The Phillies announced a series of roster moves today, revealing that in addition to the previously reported promotion of right-handed pitching prospect Enyel De Los Santos, they’ve selected the contract of Trevor Plouffe. In order to create space for both De Los Santos and Plouffe on the 40-man roster, the Phils designated left-hander Hoby Milner for assignment and moved Pedro Florimon from the 10-day DL to the 60-day DL. Additionally, outfielder Dylan Cozens was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley to create 25-man roster space.
Plouffe, 32, turned in the worst season of his career between the A’s and Rays last season, hitting just .198/.272/.318 in 313 plate appearances. However, the long-time Twins third baseman has shown signs of a rebound this season in Triple-A, hitting a combined .242/.371/.488 with a dozen homers and 15 doubles through 256 PAs between the Rangers and Phillies organizations. Plouffe has extensive experience at both infield corners, and his right-handed bat has long been a thorn in the side of left-handed pitching.
As for Milner, the lefty will be either traded, placed on outright waivers or released in the next week now that he’s been designated. The 27-year-old allowed four runs in 4 2/3 MLB innings this season but was considerably better in Triple-A, where he’d worked to a 2.39 ERA with 9.6 K/9, 4.8 BB/9 and 0.68 HR/9 with a 46.8 percent ground-ball rate. Milner has a pretty solid track record in Triple-A over the past three seasons and has multiple minor league option years remaining, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a club in need of a left-handed bullpen option take a look.
Plouffe! There It Is!
Plouffe the magic dragon.
Lol! I remember Piff. He was fun to watch perform on AGT a few years back.
Milner definitely claimed
Why is this guy still on the team? Why was he a 1st round pick? (Lonnie)
Cardinals going to pick up Milner so he can play with our other high era bullpen pitchers.
Milber would be a good claim for the White Sox. Sox need lefties, all of the top prospects are righties.
Milner
Milner to the Yankees? Schreve has got to go.
Milner is a very intriguing arm. Definitely wouldn’t mind him in Toronto
The Indians will get Milner, whether they can claim him or have to trade for him…they picked him in the Rule 5 before last season and their need for bullpen depth has only increased since then
I don’t get pulling up Plouffe. I understand that the Phillies are done with Franco, but Plouffe doesn’t move the dial any. He won’t do better than Franco, and he won’t be traded for anything. Especially when the cost is Milner who has shown at least some potential.
El Duderino…I know there was a lot of chatter re: Franco but Plouffe wasn’t brought up to replace him unless they had a guaranteed trade in the works now, which is doubtful. In the past month, since Franco has changed his approach he has slashed .312./384/.506 and the last 3 weeks have been even better at .367/.441/.617.
Plouffe is up as a fill-in. Santana has played every game this year as has Hernandez. Crawford is on the DL, Florimon is on the 60 day. Plouffe will most likely be used just to give some breathers. They certainly can’t rely on Walding to spell Franco or Santana unless the game plan calls for nothing but K’s.
Makes sense, Cat. I think I was just thinking they’d stick with Jesmuel Valentin for his defensive versatility. I’d hate to see Plouffe cover Hernandez at second.
It’s not as much about Franco as it is another bat. Plouffe can play several positions and has been hitting fairly well in AAA. Cozens hasn’t hit his weight yet. Phillies had 4 LH relievers on the 40, somebody had to go.
Plouffe’s promotion is about getting another bat on the bench. Phils’ PH ing is weak.
Milner>Adam Morgan
Morgan has great stuff. Was one of the best relievers in the game last yr second half. Throws 95 Milner throws 88 and frisbees. I liked the guy but Davis is 3 yrs younger and has shown to be just as effective
Wait a minute lol… Did you just say, ” Plouffe has shown signs of a rebound this season in Triple-A ” HE’S HITTING .242 !!!! Wow have we accepted mediocrity so easily in this world anymore