The Phillies have decided to release 2B Marcus Giles. Giles played in 19 games this spring for the Phillies in which he was 6 for 36 (.167 avg, .552 OPS) with 4 runs scored, 2 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. This is no loss to the Phillies as Giles’ major league career appears to likely be over.

The Phillies have acquired 30-year old lefty reliever Jake Taschner from the Giants for 27-year old righty swinging catcher Ronny Paulino. Taschner pitched in 67 games (0 starts) for the Giants last season and he was 3-2 with a 4.88 ERA and a 1.69 WHIP. He has now pitched in 178 games (0 starts) in his major league career in which he is 8-4 with a 5.01 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP. The Phillies needed another lefty for the pen with J.C. Romero missing the 50 fifty games of the 2009 season due to a failed drug test. Chris Coste had beaten out Paulino for the backup job making him expendable.

33-year old righty swinging Pedro Feliz had a bad back last season that hampered his play on the field. The Phillies are hoping that he’ll stay healthy in 2009. Feliz played in 133 games for the Phillies last season and he was 106 for 425 (.249 avg, .704 OPS) with 43 runs scored, 14 homers and 58 RBIs. Feliz’ best skill set is his defense as he only made 8 errors in 129 games at 3B for the Phillies while showing good range.

30-year old lefty swinging Greg Dobbs is the top backup at 3B for the Phillies. He played in 128 games for the Phillies last season in which he was 68 for 226 (.301 avg, .824 OPS) with 30 runs scored, 9 homers, 40 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. He only made 3 errors in 52 games at 3B last season while showing pretty good range.

The Phillies have been prepping their #4 rated prospect, 24-year old righty swinging Jason Donald for 3B in case Feliz isn’t ready to go on Opening Day. He played in 92 games in AAA-ball last season in which he was 111 for 362 (.307 avg, .888 OPS) with 57 runs scored, 14 homers, 54 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. Donald is a natural shortstop so he would likely be able to handle 3B easily.

Veterans Miguel Cairo and Pablo Ozuna both also could help out at 3B off the bench. Cairo played 19 games there for the Mariners last season and he only made 1 error while showing pretty good range. Ozuna played in 17 games at 3B last season and he made 4 errors while showing pretty good range.

The biggest wild card for the Phillies at 3B could be 29-year old righty swinging Terry Tiffee. Tiffee played in 6 games for the Dodgers last season and he was 1 for 4 (.250 avg). Tiffee had a breakout season in AAA for himself playing in 93 games and going 148 for 392 (.378 avg, .977 OPS) with 73 runs scored, 9 homers and 69 RBIs.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: C

30-year old switch hitting shortstop Jimmy Rollins had a off year at the plate in 2008 after winning the N.L. MVP Award in 2007. The Phillies expect that Rollins will rebound in a big way in 2009. Rollins played in 137 games for the Phillies last season and he was 154 for 556 (.277 avg, .786 OPS) with 76 runs scored, 11 homers, 59 RBIs and 47 stolen bases. Rollins was still very good in the field making only 7 errors in 132 games at shortstop for the Phillies last season while showing good range.

Eric Bruntlett will be Rollins’ caddy for the 2009 season. He made 4 errors in 35 games at shortstop last season for the Phillies while showing slightly below average range. It’s imperative that Jimmy Rollins stays healthy because the dropoff to Bruntlett is huge.

34-year old righty swinging Jorge Velandia will likely start the season in AAA and provide organizational depth at shortstop. He played in 10 games for the Indians and Blue Jays last season in which he was 3 for 15 (.200 avg, .517 OPS) with 1 run scored. He also played in 80 games in AAA-ball last season in which he was 70 for 300 (.233 avg) with 34 runs scored, 3 homers and 20 RBIs. Don’t expect much out of him in 2009.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: A-

The Phillies have signed 33-year old righty starting pitcher Rodrigo Lopez to a minor league deal.  Lopez was rehabbing an injury in the minors last season as he pitched in 3 games (all starts) in Rookie + A-ball last and was 0-1 with a 16.20 ERA and a 2.40 WHIP.  But, Lopez has also pitched in 187 games (161 starts) in his major league career and he is 65-65 with a 4.80 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP.  Lopez will likely start the season in AAA and provide rotation depth for the Phillies if they need help in 2009 due to injury.