On Sunday morning, the Philadelphia Phillies made several transactions. They traded Jake Cave to the Colorado Rockies for cash considerations and extended Matt Strahm’s contract through 2025 with a club/vesting option for 2026. Additionally, they reassigned right-handed relievers Andrew Bellatti and Jose Ruiz to minor-league camp.
These moves have provided more clarity on the Opening Day roster. With Cave out of options, the Phillies avoided losing him for nothing by trading him for cash. If Rojas and Pache both make the team, the bench will be right-handed heavy, with Garrett Stubbs being the only lefty bat. However, Whit Merrifield, Brandon Marsh, Bryson Stott, Kody Clemens, David Dahl, and Cal Stevenson provide left-handed hitting options.
The moves involving Bellatti and Ruiz have likely finalized the 13-man pitching staff for the Phillies, with Connor Brogdon, Yunior Marte, and Luis Ortiz expected to make the club. The extension for Strahm is reportedly worth $7.5 million in 2025, with an option for the same amount in 2026.
