Philadelphia Phillies predicted to cut ties with fan-favorite veteran before Opening Day originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Philadelphia Phillies are facing many important roster decisions ahead of Opening Day. With limited spots available, the Phillies will have to choose between two catchers in a battle right now.
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Veteran catcher Garrett Stubbs and younger backstop Rafael Marchan are battling for a roster spot. Both players bring different things to the roster, but the issues come from their contract situations.
Because both catchers are out of minor-league options, the Phillies risk losing whichever player doesn’t make the roster.
If a player without options is removed from the roster, he needs to pass through waivers, giving other teams the opportunity to claim him.
According to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, Stubbs situation is more interesting, but it’ll come down to one of them.
“It’s Marchán vs. Garrett Stubbs,” Zolecki wrote.
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“Both are out of options, so the Phillies could lose the catcher who doesn’t make the team. Stubbs signed a split contract with the Phillies, meaning he will be paid $925,000 in the big leagues or $575,000 in Triple-A. If Stubbs doesn’t make the Opening Day roster and clears outright waivers, he can accept the outright assignment or elect free agency. But if he elects free agency, he forfeits the contract that guarantees him a relatively significant Minor League salary.”
Stubbs has been a reliable veteran presence in the clubhouse, while Marchan probably has more upside.
The money likely isn’t enough to make this decision, but it’ll be interesting to see which direction the Phillies go.
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