Weekly Discussion (12/18/22)

Weekly Discussion

The baseball offseason continues.

There were a lot of free-agent signings announced last week, but none by the Phillies.  That’s the “problem” when your team satisfies all its major goals by the end of the baseball meetings.  Now, we sit and wait for that one reliever signing that we all hope is in their plans.  Or, the surprise trade that wouldn’t surprise any of us.  We might be surprised by the players but not by the fact that a trade happens.   (I don’t know if anything is in the works, but many of you seem to think one will be made.)

At the very least, if the Phillies stand pat, we’ll see a bunch of minor league contracts handed out similar to last year when the Phillies opted to stock Triple-A with experienced pitchers to support the big team and some experienced position players in case of injury.  We can also expect a few more catchers to be signed to get through spring training.

News

Friday, the Phillies finally, officially announced the signing of RHP Taijuan Walker.  To make room on the 40-man roster, they designated RHP Tayler Scott for assignment.  Scott was a mid-September acquisition to bolster a worn-down IronPigs staff.  He is the kind of pitcher that the Phillies will acquire this winter.  Useful but fungible.  Their value to the Phillies is that they are available to be brought up if needed and they don’t care if they don’t clear waivers when they send them back.

The Phillies also signed catcher Max McDowell to a minor league contract and assigned hi to Reading.

Hot Stove

The popular belief is that the attachment of a qualifying offer restricts the recipient during his free agent negotiations.  Well, here we are a week before Christmas, and all but one of the 12 free agents who received a qualifying offer has signed a contract for the 2023 season.  Only Nathan Eovaldi remains unsigned.  And he has the Yankees among his rumored suitors.

Other Stuff

The Phillies signed a local kid to a minor-league contract.  Nick Ward of Unionville HS and West Chester University was inked this week.  He is currently tearing it up in the Australian Baseball League.

The 2021-2022 international signing period closed with little fanfare.  The 2022-2023 period begins next month.

Key Dates

  • January 13, 2023: Deadline for teams and players to submit salary figures for arbitration.
  • January 15, 2023: Opening of the 2022-2023 international signing period.
  • February 25, 2023: Phillies First Spring Training Game (split squad)
  • March 30, 2023: Season Opener at Texas Rangers
  • April 6, 2023: Home Opener v. Cincinnati Reds
  • July 2023: Rule 4 Amateur Draft
  • December 15, 2023: Close of the 2022-2023 international signing period.

Transactions

12/16/2022 – Phillies designated RHP Tayler Scott for assignment
12/16/2022 – Phillies signed free agent RHP Taijuan Walker
12/15/2022 – C Max McDowell assigned to Reading
12/10/2022 – Phillies signed free agent C Max McDowell to a minor league contract

 

 

210 thoughts on “Weekly Discussion (12/18/22)”

  1. apologies because I am sure this was mentioned but I missed it. Along with the Reds selecting in the recent Rule 5 draft (minor league portion)RHP Kyle Glogoski (PHI). The Royals are listed as taking SS Shervyen Newton (PHI) I don’t recall that name.

    Like

      1. I wrote about my disappointment when Phillies signed Newton but someone else wanted him too. Guess that is why I’m not a GM, besides many other reasons, lol.

        Like

  3. Jim mentioned the 2022-2023 international signing period begins next month. The Phillies bonus pool totals 4.64M. They’re expected to use ~3M of it on 17 YO switch hitting/slick fielding Dominican SS Jesus Caba⬇

    They’re also involved (not certain if it’s a sure thing yet) with 20 YO Taiwanese RHP Pan Wen-Hui (@ ~ 400 thousand dollars)⬇

    Like

    1. I had high hopes for the last forkball pitcher the Phils signed, Hsin-Chieh Lin who I believe unfortunately was abducted by aliens after being released from the team at the end of 2021 . 400K seems like a pittance compared to others on the market, though NOT contrasted to my personal income.

      Like

  4. Catch……your comment on drafting pitchers so well in lieu of position players ….#10. If the philosophy is grow the arms, buy the bats is your methodology doesn’t it stand to reason that your pitching will look better than your hitting and fielding. If the top draft choices are going for pitching, why would we be surprised that our system hitters are weak. Personally, I don’t subscribe to that philosophy. Mine, is draft the best player available.

    Like

    2. I also believe in drafting the best player available. And, yes, with two consecutive first round pitcher picks you’d expect the pitchers to be better than the hitters. But not to this extent. The pitchers have overperformed – including later round picks like McGarry and Baker and the now traded Brown and, as a group, the hitters have underperformed. Guys like Martin and Wilson and others just have not done well and high profile international signings like Ortiz have not gone well. Hopefully a few hitters emerge from last year’s draft – we’ll see.

      Like

      1. I feel that you get the best players no matter of position; example, you have Turner at SS and you draft a top SS. It could be years until this prospect flourishes our an injury occurs or you have a trading asset. I think the Braves use this philosophy; how they got Smoltz, McGriff, Olsen, Riley, Swanson, Fried etc.

        Like

  5. I think defining BPA is next to impossible in baseball. First off you’re not working with level playing fields when you consider the differences in competition/HS Ball vs. College Ball etc.

    That’s even before you start to discuss the nuance between arm talent and hit tools and which is easier to assess.

    I say good luck to any FO or scout that would hold that responsibility lol.

    Like

    1. To me it’s whichever player best fits your player development program. If you are great at developing pitchers, continue to take the pitcher you think you can develop and flip for another player you don’t develop well. Take shots elsewhere in the draft on weaker areas.

      Like

    2. DMAR…..agree.
      BPA drafting in football and basketball would seem easier since majority of the drafted have played against some quality competition at the collegian level and evaluation is a little easier.
      Baseball probably is the more difficult to discern between two or more of the skill qualities of players drafted.

      Like

  6. Philllies vs Rangers to open the 23 ESPN Sunday Night Baseball Schedule. April 2.
    Astros vs Phillies on April 30
    Phillies vs Braves on May 28.
    Get some national appearance time early in season.

    Like

  8. I have always been an advocate of drafting the best player available. But if you are weak at identifying talent in an area and developing it, you might opt for picking in an area of your expertise. The Eagles had the same problem for years with drafting wide receivers until they wised up. Take a couple of Jalen Reagors and J.J. Arcega Whitesides when Justin Jeffersons and D.K. Metcalfs are available and, sooner or later, you learn to acquire what you cannot identify and develop. Thus my concern with the Phillies drafting or signing more toolsy outfielders. How many times do I have to see the same bad movie over and over again? The movie has been playing seemingly non-stop since the late 1980s. Granted, the scouting and developmental people cannot possible be the same – but I’ll believe they can do it when I see it.

    Like

  9. You have to give Scott Boras credit, he does everything he can to get his clients the big money. And now he’s trying to convince the Phillies to give Hoskins a long term deal which I don’t think the Phillies should do.

    Like

    1. When Boras is pushing for a LTC before his clients last year before free agency…that tells me Boras is not confident there will be a substantial market for Rhys once November 2023 rolls around.
      Canvassing the landscape next off-season, Boras has decided on the Phillies sentimental strings attached to Rhys and the strength of that bond to entice Middleton and Dombrowski to make that offer…..and Boras can start the negotiations.

      Like

      1. One thing Boras understands is where the market is for his clients and he no doubt sees the Phillies being Hoskins best chance for $$$.

        Like

        1. Yep……..he is shrewd and cunning when it comes to that.
          Hope Middleton and Dombrowski take their time before deciding on making an offer.
          For sure ….whatever their initial offer will be, will not be what Boras wants to see….and he could play the tricky ‘shame game’…..” how can the Phillies make such a low offer for Rhys after all he has done for them over these last 6 years’! …………I hope it does not come to that.

          Like

          1. I’m sure Hoskins would much rather stay in Philly if he can get paid here. I’m also sure he’d love it if he could get paid now before the stress of the season that he hopes will be another playoff run. Boras is just following his own playbook for those situations. I’m in the minority I know but I think the Phils will try to extend Hoskins, and Nola. Boras is right in that 30 and 90 doesn’t grow in trees plus Hoskins is a big part of the clubhouse.

            Like

            2. Hope you’re not asking me that question because my answer is that the Phillies should be uninterested in any extension.

              Stating that 30/90 doesn’t grow on trees must be true since Hoskins has managed that just once in his career (2018). His numbers have been slipping slightly over the last few years and as he moves into his 30s not sure they are going to go back up.

              I like Rhys overall as he seems to be a good guy but his performance vs. cost is moving in the wrong direction.

              Like

            4. I am going to surprise people on here who, I think, view me as a knee-jerk Hoskins defender (which I am not), but they absolutely should NOT entertain giving Hoskins extension before the end of this season and, even when the season ends, they should be extremely hesitant to give him a long-term deal.

              Hoskins is a good player. He has his weaknesses and his strengths. He’s better than most folks here give him credit for, but he’s not a star. He’s a good to very good player at literally the most replaceable position (other than DH) on the diamond. While Hoskins is still a relative bargain this year (he is projected to be worth somewhat more than what he will be paid), beginning next year, he won’t be a bargain. He’ll be paid his value and perhaps above his value. The Phillies owe it to themselves to determine what their needs will be and how to fill them after this season ends. There will be other free agents available. Maybe a hitter will develop in the minors. Maybe Bohm takes a huge step forward with his bat. Maybe they want to tender Hoskins so they can just give him a one year deal in 2024 with the hope of adding a draft pick. Maybe they want to move Schwarber to first base because they have outfield talent in the minors. Committing to Hoskins long-term now is a mistake because it takes away much needed flexibility. They are locked in at enough positions with enough future money committed – they don’t need another one of those contracts right now, especially at first base. No way.

              Like

            5. We will have our answer soon…probably within the next 5/6 weeks.
              If the Phillies do not make the offer….then after 2023 Rhys move on.
              I only hope Boras does not stir up the pot of acrimony between player and team before spring training..
              I do not think he will do that since he and Middleton seem to be on good terms with each other.

              Like

            6. You talk about Boras and Hoskins as if Boras is a puppet-master and Hoskins is a simpleton puppet. Hoskins is an extremely bright and sophisticated fellow. Boras is not going to tell Hoskins how to think and feel or conduct himself. Hoskins is a smart, big boy and he will know how to handle himself. Boras will show Hoskins how to maximize his earning potential, but will ultimately accede to Hoskins’ wishes as Boras is the agent and Hoskins is the principal from whom the agent takes instructions – just as he did with Harper when Harper signed a 13 year contract with no opt-out. Harper wanted to lock in for the full term, not Boras.

              Like

            7. Not sure where you get that idea about the Boras/Hoskins relationship when it comes to what I say.
              But , that is your opinion.
              Obviously, Boras works for Hoskins……and IMO, Hoskins will listen to what he has to say…..why else keep him as his agent.
              And understand the final decision belongs to Hoskins.
              But bottom-line…..if no offer is made to Hoskins along the lines of a LTC, and it goes to arbitration….what do you think human nature dictates fro the player!

              Like

            8. Well, my comment didn’t come from nowhere, it came from what you said, specifically “I only hope Boras does not stir up the pot of acrimony between player and team before spring training..” I just don’t see Boras having that effect on Hoskins. Someone else, maybe, but not Hoskins.

              Like

  10. I have read that there is a Bill pending approval as soon as today that will let Armed Services personnel defer their service to play professional sports. It came up in the context of Army’s LB, who is a projected 1st Rd pick in this coming Draft. Jas anyone else read or heard this? It would effect our Ryle V pick, Noah Song.

    Like

    1. Matt…It is the other way. The LB will not be able to defer his service time till after. I posted this the other day. I believe it was on ESPN but it has been a few days. The bill passed and this was contained in it somewhere. I think it is on the President’s desk for signing at this time. 2019 there was a waiver for these guys put in place. I asked when Song was done at Navy. Maybe something changed but go back to ESPN and look. Kiper had the LB projected as his 22nd best player.

      Like

      1. Just re-read it, Don. “A bi-partisan effort over the past 72 hours has paved the way for Andre Carter, and other Service personnel, to delay their Service commitments until after their professional careers.” The bill had only allowed this for those entering the various Academies after June of 2021. That language has been changed. So, Carter is eligible for the Draft and to play professional football. I just don’t know if that, or how that, affects Noah Song.

        Like

        1. Thanks Matt. That means they changed the wording. I believe it was part of the Pentagon Bill. The previous waiver I remember was in 2019, I think. But I did not know nor know now when Song finished at Navy. I should know that because I posted his stats for his Senior year at Navy. But I think that was in the post of mine Jim did not agree with, so I have refrained since on the topic. It is never my intent to offend anyone on this site.

          Like

  11. Agree with Catch, I have been a Hoskins supporter, and don’t believe they should extend him now. Boras does not do home town discounts, and it will reach a point that what he wants will far outweigh Rhys’ value to the team. I also don’t think he is traded this off season. Hold open our options and our flexibility.

    Like

  12. I think the Hoskins conundrum is most interesting. I have difficulty determining his true value to the team. We tried him in LF and his favored position 1B and to be honest the best rating I can give him is adequate. Rated 18 on ESPN def. 1B. He had 12 errors, but in my estimation could have been given a few more over the course of the year. He has been a .242 hitter over his career and .246 last year. A 2.6 owar suggests a salary in the range of 18M to 20M for a guy who is a really a DH. I don’t think I’m comfortable with extending him and unfortunately I don’t we have the leverage to do anything, but wait it out. Throw out a arbitration figure that is equal to his value. I think Rhys will be what he has been, but starting to decline. Even let an arbitrator decide it.

    Like

    1. Skeet…..going by the metrics, agree on your points.
      Letting an arbitrator decide probably then means this is his last season in a Phillie uniform. Not sure how that plays out with him or his teammates…can be awkward after the season starts. More than likely, there will be no offers for an extension during the season either..
      One reason to try to move him in a trade before the season begins, if no offer is made for a LTC.

      Like

    2. Smart play IMO is to let Hoskins hopefully have a contract year, let him ride into free agency, keep an eye on his market. If Rafael Devers is available – and gettable, then I consider Bohm as either trade bait or the 1B depending on which scenario plays out. If Boras is looking for a pre-FA extension, then I most definitely wait out Hoskins’ market. My guess is if he’s still here in 2024, then Dombrowski got him at a serious discount…max 3/$36M.

      Like

  13. Excuse me, Hoskins isn’t a 30/90 guy. He’s actually averaged 30/83 over his last 4 seasons and that includes missing some games due to a freak injury in 2021. Is a a star? Of course not. Not everyone can be a star. He’s a solid contributor on a good team that has a 3 or 4 year window to chase championships. I’m not proposing a long term contract, I’m proposing an extension of say 3 years at $17 per year. Josh Bell, another flawed 1B, just got 2/$33M. Boras knows the market better than anyone and knows what Hoskins is. Time will tell. As for Schwarber playing 1B, he’s already on record as saying he tried it and was awful at it. Same thing for Casty who was awful at 3B. Harper could move to 1B when he’s older but not now. And Bohm doesnt have enough power for 1b. There will always be free agent options like Hosmer and Bell but it will be a drop off offensively. Don’t worry, I won’t say any more on this subject.

    Like

    1. I’m fairly certain that Boras will be asking for more than 3 years, $51M, that’s why he’s starting the discussions now. I’m thinking he wants the Phillies to give at least 6 years, $120M.

      If Rhys gives another 2-2.5 WAR at 1B, he’s going to find his market shrink considerably for 2024.

      Like

  14. Matt… I just scrolled through this week. I posted that on the 12/11 comments. So, it was on ESPN sometime last week. I have not seen any more regarding it since I posted what I saw.

    Like

  15. Matt, I just read the current story. They also have a link there to the Friday story.
    A Wisconsin rep was the one who initially sponsored the first one that did away with the 2019 waiver. Just reading it seems this is only going to be for current but really hard to tell if it may go back a few years. I guess pressure got the guy to make the change for Carter. Wording on these things is sometimes really hard to tell what is and what is not contained.

    Like

  16. Regarding Song, who knows, but given the upcoming 1st round Army NFL pick it would not surprise me if Song got a waiver — as of June he’ll have served 4 years out of his 5-year commitment on active duty, and letting him defer that fifth year of service until after his professional baseball career is over seems pretty reasonable.

    Like

  17. On Hoskins, I can see him being resigned, but it depends on on Castellanos play. If Rys has a good year, and castellanos can regain a decent portion of his value they maybe able to move Nick, put Hoskins at DH .. either prompt Hall, sign Sosa, sign a FA 1B or 3B and move bohm. Will see. I’d rather have Nola over Hoskins it team payroll can only handle one

    Like

  18. About the Rhys Hoskins situation …

    ◾ Scott Boras is in a tough spot. The 1B/DH market is depressed. Clubs don’t spend on it like they do elsewhere on the diamond. Boras is set to rep the probable top two guys (Hoskins & Josh Bell) next winter. Bell got only a 2/33M deal (w/an opt out) this offseason. Of course, he’d like to get Hoskins a LTX w/the Phillies. That not only is good for Rhys, it also helps Bell (one less viable option on the market).
    Brandon Belt could also be a wildcard in next winter’s FA class. I’m assuming he gets a one year contract after the new year. If he bounces back to anything near his 2020 and 2021 seasons, he could be a nuisance for Boras/Hoskins/Bell next winter.

    ◾ IMO, DD will let Hoskins play out his final arb year. Guys tend to put up big numbers in their walk years (Michael Conforto, another Boras client, is an exception). If Rhys has a big 2023, the Phillies can use a QO on him. They then are tied to him for a reasonable 1 yr/19.6M contract in 2024 (his age 31 season), or he walks & the Phillies get a draft pick after round 4 (if they are over the LTT again next season).

    Like

    1. Hinkie….yuor second option seems to be what the Phillies would do.
      Rhys will be under some self-imposed pressure to produce to ensure he gets offers….and also stay healthy….so he will be betting on himself.
      Worked out for Judge, not so much for Conforto or even Belt this past season.
      If I were the GM…I contact Zaidi and see what he has to offer….and if they are not comfortable with internal first base options, then sign Wil Myers on a pillow contract to play 1B…probably it would take a few million more than if Rhys went thru his arb4.

      Like

      1. Agreed (see, Romus, we agree sometimes!) that the second option is likely what the Phillies will do unless Hall somehow kills it in the part-time DH role this year or they decide to shift Schwarber to first (could easily see this happening). I don’t see any other first base candidate on the horizon in the system.

        Like

      2. Romus , Have you asked Hinkie to do a draft podcast with us on your Sunday show. From Upper darby senior home? Would love to hear all his picks, Tell him about free donuts and coffee we serve, Plus free Denture cream samples,

        Like

  19. Mets sign Ottavino for 2 years, so he and Mychal Givens are off the market. They were on my list. My top 2, Rogers and Chafin are still out there.

    Like

  20. Matt… they are also trying to trade for Hendricks. They may have a $400 million payroll if they keep going.

    Like

    1. This salary stuff shouldn’t be so hard to figure out …. Such as … top payroll can’t be x percentage above teams ranked #2-4. This eliminates owners gaming the system. Homegrown talent should countless towards the luxury tax as to reward teams for developing & going for it .. as well as to retain them. they should easily remove minor league players salary (not on a major league contract) along with all the other staff payroll from being counted towards the luxury tax. That to me is stupid. Wins & losses of the minor leagues don’t count towards the MLB club, so why should the salaries …

      Sorry my 1st post was eaten up again by an autocorrect goblin

      Thought is Hoskins may move to DH, Bohm to 1st & sign a FA… or put Sosa at 1st if Hoskins is just crushing it & trade castellanos. Maybe a salary dump to keep Nola. Hoskins probably does walk but it’s an option depending on how 2023 plays out. Will see.

      Like

  21. Don, v1’s cousin, Steve Cohen, doesn’t seem to care. He told the Mets fans that they were a little late getting in on Correa, or they would have had him also. Whether that is exaggerating or not, spending $ on the team is not at all something he cares about. I am happy with our lineup, and I think Castellanos gives us something a lot closer to his norm than last season, and we have a pretty good Bench, and I still want at least 1 more high leverage Reliever. I think Ranger has another level to him, and I think Painter is the real deal, but even with Strahm, I think we are still a bit short in the “Pen.

    Like

    1. So true about Steve Cohen, I texted my brother, the Mets fan (he can be excused, he grew up and lives in Mets territory – I’m the traitor in the family for becoming a Phillies fan) that Cohen is George Steinbrenner . . . UNCHAINED!

      Like

  22. Matt – I hear you about the pen and feel the same way. I like Michael Fulmer, Chafin, and Rogers. I thought Mets would sign Ottavino because he was there last year and also he wanted a 2 year contract and got it – I don’t think DD wanted to do that. I think that might be the issue with Chafin also if I had to guess. But – agree with you they need another close down reliever for the 7-9th innings. Fulmer had a good ’22 and has the ability to repeat that performance I believe. DD might be waiting for the prices to drop but I don’t think they will – yet.

    Like

  23. If I had to guess I would say Diaz of the Mets won’t have a year like last year and for Mets to get Liam Hendricks would not be good for Phillies. Our lineup, pitching is better than the Mets – but we need more help in the pen for sure.

    Like

    1. RU..I am with you on Diaz not replicating last season’s results…also I think Verlander will also not be able to repeat his performance.
      They may do well…but not up to their 2022 standards.

      Like

  24. Thanks, Skeet! I really bought into the whole Post-season run, and I have faith in DD. I had my moments during the season when I was quite a ways from feeling positive, and they can still annoy me if Schwarber bats leadoff again instead of Turner. But, for now I am feeling pretty good about the team.

    Like

  25. Hey’ boys girls; I’m back..Been doing some traveling coinciding with the MLB Hot Stove.. The Phillies have had a helluva an offseason. There may be a few minor holes to fill but let’s get through ST and see.. Who are we losing to the WBC?

    Like

  26. Lineup construction and Hitting Approach

    I went through players on the Phils and looked at their career wrc+ and iso in different batting spots. I tried to come up with the best lineup possible based on where the batters are most comfortable hitting.

    Schwarber 122 296
    Castellanos 119 241
    Turner 141 199
    Harper 152 255
    Hoskins 130 255
    Realmuto 120 158

    This 1-6 can be projected to have a 130 wrc+ and an iso of 232.

    Hoskins fits like a glove and it’s too bad when looking long term that his defense is not even average (probably bad even). They call him Captain I think. I cannot understand why haven’t just sat him in the 4 hole his entire career. In very limited ABs, he has excelled in the 5 hole.

    Schwarber would be a beast in the 4 hole with 146 wrc+ as opposed to his 122 wrc+ in the leadoff position. Schwarber batting leadoff gets the most production out of this lineup once Harper is back. I think Castellanos and Turner would be most comfortable at 2 and 3. Harper is as valuable at 4 as he is 3. Realmuto falls to 6 and he has actually shown to be most comfortable at #4. His iso is 50 points higher at 2 and 4 than it is at #6.

    Turner 121 185
    Realmuto 112 208
    Harper 149 259
    Schwarber 146 289
    Hoskins 130 255
    Castellanos 105 164

    The second and more traditional 1-6 probably has a 127 wrc+ and an iso of 229. With this lineup, you are not getting value out of Castellanos. This is where I would worry about salaries paid. I’m not worried about the argument of Harper gets more ABs in the 3 hole. Realmuto’s main value is his defense and I think Stott would fill in well at #6 on his days off. I argue all day it’s ok to project Hoskins at 130 and 255. His history says 137 wrc+ and 274 iso at cleanup.

    When thinking about chemistry, I bat Hoskins behind Harper every time not in front of him (what were they thinking!) I really think the first 1-6 is where everybody is most comfortable. I would try Stott at leadoff and Schwarber at cleanup until Harper is back.

    Castellanos should be fine. He is adjusting to his role. He never really was a DH before this past year. He was adjusting to a new hitting coach and I’m sure Long will adjust to him this year and began to towards the end of the year.

    Another stat I was really interested in was O swing%. I think Long must be teaching the hitters to be aggressive. Castellanos O swing% was almost 6 points higher last year than what he has shown in his career. Other interesting % at plus rates versus their career are Harper at plus 9 and the fact that Schwarber, Hoskins, and Realmuto’s rates were pretty much the same. Harper should probably go back to his old approach. I bet he chose a more aggressive approach due to injury and hopefully he’s back to his old self and stays there a month or two after he returns.

    I really like McMahon of the Rockies to start at 3b. The Phils need defense. I was fine with Sosa starting at SS before they got Turner because of his defense. Three leftys at the bottom of the lineup followed by Schwarber is not ideal. I think it could work with the right bench.

    Like

  27. Bravo Phil93 – loved your ideas. I too feel Schwarbs should bat 4th with Harper out. Love Stott in the leadoff role. He chews up pitchers with his AB’s…..great point about Hoskins. Well done !!! Thanks !

    Like

  28. Correa to the Mets. It may be $500 million instead of $400 million. Intro was postponed because of medical so he went elsewhere.

    Like

  30. Ridiculous to absurd….Mets have gone hog wild on a shopping spree like a trophy wife with no spending limits. Oh, you want TWO Lamborghini shortstops, dear? Not a problem. How about a 3rd house in the Caymans…

    Where is the baseball sense in this? They are a mockery. And when was the last time a world series champion was bought instead of built? Even if they win it all within the next few years, NYM will be cellar dwellers by 2030.

    Like

    1. Braves ➡ 3M under the LTT
      Phillies ➡ 9M over the LTT
      Mets ➡ 155M over the LTT

      Aside from the cash/tax penalties, the only other slap on the wrist the NYMs will receive is their first round pick will fall 10 spots. That’s the same penalty they would have gotten if they had gone 40M over the threshold.

      Like

      1. As I mentioned last week…the penalties will have to reach another level of severity.
        MLBPA insists there will be no ‘hard cap’ like in the NFL/NHL and NBA…..so the owners need to collectively, sans Cohen, come up with something more severe to limit this type of extravagant spending. Ye small market teams will definitely agree to something more…not sure how the large teams will go.

        Like

      2. The next CBA is going to be a battle royale. The league is NOT going to let Steve Cohen buy pennants and the like year after year without any serious consequences. Charging him a 50 percent luxury tax is not, in the financial stratosphere he inhabits, a serious consequence and, as Hinkie noted, the other penalties are likewise not a sufficient deterrent.

        Like

        1. The Commissioner and the owners need to get some ‘you know what’.
          Any infraction at the highest level of the CBT…..remove 1st round draft picks , then work its way down the draft depending on the amount over the CBT…..plus, take away a high percentage of the credit dollars to signing international players.
          That could get his attention .

          Of course Tony Clark and the MLBPA will oppose and threaten a strike

          Like

          1. I wouldn’t worry too much about the MLBPA – just like the NFL, MLB now knows to get around the most difficult people they deal with from the players’ association. They propose a deal that is very favorable to the average player but is not helpful to the elite players, they get the union put it to a vote and get the approvals they seek. The executive board (or whatever they are called) of the MLBPA did not want the latest deal ratified (I think the opposition from this executive committee was unanimous) but the players approved the deal anyway.

            Like

            1. Yeah…MLB does have their game plan set in place come CBA time.
              I am interested in hearing from the Commissioner down the road on this latest spending spree by the Mega Monetary Monster in NY.
              I want to see what form, if any, penalties will be levied at higher CBT thresholds.
              Obviously this type of uncontrolled spending cannot continue….it adversely affects all the small teams that cannot keep up with the Mets.

              Bottom-line…push -comes- to – shove MLB should do the hard cap….and if the players want to strike…let them do it

              Like

    2. But the Mets have a good farm system too. I doubt they will be cellar dwellers by 2030. But how things shake out will also depend on the next CBA and whether new penalties will be implemented for teams like the Mets.

      Like

  31. The problem, for other teams, mark, is that winning it all within the next few years proves to Cohen, himself, that he was right. So, if guys can’t play 5 years from now, he’ll release them, eat the $, and buy more players. We just need to beat them. I still prefer Trea Turner, and we still need BP help and Andrew Painter to be the real deal starting sometime in June. Not thrilled they got Correa, I dislike the Mets more than any other team, but we still match up well. Alonso is better than Rhys and Nimmo us better than Marsh, but I like our team.

    Like

    1. “Nimmo us better than Marsh”…perhaps now,
      but I want to see how it plays out over the next year or so.

      Like

      1. It also comes with the very real caveat of, “when healthy.” Nimmo is an awesome player. But you can almost guarantee that he’ll spend significant time on the IL. Correa is the same way. Very real injury risk.

        Don’t get me wrong, I’d want both on them on the Phillies (in addition to Turner, not in place of). But with the age of their pitching staff, and the injury history of almost half of their starting lineup, there’s a very obvious path to how all of this spending could backfire.

        Like

    2. Just FYI – a healthy Correa is a notably better player than Turner and is two years younger, even though I like Turner a lot. The question is whether he will be healthy.

      Like

      1. This aggressive spending sounds much like Cohen wants to be the Yankees without Brian Cashman’s brain pushing buttons, an all star softball team with players pulling up lame every other day. Correa is an exceptional talent…he’s not the core player you build around, regardless of how much younger he is.

        Like

        1. So far, it appears Cohen has that Daniel Snyder aspect to running a sport franchise…more than his share of micromanaging.

          Like

        2. Why do you say that? Because he’s injured too much? Some other reason?

          And, by the way, I don’t think they are necessarily building around him. He’s just another talented player they added. They have plenty of other talented players.

          They will clearly be a good team. Whether they will be great and do well in the postseason is anyone’s guess.

          Like

        1. bWAR has Correa markedly ahead offensively and defensively – fWAR has them about equal, but with Correa being more productive . But being two years younger is significant. The issue will likely be health.

          By the way, I love Turner the player. But the fact is that if Correa is healthy and plays (an “if” to be sure), the Mets have at least kept pace with the Phillies on that front.

          Like

  32. What a bonus for the owners of the Pirates, A’s, Royals, etc. — the small market teams will get about $115 million from Cohen next year,

    Like

  33. Wow… the Mets taking a huge gamble on the backs of 40+ year old arms. It’s a new era for baseball. The lux tax pentalty is higher than some team payrolls 😂

    Seeing what the Mets are doing makes losing the WS sting a little more, just reminds you how hard it is to win a WS, when you are there, you gotta find a way to win…. Cuzz teams do weird 💩 like the Mutz.

    I still really like the Phillies team this year. I see a great mix of Veterans & youth infusion.
    To help make Cohen waste lots of money the Phillies need:
    Everyday Youth to progress – Stott, Bohm, Marsh,
    Add 2 BP arms.
    Depending on what it takes to get Hendricks, might have to bite that bullet

    A lot is going to be riding on these young arms, as that’s the 1 thing the Mets can’t buy, and don’t really have. If Painter, Abel, McGarry, Morales, and others can produce with this lineup … it’s really going to upset Cohen

    Like

  34. The reason Correa went to Mets is because Giants postponed intro due to at least what is being published medical concerns. You know the Giants wanted to make a splash with Correa so if they found concerns those concerns are not going away switching coasts. It just means the Mets may be willing to take the risk apparently the Giants were not.

    Like

  35. According to ESPN article up now Mets are at $384 million and $111 million. Like I said last night almost $500 million will be spent this season by the Mets. If anyone want to blame anyone blame the owners. They knew what they were getting into with Cohen. Now let’s just beat them anyway.

    Like

    1. Don, simple solutions to this problem. Not a salary cap, but the league should not allow such a wide gap in team payroll of the top team … and #2,3,4 etc. The top team should have to stay within a percentage of the next few teams. This would eliminate an owner from buying a WS. Now, I also think that if a team wants to pass this % marker, the owners needs the approval of the owners and it GMs. The exception I would make is for resigning a homegrown player that would temporarily take you over the %.

      Cohen is spending, but wisely? How do you not go after judge? Or a #3 starter Rodon? Especially when you already gambled on 2 Ace pitchers with a combined age of 79 years old. I also don’t understand how they let Degrom walk… that’s a franchise icon imo. Like letting Utley, Rollins, Howard, or Hamels walk.

      Well it’s not my money, and it will make for a baseball villian again, which baseball needs. I’m just not a fan of how it will impact the Phillies playoff run window.

      I see Cohen going after ohtani next year.

      Like

    2. Don53, the Yankees are an incredibly profitable franchise. If the Mets can raise their image to that level in that market, this might be a good financial move. At least not a terrible one. The REAL question is making the pieces work together. We saw the difference that the managerial change made for the Phillies last year, but Showalter created a positive sea change for that team too. For both teams a question might be whether the managers will be able to be equally successful with their new team chemistry this year.

      Like

      1. Showalter is the one stabilizing factor in the Mets scheme of things. I’ll give them that much. Otherwise they’re a boondoggle waiting to happen. Injuries, aging players, both…and a front office which hasn’t recovered from its Bobby Bonilla days.

        Like

        1. Speaking of Bobby…..Mets to pay Bonilla $1.19 million every July 1 from 2011 through 2035, when he will be 72 years old.
          He may want to renegotiate the terms with Cohen with Christmas coming and Cohen in a giving mode. 🙂

          Like

    3. You can add the MLBPA into this. All they care about is players getting paid, but in this case, it’s literally a select few FAs getting paid. But imagine if there was a cap of $300M and a floor of $200M. Guess what, more contracts would be signed because there’s a lot more teams that are under $200M than teams who are over $300M. The cap is not a bad thing if the floor moves up with it. MLBPA has to be the worst run PA of all the major sports.

      Like

      1. Spot on….a floor is non-existent…and that is what gets more players into the golden pot.

        Just a thought….Cohen will have his crosshairs affixed on Ohtani next year.
        You can bank on it….or Ohtani can also bank on it.

        Like

    4. The Commish needs to find Bowie’s ‘Best Interest’s Hat’ and give the Mets MLBs equivalent of the SMU Death Penalty – stip the Mets of every draft selection and revoke trade rights until their salary is reduced to the highest threshold level – which they are I think $100m over.

      The challenge is we’re going to see this for the next 3+ years. What the Owners should have done in the last Collective Bargain – is NOT a ceiling / cap, but a revenue-based floor, so that the A’s. Pirates, etc would have to sign players. There’d be NO issue if that extra $100m was divided over the A’s, Pirates, Rays, Reds…

      Like

  38. Thanks Skeet. The biggest deal is really low wind chill temps Thursday and Friday. We are to get winds in the 50-mph range. BRR.

    Like

    1. Don…what are we looking at in Philly area.
      Friday rain – high: 50 °F…..Friday Night.-low around 12.
      Saturday – Christmas Eve highway traveling…ice capades.

      Like

  39. I saw that Romus for Philly. We are to have from 30 to 40 below zero wind chills the next 2 plus days. From late tomorrow afternoon through Saturday evening. I am surprised I have not heard anything on NFL games on the East Coast yet. Colts play Monday night or at the least the Chargers do but, in a dome, here. Where I live is like on a 15-acre area and there is NO wind breaks here.

    Like

  40. Somebody make us a deal for Rafael Devers. I’ll go Abel, Bohm and Crawford and then offer Devers 8/$200M extension as a conversation starter.

    Like

    1. Not interested in giving up any of our young pitchers for one year of control on Devers. Our offense is already set to be excellent. We need as much pitching depth as we can get.

      Like

  41. I agree with giving up no young pitching. The only way to beat Fort Knox – Mets division – is to acquire more and more (2 more) strong relief pitching. That is the only antidote in my opinion.

    Like

    1. RU…absolutely.
      To shut down great hitters , pitching is key….and late inning pitching is more critical. Phillies need to have a bevy of good relief arms.

      Like

  42. The Phillies could have had Doc, Lee, Oswalt and Hamels in rotation from 2011 thru 2018 if these guys had health like Scherzer and Verlander.

    Like

  43. Agree, Romus, I see at least 1 late inning BP arm, and maybe 2. My favorites, as I have said, are Chafin and Rogers, but there others still out there. Fullmer, Will Smith, Chad Green. I don’t consider Brad Hand a late inning BP arm, and I don’t think we risk a 1 year deal on Kimbrel or Chapman. And, of course, the trade route, but aside from Hendriks, I am not sure who may be available.

    Like

    1. Some late inning BP arms who may/may not (I guess any of them could be had for the right price) be available:
      David Bednar
      Alexis Diaz
      AJ Puk
      Domingo Acevedo

      Dombrowski probably won’t give up what it would take to acquire any of these young arms. He’ll probably look to sign a veteran (maybe with an injury history) to a prove it deal. My #1 choice would be Alex Reyes, but I could also see Trevor Rosenthal as an option, or even Corey Knebel back.
      The most likely scenario is start the season with what you’ve got (Ser-Ant’ny could be a dominant closer) and reevaluate at the trade deadline.

      Like

      1. Hinkie, I thought about Rosenthal or Knebel, but as the 2d BP addition. And, you may be right, and DD will wait until the trade deadline, but I would much prefer adding another one to start the season.

        Like

        1. I’d prefer not to see Knebel again. His stuff is good enough, but he came off as a big choker to me. He wilted time after time in big moments. I don’t want to pay him a lot of money to blow leads. No thank you. Next!

          Like

      2. Hinkie…didn’t Puk come out the same year as Moniak? I really liked him at Florida. He had that give me the ball attitude. I was hoping Phillies would take him. I think there were some concerns, but he has been pretty good. There were two Florida guys, but I think Puk was in class of Moniak. Sorry if I am wrong.

        Like

  44. I mentioned Devers awhile back. His name always comes up. But I agree I would not give up the young arms for one year. I totally agree Matt that to me the one area still under construction is the BP. I agree at least 1 and probably 2 really good guys are needed. You have to be able to win the games when you lead going to the third of the games. In recent years the Phillies have lost so many of those games. They all add up. I saw Chad Green on scroller. Why is he still available? TJ surgery? I always thought he was really good for the Yankees.

    Like

  45. My very best wishes to you and your family, Don. I always enjoy reading your updates. I wish him well, and looking forward to Baseball season!

    Like

  46. Don……also want to wish you and the family best wishes over the holiday season. Stay warm and safe.

    PS…..FYI….Phantasy Camp-$5300 for the week.

    Like

  47. Thanks Romus and Matt. I just saw D.C. is to have -15 wind chills Saturday. We are to be at -30 to -40 wind chills the next 2 days here. Plus, winds up to 50 mph. Hope you guys miss this. Romus…The $5,300 would be fine for a week like that. I am not sure the wife would be all in but …. Matt… after the next 48 hours I too may be looking ahead to baseball season and Spring. Barring injuries kids should be really good.

    Like

  48. In the last 19 years, these two city’s teams…Sox and Giants have won 6 rings between them, 3 apiece…..now the fan base in both cities seem to be disgruntled with their front offices…and two people in particular, namely Zaidi and Bloom.
    Giants losing out on both Judge and Correa….and Sox post-Betts seasons of futility.

    Like

  49. Romus, I don’t understand the BoSox much more than the Giants. SF was in on Judge, but he wanted to go back to NY, and was just waiting for them to ante up. If there were concerns from their medical people, then I understand not committing $300M to Correa. If you don’t trust your Drs., get new Drs. Boston, OTOH, has let Star players leave, and haven’t exactly hit on star prospects in return. They are as much a big market team as anyone, but how can you lose Betts and Bogaerts? I get that fanbase’s feeling of disappointment.

    Like

    1. matt….seems the owners are showing patience with the baseball operational front office personnel for now.
      If both teams finish in 2023 below.500 and 4th or 5th in their respective divisions …then things may change.

      Like

      1. I’d have to think that Bloom is on an extremely short rope. If the Red Sox don’t do really well this year or show a lot of promise, I doubt he’ll be the GM in 2024. I’m not saying that’s the right result, just what I think will happen.

        Like

        1. I’d need to do a deeper dive into the Red Sox system and payroll, but I’d have to say that, on the surface, I’m not getting entirely what they are doing or what their time horizon is expected to be. It looks a lot like the Phillies circa 2014 and, needless to say, that ain’t good.

          Like

  50. Bloom seems to be running scared. First he lets good marquis players leave (or trade them for quantity in return/ Betts) and then he signs aging but known stars. I think his philosophy right now is don’t screw up anymore and in thinking that way, the bigger picture is getting away from him. He seems to be reacting. I think the owners hired him to run the team like a Tampa Bay iteration # 2 – high performance with no salary expense. Too much tradition and expectations to do that in Bean town. He is stuck between his old methodology of running a quality team on a $60 million salary structure with expectations that he will compete with the Yankees for a championship. Look – Bosox won in 2004, 2007, 2013, and 2018. Despite Bloom’s results and quite possibly a 4th/5th place finish in ’23 they are the most successful franchise in this century.

    Like

    1. Personally…if the Phillies won 4 rings staring in 2004 and the last in 2018….I believe the Phillies fans would be more forgiving.
      Boston won nothing for almost a century until that miracle of 2004.
      Same in SF….three rings–2010, 2012, and 2014….and out there they want answers or heads, on Faidi’s non-signing of both Judge and Correa.
      Sheesh!

      Like

    1. That would mean Cohen would have to incur at least another $22M on his payroll against the CBT…would he even go higher!
      Yep he would.
      If Bauer clears waivers however he becomes a free agent and probably gets a pillow contract offer for a year.
      Some team may take the chance with both his arm and his reputation…and that would be the Mets.

      Like

  52. Hey look now, all of a sudden, how well the Phillies did with the 2014 draft….
    #4 Kyle Schwarber
    #7 Aaron Nola
    #13 Trea Turner

    Like

  54. And SF gets Taylor Rogers, 3 years and $33M. Probably, DD did not want to go 3 years. We still need a BP arm, one who can pitch late in games. Not many left. I don’t think we should be counting on the Coonrods and Nelsons to do that, or for any of the guys from the system, Baker/Morales, et al., before July/August. Chafin, Fullmer would work.

    Like

    1. I wonder if they are banking on Any of the kids for bullpen, like Baker ? Romus i always forget, is this the time your people crossed the desert in Arizona ?

      Like

  55. Guys we missed the snow. Ohio got it. But we did not miss thee Cold or the Wind.
    Earlier it was -10 and -45 wind chill. Really cold here. Just looked at a pic on local web page here and looks like this is headed your way. Hope you are spared.

    Like

    1. Only kinda spared, currently below 20 degrees with 25 MPH winds here. My sister’s flight got cancelled and she has to hope the one tomorrow won’t as well.

      Like

      1. Dan…it is really cold here. Hope she gets her flight. I saw today where there were lots of flights cancelled.

        Like

        2. Don…….earlier today I saw a westbound duck flying backward I checked my glass and it was full, so just when you thought you have seen it all…..honest Don.

          Like

          1. Skeet…that is tooooooooooooooo funny. I tell you what. If a duck had got up in the air here yesterday, they would have been Frozen in Place. That is honest too. Coldest I remember. My two dogs went out for a couple minutes and they barely got back in without me having to go out and help. The wind was beyond awful

            Like

  56. What would it take to get Hendriks from White Sox? He has 1 year at $18M remaining with a team option for ‘24. Cost to get him? McGarry or Rojas? Plus a Miller or Morales throw in? Would you do it? I have a hunch DD is trying to trade for our last bullpen piece but we don’t have lots to trade while the top 3 (Painter, Abel and Crawford) are untouchable.

    Like

    1. I would say Painter is untouchable, the others would require a game changer. Wouldn’t mind finding Devers under the tree this Christmas. Many naysayers here, but I think he’d be a major upgrade, all things considered. Bohm, Abel…fill in the rest with 2 or 3 midlevel prospects. Oh…and get Devers to agree to a 10/$300M extension. Easy peasy. See a few national writers think it’s plausible.

      Like

    1. He’d be a reclamation project. Now two years removed from being effective, and his FB velocity last year was a full 3 MPH (!!!) slower than his next lowest average since switching to the pen.

      The upside is there, but he shouldn’t be anything more than lottery ticket that we cut at the first sign of trouble.

      Like

      1. Obvious caveat that he didn’t even throw a full IP last year. But that’s its own red flag; 38 total innings pitched in the last 3 seasons.

        Like

  58. My lineup:
    Turner (R) hits for average and high OBP and steals bases
    Stott (L) needs to earn this spot in ST, was hitting much better at seasons end and can work a count
    Realmuto (R) good average and power with speed * Castellanos could rebound from a down year and claim this spot
    Schwarber (L) protypical 5th hole hitter lots of walks, strike outs, and power with low batting average. Power is better used in middle of line up and would move down a spot when Harper returns
    Hoskins (R) the right handed version of Schwarber
    Castellanos (R) despite down year hit for decent average
    Hall (L) possible DH at times Vierling (R) possible OF at times
    Bohm (R) could hit way to top of line up
    Marsh (L) if he hits he could be considered for lead off, but he K’s way too much.

    Like

    1. $10M for one year…..hope he does well….regular season he seems to do better than in the play-offs of late.

      Like

      1. Matt and Romus. I saw Kimbrell mentioned in one of those prediction articles. But I held off mentioning. There were two others but right now drawing a blank. I think Eovaldi and 3B from Giants. Was with Tampa. Must still be frozen here mind wise. Starting to warm a bit.

        Like

        1. Evan Longoria. I don’t really see how he’d fit on this team. Old, slightly above-average hitter who strikes out a lot and is defensively limited.

          If we could go back a decade, sure. But he’s a part-time player/DH at this point, and we’ve got better in-house options for that.

          Like

          1. Thanks Dan. I did not either. They seemed to think he had some versatility and veteran help. I agree a few years back that would be a yes.
            I always liked Chad Green with Yankees. Did he have TJ? I am surprised he is still available.

            Like

            1. Yeah, Green had TJ this past year. Pretty early on, so he could theoretically make it back toward the end of the season, but it’s also fairly likely he just misses the entire year.

              He could be a post-All Star break signing for someone. Or he may just get a pillow contract after this upcoming season.

              Like

      1. If he performs they will. If he struggles, well… they’ve already had plenty of practice mocking his pitching stance.

        Like

  62. I think they got Kimbrel cheap. Not at all surprised as he was slightly under the radar. Topper has the acumen to use him correctly and he should be a welcome aid to the pen. Still like the closer by committee idea and he fits – I just wouldn’t let him close every game.

    Like

  63. Another way to look at it – would you rather pay Robertson $10 million and have had him back (it would have taken an option year too) for the same $$ as Kimbrel ? Only committed to Kimbrel for one year.

    Like

  64. I like the signing, Sir A & Alvarado are to be used in the high leverage situations, Kimbrel can come in the 9th for hitter 6-9. They also have Brogdon & Bellati with … IMO McGarry at someone point. That’s a lot of heat coming out of the pen. We all saw how Thomson managed in the playoffs, im guessing with the Division predicted to be so tight, I can see him managing the fewer division rival & WC teams very close to the playoffs. I wasn’t confident in roberston last year, I prefer kimbrel after watching his 2022 highlights with the dodgers. Getting big names out . Plus it’s supposed to be a rebound year for him. Good signing as long as he is not the closer… I’m sure he’s not, but rotated to the weaker lineup

    Like

  65. Its a moderate risk ($10M) for high reward reliever. He could rebound back to a shut down closer, get hit around, or be somewhere in between. I was hoping for a more reliable signing but it is worth the risk. If it doesn’t work it’ll be like the signings of Familia and Kinzler recently.

    Like

  66. Just a hypothetical question, and I don’t know what I would do, but if O’Hoppe and Rojas got Daulton Varsho, would you want that deal more or less than our getting Brandon Marsh? I know some of you wouldn’t trade O’Hoppe regardless, but just wondering after the Blue Jays trade. And, would Rojas equate to Gurriel?

    Like

    1. Before the season started last year…I am guessing maybe O’Hoppe, Vierling and a minor league pitching prospect – not Painter, Anel or McGarry- may have been enough Varsho.
      The DBacks needed a OFer/Inf versatile right handed bat…..but then again they had no idea if LHB- OFers Thomas, Carroll and McCarthy were for real.

      Like

    1. I was lost at Abel at least with the others included especially Bohm. I may entertain a trade for a top RP including a top top prospect/pitcher in the trade but not for much else at this point.

      Like

      1. Now if you wanted to talk both Reynolds and Bednar from the Pirates I may be willing to talk about some of the top prospects

        Like

    2. Devers is still out there with Phillies mentions in some of these articles.
      No idea if anything but pure speculation.

      Like

    3. No. That said, it’s not as simple as that. Devers will require a monster contract, though who knows if Middleton will chase Cohen into that stratosphere. I’m guessing not though. Devers is obviously the better player BUT if Bohm keeps developing, I think he gets pretty close to Devers in that area. That’s why I say “No deal”. Both have basically the same # of hits, SO, in the same # of plate appearances. Devers breaks away with roughly 35 xtra base hits. 13 more & 20 2B. I think Bohm will develop power and close that gap. The defense is another area Devers pulls away. My point is, Bohm is likely to develop and close the gap at a lower salary that the team
      Can upgrade elsewhere .. l they have important decisions coming up with Nola, Hoskins, & castellanos. Do you need Abel if you are letting Nola walk? This trade impacts those
      Answers
      Personally I let this play out 1 more year. This team is capable of reaching & Winning the WS again. Players just have to perform at this point. I see Stott, Bohm, &Marsh all improving to above avg mlb players. Not allstar but in that cheap, talent producing sweet spot. Lastly, keeping & developing the young pitching talent is the one area that Cohen can’t buy, and will give the Phillies a competitive advantage IF they develop to what they are capable of. It’s really hard for me give up on that/trade it away. Even for reynolds and Bednar – it’s that important to this WS title window imho. Position players are expendable but the arms … not so much that they are basically here.

      Like

    4. Yes. Miller and Muzziotti are prospective major league depth pieces. Filler, more or less, but with some value. Bohm’s defensive deficiencies and lack of power to date make him a project with upside. Abel would be the center piece in the package…the player causing the other team to say yes, yet not an untouchable since Painter currently holds that distinction. And I’m one to be wary of overvaluing our own prospects.

      Like

  68. Don….hah, yes it is cold..12 degrees…..my fingers are cold now just typing this….seems house cannot get toasty enough.
    I am sure rocco is warm and cozy vacationing in the islands! 😉

    Like

    1. Romus is this the time when you, Turned 7 fish and 7 loafs of bread into enough to feed thousands, I forget, Hope your dinner at brook line home is great tonight, So nice of you to DJ for the older folks. Merry Christmas to all, Hope everyone has a great Christmas

      Like

  70. Don, got in the car this morning and it was 4! Wind chill in the sub zeros. Wishing you and your family, and all of my friends here at Phuture Phillies, a very Merry Christmas!! It is truly a pleasure to be part of this terrific community.

    Like

  72. I hope everybody has a Happy Christmas, reading this site is one of the things that makes me happy every day.

    Like

  76. Guys hang in there tonight. It is now 10 degrees here and seems like a heat wave.
    House finally has got back to 68. Everyone be safe and Merry Christmas.

    Like

Comments are closed.