New Phillies positioned to vie for final bench spot

The Phillies announced a pair of minor league signings Wednesday: infielder Hector Luna and outfielder Lou Montanez. Each player adds Major League experience and will be in the mix this spring as non-roster invitees.

Luna, 31, spent last season manning third base for Triple-A Pawtucket (Red Sox) and hit .283/.350/.449 with 14 home runs and 58 RBIs in 468 plate appearances. In parts of six Major League seasons, he's a .265/.317/.388 hitter with 13 home runs and 86 RBIs in 311 games with the Cardinals (2004-06), Indians (2006), Blue Jays (2007-08) and Marlins (2010). His last significant Major League role occurred five seasons ago, and since then, his skills have eroded from super-utility to strictly corner infield.

Montañez, 30, spent the majority of the 2011 season with Triple-A Iowa (Cubs) where he hit .321/.396/.492 with 22 doubles, seven triples, seven home runs and 69 RBIs in 382 plate appearances, seeing most of his action in left field and at times right and center. He also earned a call-up with the Cubs, appearing in 36 games, including 12 starts. In parts of four Major League seasons, including 24 starts with the Orioles in 2008, he's a .223/.258/.328 hitter. He was taken by the Cubs with the third overall pick in the June 2000 draft. The Orioles then claimed him as a six-year minor league free agent, then the Cubs offered him another chance last season. He was outrighted to the minors this fall and refused the assignment.

Beerleaguer: Think of Luna as a junior version of Pedro Feliz, a guy who used to play a bunch of positions, but eventually hunkered down at third in his early 30s. Considering the fragility of Placido Polanco and others, Luna, who bats from the right side, can't be ruled out for a job with this club. Stuff happens and guys like Luna periodically come up for air. The Marlins needed him for a bit in 2010. The Red Sox added him as insurance for Jed Lowrie last season, but never needed him and he stayed in the minors. Better baseball skills than a guy like Cody Ransom, but less athleticism (insight you can only find on Beerleaguer).

Montañez probably has a better chance to head north because of his position and handedness relative to that position. When you think about it, he's a decent bargain alternative to Ben Francisco since he can hit left-handed pitching and play the outfield about as well as Ben-Fran. Highly touted, his career fizzled out with the Cubs, then resurrected in the Baltimore chain when he won the Eastern League Triple Crown in 2008, earning his first call-up to the Show that same season. Last season - back with the Cubs - he flashed that same late-blooming promise by helping the Cubs win a couple of games. Good value add. Not as good as Ben Fran, but still.

Rivero goes to Nationals: Infielder Carlos Rivero, who was removed from the 40-man roster to make way for Jimmy Rollins, signed with the Nationals. His bat came alive midway through 2011, but he couldn't field; that's why he's gone. … In other minor league news, Beerleaguer favorite R.J. Swindle signed with the Cardinals.

Comments

[Phillies Red]

As a longtime reader, I'm struggling to understand how Swindle didn't merit his own post. For a time there, really thought he had a chance with the big club.

[Dragon]

Forget about all that. Is John Bowker still on the 40 man? That's all I want to know.

[derekcarstairs]

The Angels IF may be over-crowded. This could mean that either Alberto Callaspo or Maicer Izturis is available. Both play 3B, SS and 2B, both are switch hitters; good gloves; solid bats. Izturis would be a super-utility guy. Callaspo could start at 3B and may have value comparable to that of Headley.

[GM-Carson]

Derekcarstairs- where would Callaspo or Izturis fit on the roster?

From my post yesterday on my own site:

Lineup:
1. Jimmy Rollins/SS
2. Shane Victorino/CF
3. Chase Utley/2B
4. Ryan Howard/1B
5. Hunter Pence/RF
6. John Mayberry/LF
7. Placido Polanco/3B
8. Carlos Ruiz/C

Bench:
Brian Schneider/C, Ty Wigginton 3B/1B/OF, Laynce Nix/OF, Jim Thome/1B/PH, and Wilson Valdez/UTL.

Rotation:
1. Roy Halladay
2. Cliff Lee
3. Cole Hamels
4. Vance Worley
5. Joe Blanton

Bullpen:
1. Jonathan Papelbon
2. Antonio Bastardo
3. Jose Contreras
4. Michael Stutes
5. Dontrelle Willis
6. Kyle Kendrick
7. Michael Schwimer

Other Scenarios:
Pete Orr/UTL, Scott Podsednik/OF, or Michael Martinez/UTL are likely candidates to start the season on the 25-man roster should Howard be placed on the DL.

Justin DeFratus, David Herndon, Brian Sanches, and Joe Savery are relief pitchers vying for the final spot in the bullpen.

[limoguy]

Insight you can only find on Beerleaguer. Love it, Jason. You're a treasure. Merry Christmas buddy.

[Robby J]

Kata just signed with the Rangers. Andy must be prescient. Ed Wade is dancing in the halls over it.

[schmenkman]

Jason, Montanez "...can hit left-handed pitching..."
--
This must be based on his minor league stats. I can't find his 2011 minors splits, but in 2008 he hit .341/.399/.637 vs. LHPs in AA.

He has a .513 OPS vs. lefties in the majors, in only 154 PAs.

He turned 30 last week, but who knows, maybe something will click.

[derekcarstairs]

GM-Carson - Your roster appears to be correct except that Howard begins the season on the DL. If Callaspo or Izturis were added, it would be by trade. If no players from the 25-man roster were included in the trade, the Phils would have to make a roster move once Howard comes off the DL. Valdez would be a candidate.

[J. Weitzel]

schmenkman: Could be wrong. Didn't look at his major league numbers, only read about his ability to hit lefties on Bleed Cubbie Blue and a quote from Mike Quade. I'll dig up the links.

[The hook]

Defratus over schwim easily

[J. Weitzel]

Sanches or Herndon in that final spot.

[lorecore]

hook: I think DeFratus will be the better MLB'er in the end, but I dont think they are separated by much at this point.

JW: solid, thorough write-up on both Luna and Montanez, helpful.

[Andy]

I, too, think DeFratus will be better eventually. But Schim did better last year and is more ready now. It'll be fun to see how they pitch in the future, particularly if the Phils keep them both. Add in Aumont for extra fun.

[lorecore]

DeFratus' DITHL last spring kept him in AAA so hopefully he can fight through it.

[The hook]

Yeah and in a few years that pen will be young and cheap and good. Lots of good power arms with nice secondary stuff. Schim is got the goods but I think justin's secondary is better. Fastball Isnt as flat. I like aumont in AAA in case of injury and slide in and take Jose spot maybe later in year if breakdown.

[NEPP]

Both are good AAA/AAAA type guys...good depth signings.

[NEPP]

Herndon will likely get that spot out of ST but there will be 2-3 guys ready to step in the moment Contreras goes down and/or Herndon struggles.

That's a good thing.

[awh]

Carson, regarding the bullpen, IMO you're correct about 4 pitchers:

Papelbon
Bastardo
Kendrick
Willis

I think, at least to start the season, the other 4 spots will be up for grabs.

Contreras - questions about health, he's not even throwing yet
Stutes - IMO, not a lock because his command wavered at the end of last season
Herndon - which David Herndon will show up?
Sanches - ditto.
De Fratus and Schwimer - the future?, maybe, but with multiple options left they're better candidates to start at AAA than some of the above.

My 2 cents.

[rauls grandpa]

I am starting the Luna-tic Fringe (fan club of the future greatest 3rd baseman in Phillies history). Membership for a loved one makes a great Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa gift. Were you unable to make a substantial gold purchase for Diwali for your family members? LF Club membership is only $47. Please call now!

[awh]

Oh, forgot to address Savery:

With little experience as a reliever in his professional career, Savery needs more seasoning. I believe the Phils' FO will take that position as well.

[awh]

Y, NT!