Reconstructing an easily feasible, ideal roster from parts that were available, or reportedly available, last off-season and through spring training. Based on Paul Hagen's piece in today's Daily News. [Link]
The roster below is a giant judgment call, but I tried to follow some basic rules. I’ve included only select trade rumors, deals that probably could have happened, or were reportedly close to happening. Aaron Rowand for Scott Linebrink is right on the cusp, but did not make the list. Ridiculous rumors like Jon Lieber to Toronto for Vernon Wells are not on the list.
As for free agents, I played it by ear and limited it to this year’s crop. For example, Endy Chavez is not on the Phillies bench because he was let go two years ago. Generally, only players who agreed to come here are included, but I made a few exceptions. If you wish to include your own spin, that’s what the comment thread is for.
Starting Pitching: Cole Hamels, Adam Eaton, Jon Lieber, Jamie Moyer, Justin Germano. Germano was designated for assignment in spring training and claimed by the Padres. In four starts, he’s 3-0 with a 1.08 ERA. Note that the Freddy Garcia trade never happened. Note the inclusion of Jon Lieber, who has pitched pretty well. Randy Wolf does not make the list because he wanted out and wouldn’t have signed.
Relief Pitching: Brett Myers, closer, trained and ready for the job in spring training. Tom Gordon begins season on DL. Joe Borowski gets his two-year deal from Phillies to become the set-up man, which was reduced to a one-year deal at the advice of team doctors. The Indians have won 20 of 22 games Borowski has pitched and has 17 saves. Fellow Indian Aaron Fultz is offered arbitration to stay in town and be the Phillies left-hander (a deal he probably would have accepted). Fultz hasn’t allowed a run in his last 11 appearances and has a 1.88 ERA. I’ll throw Mike Zagurski into the mix as a second left-hander. What the hay. Geoff Geary assumes a mop-up role and doesn’t sniff the late innings. Justin Miller, who was released from Triple-A Ottawa April 19, was picked up by the Marlins and has been a nice addition to Florida’s bullpen. As it turns out, he would have been nice sixth-inning guy or Triple-A inventory. I'm not entirely sold on that (maybe Yoel Hernandez is just as good). So Myers, Gordon (DL), Borowski, Fultz, Geary, Zagurski, Miller/Hernandez as a base six. Giving Antonio Alfonseca a look has been worth it, but wouldn't it be nice if he wasn't so important? In another scenario where they trade for Garcia, Germano would have broken camp with the club instead of Clay Condrey and Joe Bisenius.
Outfield: Aaron Rowand, Pat Burrell, Ryan Church, Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth, Michael Bourn. Church comes over from the Nationals for Ryan Madson, who Jim Bowden asked in return for the center fielder, who’s having a nice season, which would have been even better playing half his games in Citizen Bank Park. (.838 OPS, 6 homers). Werth stays on as a possible cheap platoon alternative with Church.
Catching: Carlos Ruiz and Chris Coste. Rod Barajas is never signed.
Infield: Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Abraham Nunez, Ryan Howard, Greg Dobbs. Wes Helms is never signed and Nunez and Dobbs platoon at the position. What else could they have done at third base this offseason? (Update: Readers listed Akinori Iwamura in Tampa Bay as a possibility here.)
Managing: Charlie Manuel out, Jimy Williams, Steve Smith not hired. Joe Girardi hired, Davy Lopes hired, John Russell, Triple-A Ottawa, promoted to bench coach. (Another way of saying anyone but Cholly).
Break the bank for these free agent relievers: Chad Bradford, who got a three-year, $10.5 million deal from Baltimore; 33-year-old righthander Justin Speier, who will make $3.75 million in 2007, $4.25 million in 2008, $4.75 million in 2009 and $5.25 million in 2010 from the Angels. He is currently recovering from the flu, but pitching well so far. Would anyone else rather have Jeff Suppan than Eaton?
Still in the minors: Gio Gonzalez, whose 82 strikeouts is 22 more than anyone else in the Double-A Southern League.
Just for jags: Aaron Rowand dealt for Scott Linebrink (24 2-3 innings, 2.18 ERA, last earned run May 4).
Happ, 24, left Wednesday’s start after 3.1 innings and 47 pitches. Rated the 8th-best prospect in the organization by Baseball America, Happ owns a 1-2 record with a 4.09 ERA in 10 starts with the Lynx. The left-hander leads the club in starts and strikeouts.
