Andrew Vasquez (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
These three members of the Philadelphia Phillies 40-man roster won’t survive the year on it.
The Gregory Soto trade opened a couple of new avenues for the Philadelphia Phillies to drive down. They suddenly have a need to add some depth pieces as the deal did cost them Matt Vierling and Nick Maton. Those two were going to be useful players from the 40-man roster.
A little deeper on the players remaining within the organization, we find three guys whose status with the team isn’t safe either. It doesn’t matter how new or old they are to the Phillies organization. These three will find it tough to survive the 2023 season on the 40-man roster.
1. The first Phillies DFA candidate is Andrew Vasquez
Now that the Phillies have three major league lefties in the bullpen, their November waiver claim of Andrew Vasquez is much less important. Add in the fact that Cristopher Sanchez and even Bailey Falter could give them relief innings as a lefty, it’s hard to imagine the team having much patience for Vasquez when compared to some other arms on the 40-man roster.
What makes Vasquez the clear favorite to get designated for assignment are the lack of minor league options he has left. The 29-year-old has a lifetime 7.04 ERA in 15.1 MLB innings. He’s not going to suddenly figure things out. The Phillies seem to have only added him for a little more southpaw depth.
With Soto, Jose Alvarado, and Matt Strahm in the show, the Phillies won’t have to turn to Vasquez until they lose at least two of those guys. Lefty relievers are a bit more overrated these days with the three-batter minimum rule. Vasquez would have a tough time cracking the 26-man roster regardless of how many lefties Philly had in the majors.
Vasquez could be an early casualty in 2023. Before we even get to Opening Day, the Phillies could say their farewell.
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