Before the second game of the season, when Pete Mackanin summoned Michael Saunders to tell him he would not play, the veteran outfielder countered with a straightforward question.
Are you going to platoon me?
No, the Phillies manager told one of the team's most expensive offseason additions. There is no platoon. But it was a peek inside an interesting dynamic within the Phillies clubhouse this season: It's not just the young, unestablished players whose playing time could be challenged at some point.
The veteran pieces, all on one-year contracts, are far from entrenched.
The Phillies spent more than $60 million last winter to fortify the corner outfield spots, starting rotation, and bullpen.