The Phillies have signed 34-year old lefty swinging reserve outfielder David Newhan to a minor league contract. Newhan played in 64 games for the Astros last season and he was 27 for 104 (.260 avg, .701 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 2 homers and 12 RBIs. He has now played in 413 games in his major league career and he is 249 for 986 (.253 avg, .692 OPS) with 148 runs scored, 23 homers, 120 RBIs and 29 stolen bases. This signing could help the Phillies down the road as Newhan is a decent bench player.

The Phillies have signed 32-year old righty reliever Tyler Walker to a minor league contract. Walker pitched in 65 games (0 starts) for the Giants last year and he was 5-8 with a 4.56 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. He has now pitched in 230 games (1 start) in his major league career and he is 20-17 with 34 saves, a 4.52 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. This was a good signing that could help the Phillies later in the season.

The Phillies have signed 28-year old lefty starting pitcher Gustavo Chacin to a minor league deal. Chacin pitched in 11 games (all starts) in A-ball last year and he was 1-7 with a 7.88 ERA and a 1.84 WHIP. He allowed a stunning 72 hits and 9 homers in only 45.2 innings last season. In his defense he is having some problems recovering from major shoulder surgery that he had during the 2007 season with the Blue Jays. Chacin has pitched in 58 games (all starts) in his major league career and he is 25-15 with a 4.18 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. This was a nice low risk signing for the Phillies as Chacin does now how to pitch. The only question is will his body let him or not?

29-year old righty swinging Jayson Werth finally got his chance to show what he could do in 2008 platooning in RF with Geoff Jenkins who is now departed. Werth will be the every day RF for the first time in his major league career. Werth played in 134 games for the Phillies last season and he was 114 for 418 (.273 avg, .861 OPS) with 73 runs scored, 24 homers, 67 RBIs and 20 stolen bases. Werth didn’t make any errors in 88 games in RF last season for the Phillies while showing average range. He also had 7 assists in those games showing how strong his arm is.

Matt Stairs will be Werth’s back up in 2009. He played in 10 games in RF last season making 0 errors while showing average range.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: B

28-year old switch hitting Shane Victorino broke out for the Phillies last season in his first legit starting role. He played in 146 games for the Phillies last season and he was 167 for 570 (.293 avg, .799 OPS) with 102 runs scored, 14 homers, 58 RBIs and 36 stolen bases. He didn’t show much range in CF but he only made 2 errors there in 139 games for the Phillies. Look for another good season out of Victorino in 2009.

31-year old righty swinging Jason Ellison could be the backup in CF for the Phillies in 2009. He played in 9 games for the Rangers last season and he was 3 for 13 (.231 avg, .517 OPS) with 5 runs scored and 2 RBIs. Ellison also played in 120 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 114 for 477 (.239 avg, .647 OPS) with 65 runs scored, 2 homers, 45 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. He is a decent center fielder defensively.

25-year old righty swinging John Mayberry Jr. also might have a good chance of showing up in Philly some time in 2009. He played in 135 games in AA+AAA ball last season and he was 137 for 519 (.264 avg, .797 OPS) with 65 runs scored, 20 homers, 71 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: B