Phillies Discussion 1/2/2025

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First Phillies Discussion of 2025.  Hope you all enjoyed your holidays.  Happy New Year!

The Phillies announced they were probably done signing and trading just before Christmas then Miami countered with an acceptable second prospect request in the Jesus Luzardo negotiations that the Phillies thought were dead and at the same time the Joe Ross negotiations reignited.  When DD says he’s likely done it doesn’t mean the offers won’t keep rolling in.

Tyler Gilbert was the roster casualty after those transactions.  The Phillies designated him for assignment and were able to spin him into a minor league pitcher with several years of control from the White Sox.

I made my first trip to the Complex this morning since early December.  Couldn’t get inside the gate.  Looks like the city has finally begun repairs.  The most noticeable damage was to the RF chain link fence on Ashburn Field and the dark green mesh on all four batters’ eyes.  The mesh has been removed from the batters’ eyes but has not been replaced.  The debris by the fence and the damaged chain link has been removed.  But the poles are all misshapen.

The Complex needs to be completed by the third week of January when Phantasy Camp is scheduled to start.  There is a High Performance Camp for select minor leaguers starting in mid-January but they don’t need Ashburn Field for that.

Several players are already working out at the Complex.  Saw Seth Johnson and JT leave and Bohm arrive while I was there.  A few more are rumored to be in Clearwater.

Important Dates

  • December 22, 2024: Completion of the LIDOM regular season
  • December 30, 2024: Completion of the LMP regular season
  • January 4, 2025: Completion of the LBPRC regular season
  • January 5, 2025: LBPRC wild card game (if necessary)
  • January 7-15, 2025: LBPRC Semifinals (best of seven)
  • January 9, 2025: Exchange of salary figures for arbitration
  • January 11-15, 2025: Period during which arbitration hearing scheduled is set
  • January 15, 2025: Opening of the 2025 signing period for international amateurs
  • January 17-30, 2025: Start of the LBPRC Championship Series (best of nine)
  • January 19, 2025: End of the ABL regular season
  • January 23-26, 2025: ABL Finals Series
  • January 27-February 14, 2025: Period during which arbitration hearings will be held
  • January 30-February 2, 2024: ABL Championship Series
  • January 31 – February 7, 2025; Caribbean Series – participants will be Mexico, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico.  Japan will be a new participant based in Mexicali, Mexico.  Recent participants Cuba, Colombia, Nicaragua, Panama, and Curaçao have not been invited.
  • By rule, no player shall be required to report to Spring Training more than 33 days prior to the start of the regular season, injured players, pitchers, and catchers may be invited no earlier than 43 days, and all other players may be invited to no earlier than 38 days prior to the start of the regular season.
    • February 12, 2025: Earliest date injured players, pitchers, and catchers may be invited to attend Spring Training
    • February 17, 2025: Earliest date all other players may be invited to attend Spring Training
    • February 22, 2025: Date players shall be required to report to Spring Training
  • March 27, 2025: Phillies season opener at Washington
  • March 31, 2025: Phillies home opener
  • Note: These dates will be used unless notified differently.

Transactions

January 2025
1/01/2025 – RHP Aaron Combs assigned to Jersey Shore
1/01/2025 – Phillies traded LHP Tyler Gilbert to Chicago White Sox for RHP Aaron Combs

December 2024
12/28/2024 – Phillies signed FA INF Rafael Lantigua to an MiLB contract
12/21/2024 – Phillies signed FA RHP Joel Kuhnel to an MiLB contract
12/23/2024 – Phillies signed FA RHP Joe Ross
12/23/2024 – Phillies designated RHP Jose Cuas for assignment
12/22/2024 – Phillies designated LHP Tyler Gilbert for assignment
12/22/2024 – C Paul McIntosh assigned to Lehigh Valley
12/22/2024 – Phillies traded LF Emaarion Boyd and SS Starlyn Caba to Miami for LHP Jesús Luzardo and C Paul McIntosh
12/20/2024 – Phillies signed FA RF Max Kepler
12/19/2024 – Phillies signed FA LHP Nick Vespi to an MiLB contract
12/17/2024 – Lehigh Valley released SS Trevor Schwecke
12/13/2024 – Phillies signed FA RHP Nabil Crismatt to an MiLB contract
12/13/2024 – Phillies signed FA RHP Guillo Zuñiga to an MiLB contract
12/13/2024 – RHP Nabil Crismatt assigned to Lehigh Valley
12/13/2024 – RHP Guillo Zuñiga assigned to Lehigh Valley
12/12/2024 – Phillies signed FA RHP Austin Schulfer to an MiLB contract
12/12/2024 – Phillies signed FA 3B Luis Verdugo to an MiLB contract
12/12/2024 – RHP Austin Schulfer assigned to Lehigh Valley
12/12/2024 – 3B Luis Verdugo assigned to Lehigh Valley
12/11/2024 – Phillies traded RHP Mike Vasil to Tampa Bay for cash

165 thoughts on “Phillies Discussion 1/2/2025”

  1. Happy New Year!

    Interesting to hear about JT and Bohm being around already, guess more Bohm then JT but suppose if you don’t want to be traded you show up and put out on all avenues haha. Wonder how many bigger names are in that rumored group….

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    1. weird, i am not magazinetenacious8ec5e2170b… did forget PW and had to reset, maybe got some temporary username

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      1. I won’t pretend to know the intimate details of the Bohm saga but what I do know is that the kid worked his butt off to become a better 3B. It doesn’t matter to me that he is not a GG 3B, all that matters is he is much better than where he started.

        Philly has never been an easy place to play for the player who may be a little thin skinned and lord knows Philly has seen its share of highly talented players come through on all 4 franchises that struggled with the critics.

        I was a bit too young to understand the Schmidt drama. To me as a young boy he was just great all around.

        As I matured I started to understand the differences between the Iversons and Utleys of our sports world and the others.

        You probably need more than 2 hands to count them. Lots of greats that were never unanimously loved here…

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      1. Hoping for a bounce back on Alvarado, coming in healthy and strong and not having enjoyed too much home cooking seems to be a trend of his

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  2. When DD says he is done making moves, that is when I expect him to make a move. There are enough relievers and outfielders still left that I could see the Phillies grabbing one of each even if only on a minor league deal. I doubt anything will happen with Bohm, Arenado, or any other big move but if someone hangs out into the beginning of Spring Training then maybe.

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  3. Gilbert for Combs is another masterpiece by DD. Stacking small wins. Who knows what the future is for Combs. He might turn out to be nothing. But he is a legit relief prospect with a very high K/9. Scouting report is that Combs has an “elite” curve ball. To get a legit lottery ticket for a player we DFA’d is a great job.

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    2. Agree – the smaller the stakes, the more thrifty he needs to be, the better DD does – almost shockingly so. I wonder how much his staff is helping in these smaller deals because they are doing very well on that front.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Absolutely stunned that Charlie Morton signed with the Orioles (1/15) and not the Braves. Now Morton didn’t have the greatest year (30 starts, 1.1 WAR) but I would rather have him off the Braves. Losing Morton and Fried is a plus for the Phillies.

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    1. Agreed. And Strider isn’t throwing 200 innings for them either. So they will have to get innings somewhere.

      Wonder if Anthopoulos saw my recent post on how elite Taijuan Walker is. Great buy low candidate. And by “low” I mean really really low.

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      1. Phillies trade: Walker + $16 million + Bryan Rincon + DeMartini

        As trade: $500k international bonus slot

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        1. Trenton- do you know how the CBT handles the “+16 million” in the trade? If it doesn’t count,.. that’s a nice loophole. DD should be able to figure something out if so. My guess is that’s it’s added to the team salary though

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          1. I was thinking this gives the As a nice excuse to not spend $$$ on the other end and act like they gave up $$$ when they just gave up the rights to spend money.

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      2. Ha! I think we all pay your bar tabs from here on out if that happened. Post the receipt, consider it paid through Venmo. If only!

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Basement level ……. only one way to go ⬆️ …. great opportunity for “the Tomahawk Chops”!😄

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  6. I consulted a professional clairvoyant in the gypsy quarter of my town. She told me she saw the number 2. I asked if it was a “big 2” or a “small 2″. She wouldn’t be drawn in.
    From this I’m left to conclude that Dombrowski has 1 move the needle” deal left in him, perhaps preceded by a smaller move If I’m wrong, blame the gypsy.

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  7. A good thing about getting Combs is that he does not need to be added to the 40. Can someone tell me that if he is in the system for awhile, when would he need to be added to the 40 man roster?

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    1. As a college draftee he doesn’t need to be added for 4 years. That said, he has a profile that could rise fast. A polished reliever with an elite out pitch.

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    1. There will likely be a lot of teams bidding for him so a trade will likely happen. He would also need a 40 man roster spot if acquired.

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      1. Yeah…there will be teams looking to see if they can unravel his potential. IMO, he seems to be somewhat of a cross between Gary Sanchez and Jorge Alfaro….power-strong at the plate with that big power, strong arm, though needs more polish in blocking, he is slow afoot (Alf could fly however) and has trouble making contact with breaking balls. Should not cost much in exchange even though in 2023 he was the Dodgers number one prospect….he fell a lot in 2024. Dodgers may have rushed him a bit through the levels……as opposed to how the Phillies have handled Marchan to this date.

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Seems quiet for a team that was believed to have a shakeup for the lineup…

    I will throw this out there… The price seems high to make changes, so I’m wondering if DD is waiting until the deadline to make his move. It likely energizes the team more than a big offseason move with a light deadline. If the Phillies did consider Arenado, I’m wondering if they considered Trout. Come the deadline, if the Angels are out of it yet again … I think Trout finally okays the trade and it ends up not being the haul Angel fans will be happy with

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    1. there is zero chance trout is coming here. That contract is a bottom three mlb contract and he has a degenerative back issue that is likely related to his constant lower body injuries. That rumor is just a rumor

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      1. I’m not a zero percent type of person. Maybe low but it’s certainly not zero. Another season out of the playoffs and Trout might start speaking up

        To clarify, my main point is that DD could be waiting until the deadline to make his big lineup shakeup. The price technically lowers in terms of prospect and CBT penalties, and more players may come available that are preferred over the current options. If the FO is not signing FA, I’d expect to see a big move at the deadline after the talk of a meaningful shakeup. If not, the lineup is basically running it back with the hopes of better seasons from last years players

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        1. I have to respectfully disagree. I think if there’s going to be a shakeup, the trade deadline is not the time to do it.

          I believe there are still a lot of teams looking to make moves and the free agent pool has been dwindling. Just off the top of my head, the Mariners need to add pieces, the Athletics needs to spend money, the orioles are still looking for an arm… we have some pieces that may be of interest to these teams.
          I think Dombrowski was right to ask for the moon early on. Now as teams circle back, we can start to inch closer to a middle ground, but Dave certainly has the leverage. And ultimately, if no deals are made, then yes, we can always look to the trade deadline to make a change.
          But I’m not ready to throw the towel in just yet. There are still plenty of days to make a move.

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          1. I hope so, but I feel like this is the team going into the season. I’m starting to feel the only area to upgrade is Castellanos. I’m not knocking him with that comment, but I’m not seeing that great of an improvement In his possible upgrades for the cost (prospects or money) you might as well just gamble on him having a better year. Will see. If it’s the orioles, Westburg is intriguing, and thinking “Maybe” they give him up if sign Santander back & Jackson Holliday is ready . . Their rebuild is going go sideways if they don’t pivot. Their lineup looks weak if they lose Santander. Losing Burnes for the rotation already hurts …

            what would it take to get

            Westburg & Bausita (CL)

            for

            Ranger & … Bohm? Overpay or underpay on our part?

            Stott back to SS Westburg to 2nd, Turner to 3B until Miller is ready.

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        2. Mike Trouut has a total WAR of 15.7 over the last 6 seasons. That should put a cap on the expectations of others as he goes forward through the 6 remaining years of his contract.

          No team can afford Trout’s salary and the Angels probably can’t realistically hope to buy him out.

          Uf Trout agreed to rip up his contract and sign to come to Philly to play as a 2.5 WAR player, that’s an altogether different discussion. The Players’ Association would go ballistic were he to try and do it.

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          1. I add up his bWAR as 21.7 since the 2019 season…six seasons…453 games……WAR/G=0.047. If he remains healthy he is every bit worth the money. And that is the risk factor, his health.

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            1. Not buying it for a minute.

              If the Phils paid Trout what he’s worth ($8 -10 M a year), he could easily double that with endorsement $ in the short term and he could lock in a career after baseball more easily in Ohilly.than anywhere given the sentimentality that animates discussions such as this one.

              It wouldn’t be a bad plan for Trout but I doubt he considers it till it’s too late for him to contribute as a player. His trend lines are negative and worrisome.

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  10. If there needs to be a shake-up at the trade DL I think that means this team is floundering and it would be more to shed money and not take it on…

    I said over a month ago the FO should strongly considering punting if they weren’t going to add the payroll/players necessary to realistically improve the offense.

    The casual fan would be upset but the sophisticated fan would see it as an opportunity to strike in the next big FA market.

    Clearly the Dodgers are not going to be shy or worry about any LT ramifications. Probably not the Mets either but it doesn’t mean you can’t take them out with a lower payroll club.

    So IMO you either spend and eff the LT or rip the band aid off and start subtracting $$$. Doing neither expresses to me you aren’t serious about the WS.

    They’re looking like a FO or Ownership just interested in being a playoff team and hoping for the best.

    I saw DD made a sly comment the other day that JM has never said no but with a forked tongue he said they are wary of the tax at this point.

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    1. “……start subtracting $$$…..”.

      Unfortunately Dombrowski may have painted himself into a corner over the next year or two with those large and extended contracts to guys like Walker and Casty. And, just going to have to live with Turner’s contract it appears.

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    2. “So IMO you either spend and eff the LT or rip the band aid off and start subtracting $$$. Doing neither expresses to me you aren’t serious about the WS.”

      This doesn’t make sense to me. The phillies, with the #2 payroll and coming off a season where they had 7 all stars aren’t serious about winning a world series? A team with a strong offense and strong pitching staff should now start subtracting?

      And I know your argument: They failed to hit in the postseason, so whatever they are doing is not good enough and we need a major shake up.

      However, I look at this year as kind of a “float year.” First off, there are still trades to be made. Secondly, there will be a lot of money potentially coming off the books next offseason. Thirdly, we have some interesting prospects that could be ready to make an impact in 2026. Fourthly, we now know that Bryson Stott played through injury last year and it greatly affected him. He’s a guy who could definitely be an impact player who forces his way to the top of the lineup.

      I try to be realistic. We have a good team. We should be in it this October. I believe there will be some big changes for sure in 2026

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      1. Agree Andrew. The Phillies are just fine with payroll in the near and longer term. After the 2026 season, they have just 4 contracts currently on the books that are over $15 AAV. (Harper, Turner, Wheeler, Nola).

        They are set with a rotation for the next 2 years of Wheeler, Nola, Sanchez, Luzardo, and Painter. Never know what will happen with injuries but that’s a very solid 1-5 with the cost already established.

        After 2025 they have a couple of hard decisions to make in regard to Schwarber/JTR and then Walker/Castellanos $$ will be gone the following year.

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      2. Everything you said Andrew is true. I don’t disagree with any of it. This team should make the playoffs and be in it to win the NL East.

        I could also see them losing the NL East in a tight race to the Mets.

        And while things on paper don’t always translate I don’t see them making it past the Dodgers.

        The starting rotation is WS quality; The BP questionable but the LU as constructed is not dynamic enough IMO.

        Now maybe just maybe a few things happen to change that calculus: Stott is a good bet to be much better than his 24 numbers and JT on a walk year maybe out performs what he did the last few…

        But I don’t think Turner is much better than he was and he would need to be. Casty isn’t going to be better, Marsh probably not much better and I really don’t know what we’re going to get out of Kepler and LF.

        And to your point Romus DD took a couple swings and they didn’t pan out. Ok it happens but ownership has to be in lock step that these things do happen.

        But not unlike buying a stock you have to quickly realize your losers cut bait with them and reposition.

        Liked by 1 person

  11. If the Phillies are still thinking about moving Bohm….the time to do it is over the next few weeks. Give the player time to get acclimated and comfortable to a new org and a new Complex surroundings prior to spring training….and in the same respect, whomever the Phillies get in the return.

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    1. I may be way off, but it looks to me that the Phillies of 25 are going to look similar to the 24 version. That may not be all bad. Then again if may not be good enough. I keep hoping that game 6 and 7 of the 23 NLCS does not turn out to be the last best opportunity for this core to hang a WS banner. It was there for the taking. Lots of really good players on this current roster. The key guys just have to perform better if they make the playoffs. Bottom line.

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      1. Don, thats the feeling i now have. Why? The FO basically said the limit Is where we are now. It will be marginal additions. To me, they get the most value for making such moves at the deadline for of these same reasons. The price for the target should drop, and the players salary & CBT hit will be less. This team as constructed is good enough to make the playoffs/be in the hunt to risk that. Plus, we can probably all agree most BP arms are year to year in so many cases, so pick up a hot one at the deadline to have a greater chance of getting that element right for the playoffs.

        I also don’t see as much money coming off the books since it seems more likely the Phillies resign or extend Schwarber & Realmuto. I’m thinking 41mil could be realistic – Schwarber resigns for 25mil, Realmuto for 20mil (maybe less) trade Castellanos (eat 10mil) Sosa and Alvarado are gone, probably resign Romano for a 5 mil raise… Ranger is definitely gone, with Kepler & Ross. The prospects should be ready to mix in with FA additions. 41mil to stretch for a OF and 2 BP arms.

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  12. Also if Schwarber and JTR are resigned, I see it as only 2 year deals apiece. For Schwarber into his age34 season….and for JTR into his age36 season.

    And probably, I just cannot see either getting more than $20M AAV because of their ages..

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    1. No Bregman, no Arenado, no JTR extension. His contract was the perfect length. If they double down and extend him for what he will want they will have another bad contract on their hands. This is why Marchan needs to play. Catchers are a ticking time bomb – after age 33, they, as a group, drop off a cliff. After this year, it’s time to move on.

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      1. Agreed. I’d give him a one-year deal — there are no bad one-year contracts — but not more.

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      2. no way they can depend on Marchan being the everyday catcher, he can’t stay healthy. I would look to offer JTR a deal like Darnaud had with the Braves, 2 years at $11m AAV. Hopefully Tait will be ready by then.

        If JTR wants more, then part ways and find a veteran backstop to split time.

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        1. I didn’t say Marchan should be the full-time catcher – only that you shouldn’t re-sign JT for what he will want (I’m guessing $15 m a year) and that you should play Marchan to develop him.

          What do I think they will do? Re-sign JT, but I think it’s a mistake. The end of his contract will be the time to move on.

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      3. The state of catching in the sport is pretty bad (only reason Stubbs is still here). I don’t think Marchan has proven he can handle a full season. If he could stay healthy I’d absolutely move on but if they can go year to year with JT or maybe a 2 year deal (with a paycut) that’s what I would look to do.

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    2. Romus. You are cheap. I am kidding. It is really hard to tell what they will get. Still seeing guys getting big bucks and some have not had great results in recent times. Think I saw Verlander estimate at 15M. Kidding me. Glad it is someone else’s money.

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    3. Romus, I’d agree Realmuto. I was thinking he could come in lower but … not much. He can make the case he’s worth it for his defense, pitch selection, playoff experience. In other words, he can spin that sales pitch whichever he needs to get the money he’s asking for. He’ll get it. Maybe not hear, but he’ll get it. If Schwarber hits another 40 bombs, has similar numbers. He’s going to get a raise imo. I said 25 mil per year thinking that’s the new 20 mil. Will see.

      Catch- letting realmuto walk, signing a bat and letting marchan take his at bats is a marginal gain in the offense. Realmuto was such an advantage to have a hitter &’defensive catcher. He’s going. To be tough to replace

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      1. No matter how good or popular a player WAS, the Phillies need to do what’s right for the team without emotion. I’ve advocated letting Rhys go into FA and I’ve been saying this for a while now, Realmuto shouldn’t be re-signed, and certainly not for a multi year deal. The Phillies already rolled the dice giving Realmuto 5 years instead of 4, time to allocate the money elsewhere and give a younger catcher their chance.

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      2. Tac…….there are valid points about catchers aging and their subsequent drop-off as they get deep into their 30s…it happens. Cards kept Yadier around for awhile-age 39- but his last 5/6 years he was dropping off in production. Right now JTR is a free agent in 2026, after this up-coming season. If they feel Marchan is ready to step in…which he probably could defensively, then let JTR walk. However, IMO, I would offer to extend him now thru 2026 at his current AAV. He may want to bet on himself and decide to take the risk and walk after this season and hope for an offer thru 2027 or 2028. I just do not see him getting many offers, and especially at a high AAV as he currently sits.

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        1. I think they resign him. He’ll ask for 3 years and rightfully so. FO will want 1 ideally… they settle for 2. I think he definitely gets offers if he has a pretty decent season. Hitting catchers are hard to find. Look at Soto’s contract..that to me drags Dnarurds deal from 11mil to 15mil air. I can see him in that range 15mil to 20mil. We’d all prefer lower, but … will see where it falls. I estimated him at 18mil resigned for 2 or 3, until Tait gets here. I can easily be wrong, but I dont see them getting rid of him. Not while Wheeler is here. I guess it depends on who is calling the pitch selections.. my understanding is it’s JT. If that is the case. He is resigned imho, and they risk him aging slower

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          1. Will Smith is just as good as JT and just signed a LT deal at an AAV around $14 mil per year that takes him through age 39.

            I’m not sure there is another FO in the league smarter than the Dodgers right now.

            That said they are handing out a bunch of deferrals that may end up biting them in the arse 10 years from now. Then a gain maybe they are not worried about 10 years from now.

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            1. Dodgers don’t really care. They know that they are a destination for FAs and asian players so they can afford to have some bad contracts.

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  13. On the topic of propsects… how nice is this list?

    Most underrated MLB Propsects: (from MLB.com)

    Luke Keaschall, 2B/OF, Twins: 6.4%
    Aidan Miller, SS, Phillies: 6.4%
    Colt Emerson, SS, Mariners: 6.4%
    Franklin Arias, SS/2B, Red Sox: 4.3%
    Kristian Campbell, 2B/OF/SS, Red Sox: 4.3%
    Justin Crawford, OF, Phillies: 4.3%
    Demetrio Crisantes, INF, D-backs: 4.3%
    Bryce Eldridge, 1B, Giants: 4.3%
    Cam Smith, 3B, Astros: 4.3%

    Add in Painter…, the wild card that is Kemp, and a hitting catcher … Not something Phillies Phans are used to. Very nice to see. Kudos to the scouting team who has faced the wrath of Phans over the years.

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    1. I agree. The Phillies have lots of really good players. They just have to produce when the time comes to move on in the playoffs. I saw the other day a Way Too Early Power Index and the Phillies were #2 behind the Dodgers. The Dodgers are a step above all others right now but even they had a flop performance in the playoffs 2 years ago same as Phillies did.

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      1. Don……the window is not wide open anymore for these current 30 year old plus Phillies…times wasting. And the youthful core.2 of Bohm, Stott and Marsh have had their shares of up and down struggles.

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        1. Romus do you still believe in windows relative to large market teams?

          I get it for small market teams who will rely mostly on a core of young players coming through their system together before they hit FA and are no longer affordable.

          IMO if you’re a perennial top 5 payroll club your window for rings should always be wide open.

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          1. Hi Romus and dmar. Happy New Year to all of you. Romus…I wonder if the 22 and 23 seasons may have been the best shot at a title for this particular group. Especially 23. Only Arizona and Texas stood in the path. Oh well. We will see.

            dmar…I get the window with the big market teams but for me the one drawback I see is these teams are giving such long contracts to some of these guys that their hands are then tied as the years go by. Turner may be an example for Phillies. There are many others for other teams. Bottom line is it appears this team is pretty well set with maybe a couple moves here and there and these guys have to produce when it matters. It does not matter how much they like each other. It is producing on the field. For me it begins with a more disciplined approach at the plate by several guys. Lots of swing and miss at bad pitches. So, we will see.

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          2. DMAR….you have a valid point with large market teams and free agency assets available to them. I suppose the opportunity will always be there for them. But it does not always work 100% well under those circumstances…..the Angels are one team for example that it failed for them. To entice those 28/29 superstars …a team has to offer those lengthy contracts that never materialize for the good in the second half of those contracts. A team is stuck at that point.

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            1. Sure Romus. It’s not enough to just spend. You have to hit on more than you lose on and Moreno has always had what I would consider to be weak personnel running his FO.

              I see a big difference between a guy like Steve Cohen and Arte Moreno in that Cohen is not afraid to spend and lose. He’s not likely to be gun shy after making a bad sign or two.

              The Dodgers to me are just on another level. Not only will they continue to spend they seem to also develop their minors players pretty well. And as Guru pointed out it doesn’t hurt that LA is a destination place for top tier Japanese talent.

              Some are just not cut out to walk and chew gum at the same time.

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    2. Ricky …….. you know you shouldn’t keep leftover Egg Nog for more than a couple of days ….. it will cause you to see visions that will turn to a mirage and eventually disipate like a fart in the wind.😉

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  15. I guess it wasn’t a surprise that Roki Sasaki didn’t have a meeting wth the Phillies. What was a surprise was that he didn’t meet with the Red Sox, who do have a history with Japanese players (currently Masataka Yoshida, previously Daisuke Matsuzaka).

    Liked by 1 person

  16. DH Brent Rooker just signed a 5 year 60 million dollar extension. That seems really low. He is younger and put up better numbers than Schwarber, does this give the Phillies all the leverage and do they try to extend him now ?

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    1. Rooker recently turned 30 but he was still under arbitration for 3 more years.

      Schwarber will be 32 for the final year of his contract. There’s no rush to re-sign Schwarber.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Hey everyone. I take a few months away from obsessive baseball reading after the Phillies season ends. Excited to be back reading after the New Year.

    Curious on thoughts from others on exciting prospects that either could help this year or might fly under the radar currently but who could make a huge jump in the minors in 2025. One guy who comes to mind is Wen Hui Pan. Feel like he was highly touted. Made it to High A last year and could open there or Reading theoretically. Not sure if they’ve defined his role, but maybe he’s good enough to be an above average reliever in 2025?

    Thoughts on him or prospects like him that could help in 2025 or be big time jumpers on the prospect ranks?

    Hope everyone is doing well.

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    1. Painter and Crawford will most likely make their debuts in 2025.

      A good year from Miller could see him in ST looking for a starter job in 2026.

      Tait has a chance to be a fast riser if he continues to mash.

      But I’m betting on Devin Saltiban to make the jump. He’s going to be 20, likely starting the year at high-A. He already hit 17 HRs as a 19 year old so the power is definitely there. Gavin Lux broke out as a 20 year old at High-A and even he only had 15 HRs total that season. If Saltiban hit 17 HRs in the FSL, I’m thinking he can hit 25+ at JS.

      Liked by 2 people

        1. Okay, yeah, I get it, but keep in mind – he’s as old as a high school senior. Tait has plenty of time to grow into his role, but if he becomes as good of a hitter as I think he could be, they will find someplace for him to play – hopefully it’s behind the plate.

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      2. My concern with Tait is not his offense, but his defensive capabilities as a catcher. He has a 60 rated Arm but is below average rated as a defender @45……..I look at Marchan at almost the same age, he was rated 60 Arm and 60 Field. So Tait right now is definitely a work in progress behind the plate.

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        1. He has time to improve his fielding but his calling card to make it to the bigs will be his bat. Obviously it would be better value if he can stick at catcher but if he can hit, the Phillies can easily shift him to 1B or DH. Anyways, he’s at least 2 years away.

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      1. Damn. Didn’t know that about Wen Hui Pan. Such a killer that they miss forever after TJ. On that note, don’t we have a few decently rated prospects coming off of TJ? Forgetting the names…

        Also excited about Saltiban. He looks possibly legit. What about Nikau Pouaka Grego? He came off an injury last year and didn’t move the needle a ton, but people were excited about him.

        Wonder which of the recently drafted outfielders could be most likely to be a difference maker… Nori, Burkholder, or Spikerman…

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        1. Yes…coming back from TJ for spring 2025 is yall RHP Alex McFarlane for one. He had his FB up in the hi-90s to 100 mph a few years ago…..hopefully he has recaptured it along with his plus slider.

          The Aussie guys…..for some inexplicable reason, seem to come on strong and then putter out once they get to the higher minor league levels. Maybe NPG will prove me wrong.

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        2. Burkholder has the higher ceiling so we’re hoping that he can come close to that.

          But with Crawford and Rincones Jr closer to the bigs, the recent draft picks can develop at their own pace. We’ll see what happens.

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  18. Jim Salisbury on Alec Bohm:

     

    “I think their ears are still wide open on Alec Bohm. Some of that could shake out or maybe become more of a topic when [Alex] Bregman finds his landing spot. But then the [Nolan] Arenado piece is there. That whole third base thing, there seems to still be moving parts. But I think Bohm could be part of it, but I’m also very comfortable having him back. I think all these trade discussions, if he’s a competitor, it should really motivate him. He’s two years away from free agency. He’s a very good player. No rush to move him, but I think their ears are continually open on that. So I don’t know where that’s going to go.” [The Phillies Show]

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    1. Romus…seems like we all just have to wait and let things play out. Not too many weeks now before pitchers and catchers. Jim mentioned that some of the guys are already at the complex. Spring is on the way now.

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  19. That’s what you could call “Salisbury Stew” or “Salisbury Word Salad”with a rationale for anything that might happen. Dombrowski plays his cards close and Bohm is reportedly already at the Complex.

    Salisbury cites the obvious that the market remains wide open with a lot of unsigned free agents. That Dombrowski and the Phils have their ears open is not an important takeaway. Is there a time their ears are closed?

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Marsh was just rated the #6 CF by MLB, over Robert who is #10. That seems crazy to me but very interesting that his rep is very high.

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    1. I find that I need to take these shredder lists with a grain of salt, sometimes the whole shaker. Oneil Cruz made the top ten with all of 21 starts in CF. Marsh had 35 starts plus 18 other appearances in CF. Both have fielding percentages below the league average of .991 for CF.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. I just read that Boras is pointing to Prince Fielders 9/$214 deal as a basis for Alonso’s deal.

    He’d be wise to not call that out to this group of GMs especially David Stearns who had Fielder in Milwaukee and let him walk at the time…

    DD was Detroit’s GM at the time but had his owner go over his head to make it. Illitch and Boras for some reason had a strange love affair.

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    1. So a really stupid signing justifies an Alonso deal? Okay . . . .

      That said, to me, an Alonso deal is a lot like a Schwarber deal – probably like 4 or 5 years and around $20-25 M a year – someone will pay him that and he’ll probably be worth it. Maybe it will be the Mets, maybe it will be someone else.

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      1. LOL I highly doubt any of the clubs with modern age GMs give Alonso a deal like that. I especially doubt Stearns gives that type of money out and Cohen seems a bit wiser than an Illitch.

        Would Posey see himself as that desperate…IDK. I don’t care much about what the Giants do but I know they are feeling shunned these days by many a big name FA.

        I mean you end up getting Snell and then he opts out and winds up with your division rival who clearly is the cream of the crop in your division. Has to feel like pushing a boulder uphill.

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    2. Yes DMAR…..read where the SF Giants may want to try to sign Alonso…..Buster Posey may be pushing it there. Giants have come up short on some biggies in the past…Posey does not want that anymore….especially when they offer the most financial compensations.

      Boras and Illitch……they broke break together…..or should I say dough, as in pizza dough.

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      1. Romus. Saw that Verlander got 15M. Not bad for maybe 10 starts or so. Anyway, one of my BR & Legion teammates played either for a pro slow-pitch team Illitch owned, or he owned the league. So long ago I cannot remember the specifics, but he played up around Detroit for several years. What was the pizza he had?

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      2. Alonso will get a deal but I doubt the AAV is greater than $25 mil and I doubt the years are beyond 5-6.

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  22. With just over a month till pitchers and catchers report, most would see this as an off-season that has been slow to shake out. Most reported signings of late have been minor ones.

    The Soto signing did not trigger a rush of activity by the Yankees or by teams in direct competition with the Mets. If the off-season represents a game of musical chairs, it’s being choreographed to a waltz tempo currently.

    I expect the next 10 days to 2 weeks producing some ‘pillow’ contract or there short term signings, for lesser amounts than previously were forecasted. Players would recall the “Boras 4” of late signings from last year, which resulted in lost spring training time for some who suffered as a result.

    I think a ‘down market’ has implications for the Phightins. I expect a move the needle signing, likely for the BP, and perhaps a lesser move to help the team against quality left-handed pitching.

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    1. The Phillies should be very wary of whomever lands Tanner Scott. I’m guessing he gets an Edwin Diaz type contract from someone…

      He dominates quality hitters from both the left and the right side. If you’re facing him in the playoffs or the WS without the lead yikes.

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  23. Saw this on Painter from Dombrowski:

    “The basic way I would describe it is, he’ll throw, but not plan on pitching him in spring training. We’re going to push the innings back — I don’t think our plan is going to change and Andrew understands the plan, we think its a good plan — he’ll build up at some point in the minors, in an extended program but we’re going to save a lot of his innings until we get to July-ish at the big league level. But of course, if you’re going to pitch him in July, it might be June, it might be August, you can’t use too any of them at the minor league level.”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It would be an interesting spanner in the works if Mick Abel or Moises Chace flashed in spring training and demanded attention from the big team coming out of camp. Painter garners so much of the attention but what if another rookie can shoulder a standard load from day one?

      Liked by 1 person

      1. But absent an injury, the rotation is full, so those guys would be destined for AAA anyway. Would be a huge development if Abel could return to form or Chace could become an MLB-ready prospect in the first third of the season. Protects against injury or underperformance and also gives you additional trade ammunition with most of your rotation set for the next few years.

        The one thing that seems clear is the Phillies will need to make a Soto-like acquisition at the deadline for a right-handed outfield bat, or if there is a third baseman available who is a significant upgrade from Bohm. Going into the playoffs again with the same lineup, to me, is waving the white flag. We’ve seen it fail two years in a row.

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        1. I wish I could understand what Abel’s issues are. He obviously has the arm talent to be at least a 3-4.

          Is it mechanical or between the ears.

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          1. Reportedly, he has confidence issues when he is on the mound and has talked to staff/teammates about it. Also, doesn’t show his intent adequately …… from what I’ve read.

            Liked by 1 person

  24. Regarding Sasaki MLB is going to have to do something to level the playing field for all 30 teams…

    Not sure how the players are willing to accept that talent from the Asia market is essentially getting Free Agency with 0 MLB service time.

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    1. Agree…….but guess who keeps blocking it……Latin Caucas of MLB Players…almost 30% of MLB. Even a smaller version round draft like the Rule 4, with the same slot money as Rule 4 slots was rejected by them about a decade ago..

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  26. Maybe hard to wrap our heads around but countries like Japan, South Korea and Mexico regard their top leagues as major, not minor leagues. They accept U.S. players as free agents, not subject to any draft. I wouldn’t want to be the one with the job for explaining to them why there should be a difference.

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  27. Saw this earlier

    The following Phillies have agreed on contracts for 2025 to avoid arbitration, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com:

    • Jesus Luzardo: $6.225M
    • Ranger Suarez: $8.8M
    • Bryson Stott: $3.2M
    • Brandon Marsh: $3M

    Sosa and Bohm left

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    1. he’s set for regression, hard to pay a bullpen that kind of arm for future miles.. he earned the right for somebody else to pay him that money but it’s not going to be the phils.. he’s not that dominant, as evedienced.. you really think they were going to run it back and watch him or estevez cough up the game? they didn’t with kimbral and i think the alvarado contract kind of showed.. didn’t the sir anthony contract go kind of long… 3 for 33 wouldn’t have been bad but it wasn’t happening here

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    1. I mean, they’ve kind of gone into the last three seasons as World Series contenders with this type of situation.

      It’s not great, but it isn’t awful, if you believe in a Max Kepler rebound. Marsh and Rojas should almost combine to be a 3.5-4.0 win player. That’s not the worst case scenario.

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    2. Justin Crawford will make his debut sometime in 2025. Obviously nothing is guaranteed but having a top 100 guy waiting in the minors is a good thing to have.

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    3. kind of goes to show how the CF position in general is these days.. been since victorino we’ve had anybody steady/solid out there for a long time no? so many perpetual outfield tryouts it seems at the MLB level is perplexing but hey, yeah, maybe crawford will stick.. that’d be swell.. would be nice to lock in a solid CF for 5-7+years

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    4. kind of goes to show how the CF position in general is these days.. been since victorino we’ve had anybody steady/solid out there for a long time no? so many perpetual outfield tryouts it seems at the MLB level is perplexing but hey, yeah, maybe crawford will stick.. that’d be swell.. would be nice to lock in a solid CF for 5-7+years

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    5. The free agent OF list still has about 30 free agents listed. With 30 teams in the league there is a decent chance the Phils sign one more OF either to major league contract or a minor league contracts with spring invites.

      FYI there is about 75 relievers listed as free agents so there is a very good chance that at least 1 if not 2 more pitchers will sign with the team.

      DD sometimes has made a last minute surprise signing or trade over the last few years.

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    1. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that the Phillies are now #2 in payroll. Wheeler’s jump in salary, the arbitration raises, and really no major money leaving in FA.

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      1. with the supposed strength of the rotation, it seems someone like Painter or Cabrera with a 98mph FB could find themselves in the BP for the playoffs due to the team’s payroll.Might be Ranger if he is not traded now or at the deadline. Something’s gotta give. Ironically Jean is being shown as “MLB” Level on the top 30 prospect list. Did I miss his MLB debut?

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    2. exactly why painter/miller/crawford didn’t hit the road… gotta produce a few guys in house soon before the hot air balloon ends up in outer space

      Liked by 1 person

  32. Interested is seeing how this kid from Fort Wayne Indiana does this year in Clearwater….OFer Carter Mathison. Seems everywhere he has played he has hit for power. Also he is a 5th round pick…they have worked out pretty well in the past.

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    1. Not much you can glean from 44 PAs but he did BB as much as he K’d. Which worked out to be half of his PAs LOL…

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    2. Romus. Is he the kid from IU? I know Phillies selected one from there. If he is who I am thinking of he is pretty good.

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  33. DD said he wants the 26th man on the roster to play IF because Sosa is the only depth there. Wilson has a leg up because he’s here and he plays IF and a little LF. Kike Hernandez is a name I heard mentioned as a possibility because he also plays IF and OF. I no longer expect a righty hitting OF to be added other than to a minor league deal.

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    2. WW has Otto coming hot on his heals so camp should be exciting in some regards have to imagine the brass going to toss the kid a shot if he impresses at camp/ST

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      1. Hopefully we don’t do any retread type signs this year. WW making the roster and Otto in AAA easily fill that void and are much more exciting to me.

        Besides if you are so significantly cash strapped why spend on those types of players when they will barely play for you anyway.

        WW also gives you a RHB to maybe compliment Kempler in LF in addition to the IF flexibility he has.

        Kemp too although I don’t know much about Kemp as a defender

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  35. Johan Rojas just won the gold glove and rookie of the year in the Dominican League. It has to help his confidence. He hit 295/382 with one homer. I’ll take it. I like when he stops swinging for the fences.

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    1. I haven’t checked his final line, but I know late in the season he had ZERO sacrifice hits. Now maybe he bunted for a lot of hits, but I would hope he went there trying to hone his bunting.

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    2. What we already know from Dave Dombrowski….Painter will probably throw the normal bullpens and just maybe a few exhibition innings…..but will not be put on the 40 and go north with the MLB team in April ….until he is brought up later in the season.

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      1. Andy will not throw in any Grapefruit League games – his time in camp will be spent soaking in the knowledge and what action he sees on the mound will be on the backfields. They’ve already stated that.

        Liked by 1 person

    1. That is strange although it doesn’t much matter to me with these rankings as a ranking doesn’t mean anything, at least not to me.

      Heck I tend to think highly of Justin and think he will be an everyday MLBer but you truly never know until you give them a spot and let them play everyday for 3-4 months.

      I hate when teams take the approach of “we’ll call you up and give you a chance to prove you can stick”. I much more prefer the “ok the job is yours go get em” approach.

      Al beit Crawford getting a real shot in 2025 seems like a stretch with both Marsh and Kepler on the roster.

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  38. The Spring Breakout series will return to Arizona and Florida for four days from March 13-16, 2025, Major League Baseball announced as part of the Spring Training schedule. Sixteen scheduled games this year…with Cubs and Nationals playing twice. Spring Breakout is meant to spotlight some of the game’s brightest young prospects and put the next generation of baseball’s stars on full display in Major League Spring Training stadiums. Pirates prospects will be facing off against the Phillies prospects in Clearwater on March 14th.

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  39. There definitely has been a trend of this regime to trade our high priced LA/Far East UDFA signings rather than our draft picks. Caba, Bergolla, Yu Lee. Part of me has to admit this is progress since for a decade our high $$$ foreign signings amounted to zilch when calculating a ROI. As an organization we have been an American born heavy roster forever. We have hit on some cheaper LA signings(ruiz, Ranger, Ser Anthony, Sixto) it just seems we are much more willing to get utilize assets that are not draft picks. So far its way too soon to determine the long term effect this philosophy will have. But with today marking a new season in the signing of foreign players, for a sport that continues to develop non-American stars we’ve never hoit on one. It would be nice to sign a kid from the DR/Venezuela, Korea, Japan and watch them develop into an annual all star. Its been 15 years since we have turned our back on the Bill Giles era of small market ownership.

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    1. You need to trade talent to get talent and it just so happened that LA/Asian players got traded. We should be thankful that the Phillies have developed them to the point where they have trade value that other teams want. Once upon a time, it really wasn’t like that.

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  42. Philadelphia Phillies ($6,261,600)

    Nieves Izaguirre, SS, Venezuela
    Elias Marrero, SS, Dominican Republic
    Deivis Velasquez, C, Venezuela
    Geremi Viloria, RHP, Venezuela
    Daibert Cruceta, OF, Venezuela
    Leonardo Carpio, OF, Venezuela
    Rafael Oropeza, SS, Venezuela

    This is what I see so far.

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  43. Very good interview with Casty on the Chris Rose Rotation Podcast – out Jan 13. Introspective guy, talks alot about team unity.

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  44. Casty’s a smart guy. One of the things I like about him is he gives thoughtful answers to questions, not empty cliches. When he responds curtly to a question, it’s usually because it’s a cliched empty question. Now, if he could just get some more plate discipline. Not a lot because being a free swinger is his mojos, but some more.

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