MacPhail pleased with Phillies offseason inroads

PHILADELPHIA — Phillies president Andy MacPhail obviously knew something was up Monday afternoon as he discussed the Phillies’ offseason.

The team had made a concerted effort throughout the winter to improve its roster by acquiring veterans on one-year contracts, providing it roster and financial flexibility for the future. The Phillies need roster flexibility because it will allow them to give more opportunities to its young players and prospects. They need financial flexibility because it will allow them to hit the free-agent market hard as early as next winter.

“I’m pleased,” MacPhail said after the Phillies’ front office served lunch at the Bethesda Project’s Our Brothers’ Place. “We’ve stayed true to our major objectives to this point. I don’t think we’re done yet. I would be surprised if we don’t continue to use that offseason to make selective improvements where we can.”

Of course, less than 24 hours later the Phillies announced they had acquired right-hander Clay Buchholz in a trade with the Red Sox for second-base prospect Josh Tobias. The Phillies look at Buchholz as a bounceback candidate entering the final season of a four-year, $30 million contract. He will make $13.5 million next season, but if he pitches well he could be traded by the non-waiver Trade Deadline.

Buchholz joins Jeremy Hellickson, Howie Kendrick, Joaquin Benoit, Pat Neshek and Andres Blanco as veterans the Phillies …

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