The Phillies announced today they've signed eight players to minor league deals with spring training invites: righty Scott Elarton, infielder Kevin Frandsen, catcher Tuffy Gosewisch, lefty Pat Misch, infielder Pete Orr, outfielder Scott Podsednik, righty Brian Sanches, and lefty Raul Valdes. The signings of Podsednik, Misch, Frandsen, Orr, and Valdes were reported previously.
Sanches, 33, posted a 3.94 ERA, 7.7 K/9, 5.3 BB/9, 1.02 HR/9, and 33.9% groundball rate for the Marlins in 61 2/3 innings this year. He was outrighted by the Marlins in October. If the soft-tosser does find his way to the Phillies' 40-man roster and succeeds, they can retain him in future seasons as an arbitration-eligible player.
Elarton, 35, pitched parts of ten seasons in the Majors, most recently in 2008 with the Indians. He last pitched professionally in 2010, tossing 19 2/3 innings for the Triple-A affiliate of the White Sox. Elarton won 17 games for the 2000 Astros, though his best season might have been '99.
Gosewisch, 28, played in 109 games last year for the Phillies' Double-A affiliate.
Sanchez is the only lefty out of those you mentioned as non-locks. I’d imagine that gives him a leg up on the competition. I think the Phils really want a 2nd lefty to use more as a LOOGY as Bastardo is a full-inning guy that can setup/close if needed. Sanchez should compete with Joe Savery and that kid that tore up the AFL (I can’t remember his name) to be the second lefty.
i was surprised that last year before they traded for Pence that they didn’t give Podsednik a shot. Just to see if he would’ve given them a better leadoff option then they had at the time.
i was surprised that last year before they traded for Pence that they didn’t give Podsednik a shot. Just to see if he would’ve given them a better leadoff option then they had at the time.
I liked Sanches. One of the more reliable relievers for the Fish. They overworked him when the starting pitching imploded and when his production declined late season (surprise, the man was overworked), they decided to let him go. The Marlins say they’re a different team now, but letting go of proven players is just their MO.