Dec. 17 -- MINOR MATTERS

BY SCOTT LAUBER

Don't mean to distract from the post below about the Phillies' projected 2009 payroll, but I wanted to pass along an announcement from the club about 10 non-roster invitees to spring training. There are a few intriguing names, including right-handed relievers Dave Borkowski, Mike Koplove and Blaine Neal. Of the three, Koplove, a University of Delaware product and Philly native, has had the most major-league success. But Neal, a South Jersey native, went 1-0 with a 1.21 ERA and 26 saves in 38 appearances for the Tigers' Class AAA team last season.

Regardless, it appears assistant GM Chuck LaMar is rebuilding the Lehigh Valley roster and trying to provide the Phillies with more depth and insurance against injury.

Here's the list:
Borkowski (13-20, 5.87 ERA in 181 major-league games)
Koplove (15-7, 3.82 ERA in 222 major-league games)
Neal (5-4, 5.08 ERA in 133 major-league games)
RHP Justin Lehr (4-3, 5.31 ERA in 66 major-league games)
INF Mike Cervenak (.311/10 HR/66 RBI at Lehigh Valley last season)
SS Ozzie Chavez (.232/4/33 in the Brewers' farm system last season)
INF J.J. Furmaniak (.186 in 29 career major-league games)
3B Terry Tiffee (.378 average for Dodgers' Class AAA team last year)
1B Andy Tracy (.288/22/85 at Lehigh Valley last season)
OF Chris Walker (.257/1/27 for Class AAA Salt Lake last season)

Also, the Phillies have signed 11 minor-league free agents: RHP Yorman Bazardo, RHP Yoel Hernandez, RHP Justin Pope, LHP Jason Mackintosh, LHP Joshua Shortslef, 1B/OF Brian Stavisky, OF Casey Craig, OF Kevin Mahar, OF Wilkin Ruan, OF Mike Spidale and OF Rich Thompson.