment mid season after his ERA rose above 7 in 26 appearances.  Camp finished the season in Reno, pitching well for the Diamondbacks AAA affiliate, going 0-0 with a 2.42 ERA in 17 games.  If he sticks, I see this as simply minor league depth.

Per the Inquirer. My first reaction to this is “okay”. And it will take a bit more time to digest. As I mentioned when LaMar left, we don’t really know what these guys are doing on a day to day basis. Jordan was in charge of the drafts in Baltimore, and did see a nice chunk of talent come through the system in the last 5 years or so. His job in Philly will be on the development side of things, as from all accounts, Marti Wolever will continue to run the draft and set the org philosophy when it comes to drafting players. Jordan is well respected and he liked upside guys in Baltimore, so that should fit in well with what the Phillies already do.

These positions are very important to a team’s success, but it’s hard for us to judge the quality of these people because we don’t really know exactly what they do every day, how much impact they have on players, and how much importance their bosses will place on their opinions. Jordan seems like a smart guy and so we’ll give him time and see what happens.

It is certainly time appropriate to review the Phillies trades over the last several years, looking at how players progressed (or didn’t) since they were traded.

2007

Mike Costanzo, Michael Bourn, Geoff Geary for Brad Lidge and Eric Bruntlett. As a Phillies fan, they is simply no way that you can complain about this trade even with Lidge’s injury woes. Lidge’s 2008 was right up there with the top closer performances in history and the Phillies, very possibly, may not have won the Series without him.  Bourn has grown up to be an All Star caliber CF and a game changer on the bases. Mike Costanzo, now 27, and a former 2nd round pick of the Phillies in 2005 is playing AAA ball in the Reds organization, and is suffering through many of the same problems he did with the Phillies organization.  He does not project as a major league player and actually spent time in the Independent Atlantic League last season. Continue reading A retrospective look at the Phillies Trades →

After a very strong performance against the Marlins (7 shutout innings), the Phils optioned Vance Worley to AAA Lehigh Valley. The move was made to keep Worley pitching on a regular five day schedule. He likely will start for Lehigh Valley on Saturday and come back after the all star break to pitch for the Phillies against the Mets.

John Mayberry Jr., is likely to be called up to take Worley’s roster spot according to Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Ryan Madson was placed on the 15-day DL retroactive to June 19 with the hand injury.  He’s eligible to return on July 4.  Andrew Carpenter was recalled.  After being DFA’ed during spring training, Carpenter has been reborn as a middle reliever, pitching to 1.58 ERA in LHV this year, including a 0.00 in eight June appearances.  A 51 K / 9 BB ratio over 45.2 IP is obviously helping.  The way things are going, look for him to settle into the closer’s role shortly.

The Phils placed RP Jose Contreras back on the DL with continued arm issues and have called up LHP Juan Perez from AAA Lehigh Valley.  Perez, 32,  is a lefty specialist that has good stuff, but often has little control. In 28 appearances this year, Perez is 0-3 with a 3.52 ERA and five saves. He averages well over a strikeout per inning (12.3/9) and has help the opposition to a batting average right around he Mendoza line. The problem is he walks over 6 hitters per nine. He last appeared in the majors in 2007 for the Pirates (17 games)

Quickly adding to what James posted earlier(Defratus call up), it appears both Cody Overbeck and Phillipe Aumont have been called up to Lehigh Valley from Reading and are on their way to Pawtucket for the ‘Pigs four game series.  The three corresponding roster moves for now it seems are the retirement of Ronnie Belliard, the release of Brian Gordon and a call up for Vance Worley.

Update: Add LHP Ryan Edell to the list of call ups from Reading to Lehigh Valley.  Edell threw the ball well in the Reading rotation, going 5-1 with a 3.50 ERA in 12 AA starts.  He will be plugged in to a rotation spot in Lehigh Valley.

Joe Savery goes from Clearwater to Reading, to take the spot of Cody Overbeck.  Savery was hitting .307 with 2 HR and 25 RBI with CLearwater and was the Phils Minor League Player of the Month for April.  Also going to Reading are relief pitcher Justin Friend, called up from Clearwater and RP Chance Chapman, sent down from Lehigh Valley.  Friend was recently named to the FSL All Star team and was 2-3 with a 2.12 ERA and 19 saves for the Threshers.

Update: The Phillies have signed RHP Tim Redding, 33, to a minor league deal.  Redding who has a good deal of major league experience, was pitching for AAA Albuquerque before opting out of his contract.  Redding was 2-7 with a 6.59 ERA in 12 starts this season at AAA. Redding last pitched in the majors in 2009 for the Mets.