I wrote earlier today about the players the Phillies could protect and how they could protect them. Here is what the Phillies actually did:
Added to 40 man: Seranthony Dominguez, Franklyn Kilome, Jose Taveras, Ranger Suarez
Claimed on Waivers: Engelb Vielma
Outrighted: Elniery Garcia
Designated For Assignment: Mark Appel, Alberto Tirado
I don’t have anything to add about the 4 added to the roster. Taveras was the only bubble guy and he is a near major league ready starting pitcher.
Vielma is a no-hit middle infielder who I have to imagine gets designated as soon as something better crosses on waivers. He feels just really unneeded and I would have rather protected another player, but we will get to that later.
I mentioned earlier that Garcia’s stuff was way down after the injury and suspension. Appel and Tirado also dealt with injuries this year and both had their stuff down. I thought the Phillies would want to see Appel in a bullpen full time, but they also know the health of his shoulder. Same thing with Tirado, who couldn’t find the strike zone and was more 94-96 than 96-100. I think Tirado gets claimed off waivers by a team that thinks they can fix the arm. I don’t think Appel gets claimed, because the track record is so bad and the injuries are scary.
This gets me to the very on brand portion of this piece. The Phillies once again did not protect Carlos Tocci.
I get that the ability to carry him on a 40 man roster is more difficult than ever. I also see the Phillies right now have Cameron Perkins, Engelb Vielma, Zac Curtis, Cameron Rupp, and Tommy Joseph on their 40 man roster. I think there is a good chance he gets taken in the Rule 5 draft. There are some other players in danger of getting taken, but we will get to them as we get closer to the draft.
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For what it’s worth, if Tocci doesn’t get picked in the Rule V, or if he is offered back, then the Phils get to go through the year with him in the minors and off the 40. I don’t know what the chances are, but I guess they think they can sneak him through and have a little more flexibility going forward. You need to have a few fungible guys on your 40-man if you plan on acquiring talent, and Vielma/Curtis/etc. could be placeholders for players they plan on adding via trade or free agency.