GaryMrMets
04-03-2004, 11:40 PM
http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/phi/news/phi_news.jsp?ymd=20040403&content_id=688970&vkey=spt2004news&fext=.jsp
04/03/2004 7:52 PM ET
Phils announce roster moves
By Ken Mandel / MLB.com
PHILADELPHIA -- It was a solemn handshake exchanged in the clubhouse after Saturday's game between the Phillies and Indians.
Chase Utley and Ryan Madson said goodbye to each other. Teammates last season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, they were heading in different directions on the day the Phillies set their 25-man roster. Madson earned the final spot in the Phillies bullpen after an impressive spring. Utley played well but fell victim to a numbers crunch.
"That's why I can't get too excited," said Madson, "because there are plenty of other guys who deserve to be here as well."
Utley worked out at first base this spring while Jim Thome recovered from a broken right middle finger. Utley hit .257 in 71 spring at-bats, including five doubles and three home runs, and showed the Phillies that he had nothing left to prove in the minor leagues.
Ultimately, the decision came down to the fact that Utley will be better off playing every day at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He's still viewed as the team's second baseman of the future, and wouldn't be well served getting maybe 12 at-bats a month playing in Philadelphia.
And with the team at full health heading into the regular season, and off-days helping them rest, the Phillies couldn't let their best hitting prospect sit on the bench, even though he hit well in two full seasons at Scranton.
He has one option remaining, which means that the Phillies won't have this luxury next season.
"It was the most difficult roster move I've ever had to make," said general manager Ed Wade. "He did everything we asked of him."
The Phillies tried to find a spot for Utley, including exploring trades for Ricky Ledee. When nothing materialized, they opted to go with six outfielders -- the starters, Jason Michaels, Doug Glanville and Ledee.
Tomas Perez is the team's only backup middle infielder, with Shawn Wooten backing up at the corner spots. Utley will likely be called up at the first opportunity.
To complete the roster, the Phillies also optioned Geoff Geary to Triple-A, and re-assigned catcher A.J. Hinch, and infielders Lou Collier and Jim Crowell.
"I still feel like I can help this team," said Hinch. "It's just not going to be in April. It could be down the road."
For Madson, being on a Major League roster for his first Opening Day is a huge victory. He got his first taste of the big leagues with a two-inning stint on Sept. 27, the second to last day for Veterans Stadium, and has been impressive all spring, challenging hitters and throwing strikes.
He said he won't celebrate too much, though, since it hasn't exactly sunk in that he's a big leaguer. He also figures that his wife, Sarah, will be the only one joining him for Opening Day in Pittsburgh.
Madson also plans to keep uniform No. 63, the one that was assigned to him at the beginning of Spring Training. He figures he'll be used in blowout games, which is fine by him.
"It doesn't matter," he said. "This is where I've always wanted to be. It's been long awaited."
Ken Mandel is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/images/2004/04/03/ktGGFmeW.jpg
The Phillies feel that Chase Utley will be better off playing every day in Triple-A. (Steve Nesius/AP)
04/03/2004 7:52 PM ET
Phils announce roster moves
By Ken Mandel / MLB.com
PHILADELPHIA -- It was a solemn handshake exchanged in the clubhouse after Saturday's game between the Phillies and Indians.
Chase Utley and Ryan Madson said goodbye to each other. Teammates last season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, they were heading in different directions on the day the Phillies set their 25-man roster. Madson earned the final spot in the Phillies bullpen after an impressive spring. Utley played well but fell victim to a numbers crunch.
"That's why I can't get too excited," said Madson, "because there are plenty of other guys who deserve to be here as well."
Utley worked out at first base this spring while Jim Thome recovered from a broken right middle finger. Utley hit .257 in 71 spring at-bats, including five doubles and three home runs, and showed the Phillies that he had nothing left to prove in the minor leagues.
Ultimately, the decision came down to the fact that Utley will be better off playing every day at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He's still viewed as the team's second baseman of the future, and wouldn't be well served getting maybe 12 at-bats a month playing in Philadelphia.
And with the team at full health heading into the regular season, and off-days helping them rest, the Phillies couldn't let their best hitting prospect sit on the bench, even though he hit well in two full seasons at Scranton.
He has one option remaining, which means that the Phillies won't have this luxury next season.
"It was the most difficult roster move I've ever had to make," said general manager Ed Wade. "He did everything we asked of him."
The Phillies tried to find a spot for Utley, including exploring trades for Ricky Ledee. When nothing materialized, they opted to go with six outfielders -- the starters, Jason Michaels, Doug Glanville and Ledee.
Tomas Perez is the team's only backup middle infielder, with Shawn Wooten backing up at the corner spots. Utley will likely be called up at the first opportunity.
To complete the roster, the Phillies also optioned Geoff Geary to Triple-A, and re-assigned catcher A.J. Hinch, and infielders Lou Collier and Jim Crowell.
"I still feel like I can help this team," said Hinch. "It's just not going to be in April. It could be down the road."
For Madson, being on a Major League roster for his first Opening Day is a huge victory. He got his first taste of the big leagues with a two-inning stint on Sept. 27, the second to last day for Veterans Stadium, and has been impressive all spring, challenging hitters and throwing strikes.
He said he won't celebrate too much, though, since it hasn't exactly sunk in that he's a big leaguer. He also figures that his wife, Sarah, will be the only one joining him for Opening Day in Pittsburgh.
Madson also plans to keep uniform No. 63, the one that was assigned to him at the beginning of Spring Training. He figures he'll be used in blowout games, which is fine by him.
"It doesn't matter," he said. "This is where I've always wanted to be. It's been long awaited."
Ken Mandel is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/images/2004/04/03/ktGGFmeW.jpg
The Phillies feel that Chase Utley will be better off playing every day in Triple-A. (Steve Nesius/AP)