Phillies Moves: Blanco Moves On, Phillies Add Infielder

The Phillies continued to add bench options on Wednesday.  Also on Wednesday a familiar face departed the Phillies. Utility infielder Andres Blanco officially departed the organization, while the Phillies added utility infielder Adam Rosales on a minor league deal to compete for the job Blanco once had.

Blanco signed a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday.  If Blanco makes the team, he will reportedly earn $1.1 million plus incentives.  It will be a battle of the Blancos in San Francisco, as Andres is expected to compete with Gregor Blanco for a job.

Meanwhile, the Phillies added Rosales on a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training.  Rosales is a 34 year-old veteran who has 10 years major league experience under his belt.   Originally coming up with the Cincinnati Reds in 2008, Rosales has played for six organizations, serving as a utility infielder in all cases.

In 2017, Rosales was with the Oakland Athletics up until the trade deadline.  The Arizona Diamondbacks added Rosales in a trade with the Athletics to bolster their bench for their playoff run.  Rosales batted a combined .225 with seven home runs in 2017, spending time at first base, left field, shortstop, third base and second base.

It appears that the returning Pedro Florimon and Rosales will compete for a bench spot on the 2018 roster.  Jesmuel Valentin could also earn a job with the Phillies after missing most of 2017 with an injury.  Valentin remains on the 40-man roster so he may get an extended look if fully healed.

Former Phillies on the Move:

• The Chicago White Sox signed former Phillies closer Jeanmar Gomez to a minor league deal.
• Utility infielder Michael Martinez suffered a torn achillies.  He was to compete for a job with the Cleveland Indians.
• Former Phillies first baseman/outfielder Brandon Moss returned to the Oakland Athletics in a trade.
• Reliever David Hernandez struggled with the Phillies in 2016.  But after a decent 2017 with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Hernandez signed a two-year major league deal with the Cincinnati Reds.