BY SCOTT LAUBERCLEARWATER, Fla. -- So, after yesterday's game, a few of us beat writers peppered Ruben Amaro Jr. with questions. At one point, I asked about the backup catcher competition, specifically whether the Phillies would consider keeping three catchers -- Carlos Ruiz, Chris Coste and Ronny Paulino -- on the opening-night roster.
"It's a possibility, though probably more remote," Amaro said.
Asked a follow-up question about Paulino, Amaro said, "He's done some things well for us. Both him and Coste have done some things well. Clearly, for me, Ruiz is our No. 1 catcher. Again, we haven't made any final decisions on our backup situation or whether we're going to carry three. It's a remote possibility, but it still remains a possibility."
Well, according to well-sourced Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Phillies are shopping Paulino, which makes sense. As we've discussed here at Philled In, and as I wrote in a story for Thursday's News Journal, Paulino hasn't outplayed Coste this spring. The Phillies are familiar with Coste, who does a good, if unspectacular, job as Ruiz's backup. With prospect Lou Marson slated to start at Lehigh Valley, there won't be much playing time for Paulino, who seemingly has greater value to the Phillies as trade bait than a triple-A backup.
***Another Phillies-related rumor has surfaced in the San Francisco Chronicle: The Giants are dangling lefty reliever Jack Taschner, and the Phils may be interested. I'll ask Amaro about this one Thursday (although, he usually doesn't comment on trade rumors). Once again, though, this one makes sense. The Phillies need a second lefty reliever, and with an $830,000 salary for 2009, Taschner fits into the budget.
Talk to y'all tomorrow before Phils-Yanks at Bright House.
2 comments:
If someone takes Paulino off our hands, why not use his salary and what they'd pay Taschner to sign Ohman? I don't like Taschner even a little bit.
Good question, Steve. Again, I'll try to track down Ruben for a few minutes today. I've heard the Braves may have interest in bringing Ohman back, and they should. Any team that has to play the Phillies 18 or 19 times should stockpile as many lefty relievers as possible.
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