Roster Moves and Garage Sales

The Phillies caught up on some housekeeping yesterday, naming first baseman Ryan Howard and right-handed pitchers Keith Bucktrot, Elizardo Ramirez, and Alfredo Simon to their 40-man roster. The roster now stands at 37 players, explains the Inquirer's Todd Zolecki, leaving "the Phillies space to add a starter, a set-up man, and a back-up catcher this off-season." The rest of the story is largely speculation and recap.

Elsewhere in the Inky, sports business reporter Larry Eichel notes that the Phillies' chop-shop stripping of the Vet is having mixed results. Around 26,000 seats were sold, but the team can't seem to find takers for elevators, escalators, metal railings, Phanavision, and the Liberty Bell replica that sat high atop centerfield. Let's hope the fire sale picks up -- Ed Wade needs some extra scratch to land a No. 1 starter.