Phillies early season position player group nearly set as team makes decision on open bench spot
The Phillies’ position player group that will break camp with the team is taking shape.
Dylan Moore, a former Gold Glove utility player, has won one of two available bench spots with the Phillies. Moore and the Phillies are reportedly in agreement on a major league contract, per Will Sammon of The Athletic. The former Seattle Mariner originally signed a minor league deal with the Phillies just before the start of spring training.
Barring an injury in the final two days of camp, the Phillies Opening Day bench will consist of Moore, Edmundo Sosa, Otto Kemp and one of Rafael Marchan or Garrett Stubbs. Sosa and Kemp will be the right-handed platoon partners for Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh respectively.
Since his return from the World Baseball Classic, Stubbs has spent time in the Grapefruit League at third base and left field. The Phillies experimented with Stubbs in a utility role as the team considered carrying three catchers to start the season. Marchan is the favorite to be the backup catcher to open the season.
Stubbs is out of minor league options, so he will have to clear waivers in order to remain in the Phillies organization. Stubbs, if he clears waivers, can reject an outright assignment; It’s his right as a player with more than three years of major league service time.
But Stubbs is signed to a split contract that pays him a higher-than-usual $575,000 salary in the minor leagues. Stubbs would forfeit that salary if he chooses free agency over the outright assignment. The Phillies, who are thin on catching depth, would like to retain Stubbs and send him to Triple-A.
Justin Crawford was also informed that he made the Opening Day roster, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN reported. It comes as no surprise, as the plan for months was for Crawford to begin the year in the majors. He is expected to bat ninth and play center field for the Phillies on a nearly everyday basis. The Phillies will formally select his contract in the coming days. The same goes for Moore, who needs to be added to the 40-man roster. The Phillies have two open spots on the 40-man roster.
The Phillies still have decisions to make in the bullpen. Orion Kerkering could begin the season on the injured list as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury. Chase Shugart, Zack Pop, Kyle Backhus, Tim Mayza, and Rule 5 draft selection Zach McCambley are all still in the mix for a bullpen spot.