The Phillies starting nine are all but locked in, with only one starting outfield position being in question. Pitching rotation aside, the bench is an area with the most question marks.
So, what sort of mixing and matching will Joe Girardi do to maximize the potential of this year’s bench spots?
A typical MLB bench allows for a backup catcher, two infielders and two outfielders, or a mixing of four position players. The Phillies may also opt to add an extra relief arm, which further constricts bench options. However, it makes the most sense to base the bench off traditional methods, and there are plenty of hard decisions to be made when cutting down the roster to 26.