Phillies: Pitchers for a 40-Man Slot

Of the auditioning relievers in 2017, left-hander Zac Curtis, whom the red pinstripes picked up off waivers from the Seattle Mariners in mid-September, had a 2.45 ERA but only threw 3 2/3 innings during three appearances.

With 40-man spots, the Philadelphia Phillies have southpaw Elniery Garcia and righty Alberto Tirado who are a starter and a bullpen piece respectively with the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils. Also, right-hander Drew Anderson now with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs already has a slot. And the red pinstripes must consider adding lefty Ranger Suarez and righty Seranthony Dominguez of the Single-A Advanced Clearwater Threshers to the roster.

"ONLY YOU: “I love baseball, I really do. I always told my Dad, I’m not gonna make it working… I like to play ball too much. Which I did. I played hard. You gotta work at this game. You really do. And its fun doing it if you do it the right way.” – Yogi Berra"

On one Phillies site, many fans believe moving the regular middle infielders is a foregone conclusion; ergo, Kingery will be the starting second baseman on Opening Day. Yes, and they also expected Kingery in Philly when he was with Reading. But if the front office doesn’t acquire a mid-rotation arm, they won’t deal either current regular as part of a package.

If Kingery and Eshelman join the team in April, the decision-maker will place two prospects on waivers for those two spots, and another organization can select them. But whom will the armchair GM blame if a claimed youngster succeeds? Klentak!