Phils get Gonzalez to wrap Thome deal

DALLAS -- Adding to their inventory of potential bullpen arms, the Phillies found a reliever in an unconvential way Thursday, acquiring Chris Booker from the Tigers for cash.

Booker, who turns 29 on Friday, was plucked from the Reds organization with the fifth overall selection in the Major League phase of Thursday's Rule 5 Draft, and sent to Philadelphia.

Booker will have to make Philadelphia's Major League roster out of Spring Training or be offered back to Cincinnati for $25,000. Shane Victorino was in this position last spring, but the Phils worked out a deal with the Dodgers to keep him.

The right-handed Booker discovered a split-finger fastball at Triple-A Louisville in 2005 and struck out 91 in 65 innings while walking 28 and allowing 45 hits. He compiled 20 saves and a 2.49 ERA.

Booker made three appearances for the Reds late in the season, and surrendered eight runs in two innings.

He'll figure prominently in a bullpen that could have as many as three openings after Tom Gordon, Rheal Cormier and Aaron Fultz. This assumes Ryan Madson joins the starting rotation, which has yet to be determined. If Geoff Geary makes the squad, that will leave two spots in what is expected to be a 12-man staff.

"We think (Booker) can be a sixth-, seventh-inning guy," said Mike Arbuckle, assistant general manager of scouting and player development. "He has a plus-fastball and came up with a good split last year that made him a better pitcher. He put up outstanding numbers last year (at Triple-A)."

"We have to add to the inventory," added general manager Pat Gillick. "We don't have enough people to pick from."

Philadelphia was also active in the Minor League phase, selecting infielder Peeter Ramos (Class A Lake Elsinore, Padres) and catcher John Vanden Berg (Double-A Hunstville). The Phils selected outfielder Brian Burgamy from the Padres in the Double-A phase and lost outfielder Brad Correll to Pittsburgh and right-hander Fernando Quijada to Baltimore.

Correll had been part of Philadelphia's 2004 acquisition of Todd Jones.

After the draft, the Phillies announced they had acquired left-hander Giovany Gonzalez from the White Sox as the player to be named later in the deal that sent Jim Thome and cash to the White Sox for Aaron Rowand and two prospects. Southpaw Daniel Haigwood was the other pitcher acquired.

Barring a spectacular Spring Training, Arbuckle expects Gonzalez to start the season at Double-A Reading and sees him as a future Major League starter. For the moment, Gonzalez has been assigned to Class A Clearwater in the Florida State League.

"We're very pleased, because he has power stuff," Arbuckle said. "Gonzalez is a lefty with power pitches. He has a chance to be a mid-rotation-type guy."