Philadelphia is still fully engulfed in the celebratory feeling that come along with their football team, the Eagles, winning the Super Bowl. While fans flocked in the millions to the city, lining Broad Street and the Ben Franklin Parkway to celebrate during the Super Bowl parade, the Phillies were making some last minute moves to sure up their depth while adding intrigue to one of the few position battles in camp – the final bench spot.
While the battle for that final spot seemed to be leaning toward a man fans are already familiar with, the clubbw was struck with some bad news Friday and Saturday. Weston Wilson was the presumed favorite for the job, but reporters down in Clearwater confirmed that he “felt a grab in his oblique” while taking swings Friday. The severity of the injury is now known, and Wilson will be out at least six weeks according to Phillies’ manager Rob Thomson. That busts the door to the competition wide open, and opens up the potential for a new face to break camp on the big league roster.
Wilson was considered the front runner due to his success at the big league level in limited time, but also due to his positional flexibility. He can reliably play everywhere on the diamond besides pitcher, catcher, shortstop, and center field – although his best positions are corner outfield and 1st/2nd base.
Former major leaguers Christian Arroyo and Óscar Mercado were both signed by the Phillies to minor league deals on February 14, and both received an invite to Spring Training. They will add to the mix of talent that is already facing a battle for what is likely just one remaining spot on the major league roster. Players like Wilson, Kody Clemens, Buddy Kennedy, and Cal Stevenson were with the club last season and they welcome two more men with experience to the group.
The Phillies would prefer to have someone who can fit in both in the infield and the outfield, so that hampers Mercado and Stevenson’s chances a bit. Kennedy hasn’t appeared in the outfield at the major league level, but has played a little bit of left field (11 games) at Triple-A over the years. Clemens has appeared in a corner outfield spot during 17 of his 146 major league games, spending the rest of his time roaming around the infield or pitching in mop-up duty.
While they wouldn’t look for him to join the back end of their bullpen, the son of ‘The Rocket’ does have a strikeout of über-player Shohei Ohtani to his name. Clemens and Kennedy are both out of minor league options, meaning that if they don’t make the roster to start the season, the Phillies risk losing them on the waiver wire. Clemens probably has the edge over everyone not named Weston.
Arroyo is another player with experience in the dirt and on the grass. The former first-round draft pick has mostly been an infielder, but has played 17 games in right field during his career, as well. He is just a few years removed from a .286/.322/.414 slash line in 300 plate appearances across 87 games for the Boston Red Sox. Once a top prospect in the game, Arroyo failed to reach the major league level in 2024, spending his season with the Milwaukee Brewers Triple-A affiliate, turning in disappointing results. Still, with a strong Spring and a potential opening due to Wilson’s injury – he is a guy worth watching closely in March.
Mercado may not have the inside track positionally, but he has familiarity with the Phillies clubhouse and the organization after having a short stint with the Phillies back in 2022, appearing in 1 game after being claimed off waivers. He’s a veteran of five big league seasons who most recently appeared with the Cardinals in 2023, when he hit .290/.313/.387 in 20 games. After a stellar first season in 2019 that saw him hit 15 home runs and steal 15 bases, Mercado has failed to recapture that magic since. His skill set is very similar to that of Johan Rojas, so barring an injury or an offensive collapse from Rojas during spring – his opportunity is very limited.
With just over a month before the regular season begins, the Phillies will work with their options to ensure the cream rises to the top. Who ends up making the roster and what’s the severity of Wilson’s injury? Only time will tell.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
