The Phillies announced Thursday that they’ve released four non-roster invitees to Spring Training: infielders Trevor Plouffe and Gregorio Petit as well as left-handers Edward Paredes and Jeremy Bleich. The Phils also optioned lefty James Pazos and right-hander Drew Anderson to Triple-A.
Plouffe, 32, was the Twins’ primary third baseman from 2013-16 and provided a solid bat with some pop for them during that time. However, he’s struggled with the A’s, Rays and Phillies across the past two seasons, hitting a combined .200/.271/.325 with 10 homers in 325 trips to the plate. He’s picked up some experience playing first base in recent years and has traditionally been a strong right-handed bat against left-handed opponents. In 27 spring plate appearances, Plouffe collected five hits (two homers, two doubles) and drew four walks.
Petit is a more versatile infielder, capable of playing both middle-infield slots, but he doesn’t have near the track record that Plouffe carries. Another former Twins/A’s infielder, the 34-year-old Petit is a career .249/.294/.342 hitter in 493 plate appearances. He went 4-for-15 with the Phils in his limited time in camp.
Paredes, 32, appeared briefly with the Dodgers in both 2017 and 2018, pitching a combined 16 innings with a 4.50 ERA but an outstanding 19-to-2 K/BB ratio. He’s been an extreme fly-ball pitcher in Triple-A and particularly in his limited big league time. Paredes was lights-out in camp, tossing 6 1/3 innings without allowing an earned run while recording an 11-to-2 K/BB ratio.
Bleich made his big league debut last season at the age of 31, though he faced only four batters (retiring one of them). A supplemental first-round pick by the Yankees back in 2008, Bleich is a 10-year minor league veteran with a career 3.64 ERA at the Triple-A level. In nine spring innings, Bleich allowed three runs on six hits and seven walks with 11 strikeouts.
As I recall, Plouffe is right on the cusp of the next stage of the MLB pension program, but it seems like he might not get there at this point.
Think the pension program still requires 10 seasons? maybe it’s changed for post 70’s and earlier era players, who remember have a tougher time reaching some parts of it.
Cot’s shows Plouffe with just a tad over 7y of service time (7.017) whatever the requirement is.
It does. 10 years “service time” as I just looked up. Cot’s is going to be a lot more accurate than me.
I don’t think Plouffe has a shot at 3 more full seasons on a 25 man.
I’d think he’d likely get some more time this year. He might have to sign a minor league deal and spend some time at AAA, but he’s good enough to be a fringe major leaguer for someone once injuries start to occur. Admittedly he’s been awful for 2 years, but the spring numbers are acceptable.
Agree, Jakec77. He should find a place somewhere and get a shot at some ML at bats again. Plouffe just became redundant in Philly with Walding making some strides as the potential injury fill in. I think the team really liked Trevor but there was no room left for him. Walding plus options is a better solution for 2019.
Plouffe is good friends with Kapler. That being said he might end up in LHV unless something better comes up.
Pazos had a great season last year with the Mariners. I wonder why he is being sent down.
Crowded bullpen….7.1 IP 9 hits 2 HR 4 BB vs 2 K’s in ST this year.
Such a small sample size compared to 2 good/very good seasons back to back. I actually now see a crowded bullpen though. Who knows if there are other personality/off the field concerns as well.
He’ll be back up when he settles down. I have zero faith in Hector “scare-us” Neris. He is out of options I believe and Kapler likes him but he will implode again and something will have to be done.
It is a bit odd but the Phillies have a bunch of relievers (Neris, Morgan, Alvarez, Nicasio) who can’t be sent down. They all were pre-determined to make the team regardless of how they pitched this spring. Pazos might be their best left handed reliever but that wasn’t a factor for making the team.
Pazos is a little surprising yes. But he is excellent minor league depth if Morgan cannot show the necessary adjustments.
I know managers have their reasons, but I for one wish they paired down the roster earlier..I’d like to see the team get the lineup working together sooner than later…they’ve looked really discombobulated this past week…
Minus Petit, they all had a decent Spring Training. I can see them all with another club come the start of the year,
I knew he’s Plouffe it up.