Phillies set 2012 Opening Day Roster

The Phillies 2012 Opening Day roster is missing a few big names but it still has plenty of interesting stories.  The biggest surprise is Joe Savery, who was a first baseman last year and is now holding down a spot in the bullpen.

Here is the Phillies Opening Day Roster:

Starting Pitchers (5): Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Vance Worley, Joe Blanton

Relief Pitchers (7): Jonathan Papelbon, Antonio Bastardo, Mike Stutes, Chad Qualls, David Herndon, Kyle Kendrick, Joe Savery

Catchers (2): Carlos Ruiz, Brian Schneider

Infielders (6): Jim Thome, Freddy Galvis, Jimmy Rollins, Placido Polanco, Ty Wiggington, Pete Orr

Outfielders (5): Juan Pierre, Shane Victorino, Hunter Pence, John Mayberry Jr., Laynce Nix

On the DL (4): Jose Contreras, Ryan Howard, Michael Martinez, Chase Utley

Prepare yourself for Juan Pierre to get an inordinate number of at-bats.

Your 2011 Phillies Opening Day Roster

With the release of Luis Castillo earlier today and the announcement that Pete Orr is making the club, the Phillies have finalized their Opening Day roster. Orr likely made the club because of his ability to play third base in case Placido Polanco's injury continues to linger. Rule 5 pickup Michael Martinez was also informed today that he has made the team.

Your Phillies Opening Day Roster is set:

Infielders (6): Ryan Howard, Wilson Valdez, Jimmy Rollins, Placido Polanco, Michael Martinez, Pete Orr

Outfielders (5): Raul Ibanez, Shane Victorino, Ben Francisco, Ross Gload, John Mayberry

Catchers (2): Carlos Ruiz, Brian Schneider

Starting Rotation (5): Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton

Bullpen (7): Ryan Madson, Jose Contreras, J.C. Romero, Danys Baez, Antonio Bastardo, Kyle Kendrick, David Herndon

On the disabled list: Domonic Brown, Chase Utley, Brad Lidge

Projecting the Phillies 2011 Opening Day Roster

Wait, the Phillies season starts this week? Well, I guess it's time to take a belated look at who will be making the team on Opening Day. Since I'm doing this projection so close to the start of the season, most of the battles are out of the way, with just two bench spots being fought over. With all of the injuries, a few slots have opened up for players that normally would have had no chance to make the team.

Here's my take on how the Phillies roster will look on Opening Day. Players who are locks are listed in bold.

Infielders (6): Ryan Howard, Luis Castillo, Jimmy Rollins, Placido Polanco, Wilson Valdez, Michael Martinez
Castillo has played well enough to have first crack at the starting second base job but count on the Phillies pulling the plug quickly should he falter. All indications are that the Phillies want to keep the versatile Martinez around rather than give him back to the Nationals. Should Polanco not be healthy at the start of the season, Martinez will be even more useful.

Outfielders (5): Raul Ibanez, Shane Victorino, Ben Francisco, Ross Gload, John Mayberry
Mayberry seems like the logical choice for a righty bench bat with some power over someone like Delwyn Young.

Catchers (2): Carlos Ruiz, Brian Schneider

Rotation (5): Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton

Bullpen (7): Ryan Madson, Jose Contreras, J.C. Romero, Danys Baez, Antonio Bastardo, Kyle Kendrick, David Herndon
The pitching staff seems pretty locked in, though Herndon could easily be swapped out for a waiver pickup.

DL: Domonic Brown, Chase Utley, Brad Lidge
Depressing.

Could start season on DL: Polanco
Let's hope not because the lineup would be a joke.

Players on the bubble: Delwyn Young, Pete Orr
They are the only two remaining players in Phillies camp. Young would make the team if the Phillies give Martinez back to the Nationals.

That's the team as I see it. It's going to come down to Martinez vs. Young for the 25th spot and Martinez's versatility will earn him a spot.

Projecting the Phillies 2010 postseason roster

Now that the Phillies have finally clinched the postseason, it's time for me to take my stab at who will be on the postseason roster. With a team as loaded as the Phillies, all of the debate surrounding who makes the postseason roster centers on the final bench bats and who they want in the bullpen.

Starting Pitchers: Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, Roy Oswalt, Joe Blanton
As the top seed in the NL, the Phillies will have the luxury of going with just the "Big Three" in the first round, leaving Joe Blanton in a long relief role. Count on Blanton being used in the second round at some point.

Bullpen: Brad Lidge, Ryan Madson, Jose Contreras, Chad Durbin, J.C. Romero, Antonio Bastardo, Danys Baez
The first 5 are obvious choices but things get a little dicey from there. Because the rotation is so good, the Phillies can afford to go with just 11 pitchers and have an extra bench player, so that leaves two bullpen spots up for grabs. I think, despite only pitching 15 innings in the majors this year, Bastardo will get one of the spots simply because he's a lefty. That leaves the Phils picking between Danys Baez, Kyle Kendrick and David Herndon for the final spot. Since Herndon has no experience and Kendrick wouldn't have a role since Blanton will be in a long relief role, Baez is given a spot by default. Luckily, I can't see any conceivable situation where Baez would actually be used in a playoff game.

Starting Bats: Carlos Ruiz, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Placido Polanco, Raul Ibanez, Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth
As long as J-Roll is healthy, this is a complete no-brainer.

Bench Bats: Ben Francisco, Wilson Valdez, Brian Schneider, Ross Gload, Mike Sweeney, Domonic Brown
With an extra spot, the Phillies can afford to keep a rookie like Brown around just for the experience. Hopefully they keep the kid around and don't choose to go with Greg Dobbs, who is completely useless at this point. While there has been some talk of Mike Sweeney not making the roster, it would be crushing not to let him play given that he finally made the postseason after a decade of losing with the Royals. Besides, he's a positive veteran influence in the clubhouse and would be good for a pinch hit or two.

That is my projected roster for the Phillies as they begin their quest for another title. Feel free to disagree in the comments section!