PHILLIES PHODDER

Here is the roster I would take north from Clearwater. It won't happen, it's just MY roster...

INFIELDERS-(8)
Joseph
Kingery
Crawford
Franco
Galvis
Blanco
Stassi
H. Gomez

Trade Hernandez  while his value is high...Galvis and Blanco are the utility guys..Stassi can play 1B or OF...Start the future with the double-play combo of Crawford and Kingery. Hoskins is close to the majors if Joseph fails. Vaentin could only be a utility guy in someone gets hurt.

CATCHERS- (2)
Alfaro
Rupp

Split time with Alfaro, who is the future, and Rupp until Rupp gets traded. He's a good catcher, and many teams could use a solid back-stop. After Rupp is dealt, bring up Andrew Knapp as Alfaro's back-up. Knapp is a switch-hitter who can also play first base.

OUTFIELDERS-(5)

Williams
Herrera
Couzins
Altherr
Quinn

Saunders and Kendricks aren't on the squad. They will be, to add professional hitters to the line-up and let Williams, Quinn and Couzins  play a full season at Lehigh Valley Hopefully both Saunders and Kendricks will be traded before the July 31st trade deadline. Then Williams and Couzins come to Philadelphia. Williams should be ready. Couzins needs to strikeout less, but his power numbers can't be ignored.

Altherr can play all 3 outfield positions Quinn gives you speed and defense off the bench.Herrera is here for a few years until the Phillies either A) trade for Mike Trout; B) sign Bryce Harper in free agency or; C) Mickey Moniak is ready in a few years.

PITCHERS-(10)

Nola
Bucholtz
Hellickson
Valasquez
Eichoff

Morgan
J. Gomez
Rodriquez
Neris
Shesak

Solid starters, but without a true No. 1 ace...Plenty of depth in minors once Bucholtz and Hellickson get traded in mid-summer, or Nola can't hold up and has elbow problems again. Guys like Thompson, Eflin, Appel, Anderson, Pinto, Lively and Pivetta are only a phone call away.

The bullpen consists of 2 lefties- one for long relief in Morgan, and a short-situation guy in Rodriquez. Neris closes and J. Gomez is the set-up man. Shesak is the 7th inning role-pitcher.

With every summer, this roster gets closer to reality. Trading the older vets and supplementing them with prospects who will mature even more in Lehigh Valley, will lend to a young, solid core to grow with , starting late this year and spring training 2018. Add high-profile free agents during the next 2 off-seasons- an ace starter and a true superstar regular- and the Phillies are contenders again for a long time.