The Phillies are expected to have an opening for their final roster spot with outfielder Johan Rojas facing a PED suspension. Multiple veterans are vying for the job in Spring Training, but manager Rob Thomson added an interesting name to the race on Friday. The skipper shared that catcher Garrett Stubbs has been working out in the infield and the outfield, per Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic. “There’s nothing that says he couldn’t be the 26th man and we carry three catchers,” Thomson said.
Stubbs does have 15 career appearances in the outfield, though more than half of them came when he debuted with the Astros in 2019. He’s played just two innings on the grass for Philadelphia. Thomson said left field could be a possibility, but he also mentioned first and third base. The extent of Stubbs’ infield experience as a professional includes one game at first base at Triple-A in 2018, and 11 appearances at second base with Sugar Land from 2019 to 2021.
The 32-year-old Stubbs has a 70 wRC+ across 521 big-league plate appearances. He’s spent parts of the past four seasons with the Phillies after coming over in a trade from Houston. Stubbs seemed like a viable backup catcher option in his first year with the club, slashing .264/.350/.462 across 50 games in 2022. His production at the plate has tailed off considerably since then. Stubbs got into just five MLB games last season, his fewest since he debuted.
Philadelphia brought back J.T. Realmuto on a three-year, $45MM pact to handle the bulk of the work behind the plate. Rafael Marchan is the leading candidate for the backup job. He’s been a better defender than Stubbs, and also provides the added benefit of being a switch-hitter. Getting a third catcher in the mix would offer some additional flexibility, but it’s not like Realmuto can slide to DH when he doesn’t catch. With Kyle Schwarber manning that spot, Realmuto will be behind the plate when he’s in the lineup. Stubbs runs well for a catcher (though so does Realmuto), so he could factor into a pinch-running scenario.
RosterResource currently has Dylan Moore securing the final roster spot in Philadelphia. The utilityman was designated for assignment by the Mariners midway through the 2025 campaign. He latched on with the Rangers for the final month of the season. Moore signed a minor league deal with the Phillies in early February. He picked up a hit on Saturday, but is batting just .188 in Spring Training.
Moore primarily offers speed and defensive versatility. He’s compiled 46 steals over the past two seasons. The 33-year-old appeared at all four infield positions, plus center and right field, with Seattle last year. Moore has flashed a bit of power at times, though it’s come with a strikeout rate above 30%.
If the Phillies look to replace Rojas with an outfielder, Bryan De La Cruz seems like the top option, at least in terms of experience. He’s spent parts of the past five seasons in the big leagues. De La Cruz was an everyday player from 2023 to 2024. The veteran is in camp as a non-roster invitee after inking a minor league deal in November. De La Cruz broke camp with the Braves last season, but hit .191 with a 36% strikeout rate and was in Triple-A by mid-April. He was claimed off waivers by the Yankees and spent the rest of the year at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
De La Cruz launched a career-high 21 home runs in 2024, splitting the year between the Marlins and Pirates. He finished the year with a 78 wRC+ and didn’t garner much attention in free agency. De La Cruz has spent time at all three outfield positions. He grades out negatively by Defensive Runs Saved at each of them. His worst spot has been left field (-7 DRS), which is likely the opportunity available in Philadelphia. Adolis Garcia is penciled in for right field, with Crawford in center field and Marsh in left field. If Crawford is on the bench, Marsh would slide to center.
Photo courtesy of Jonathan Dyer, Imagn Images
If it’s true this team was interested in adding Bichette for ~$40 million per, it’s annoying they won’t spend a few million to upgrade that last bench spot, or to add another sure bet in the rotation. That we’re talking about guys like Moore, De La Cruz, and Stubbs as frontrunners for bench spots is not ideal, nor that Walker and Painter are both more or less locked into rotation spots.
Exactly the complaint I’ve had all off-season and the last few years.
The 40 mil for Beckett was replaced by the signing of JT
Bichette not Beckett
I don’t believe Stubbs has a shot at a super utility spot. He can’t field in most positions and can’t hit either. That’s Thomsons way of saying Stubbs will be cut unless there’s a team desperate for a backup catcher who’s a good guy to hang around. He does have a bright future as a bullpen coach.
They offered him 7 years $200
That averages out to $28.57 per year. I wouldn’t have taken the deal either, even if it was frontloaded with opt-outs.
Until the Mets offer, it sounds like that was the best offer
Phillies are closer to a World Series than Mets…unless it’s about the money.
🙂
Schwarber hit an absolute bomb tonight in the WBC game. I’m not even sure it’s landed yet.
Moore and Otto Kemp will get two spots since both can play the OF, Sosa gets a spot and Marchan gets the last one. Would be surprised if De La Cruz makes the team but wouldn’t be surprised if the Phillies acquired an Outfielder before opening day
I’ve seen Kemp in the outfield. He’s Dave Kingman without the home run swing.
Moore wouldn’t be good for Phillies, he a triple a player at best, doesn’t put up good offense to stay in the major.
The facts don’t back this up. Dinty Moore has a terrific track record with the Mariners, though hot and cold. He is a great bottom-of-the-order player. Great athlete and versatile. If you pay attention to the Dodgers roster, it’s Edman, Rohas, Kike, and Pages adding the flexibility they need to get through the season and rest their stars. Dinty Moore, Sosa, and Kemp provide that versatility for the Phillies.
🤣🤣🤣
I forget his name, but Kansas City DFA, an outfielder who’s good defensively at all three outfield positions. He also can hit a little bit and And has speed. I wouldn’t mind seeing the Phillies give him a shot because even though it’s only for the 26th spot on the Phillies right now you don’t have anybody you can count on if somebody gets hurt.
dairon blanco. i like that fit
Rangers just got him. 🙁
I looked it up. His name is Darien Blanco. He would be by far the Phillies best 26th man.
Best bet would be to sign a guy who gets cut at end of spring training instead of going with the options listed.
Luis Matos (RH-OF) will most likely be cut by SF. Guy can play all three OF slots, makes a lot of contact and has some pop and speed. His BABIP average is dismal so the low BA and OBP numbers he’s posted in a part-time role with the Giants is more the residue of hitting ’em where they are instead of hitting ’em where they ain’t. Plus, he comes cheap.
The Phils are unlikely to waste a player like Stubbs on their bench when he could be playing every day in AAA, and called up when needed.
With Sosa and Kemp on the roster, the Phils don’t need any additional utility men like Dylan Moore, who is a defense first player.
de La Cruz was a Winter League MVP recently. He’s hitting .250 with a OBP of .348, 1 homer, and 2 RBIs ins spring training. He’s also has 9 Ks.
Insofar as it will probably take a few months for Rojas’ PED suspension appeal to be resolved, the Phils will probably carry him until he is actually suspended. That will give guys like Stubbs, Moore, and de la Cruz time in the minors to work on their games.
If just picking a 26th player is causing the Phils so much grief, what will they do if the Yanks try to trade for Harper?
Stubbs is out of options. If he doesn’t make this team, some team that needs a backup catcher will likely snag him. It’s unlikely he just plays AAA for this organization.
The Phillies are saying they may keep stubs as a 26th player and possibly play him at first base once in a while. That would be instant instantaneously one of the dumbest moves. They act like a 275 hitter with potential to hit 20 home runs. Marshawn is better defensively and you can pick up a third catcher pretty easily. Don’t waste the spot.
They don’t have confidence that Marchan can stay healthy…
They have no depth behind Stubbs…
Kehden Hettiger? (AA player so far)
Mark Kolozsvary (20 MLB at-bats)
I’d expect this roster spot to go to somebody outside of the org. Randal Grichuk seems like a fit, assuming he doesn’t find daylight with the Yanks.
Always liked Grichuk. Had a few good years in St. Louis. Good call, Brad Johnson.
Their outfield is a disgrace.
Writer is overlooking Stubbs can pitch too. 16.43 ERA and 2.09 WHIP lifetime. Wait. FORGET THAT!
Finding a guy for the 26th spot for any team = easy…Finding a guy for the 26th spot for a contender.. needs to be more than a warm body or someone who had a good winter campaign hitting against high school kids NOT NAMED Jose Contreras jr……
An outfielder who can play CF or RF, has the arm for the deep throws, makes all the routine plays at SS/2B/3B and isn’t allergic to horse hide touching leather while excelling at situational / fundamental offensive baseball, this is what is needed.. The suggestions in this story.. are all flawed
One name to consider: Daniel Schneeman.. he’s a veteran, so he knows what it means to be prepared to play anywhere on any given day and is KILLING it in spring training.. He’s the right price, too…
There are others, too..
An upper level prospect from the Phillies relatively weak system should be enough to get him.. (read: not painter/abel/miller/wood)….
Thoughts?
When the cubs dump 1 or 2 of Conforto, McCormick, and Carlson…… take your pick
All upgrades and real cheap
Rene Pinto is a better option than Stubbs. Why the manager is stumping for Stubbs is beyond me, he must be well liked.
Why not give Rincones Jr. some playing time this season? He has potential to surprise.
Lack of depth in the rotation will be an issue this season for Philadelphia. Keller has been great in the bullpen last season in Chicago but its a big loss if Walker / Painter cant defend the five and Keller is needed as a starter. That is why they signed him, as a potential starter with the thought that a RP will emerge and become available but the back of their bullpen is already soft.
Bullpen looks great with Keller, without him, its a thin group. Pitching is somewhat thin, they really need some good innings from Taijuan Walker this season.
Rincones has tendinitis in both knees.
So he has twentydonitis.
All the people that wanted the Phillies to trade Alec Bohm and Bryson Stott, will eat their words this season.
Bohm: .290/.340./.470 HR 20 RBI 100 SB 7
Amazes me people with a platform to speak professionally on the Phillies, watch the same games we do, and call Bohm & Stott “nothing burgers”. Bohm makes contact and uses all fields, especially with RISP. Hence the 95 RBI’s and leading the lead in SF’s every year. He’ll show his versatility again this year I’m sure, sliding across the diamond to 1B vs. certain LHP’s – to get Sosa or Kemp (or Dylan Moore) AB’s and prevent the annual fastball to the wrist – that sidelines Harper for a month. Phillies may even have to consider offering him the QO, because his next contract will be for $25M per season. Aiden Miller is the ready made 2027 3B – let’s enjoy this last season of Bohmer.
Stott:
.285/.340/.460 HR 18 RBI 72 SB 31
He one of the best defensive 2B in the NL, an excellent base runner and provides more souvenirs than any player on the Phillies – talking about foul balls. Have not looked at the exact statistics but I would be willing to bet Bryson Stott is 95th percentile (or better) in pitches seen per AB. He works deep counts and was exceptionally good after the Allstar break. Sosa needs his AB’s, so Stott will sit against most southpaws and be available later in the game if needed. Bryson also showed his versatility last year, playing solid SS in the month Turner missed with the hammy.
Phillies Phans are crying about Bo Bichette but 3B & 2B weren’t broken. They should have tried to trade Johan Rojas, Felix Reyes and Keaton Anthony in a nice little package (like the Yankees did) for Ryan Weathers or to the Angels for Reid Detmers. Or they could have tried to acquire Jake Meyers, Astros farm is barren. Rockies only “strength” is their OF, has anybody seen that dude run and catch? He also has a Mark Whiten like arm from CF, perfect 4th OF’er. He also had a 157 OPS+ vs. LHP but what do I know.
Referring to Brenton Doyle (Rockies)*
Marsh best position by far is LF, Crawford isn’t going to play 162 games. Phillies could be banking on Dylan Moore or Bryan de la Cruz to be the occasional day off CF – which would most likely be vs. LHP.
No mention of Scotty Jetpax?
Criminal….
Just say no to Stubbs. He is AAA depth. Don’t waste a ML roster spot on him. He can send his legendary playoff playlists from LV and dance via facetime.
I want Trea in CF on occasion. At least get him the occasional inning in LF. Or Sosa. I know that experiment has been tried. I’d like to keep trying. Keep guys on the field by any means necessary when they are hitting well.
Rojas has got to go. I love watching him range but he’s weak at everything else and is likely a legit juicer. He’s could very well be hanging on by any means necessary as he knows the writing is on the wall for him at the big league level. I’d gladly have less CF depth than to keep around the karmic stink of cheating.
I’d rather Realmuto play a little left field once or twice a week than to have a dead bat in Stubbs at anywhere besides at catcher. All three catchers are great behind the plate, but only Realmuto has any kind of offensive. It’d also be a good way to get Realmuto some time without the gear on, but also keep him in the lineup. JT is a stud athlete, so he’d probably have more range and better throws from LF than Stubbs would…