Phillies Face Intriguing Decisions For Opening-Day Roster

The option status of seven Philadelphia Phillies could influence how they put together their Opening-Day roster.

The Philadelphia Phillies have seven players on their 40-man roster that could make determining their 40-man roster intriguing.

Why? They don’t have minor-league options.

Recently, MLB Trade Rumors published a list of 40-man players with fewer than five years of service time and no minor league options remaining. Players with more than five years of service can refuse an option.

This is important because if any of these players don’t make the Opening-Day roster they cannot be immediately sent to the minors. Because they are out of options, they must clear outright waivers before they can be sent to the minor leagues. By putting those players on waivers they’re exposed to the rest of baseball and can be claimed.

Few questions surround the status of starting pitchers Cristopher Sanchez and Ranger Suarez. Both were part of the Phillies’ rotation last season and played key roles in getting them to the NL Championship series. While they’re not Opening-Day locks on the level of Aaron Nola or Zack Wheeler, both can start or be a reliever, making them flexible enough to keep.

Dylan Covey and Connor Brogdon are the relief pitchers without options. Brogdon made 27 appearances last season and had a 4.03 ERA, while Covey made 28 appearances with a 3.69 ERA after he was acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Covey is dealing with shoulder tightness and, if it persists, he could be moved to the injured list to start the season.

Relief pitching from year-to-year can be inconsistent. Roles can change and so can personnel. If the Phillies don’t believe either has a role for 2024, they could be exposed to waivers.

The position player situation may be the most intriguing. Edmundo Sosa, Jake Cave and Cristian Pache are all out of options.

Sosa figures to be one of the Phillies’ top utility options once again after he batted .251 with 10 home runs and 30 RBI last year. He can play second base, shortstop and third base, making him a valuable player.

Cave and Pache are part of a crowded outfield situation, even if Kyle Schwarber is a full-time DH. The Phillies signed Whit Merrifield as an option if Brandon Marsh can’t be ready for Opening day after arthroscopic surgery. All signs point to him being ready.

That crowded outfield situation and Merrifield’s flexibility could cost one of them a job. The Phillies will know for sure in a few weeks.