Freddy Galvis

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Humberto Quintero was twice released in the span of 22 days last July. First, when Kansas City designated him for assignment, the Phillies called the catcher right away. He signed with the Miami Marlins instead. His stint there lasted 10 days before he was released. The Phillies called again, and they called a couple of times. Quintero landed in Milwaukee - well, actually, triple-A Nashville. The 33-year-old did not play a major-league game after June 23. His chances of making the Phillies this spring are quite good.

11. Sebastian Valle C, Reading, Class AA, .261, 13 HRs, .716 OPS Lehigh Valley, Class AAA, .218, 4 HRs, .629 OPS The acquisition of Tommy Joseph from the San Francisco Giants organization made Valle the second-best Phillies catching prospect. It didn't help Valle that he had an inconsistent season caused by a lack of plate discipline. Jordan's comments: "It's unfortunate he had a tough September at Lehigh Valley because he did not have a bad year. He made progress at double A. He has to try to be a hitter and not a home-run hitter.

FREDDY GALVIS should have the opportunity to return to his natural position and get reps at shortstop this spring. The longest-tenured Phillie will be leaving camp. For the second time in the last 5 years Jimmy Rollins will represent the Phillies as Team USA's shortstop at this spring's World Baseball Classic. Rollins is the lone Phillies player on the American roster. Six other players in the Phillies organization will play for four other countries. Reliever Phillippe Aumont, outfielder Tyson Gillies and infielder Pete Orr were on Team Canada's roster when the lists were distributed Thursday afternoon.

Scratch third base from general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.'s to-do list. After Texas' Michael Young agreed to waive his no-trade rights Saturday, the Phillies completed a trade for the seven-time all-star by sending relievers Josh Lindblom and Lisalverto Bonilla to the Rangers. Young has primarily been a designated hitter for the Rangers the last two seasons, but he figures to receive the bulk of his playing time at third base with the Phillies, freeing up Freddy Galvis as a utility guy who plays second base, shortstop, and third base.

NASHVILLE - Ben Revere was not the only centerfielder the Phillies added to their roster before leaving the winter meetings Thursday. They also selected speedy Ender Inciarte off the triple-A roster of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the annual Rule 5 draft. The 22-year-old Venezuelan had a career .283 average and .347 on-base percentage and 111 stolen bases in five minor-league seasons with Arizona. The lefthanded-hitting Inciarte hit a combined .307 with 28 doubles, 10 triples, two home runs, and 46 stolen bases at low-single-A South Bend and high-single-A Visalia.

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. - The contingency plan for third base had already been activated before Ruben Amaro Jr. recently placed a call to his father in Venezuela. There are few answers through free agency and a high-priced trade market. If nothing materializes, the Phillies are left with a platoon between Freddy Galvis and Kevin Frandsen. So Amaro was pleased to hear from his dad, a front office official for Aguilas del Zulia, that Galvis has started workouts at third during winter ball.

        Like all of you I have a blueprint of what I think the Phillies should do in an effort to return to the top of their division and become a World Series contender again in 2013. The Phillies' greatest needs are known to all. As general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said last week, "I've been thinking about next season since September. " Let's start with some contract information. For luxury-tax purposes, the Phillies have a little more than $138 million tied to 10 players.

ALTHOUGH TEAMS are allowed to sign free agents from other teams beginning 6 days after the World Series - which means midnight on Friday this year - baseball's hot-stove season generally doesn't get any hotter than in early December at the Winter Meetings. But Ruben Amaro Jr. worked quicker than most last year. He had a future Hall of Famer and a four-time All-Star closer outfitted for red pinstripes a week and a half before sitting down for his Thanksgiving dinner. So Amaro should have a new centerfielder signed before most people wake up Saturday morning, right?

Third in a series examining the Phillies' potential offseason moves. For part two on the corner outfielders click here . For part one on the center fielders click here . The position once was occupied by the best player in franchise history, but no place on the diamond looks more vacant for the Phillies right now than third base. With Placido Polanco unhealthy and unproductive, the Phillies turned to Plans B, C, D, E, F, and G in 2012. Seven players got a chance to start at third base, with the last and most effective being Kevin Frandsen, a minor-league free agent who at the very least earned the right to be one of manager Charlie Manuel's bench players next season.

During a coaching overhaul immediately following a disappointing 2012 season, the Phillies decided they wanted to have two hitting coaches to offer their lineup differing methods of instruction. On Monday, they hired Wally Joyner, a 16-year major-league veteran, to serve as assistant hitting coach. Joyner, 50, will work with newly appointed hitting coach Steve Henderson. A condition of Henderson's hiring was his acceptance of an assistant. It's the newest trend in baseball. Three teams - St. Louis, Atlanta and San Diego - employed assistants in 2012.