Playoff Roster Discussion

I'm back to blogging, and how fitting is it that this entry and the previous one over two weeks ago are both related to the Milwaukee Brewers? After a month of having an extended bench and some extra bodies in the bullpen, teams will have to return to the conventional 25 man roster. How will the Phillies go from the comfy roster size back down? Pat Gillick says that everyone who was active today will be eligible with the exception of Tadahito Iguchi, so with that in mind, let's take a look at the stone cold locks.

Catcher (2)
Chris Coste
Carlos Ruiz

You obviously need two catchers, and these were the guys the Phillies rode all season. Chris Coste stepped up and had a bunch of starts when Ruiz was having his struggles, but it seems like Ruiz has taken the starting job back. Ruiz is pretty much a lock for starts made by Hamels and Moyer, Coste usually handles Myers, and I guess they'll ride the hot hand with Blanton. Lou Marson could be an interesting choice if Manuel wants to have Coste available to pinch hit, but that's a luxury.

Infielders (5)
Ryan Howard
Chase Utley
Jimmy Rollins
Pedro Feliz
Greg Dobbs

These are the five guys who either play every day or get a lot of significant action. Manuel seems to have a good handle on switching Dobbs and Feliz in and out of the lineup, and the other three players obviously start every game. No one else is needed for a bat off the bench, but it's likely that Bruntlett gets added to run and play defense.

Outfielders (3)
Pat Burrell
Shane Victorino
Jayson Werth

I really don't think I can commit to more than that right now. Those three are the every day players, and the backup picture is too muddled. Stairs and Jenkins, the Canadian in particular, add a good left handed option off the bench, Golson is really fast, and Taguchi is there. They obviously need some backups, and we'll choose them when we see how many roster spots we have left in a bit.

Starters (4)
Joe Blanton
Cole Hamels
Jamie Moyer
Brett Myers

Are these guys good enough to win a championship? We know Hamels is an ace, hopefully. Brett Myers has showed a lot in the second half. He's had a couple clunkers in a row, but he should be well rested and ready to go. Jamie Moyer has made a lot of big starts, and hopefully he can continue his solid season for a few more starts. I still think the shoulder injury might be bothering Blanton a bit, but he's a solid guy at the back of a playoff rotation.

Relievers (5)
Chad Durbin
Scott Eyre
Brad Lidge
Ryan Madson
J.C. Romero

We'll want to carry maybe two more relievers, but these are the guys the Phillies will lean on to pitch the tight innings late. Eyre has done a great job since coming over for Chicago, and he's given Manuel great flexibility as a second reliever in the bullpen. The 8th inning was hairy for a little bit, but a combo of J.C., Durbin and Mad Dog should be able to get it done when it counts. Lidge has obviously had some tense moments, but I'm confident when he comes into the game.

That's a total of 19 guys that I think every Phillies fan can agree should be on the postseason roster. Where should the other six spots go? Let's get a couple more pitchers in the bullpen. Clay Condrey has worked hard this season, and he probably deserves a spot in case one of our starters gets in deep trouble. That means it comes down to Rudy Seanez or J.A. Happ for the last spot. I'd like to keep the young guy, but I could see us going for the experience angle with a guy that can probably warm up faster. Frankly, if either guy has to pitch, it's not good.

That means we have four more spots for the offense. We really like Eric Bruntlett, so he's got one locked down. Matt Stairs adds some power, so he has to be on. Geoff Jenkins has finally made the playoffs, and it's a tough call, but I guess he can slip onto the roster. With 24 guys left, what else do the Phillies need? Another pitcher? Probably not, 11 is enough. We could use an extra pinch hitting bat from the right side. Lou Marson would be nice for this, either directly or indirectly. He could hit, or he could be a safety net if we want Coste hitting. I'll give the nod to Greg Golson. We might not trust an inexperienced player, but his speed is game changing, and he's better at being So Taguchi than So Taguchi is.