The Phillies have released 31-year old lefty swinging outfielder Cory Sullivan. Sullivan played in 36 games in AAA-ball for the Phillies this year and he was 21 for 100 (.210 avg, .586 OPS) with 15 runs scored, 0 homers, 14 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. He has played in 476 games in six years in the majors and he is 305 for 1,127 (.271 avg, .708 OPS) with 156 runs scored, 10 homers, 97 RBIs and 32 stolen bases. The Phillies needed room for Scott Podsednik which led to Sullivan’s release.

38-year old lefty starting LF Raul Ibanez looked awful in April, but he has been like gangbusters with the bat so far in May for the Phillies. Ibanez has played in 24 games so far in May and he is 30 for 93 (.323 avg, .921 OPS) with 15 runs scored, 5 homers and 15 RBIs. He has not been picky either as he has only walked 3 times while whiffing 13 times. Ibanez has now played in 48 games for the Phillies so far this year and he is 44 for 180 (.244 avg, .700 OPS) with 25 runs scored, 6 homers and 25 RBIs. The Phillies need Ibanez’ bat to stay hot.

Lefty closer Mitch “Wild Thing” Williams definately had a place in Phillies’ and World Series’ history. He pitched in 65 games (0 starts) during the regular season in 1993 and he was 3-7 with 43 saves, a 3.34 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP. But, he is most known for his meltdown in the World Series against the Blue Jays. He pitched in 3 games (0 starts) for the Phillies in that World Series and he was 0-2 with 1 save, a 20.25 ERA and a 3.38 WHIP. He gave up 5 hits and he walked 4 batters in only 2 2/3 innings in that World Series. Williams gave up a walkoff homer to Joe Carter of the Jays in Game #6, which ended the World Series! Williams was then jettisoned out of town. He pitched in 200 games (0 starts) in three years with the Phillies and he was 20-20 with 102 saves, a 3.11 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP. Williams is still #3 in Phillies’ history in saves.

The Phillies have acquired 26-year old switch-hitting infielder Niuman Romero from the Blue Jays for cash considerations. Romero has played in 11 games in AA+AAA-ball so far this year and he is 4 for 31 (.129 avg, .358 OPS) with 1 run scored and 2 stolen bases. Romero has played in parts of two years in the majors, appearing in 12 games in which he is 2 for 18 (.111 avg, .269 OPS) with 3 runs scored. The Phillies needed depth in the middle infield in the minors and Romero will give them that.

Lefty starting pitcher Jim Kaat played four years with the Phillies (1976-79). He worked in 102 games (87 starts) in his four years with the Phillies and he was 27-30 with a 4.23 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. He won the last of his fifteen Gold Gloves (two of them) with the Phillies. Kaat won 283 games in his major league career, as his better days weren’t spent with the Phillies.