With Pat Gillick at the controls, you just never know. In a surprise move just five days before Opening Day, the Phillies released outfielder Karim Garcia on Wednesday.
Garcia was having a solid Spring at the plate and an adventurous one in the field. After playing in Japan the previous two seasons, Garcia batted .305 with one homer and seven runs batted in during Grapefruit League action.
However, Charlie Manuel, who managed Garcia during the 2001 and 2002 seasons in Cleveland, constantly stated that he felt the outfielder needed 250-300 at-bats to be effective.
He wasn't going to get those in Philadelphia's outfield, so the club cut ties on Wednesday. The move all but assures Greg Dobbs and Michael Bourn (unless he is traded per The Phanatic Magazine Rumor Mill) will both make the Opening Day roster.
Chris Coste is likely to start the season on the disabled list, but a bench spot could be his eventually. The club would like to give Bourn regular at-bats, something he will only achieve at Ottawa.
That is only if Aaron Rowand is still a Phillie, and not traded for last-second relief help before April 2nd's showdown with Atlanta.
It should be a crazy couple of days as the roster sorts itself out. The Phanatic Magazine will keep you up to speed on every development.
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