With little money available to spend on free-agents, the Phillies will most likely (aside from trading Joe Blanton) keep their roster intact until Spring Training rolls around.
But that doesn’t mean they can’t do some shuffling down on the farm and sign players to minor-league contracts.
As mentioned in a previous post, the Philles are interested in signing starting-pitcher John Maine to a minor-league deal.
Philadelphia did sign a pitcher to a minor-league contract today, but not Maine. The Phils brought in relief-pitcher Matt Anderson, a former first-round pick in 1997.
Drafted first overall by the Detroit Tigers, Anderson hasn’t pitched in the Majors since 2005 when he last played for the Colorado Rockies.
In his career, Anderson has compiled a 15-7 record with 26 saves in 257 appearances.
On top of bringing Anderson into the ‘pen, the Philles decided to move Phillippe Aumont, acquired in the Cliff Lee trade with Seattle, to the bullpen, instead of having him start games.
As a starter in 2010, Aumont finished with a 7.43 ERA in 49.2 innings of work in Double-A. In High A, Aumont faired slightly better, compiling a 4.48 ERA in 72.1 innings pitched.
In an earlier article this offseason, I discussed how Aumont should be moved to the pen because his effectiveness, especially with his fastball, would benefit by coming in for an inning or two, rather than starting off a game.
With Aumont and Anderson appearing as potential relievers down the road for the Phillies, it will be interesting to see which one, if any, gets a shot at the Majors, and whether or not it will be this season or in future seasons.
