Open Discussion: Week of December 30th

Weekly Discussion

Have a safe and Happy New Year.

Free agent activity among the top 25 has slowed over the holidays.  Only #25 Corey Dickerson has come off the board.  Still, twenty-one of MLBTR’s top 25 free agents have signed or agreed to sign.  The four not signed are 3 position players (3 of the top 11 -Donaldson, Castellanos, and Ozuna) and a relief pitcher (Will Harris).  The top 25 are listed below with MLBTR’s projection and the actual contract outlay/status.

  1. Gerrit Cole – LAA, 8/$256M. Signed with NYY for 9/$324M
  2. Anthony Rendon – WAS, 7/$235M. Signed with LAA for 7/$245M
  3. Stephen Strasburg – WAS, 6/$180M. Signed with WAS for 7/$245M
  4. Zack Wheeler – PHI, 5/$100M. Signed with PHI for 5/$118M
  5. Josh Donaldson – TEX, 3/$75M.
  6. Madison Bumgarner – MIN, 4/$72M. Signed with ARI for 5/$85M
  7. Yasmani Grandal – CIN, 4/$68M. Signed with CWS for 4/$73M
  8. Nicholas Castellanos – CWS, 4/$58M.
  9. Hyun–Jin Ryu – TEX, 3/$54M. Signed with TOR for 4/$80M
  10. Jake Odorizzi – MIN, 3/$51M. Accepted 1/$17.8M QO from MIN
  11. Marcell Ozuna – SF, 3/$45M.
  12. Didi Gregorius – CIN, 3/$42M. Signed with PHI for 1/$14M
  13. Will Smith – MIN, 3/$42M. Signed with ATL for 3/$40M
  14. Dallas Keuchel – CWS, 3/$39M. Signed with CWS for 3/$55.5M
  15. Cole Hamels– ATL, 2/$30M. Signed with ATL for 1/$18M
  16. Jose Abreu – CWS, 2/$28M. Accepted 1/$17.8MM QO from CWS, reworked 3/$50M
  17. Michael Pineda – MIL, 2/$22M. Signed with MIN for 2/$20M
  18. Mike Moustakas – ATL, 2/$20M. Signed with CIN for 4/$64M
  19. Kyle Gibson – CHC, 2/$18M. Signed with TEX for 3/$30M
  20. Tanner Roark – TOR, 2/$18M. Signed with TOR for 2/$24M
  21. Julio Teheran – SEA, 2/$18M. Signed with LAA for 1/$9M
  22. Will Harris – CHC, 2/$18M.
  23. Drew Pomeranz – LAD, 2/$16M. Signed with SD for 4/$34M
  24. Wade Miley – LAA, 2/$16M. Signed with CIN for 2/$15M
  25. Corey Dickerson – SD, 2/$15M.  Signed with MIA for 2.$17.5M 

In winter ball, only the position players in the ABL saw action.  It looks like all our pitchers in all leagues might have been shut down.

  • Australian Baseball League 
  • Aklinski – .194/.257/.328/.585, 13-67, 7 R, 4 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 4 BB, 21 K
  • Edwards – .233/.281/.283/.565, 14-60, 4 R, 3 2B, 7 RBI, 3 BB, 11 K
  • O’Hoppe – .258/.370/.452/.821, 16-62, 10 R, 3 2B, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 10 BB, 19 K, 1/2 SB
  • Stobbe – .151/.220/.205/.425, 11-73, 8 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 5 RBI, 5 BB, 29 K, 1/1 SB
  • Wingrove – .228/.337/.342/.679, 18-79, 9 R, 3 2B, 2 HR, 17 RBI, 13 BB, 33 K, 2/3 SB
  • Glogoski (0-2, 5.09) – 17.2 IP, 15 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 5 HR, 9 BB, 19 K, 1.36 WHIP
  • Hendrickson (1-2, 1.93) – 18.2 IP, 11 H, 9 R, 4 ER, 2 HR, 2 BB, 28 K, 0.70 WHIP
  • Tols (1-3, 2.84) – 19.0 IP, 14 H, 9 R, 6 ER, 2 HR, 11 BB, 22 K, 1.32 Whip
  • Dominican Winter League
  • Grullon – .143/.143/.143/.286, 2-14, 1 R, 2 RBI, 5 K (last played 10/20)
  • E. Garcia (0-0, 10.80) – 5 G, 3.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
  • C. Sanchez (0-0, 10.13) – 5 G, 2.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 K (last pitched 10/27)
  • Puerto Rican Winter League
  • Singer (3-0, 2.38) – 11 G, 11.1 IP, 12 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 6 K
  • Mexican Winter League
  • Ross (0-0, 9.00) – 2 G, 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

My holiday gift to you all is exposing you to this guy on twitter.  Not only are his comments funny, but the comments of people who take him literally are hilarious (to me anyway).  I found him when one of our prospects like a post and it appeared in my stream.  He’s also followed by a couple of our players and a coach.  Kevin Youkilis, too.

If you must drink and drive, please wait until you reach a red light or stop sign.  <rim shot> Or, do as I do, get all your drinking done before you drive.  <rim shot>  Sorry.  Bad jokes.  Seriously, watch your intake and be wary of other drivers.  I am always afraid to drive on holidays and at closing time.  I recovered from a broken neck (hairline fracture of C2) I received in a 1992 car accident initiated by a drunk driver who fell asleep at the wheel and crossed over into my lane and hit us head on, in front of Vince’s Restaurant (Jimmy’s Pub, now) and the Bait Shop at State and Linden if you are familiar with the Northeast.  I really think driving under the influence should be dealt with severely.  Be careful, stay alive.

This is the Phuture Phillies Open Discussion for Phillies and other baseball topics.

Key Dates:

  • October 31, 2019 – (day after the last game of the World Series)
    • trading among teams resumed
    • start of “quiet period”
    • eligible players officially file for major/minor league free agency
  • November TBA – Professional Baseball Agreement negotiations between MLB/MiLB
  • November 2-17, 2019 – Premier 12 opener, 2020 Olympics Qualifier
  • November 2, 2019 – Group A: USA v. Netherlands (9-0 win)
  • November 4, 2019 – (fifth day after the last game of the WS)
    • end of “quiet period”
    • deadline for teams to make qualifying offers
    • deadline to exercise/decline options and opt-outs (unless sooner per individual contract)
  • November 11-14, 2019 – GM Meetings in Scottsdale
  • November 14, 2019 – Deadline for free agents to accept qualifying offers (15th day after the last game of the WS)
  • November 15, 2019 – Opener for Liga de Beisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente
  • November 19-21, 2019 – Owners’ Meetings in Arlington
  • November 20, 2019 – Deadline for adding Rule 5 eligible players to the 40-man roster
  • November 21, 2019 – Opener for the Australian Baseball League
  • Nov. TBA – MLBPA executive board meeting (11/26-29 in Irving, TX last year)
  • December 2, 2019 – Last day for teams to offer 2020 contracts to unsigned players on their 40-man rosters
  • December 9-12, 2019 – Winter Meetings in San Diego
  • December 12, 2019 – Rule 5 Draft
  • January TBA – Rookie Career Development Program (1/9-11 in Miami last year)
  • January TBA – Phillies Prospects Program (at CBP in mid-January)
  • January TBA – First reports (first week of January)
  • January 10, 2020  – Salary arbitration figures exchanged
  • February 3-21, 2020 – Salary arbitration hearings, Phoenix
  • February 11, 2020 – Voluntary reporting date for pitchers, catchers and injured players
  • February 16, 2020 – Voluntary reporting date for other players
  • February 21, 2020 –  Mandatory reporting date
  • February 22, 2020 – First spring training game at Tigers
  • February 23, 2020 – First spring training home game v. Pirates
  • March 2020 – Americas Qualifier in Arizona (2020 Olympics qualifier)
  • March 23, 2020 – Final spring training home game v. Rays
  • March 26, 2020 – Phillies’ opening day at Miami, active roster reduced to 26 players
  • March/April 2020 – At-Large Qualifier in Taiwan (2020 Olympics qualifier)
  • April 2, 2020 – Phillies’ home opener v. Milwaukee
  • June 10-12, 2021 – Amateur draft in Omaha, NE
  • June 15, 2020 – International amateur signing period closes
  • July 2, 2020 – International amateur signing period opens
  • July 10, 2020 – Deadline for drafted players to sign, except for players who have exhausted college eligibility
  • July 14,2020  – All-Star Game at Los Angeles
  • July 31, 2020 – Last day during the season to trade a player
  • August 31, 2020 – Last day to be contracted to an organization and be eligible for postseason roster
  • September 1, 2020 — Active rosters expand to 28 players

The rosters and lists are up to date as of December 1st … 373 players in the org

Transactions (newest transactions are in bold print)
12/27/2019 – Phillies signed C Christian Bethancourt to an MiLB contract w/invite ST
12/22/2019 – Phillies signed T.J. Rivera to an MiLB contract
12/21/2019 – CF Mikie Mahtook assigned to Lehigh Valley
12/21/2019 – 2B Josh Harrison assigned to Lehigh Valley
12/21/2019 – IF Phil Gosselin assigned to Lehigh Valley
12/21/2019 – CF Matt Szczur assigned to Lehigh Valley
12/20/2019 – Phillies signed FA CF Mikie Mahtook to an MiLB contract w/invite ST
12/20/2019 – Phillies signed FA CF Matt Szczur to an MiLB contract w/invite to ST
12/20/2019 – Phillies signed FA IF Phil Goselin to an MiLB contract w/invite to ST
12/20/2019 – Phillies signed FA 2B Josh Harrison to an MiLB contract w/invite to ST
12/13/2019 – Phillies signed free agent SS Didi Gregorius
12/12/2019 – Phillies traded 2B Vimael Machin to Oakland for cash
12/12/2019 – Phillies claimed 2B Vimael Machin off waivers from Iowa Cubs
12/09/2019 – Phillies sign FA RHP Zack Wheeler
12/02/2019 – 3B Maikel Franco non-tendered, elected free agency
12/02/2019 – 2B Cesar Hernandez non-tendered, elected free agency
12/02/2019 – Phillies claimed RHP Trevor Kelley off waivers from Boston
11/20/2019 – Tampa Bay traded LHP Cristopher Sanchez to Phillies for 2B Curtis Mead
11/20/2019 – Phillies selected the contract of LHP Garrett Cleavinger from Reading
11/20/2019 – Phillies selected the contract of RHP Mauricio Llovera from Reading
11/20/2019 – Phillies selected the contract of LHP Cristopher Sanchez from Reading
11/20/2019 – Phillies selected the contract of LHP JoJo Romero from Lehigh Valley
11/13/2019 – Phillies released RHP Kyle Arjona
11/13/2019 – Phillies released RHP Luis Carrasco
11/13/2019 – Phillies released RHP Juan Escorcia
11/13/2019 – Phillies released 2B Brayan Gonzalez
11/13/2019 – Phillies released RHP Omar Maldonado
11/13/2019 – Phillies released OF Danny Mayer
11/08/2019 – Phillies signed international FA RHP Jaydenn Estanista to an MiLB contract
11/04/2019 – Phillies activated LHP Adam Morgan from the 60-day IL
11/04/2019 – Phillies activated RHP Seranthony Dominguez from the 60-day IL
11/04/2019 – Phillies activated RHP Victor Arano from the 60-day IL
11/04/2019 – Phillies activated RHP David Robertson from the 60-day IL
11/04/2019 – Phillies activated LF Andrew McCutchen from the 60-day IL
11/04/2019 – Phillies activated RHP Jake Arrieta from the 60-day IL
11/04/2019 – RHP Pat Neshek elected free agency
11/04/2019 – LHP Jason Vargas elected free agency
11/04/2019 – RHP Jared Hughes elected free agency
11/04/2019 – Phillies sent RHP Edubray Ramos outright to Lehigh Valley
11/04/2019 – RHP Edubray Ramos elected free agency
11/04/2019 – Phillies sent RHP Mike Morin outright to Lehigh Valley
11/04/2019 – RHP Mike Morin elected free agency
11/04/2019 – Phillies sent RHP Jerad Eickhoff outright to Lehigh Valley
11/04/2019 – RHP Jerad Eickhoff elected free agency
11/04/2019 – Phillies sent RHP Blake Parker outright to Lehigh Valley
11/04/2019 – RHP Blake Parker elected free agency
11/04/2019 – Phillies sent LF Phil Gosselin outright to Lehigh Valley
11/04/2019 – SS Malquin Canelo elected free agency
11/04/2019 – 3B Ali Castillo elected free agency
11/04/2019 – OF Jan Hernandez elected free agency
11/04/2019 – RHP Alexis Rivero elected free agency
11/04/2019 – LF Shane Robinson elected free agency
11/04/2019 – SS Andrew Romine elected free agency
11/04/2019 – 3B Mitch Walding elected free agency
11/04/2019 – C Matt McBride elected free agency
11/04/2019 – RHP Tyler Viza elected free agency
11/01/2019 – Phillies released Jose Pirela
10/31/2019 – Phillies declined $7M club option on RHP Pat Neshek
10/31/2019 – Phillies activated CF Odubel Herrera from the restricted list
10/31/2019 – 1B Logan Morrison elected free agency
10/31/2019 – 2B Brad Miller elected free agency
10/31/2019 – RHP Nick Vincent elected free agency
10/31/2019 – LF Corey Dickerson elected free agency
10/31/2019 – LHP Drew Smyly elected free agency
10/31/2019 – RHP Tommy Hunter elected free agency
10/31/2019 – 3B Sean Rodriguez elected free agency
10/31/2019 – RHP Juan Nicasio elected free agency
10/30/2019 – Phillies claimed RHP Robert Stock off waivers from the Padres
10/09/2019 – Clearwater activated RHP Waylon Richardson from the 7-day IL
10/08/2019 – Clearwater activated C Willie Estrada from the 7-day IL
10/08/2019 – Clearwater activated RHP Tyler Hallead from the 7-day IL
10/08/2019 – Clearwater activated LHP Ethan Evanko from the 7-day IL
10/08/2019 – Clearwater activated C Gabriel Ojeda from the 7-day IL
10/08/2019 – Lakewood activated RHP Andrew Schultz from the 7-day IL
10/08/2019 – Lakewood activated RHP Dominic Pipkin from the 7-day IL
10/08/2019 – Lakewood activated RHP Ben Brown from the 7-day IL
10/08/2019 – Lakewood activated RHP Tyler McKay from the 7-day IL
10/08/2019 – Lakewood activated RHP Jonas De La Cruz from the 7-day IL
10/08/2019 – RHP Bailey Cummings assigned to Williamsport from GCL East
10/08/2019 – DSL White placed RHP Roger Parraga on the restricted list
10/03/2019 – GCL East activated RHP Bailey Cummings from the 60-day IL
10/03/2019 – GCL East activated RHP Yoan Antonac from the 60-day IL
10/03/2019 – GCL East activated RHP Brian Auerbach from the 60-day IL
10/03/2019 – GCL West activated RHP Eudiver Avendano from the 60-day IL
10/03/2019 – GCL West activated RHP Lizardo Herrera from the 60-day IL
10/03/2019 – GCL West activated RHP Sandro Rosario from the 60-day IL
10/03/2019 – DSL Red activated RHP Jose Perez from the 60-day IL
10/03/2019 – DSL Red activated LHP Daivin Perez from the 60-day IL
10/03/2019 – DSL Red activated RHP Joan Hernandez from the 60-day IL
10/03/2019 – DSL Red activated RHP Jeison Blanco from the 60-day IL
10/03/2019 – DSL White activated LHP Yefferson Mercedes from the 60-day IL
10/03/2019 – DSL White activated C Javier Vina from the 60-day IL
10/03/2019 – DSL White activated RHP Santy Prada from the 60-day IL
10/03/2019 – DSL White activated RHP Elias Liriano from the 60-day IL
10/03/2019 – Lehigh Valley activated LHP Brandon Leibrandt from the 60-day IL
10/03/2019 – Clearwater activated C Edgar Cabral from the 7-day IL
10/03/2019 – Clearwater activated C Rodolfo Duran from the 7-day injured IL
10/03/2019 – Clearwater activated LHP Kyle Young from the 7-day injured IL
10/03/2019 – Clearwater activated C Colby Fitch from the 7-day injured IL
10/03/2019 – Clearwater activated LHP Nick Fanti from the 7-day injured IL
10/02/2019 – Lehigh Valley activated OF Jan Hernandez from the 7-day IL
10/02/2019 – Lehigh Valley activated 3B Mitch Walding from the 7-day IL
10/02/2019 – Lehigh Valley activated RHP Alexis Rivero from the 7-day IL
10/02/2019 – Reading activated RHP Tyler Viza from the 7-day IL
10/02/2019 – Reading activated OF Grenny Cumana from the 7-day IL
10/02/2019 – Reading activated RHP Luke Leftwich from the 7-day IL
10/02/2019 – Reading activated RF Danny Mayer from the 7-day IL
10/02/2019 – Reading activated RHP Luis Carrasco from the 7-day IL
10/02/2019 – Reading activated RF Jose Pujols from the 7-day IL
10/02/2019 – Reading activated RHP Mauricio Llovera from the 7-day IL
10/02/2019 – Reading activated LHP Bailey Falter from the 7-day IL
10/02/2019 – Reading activated RHP Trevor Bettencourt from the 7-day IL
10/02/2019 – Reading activated C Nerluis Martinez from the 7-day IL
9/30/2019 – Phillies recalled RHP Adonis Medina from Reading
9/30/2019 – Phillies activated CF Roman Quinn from the 10-day IL
9/30/2019 – Phillies recalled SS Arquimedes Gamboa from Reading
9/30/2019 – Phillies recalled RHP JD Hammer from Lehigh Valley
9/30/2019 – RHP Dan Straily elected free agency
9/30/2019 – C Rob Brantly elected free agency
9/30/2019 – RHP Fernando Salas elected free agency

80 thoughts on “Open Discussion: Week of December 30th”

  4. It feels like once the calendar flips to January baseball is close.. Players start their migration to spring training states to up the level of training to prepare for spring training… As Jim has mentioned in the past, Phillies start showing up in Clearwater for a mound to throw off of or a cage to hit out of it.. It’s getting close..

    1. Twenty or so miles south of Citizens Bank Park on Rt 322, in Aston/Concord, local athletes like Phillies minor leaguer reliever Connor Hinchliffe, Cards’ minor league reliever Will Latcham and more, continue their workouts’ at Jeff Randazzo’s Maplezone Sports Institute (MSI)

  5. Happy new year to the Phuture Phillies family. Let’s hope that 2020 brings us a winning season, our first since 2011. Let’s also hope that Matt Klentak finds us a few more additions to the team with the rotation, the pen and the bench all still needing some help. Thanks Jim for keeping this going.

  6. Looking forward to the beginning of a new decade where hopefully the local “best of” lists come December 2029 won’t be so underwhelming. But for posterity’s sake, let’s give it a shot….

    C JT Realmuto
    1b Rixon Wingrove
    2b Scott Kingery
    3b Bryson Stott
    ss Luis Garcia
    of Bryce Harper
    of Johan Rojas
    of Mickey Moniak
    DH Logan O’Hoppe
    sp Spencer Howard
    sp Aaron Nola
    sp Ethan Lindow
    sp Erik Miller
    closer Francisco Morales

  7. MLB cracking down on the players it appears:

    David Price✔
    @DAVIDprice24

    Got a drug test (3rd time this off season) this morning and gave a partial sample (not enough pee). Now I got CDT sitting NEXT to me on the couch watching Sunday Countdown… I don’t even wanna watch football anymore! Get out of my house…

    10:35 AM – Dec 29, 2019

    1. Romus, I think it’s the nature of a fan base – small, medium or large market – to want to give their team’s ownership the benefit of the doubt when it comes to the desire to win. But sadly, I think the business mindset of corporate America is to present a public impression that the decision makers are trying to strike a balance of being super fan friendly (with promotions and overall goodwill messaging through social media and the like) and being “fiscally responsible”. In reality, the goal is to maintain interest via large TV contracts, corporate sponsorship and respectable attendance numbers, while avoiding having to pay a dime more than absolutely necessary into the on-the-field product. In other words, it’s all about perception. These are business people selling a product. If controlling partners are truly fans themselves, they might push for the extra mile financially. But the prevailing philosophy will ultimately win in the board room discussions. The teams with the best staffs in talent evaluation and player development will win, not necessarily the ones which spend/trade aggressively.

    2. Let’s be clear, they can’t spend like the Yankees or Red Sox, let’s get that out of the way. That said, can they spend a little more? For sure. Now I’ve always said that it’s the owner’s right to spend whatever they want on their team, just as it’s the fan’s right to spend/not spend money on games. But MLB needs to get rid of the CBT. It just invites teams to not spend and get free money. And who doesn’t want free money? Baseball needs to have a cap period.

    3. 8mark/Guru……I agree.
      That balancing act between fiscal responsibility and having maximum fan intentions for winning is a difficult one.
      That said…..baseball is actually a conglomerate of 30 different companies with 30 different CEOs/owners and as you say, it is their right to spend whatever they deem necessary or want.

  9. To jim, and all of the Phuture Phillies community, I wish you and your loved ones a very Healthy and Happy New Year. Let’s hope the new season brings us a Playoff bid. Maybe John Middleton can convince the Bucks that spending over the cap can be cost effective. And/or Matt Klentak makes a great trade. Thank you to all of you who post and to jim for doing all the work.

  10. According to your listing Corey Dickerson signed for $17.5 for two years with Miami. I think the Phillies could have afforded that. This was a missed opportunity.

    1. No, it wasn’t a missed opportunity.

      Corey Dickerson doesn’t have a position to play for the 2020 Phillies. McCutchen is being paid for 2 more years to play LF and Harper is in RF. Neither Dickerson, McCutchen, or Harper are good enough to be everyday CFers.

      It would be foolish to spend $17.5 million for a 4th OF and I expect Dickerson would be uninterested in that role…

      1. Agreed, he was never returning. We already have a very cheap Bruce who can supply some power from the bench and as an occasional starter.

  11. Happy new year to Jim and the commenters on this blog. I really enjoyed my experience with PhuturePhillies this past year. Lots of enjoyable debate and great content by Jim. It is a lot of work and I wish that he got paid for his role, even if it was small. But it doesn’t go unappreciated. Excited for a fun 2020 together.

  12. Happy New Year to everyone. I also have enjoyed coming to this site daily. The conversation and banter is always enjoyable. Thanks for all you do, Jim

    1. I’ve been questioning the Brian Barber hire since the Phillies tabbed him to be their next Amateur Scouting Director a couple of months ago. The NYY’s drafts have been atrocious.

      1. given that Barber’s record may not be inspirational, do you think it was still worthwhile if it was the equivalent of a sous chef incentive for hiring Girardi?

      3. Do two wrongs (2 bad drafting teams) make a right?
        We had so many failed draft picks….. Larry Greene stands tallest though. After I saw him in person for one second, I just knew they blew the pick. It wasn’t a pretty scene that first spring training.

        1. Murray, it is so funny you say that. I had EXACTLY the same experience. I saw him in ST with Dylan Cozens and it was immediately clear that he had a very low level of talent and far, far less than Cozens. He was dreadful. He couldn’t even hit the ball far which was his only skill (aside from, perhaps, OBP). It was astounding.

          1. You’d think arriving in shape would be the minimum (yes I’m looking at you Ortiz, who us a really good guy btw) but Greene was slow, chubby and very short while the team tried to market him as a power hitter. No way! I sure hope the agent who signed him was fired. Just a terrible judge of talent.
            I’m really hoping that Barber isn’t tied too closely to the Yanks’ misses. Let’s hope he succeeds here, regardless of the past. Hi

      4. We don’t really know how much sway Barber holds with the higher ups in the Yankee organization, regarding high round draft picks. Let’s hope there is a better set of collective eyes in place. NYY do seem to bring their young talent along fairly well, but more so their more obscure, lower round selections. Cashman is their bread and butter because he does well in acquiring talent via trades and free agency. My perspective on Barber is that he’s a Girardi-influenced hire, for better or worse.

  14. I think 2020 will be C Randolph’s last year in the organization. He seems like a nice guy but he’s never going to be Tony Gwynn (or Chris Gwynn for that matter). His last chance season. Reading could have an OF of Randolph, Stephens, Muzzioti, and Pujols

    1. The Cornelius Randolph draft pick is the most mind boggling decision made by the Phillies since they start rebuild. The Phillies overreached for low ceiling prospect but with a beautiful swing – a profile that normally getting drafted in Day 2 at the earliest.

      Day 1, Round 1 in particular should be a draft pick for high upside prospects. Randolph is a high floor, not high ceiling.

      1. That was Ruben’s last draft.
        Kingery and Falter may be the surviving remnants of that draft…maybe Luke Williams also.
        Fanti may be done if he cannot regain his health…Will Stewart is now a Marlin and Pelletier is still hanging in.

            1. Yikes the thing about RAJ he seemed to know pitching much better than he knew hitting. I remember being pretty amped up about Johnny coming here from the Braves. He seemed to have a pretty good track record.

      3. As it turned out, the floor was pretty low too. But I’ve said for years that this was a moronic pick – foolish from the second it was made.

  15. IMO, any GM who will give up stock of prospects and absorb the full contract of Arenado should be fired. I’m certain that Arenado is worth for most part of the contract, but with Rendon available at some point during this offseason — any GM who wants premium production from the hot corner should just signed Rendon rather than trade for Arendado. Hopefully, the Phillies FO will not fall in this trap.

    1. An Arenado trade would be interesting. For starters he has a no trade and I believe an opt out after the 2021 season…

      I agree Kuko that we should not be entertaining a deal for him. We already have a bloated payroll and a poor farm system. Probably makes sense for the Braves and or Dodgers.

    2. Klentak should be fired immediately if he does this. For starters, he has Bohm. 2nd, if you trade for a 3B, it should be Bryant. 3rd – Harper, Bryant, Stott Vegas connection would likely be better for the clubhouse.

      Arenado’s stats away from Coors should scare every GM. His value drops
      Significant imo if his away stats become his home stats. It would’ve be the first time the Coors effect happened. Major red flag imo. I’d gamble on Bohm vs either of them, unless Harper reallly really really wants Bryant, then I’d entertain his sales pitch on why I should make the deal

      1. I like Bryant over Arenado for reasons beyond the financial….one being his versatility. No he’s not a particularly good 3b. But having the option to move him to LF when Cutch moves on would be a good fit. If Bohm can’t stick at 3b (and I tend to believe the objective eyes outside the organization) then it doesn’t matter much other than the prospect capital it would cost to acquire KB, and whether the NL adopts the DH soon. I understand the love here for Bohm, but I’m not as high on him as some, especially if there’s an opportunity to acquire a proven major league talent at a time when the urgency to win is now, and Bohm’s defensive “home” is uncertain.

  16. White Sox have extended Luis Robert on a 6/$50 deal. They have the makings of a team that can win that division

    Now with the question of service time out the window on him he can break camp with them and be on their opening day roster. Madrigal is probably not far behind.

  17. Corey Seidman raises a good question for Middleton, Klentak and MacPhail in his piece today….how can the Phillies spend roughly $650 million over these past 3 off seasons and still have serious concerns over 80% of the pitching staff (60% of the starting rotation) and a farm system bereft of depth?

  18. Corey Seidman raises a good question for Middleton, Klentak and MacPhail in his piece today….how can the Phillies spend roughly $650 million over these past 3 off seasons and still have serious concerns over 80% of the pitching staff (60% of the starting rotation) and a farm system bereft of depth?

  19. I can’t answer the question about the farm system, 8mark. I don’t know what went wrong in the evaluations. But there has certainly been a decade’s worth of mistakes. The first part I can answer. We spent $ on Bullpen help that turned out to be wasted $, and we signed Zach Wheeler this off season. But, for the most part, we have not addressed the Pitching staff. Arrieta was worth a shot, even though he has not performed nearly to the amount he was paid. It was still only 3 years. So, we have neglected the Starting Rotation, only added 1 SP this off season when we needed more, and did nothing but shop the discard pile for BP help. The vast majority of those $s spent have been in the field. If we haven’t succeeded very well in developing Pitching from the farm, and we stopped short of addressing Pitching needs in trade and FA, where are the answers to the Pitching questions supposed to come from? Klentak, et.al are taking the “hope it all works out magically” approach again

    1. matt13…the injuries were a critical factor in 209’s dismal showing.

      Man Games Lost MLB
      @ManGamesLostMLB
      . Here is the real top 5 ranking of Lost-war due to injuries
      1 TBR 15.54 WAR lost
      2 HOU 8.52
      3 LAD 8.01
      4 MIN 5.89
      5 PHI 5.47https://www.mangameslost.com/mlb-injuries-and-injured-list-games-missed-september-18-2019/ … https://twitter.com/ManGamesLostMLB/status/1174756200954716160 …

      and the bullpen was probably the biggest part of it.
      Cutch may have been the most difficult loss from a non-pitching. aspect.

  20. I agree completely Romus that the BP injuries really hurt. However, 2 of them, Neshek and Hunter are not coming back. They were counted on, for right or wrong is another question, but have not been replaced by anyone that is being counted on to the degree that they were.. Robertson was supposed to be huge, and gave us nothing, and he will miss the entire year. We are counting on SerAnthony holding up after declining surgery, and we know that is a crap shoot. What did we add? I asked the question the other day re: spending. If the plan was to pray that Arrieta is a #3, and that the winner of the VV/Pivetta contest is a good SP, both of which notions I disagree with, why didn’t we build a shut down BP? Neris is not a great Closer, but he’s what we have. Why didn’t we add the minimum of 1 really good arm? Someone with some track record of success, instead of the 3 or 4, I lost count, arms we added via pitchers that other teams deemed not worthy of a Roster spot? Instead, we have a suspect SR, and an even more suspect BP, because there is no one in the BP as good at their jobs as Nola and Wheeler are at theirs.

    1. matt13……yes the current state of the overall pitching is not looking optimistically hopeful.
      I like to think there is more coming from the GM in the form of trades and perhaps one more FA signing.
      So I guess we will just have to wait to see what drops this month.

  21. I hope so Romus, and I am optimistic that there is a trade and another FA signing coming. I see a Smyly addition, for instance, as a boost, because then Vinny can go to the BP, where I think he is better suited. So, something minor could pay larger dividends. Despite my complaints about what we still need to do, I always hope they know what they are doing. I want us to win, always, and would be very happy to admit I was wrong.

  22. Well, we’ll see.

    I am one not to want to criticize or yield to frustrations or impatience, but I have to admit to identifying with Matt13.

    Maybe, as Romus says, Klentak will make a trade to address issues. Maybe with a no-nonsense baseball guy like Girardi in the clubhouse and coaches much better beside him, we’ll see that the roster has more productivity than the awful regressions of 2019 and the Phillies will be competitive. But it is worth noting that Klentak stood up for Kap even after he was gone. And getting Harper and Girardi were Middleton’s ideas, not Klentak’s or McPhail’s.

    The lousy drafts were just that, lousy. There’s no explaining it away or sugar-coating it by looking at the few successes.

    Mr. Middleton, if this roster coming into the season continues to look so weak combined with a farm system hardly worth the name, then fire the top guys and replace them with hungry and proven baseball veterans.

  23. Very quiet on the Phillies front. I guess thats what happens when you back right up to that 208 and claim that only an IMPACT player will force you to cross it. I’d gamble on Wood and Walker right now, even though realistically they probably won’t give you any more production than VV/Pivetta this year, but dang the upside on a guy like Taijuan is tantalizing. Gotta get some arms in here, why not try to hit big on a buy low candidate?

  24. Someone still needs to explain to me the theory on the BP. I don’t agree with the SR plan, but, at least, I understand that they are hoping Bryan Price can fix Velasquez and Pivetta. I have even less belief that Arrieta is a #3, but they are hoping for that, as well. But, the BP looks to be less than mediocre. I see the numbers that Relievers got, the latest is Harris at 3/$24M, but the Nats saw their season almost completely derailed because of a poor BP, one that they were fortunate enough to fix mid-season. That’s the Plan?, hope we still have a season to fix mid-season? Middleton’s happy with that approach when the $208M is a meaningless barrier? “Hard to believe, Harry!”

    1. If they can get Eflin to pitch like he did at the end of the season, wouldn’t he be more likely to be the #3 then Jake?

      1. My money is on Eflin’s ERA coming in around 3.50-3.75 in 2020. That would be enough as a #3, yes.

  25. I believe I read that Jared Eickhoff signed with an mlb team, google let me down when searching, so I’m turning to you guys! Does anyone recall who he latched onto? Or is he still a FA?

    Just interested in following post Phillies career, just seems to be missing a mph or 2 off his FB for him to stick, and have a nice run.

  26. I’m leaving plenty of room for optimism despite not having an off season I had envisioned thus far.

    To Jim’s point yesterday “what if” there is chocolate cake beneath all the vanilla icing on this cake.

  27. Another highly touted Cuban baseball player is looking to play in MLB —- 21 yo OF/LHP Oscar Colas….will the Phillies take a shot or are they still burned by MAG signing?

      1. But Klentak is risk averse – he can use other people’s fault to justify his over cautiousness.

        If the Phillies still have some IFA to burn, I like them to take a shot on his dude.

  28. Starlin Castro signed a 2 year deal with the Nats. He’ll reportedly be their starting 2B. Would have been a nice bench piece here, but….

  29. Industry insiders consider the Braves to have the ibside track on (re)signing Josh Donaldson. The Nats and Twins have apparently helped boost his market and driven up the price. JD has reportedly set his asking price @ 4/$100M-$110M. It would be uncharacteristic of Atlanta to go that high in years and dollars. And it would be good for the Phillies to have a division rival burdened by such a contract….provided they are setting themselves up to have financial viability over the next few years to acquire higher ticket talent.

    I have rethought my position on Kris Bryant. I would hold off on any pursuit via trade until his market plays out and he enters free agency after the ’21 season. Keep Bohm, at least until a TOR becomes available, so as to allow his value to be established as a major league player. By the end of 2021, that landscape should be much clearer.

    1. ….plus, McCutchen’s contract is up after ’21, which conceivably could open LF for someone like Bryant.

      1. 8mark … for me, it would be better (from the Phillies perspective) for Donaldson to sign with anyone other then the Braves (Twins [out of the division] would be ideal). That would probably force Atlanta to have to trade for a 3Bman. Arenado or Bryant would come with AAV’s as high as Donaldson and would force the Braves to surrender some of their top end prospects.

    2. Braves are still ahead of the financial CBT game from their perspective…..signing Acuna and Albies to those very team friendly contracts, plus having Freddie giving them a home town discount five years ago and still having two more years on that contract are huge savings for them.

  31. If that is the case Charlie, then he was all talk. I don’t believe he has closed it. I think he has put the pressure on his GM to deliver more than the plus $200M he is spending for the current year seems to have gotten him. I am not defending him, I believe he is wrong, and this arbitrary salary cap is silly, but I can understand his wanting to wait to see what the team looks like. I still believe there will be a trade or 2, and I believe that if we are in contention mid-season, then the $208M will get flown by at the trade deadline. But, I still think we should be going into the season with better overall Pitching.

    1. These articles always give me a chuckle. There’s probably a reason these guys are ex-execs and Theo still holds a job…

      I’m sure Theo and Jed know what they are doing. Sounds to me like a sour grapes GM is trying to get Bryant for nothing a team desperate at 3B perhaps…

  35. If Middleton sent out a word that no $$ will be used above the CBT threshold, I view this as Middleton’s direct challenge to Klentak to use his brain and baseball know-how to plug the holes and assemble a competitive team. Using the stupid $$ is really more on Middleton putting together his team and not Klentak’s doing his job as a GM.

    So it is possible that Middleton is telling Klentak to find talent without spending too much $$ or pull another Segura or JTR trade to improve the team.

  36. This ranking on MLB.com has the Phillies as the 10th best team for 2020. Only four NL clubs are ranked higher: LAD’s #2, Braves #6, Nats #7, Cardinals #8.

  37. Hinkie, The Mets are ranked #18, and while I an hopeful that we are better than them this season, I don’t see us that much better, at least as we stand today. DeGrom, Thor and Stroman vs. Nola, Wheeler and Arrieta seems to favor the Mets, don’t you think? If Betances is healthy, and there is any kind of a rebound from Diaz, who was really good 2 years ago, they have a better BP than us. I hope we deserve that #10 ranking, but I also hope we aren’t done adding PItching.

    1. Offensively, the Mets are a bit of a mess. I don’t expect Alonzo to repeat his 50 HR season and they have a lot of ??’s with their everyday line-up.

      Phillies offense is superior.

      I do find it interesting that you’re biggest complaint with the Phillies is that they are counting on a lot of good fortune but then look at all of the glass half full options for the Mets…

  38. 3up, I only look at Betances and Diaz, who have not just pitched in the Majors, but at elite status for BP arms. We, OTOH, are counting on Velasquez and Pivetta, who have never had that kind of success, and Jake Arrieta to be a #3 SP. I believe that we will have good fortune in the seasons of Hoskins and Kingery, that Cutch is healthy, and the every day line up produces. My problem with the team is Pitching. We seem to disagree on the FO’s approach to Pitching. You may very well be right. I think Pivetta belongs in the Minors and VV in the BP. I don’t think we have good enough Pitching. I don’t think I am way off base.

    1. I agree with you Matt on your assessment of Pivetta and VV. Besides working on the physical stuff, I hope Pivetta can develop the mental aspects of pitching and mature a little. I think we are better than the Mets but, that still leaves us behind the Braves and the Nats in our division. Agreed, pitching is our greatest need.

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