Phillies urged to keep backup catcher off the postseason roster

For the second straight year, the Philadelphia Phillies are the National League East champions and have put themselves in a good position going into the postseason. A first-round bye could be in their future if they continue to close out games like they have been. 

However, they must start thinking about who will be playing for them come October. They have some tough decisions to make like who could be in the pitching rotation, what the bullpen could look like, and which younger players might give them an edge. 

One player who may not provide them much production come playoff time is backup catcher Garrett Stubbs. With guys like J.T. Realmuto and Rafael Marchan ahead of him, he does not have much of a path to getting at-bats in the postseason. 

Garrett Stubbs was called up at the start of September. He was able to give the team a third option at catcher and gave Realmuto a much-needed break, but That Ball's Outta Here's Matt Grazel argues that is not enough to keep him on the postseason roster. 

"If Stubbs makes the Phillies' postseason roster for any other reason than an injury to one of their other two catchers, the organization's decision to do so is based purely on sentiment due to the good vibes he provides to the club. That is not good enough of a reason to put him on the playoff roster."

Vibes are not enough to keep someone on the postseason roster. With heartbreaks in past postseasons, Philadelphia must figure out who can help them the most and put the best product out there come October.