According to Jim Salisbury a major league source has indicated that the Phillies have put LHP Andy Oliver on waivers. Oliver, a former second round pick, was the second of two Phillies Rule 5 picks this past year. Oliver has shown huge control problems in the past (BB/9 the past three seasons of 6.7, 8.1, and 6.6) that have offset what is a plus fastball and plus slider. For much of this spring training Oliver has shown his good side with 21 strikeouts over 12 innings, with often overpowering stuff. However, twice in the past week and a half, Oliver has had 2 outings where he has shown the complete inability to throw a strike, bringing his spring walk total to 10. Ultimately, Oliver’s future is as a LOOGY, and right now given their lack of playoff aspirations the Phillies have little need to have a bullpen spot taken up by situational pitcher. This would leave Jake Diekman as the only left handed reliever in the bullpen, though Elvis Araujo is a short trip away.
If Oliver is indeed on waivers, every team in baseball will get a chance to claim him. If no team claims him, the Pirates will get a chance to take him back for $25,000. If not the Phillies could outright him to AAA. There is also room for the Pirates to claim him and trade him to the Phillies. This move opens up another spot on the Phillies 40 man roster which stands at 36, and could go to 35 if Mario Hollands is moved to the 60 day DL, so there are likely future moves to come.
Yeah, the other thing is, with Oliver at 27yo he comes in with a bunch of track record–you’re not really going to project him into anything other than what we’ve seen at this point, and I guess it’s a good idea to just cut bait and use the roster spot more efficiently. He is what he is. Unlike the other rule-5 guy, Odubel, who has a little time at 23yo, maybe you can project a little bit.
I tend to agree. If you are picking up a 27 year old you don’t want to spend a year or more using a major league roster spot trying to turn him into something that can help your team in the future.
The alternative then is to keep Sean O’Sullivan I assume.
Alternative is to be able to bring up and down the guys with options (Neris, Ogando, Araujo, and the starters). Or claim guys off waivers
That would seem to be the logical thing, and maybe a waiver wire find will be fruitful.
On the other hand, Oliver could have been kept for a month or two then released or offered back to the Pirates. It isn’t like he had a poor ST.
It wasn’t poor, but the lack of control was very concerning towards the end
Have to assume Oliver cleared waivers, or some type of transactional avenue….since he pitched part of the 7th inning today at CBP vs the Pirates.
Is his waiver/returned delayed?