Mar. 25 -- DECISIONS, DECISIONS

BY SCOTT LAUBER

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- OK, the Phillies have the day off, but here at Philled In, we're busy working on season-preview stories and other assorted goodies that will appear in the pages of The News Journal next week. Wanted to take a few minutes, though, to discuss some roster decisions that still need to be made by Ruben Amaro Jr., Charlie Manuel & Co.

1. The Drive For No. 5: It's down to two candidates -- J.A. Happ and Chan Ho Park -- in the fifth-starter competition, and I think it's really a dead heat. Park has a guaranteed roster spot, either as the No. 5 starter or a multi-inning reliever. Happ (left, AP photo) has a good chance, too, with Amaro saying yesterday that he could fill the Phillies' need for a second lefty reliever. If anything, I'd give the slight edge to Happ (3.15 ERA in 20 Grapefruit League innings) in the race for No. 5, because the organization is more invested in his future as a starter than Park's. But Park (2.87 ERA in 15.2 innings) has pitched every bit as well, if not better, than Happ this spring. Something to consider: The Phillies have three days off during the season's first eight days and likely won't need a fifth starter until April 20. So, in theory, Happ and Park can both open the season in the bullpen before one joins the rotation. "The decision we make will come down to the wire," Amaro said.

2. Which backup will catch on?: One of the backup catchers in camp, Chris Coste or Ronny Paulino, will make the team. Chances are, though, both will not. Amaro said yesterday it's a "remote" possibility that the Phils will carry three catchers. They know all about Coste. He's a good, albeit streaky, hitter, an adequate defensive catcher, and he knows the pitching staff. Paulino remains a mystery. He has good size and plenty of raw ability, but he hasn't been overly impressive this spring, batting only .185 (5-for-27). "He's done some things well for us," Amaro said. "Both him and Coste have done some things well." To me, though, unless Paulino gets hot over the next week, familiarity will work in Coste's favor and he'll win the job.

3. Is 11 enough?: Typically, Manuel and pitching coach Rich Dubee prefer to keep 12 pitchers. But with all the early-April off-days, it's possible they could open the season with 11 (four starters, seven relievers) and add a 12th pitcher before April 20, when they will need a fifth starters. And since Amaro said yesterday that Cole Hamels likely will open the season on the active roster (not the disabled list), the top 11 pitchers would seem to be Hamels, Brett Myers, Jamie Moyer, Joe Blanton, Brad Lidge, Ryan Madson, Chad Durbin, Scott Eyre, Clay Condrey, Park and Happ. That means reliever Gary Majewski would start the season in triple-A, and Rule 5 reliever Bobby Mosebach would have to be offered back to the Angels and/or clear waivers before going to triple-A.

4. Will Jenkins or Stairs be left out?: Amaro admitted yesterday that Geoff Jenkins and Matt Stairs are, in essence, the same player. Both are veteran left-handed hitters. Both have power. Neither has much speed or is particularly strong defensively. So, really, is there room on the Phillies' bench for both? "I think it's a redundancy, and in a perfect world, I'd like to have more versatility and give Charlie different types of choices," Amaro said. "But that doesn't mean, at the end of the day, that we won't have all three of those left-handers [Stairs, Jenkins and pinch-hitting specialist Greg Dobbs] on our bench." It figures to be easier for the Phillies to move Stairs, who is making only $1 million this season, but they'd prefer to deal Jenkins. They've reportedly been shopping him around, but he has $8 million left on his contract, including the $1.25 million buyout of his 2010 option. Of course, the Phillies also could release Jenkins and swallow most of that money, just like they did last month with Adam Eaton.

5. What about Cairo and Mayberry?: If the Phillies open with 11 pitchers, they'll have an extra bench player. That would allow them to keep Miguel Cairo, the veteran utility man who bats from the right side of the plate. Cairo signed a minor-league contract Feb. 15 and has a clause that allows him to be released if he doesn't make the opening-night roster. Cairo has had a superb spring, batting .302 (13-for-43) and even belting three home runs (he hasn't homered in his last 781 regular-season at-bats), and he can be an asset off the bench. But Amaro indicated the Phillies also could keep Mayberry, the power-hitting outfield prospect. They'd rather have the 25-year-old playing every day in triple-A than sitting on the bench in the majors, but if it's only for a few weeks until they add a 12th pitcher, they could conceivably keep Mayberry in the majors. "I can't say that's going to happen, but I can't rule it out completely," Amaro said.

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In today's News Journal, we have details from Hamels' minor-league start. Also, within the notebook, the latest sign that Chase Utley will be ready for the season-opener and a sleepless night for Park. And, finally, Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino are back from the WBC, and Rollins wonders if Team USA will ever have enough chemistry to win the tournament.

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Speaking of the WBC, Mike Schmidt wrote this column about the experience for the Associated Press.

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A published report yesterday suggested the Phillies have talked to the Colorado Rockies about trading Kyle Kendrick for utility man Jeff Baker. But Amaro dispelled the rumor by saying, "I don't know if that's a fair trade, actually."

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