Phillies Roster Needs This Week

Eickhoff is a near lock to make Opening Day.
Photo by Richard Wilkins Jr.

The Phillies go into the Winter Meetings with 38 of their 40 man roster spots filled up, starters at least "penciled" in at their infield spots and 2/3 of their outfield slots, at least five options for opening day in their rotation, and plenty of bullpen options. Even so, they have a few open questions going into these Winter meetings:

• Aroldis Chapman was traded today for two very good prospects, but not an insane return. Given that, what does it tell us about the market for Ken Giles? Can they trade him, a younger closer with more years of club control ahead, to bolster their rebuild? Would the return be enough. I'd think, given the price and control time, he'd have similar trade value to Chapman. I'm not sure the Phillies have to trade him right now, either. My guess is he doesn't go, unless they can get something they really want. I could absolutely see Houston or Chicago going for him though.
• Opinions are all over on Cody Asche's future with the club. Right now, I'd guess he's the starting left-fielder on the current roster. I also don't think he's locked down a future spot with the team. Could a team needing a useful bench piece or a third baseman make a decent offer for Asche? Yes. I'm not sure it's worth dealing him now though, unless they obtain a starting left-fielder somehow who they are willing to go into the season with. I don't believe Peter Bourjos will start, given his health and offensive woes. He'd have to show a lot. As for Asche, the Angels might be a fit.
• I'd guess that Carlos Ruiz is very available on the market. I'd also guess that there aren't a lot of teams biting at his $8 million plus salary right now. If the Phillies really are serious about moving him, they will have to eat most of his salary, something they can easily do this off-season, but they won't get a ton back. 
• Will the Phillies land another starting pitcher. They could certainly use one more steady arm, a guy who can give them 180 innings or more. Most of the bigger names are coming off the market already, and I'd be shocked if they got in on a Scott Kazmir type (though not entirely). I still would think they are out there checking in on starters.
• Darin Ruf seems destined to platoon at first base with Ryan Howard, but watch out for him as a darkhorse possibility to Texas. They would like a right-handed platoon bat for first base, especially one that could play left-field. Ruf would be a fairly cheap option for them there. Also, the Pirates need a first baseman, though I don't think he fits their needs.

It'll be interesting to see where this goes.