The Phillies announced that they've signed right-hander Sean O'Sullivan, outfielders Dave Sappelt and Tony Gwynn Jr. and catcher Lou Marson to minor league deals with invitations to Spring Training.
O'Sullivan, 26, posted a 3.96 ERA in 25 innings (three starts, four relief appearances) for the Padres last season. However, the former Angel and Royal also walked more batters (14) than he struck out (12) in that time. O'Sullivan has struggled overall at the Major League level, pitching to a 5.89 ERA with 4.2 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9 in 218 2/3 innings. The former third-round pick has a 4.40 ERA with 6.1 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9 in 486 1/3 career innings at Triple-A.
Sappelt, 27 in January, batted .240/.269/.280 in 78 plate appearances for the Cubs in 2013. One of three players acquired by Chicago in the trade that sent Sean Marshall to the Reds (the others were Travis Wood and Ronald Torreyes), Sappelt is a career .251/.301/.343 hitter in 274 big league plate appearances. He's been much better at Triple-A, batting .279/.332/.402 in 1356 PAs.
Gwynn spent the bulk of the 2013 campaign with the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate, where he batted .300/.393/.384 with a pair of homers and 12 steals in 391 plate appearances. The 31-year-old is an outstanding defender in center field, making him a nice depth piece for the Phils.
Marson, 27, was drafted by the Phillies in the fourth round of the 2004 draft. Philly traded him to the Indians along with Jason Knapp (who is attempting a comeback), Carlos Carrasco and Jason Donald in the 2008 blockbuster that netted Cliff Lee. Marson spent most of the 2013 season on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation. Yan Gomes' breakout with the Indians displaced Marson as the team's backup catcher. He is a .219/.309/.299 career hitter in 882 Major League PAs.
Not bad
Phillies should really get Knapp back too. BasicLly would’ve given up nothing for Lee then. Haha
Tony Gwynn Jr would probably be pretty good if he got to play more often.
Eh I don’t know. He got extended time with the Dodgers, so I saw quite a bit of him and he just looked overmatched. Great speed and defense, but can’t turn on good fastball and has very little power. If he could have drawn more walks, maybe he could have been more than a #4/#5 OF.
Yeah that’s true. But some players do better with different teams. Look how good Ervin Santana pitched for the Royals this year but last year was horrible for the Angels
Tony Gwynn Jr would probably be pretty good if he got to play more often.
Seriously dude. That Cliff Lee trade is looking worse every passing day.
Seriously dude. That Cliff Lee trade is looking worse every passing day.
Signing Tony Gwynn Jr is pointless because Amaro refuses to let go of Mayberry. I’d MUCH rather have Gwynn on the bench instead of Mayberry.
Glad Sappelt is going to get a chance in Spring training. Was really sad to see him get Dfa’d was a great guy, always signed autos for me and my brother will really miss him in Chicago.
Best of luck Dave!!
Phils should signed Jason Knapp now on a minor league deal
O’Sullivan is a nice depth pick up, He’d be over Luis Garcia on the depth chart. Tony Gwynn would be Revere’s backup and Sappelt is a solid pickup for the depth chart. Gj Raj, you’re finally making some decent deals
Does Gwynn Jr finally put an end to JMJ (and still keep a “Jr” on the team)?!
Doubt it. He will have a chance to take his spot, since Ruf is most likely the Right handed bat/ Backup 1st baseman. He will have to earn it in ST.