Phillies Discussion 3/24/2025

Other Stuff

Spring training is completed.  The roster is set.  Still a few question marks left though.  How long can Walker fill in for Suarez?  Is Strahm really ready?  Is the bullpen better than, or even as good as last season?  Will Marsh hit enough against lefties to get most of the starts in CF?  Will the offense be as good with Schwarber, Turner, and Castellano finishing the spring below the Mendoza line?  Can the Phillies repeat a 95-win season?

I’m not confident that the Phillies can win 95 games again.  I think 85-88 is more likely.  Maybe they draw and defeat the Central Division winner before facing the Dodgers.

The Phillies selected Kody Clemens to round out their active roster.  Buddy Kennedy will be designated if they can’t work out a trade.  The bench will be Marchan, Sosa, Clemens, and Rojas.

The bullpen is Alvarado, Banks, Kerkering, Romano, Ross, Ruiz, Strahm, and recently acquired Carlos Hernandez.

Oh well, here’s some minor league news.

Heard Tyler Phillips cleared waivers and is in minor league camp.

XST schedule

  • April 7-12, Camp Days
  • April 13, Off Day
  • April 14, at Yankees
  • April 15, Toronto
  • April 16, Camp Day
  • April 17, Yankees
  • April 18, at Detroit
  • April 19, Canada
  • April 20, Off Day
  • April 21, Detroit
  • April 22, at Toronto
  • April 23, Camp Day
  • April 24, Yankees
  • April 25, Toronto
  • April 26, Camp Day (?)
  • April 27, Off Day
  • April 28, at Toronto
  • April 29, Toronto
  • April 30, Camp Day
  • May 1, at Yankees
  • May 2, Yankees

FCL season starts on May 3rd.

Important Dates

  • March 18, 2025: Earliest date teams can place MiLB players on the 60-day IL
  • March 23, 2025: AAA Lehigh Valley breaks camp
  • March 27, 2025: Phillies season opener at Washington
  • March 29, 2025: AA Reading, High A Jersey Shore, Single A Clearwater break camp
  • March 31, 2025: Phillies home opener
  • April 4, 2025: MiLB roster limits decrease from 175 to 165 players
    • April 4, 2025: MLB optioned players begin counting against player limits
  • April 7. 2025: Start of XST
  • April 14, 2025: First XST game
  • May 2, 2025: Last XST game
  • May 3, 2025: Opening of FCL season, Phillies host Blue Jays
  • July 24, 2025: End of FCL regular season
    • July 26, 2025: One-game FCL semi-final
    • July 27-29: Best of three FCL finals
  • July 31, 2025: MLB trade deadline at 6:00 P.M. EST
  • Note: These dates will be used unless/until notified differently.

Transactions – those in italics are game day assignments during ST

March 2025
3/24/2025 – RF Manolfi Jimenez assigned to Phillies
3/23/2025 – Phillies claimed RHP Carlos Hernández off waivers from Kansas City
3/23/2025 – Phillies designated RHP Tyler Phillips for assignment
3/23/2025 – Phillies signed FA RHP Travis Kuhn to a MiLB contract
3/23/2025 – Phillies optioned RHP Michael Mercado to Lehigh Valley
3/23/2025 – Reading released RHP Carlos A. Francisco
3/23/2025 – Reading released LHP Matt Osterberg
3/23/2025 – Jersey Shore released RHP Trey Dillard
3/23/2025 – Clearwater released RHP Josh Bortka
3/23/2025 – RF Jordan Viars assigned to Phillies
3/23/2025 – 2B Bryson Ware assigned to Phillies
3/23/2025 – RHP Gabriel Barbosa assigned to Phillies
3/23/2025 – RHP Jose Pena Jr. assigned to Phillies
3/22/2025 – Phillies optioned RHP Kyle Tyler to Lehigh Valley
3/22/2025 – Phillies optioned OF Cal Stevenson to Lehigh Valley
3/22/2025 – Phillies reassigned RHP Nabil Crismatt to minor league camp
3/22/2025 – Phillies reassigned C Josh Breaux to minor league camp
3/22/2025 – Phillies reassigned IF Christian Arroyo to minor league camp
3/22/2025 – Phillies reassigned OF Oscar Mercado to minor league camp
3/22/2025 – Reading released RHP Konnor Ash
3/22/2025 – RHP Andrew Baker assigned to Phillies
3/21/2025 – RHP Augusto Calderon assigned to Phillies
3/21/2025 – RHP Saul Teran assigned to Phillies
3/21/2025 – C Alirio Ferrebus assigned to Phillies
3/21/2025 – Lehigh Valley released RHP Jonah Dipoto
3/21/2025 – Lehigh Valley released RHP Cody Stashak
3/21/2025 – Lehigh Valley released OF Ethan Wilson
3/21/2025 – Reading released RHP Noah Skirrow
3/21/2025 – Clearwater released RHP Chase Hopewell
3/21/2025 – FCL Phillies released OF Jerffson Pena
3/21/2025 – FCL Phillies released OF Ricardo Rosario
3/20/2025 – RF Raylin Heredia assigned to Phillies
3/20/2025 – SS Raider Tello assigned to Phillies
3/20/2025 – Phillies optioned C Garrett Stubbs to Lehigh Valley
3/20/2025 – Phillies optioned RHP Devin Sweet to Lehigh Valley
3/19/2025 – SS Nolan Beltran assigned to Phillies
3/19/2025 – C Andrick Nava assigned to Phillies

196 thoughts on “Phillies Discussion 3/24/2025”

  1. Big question I have is, who is going to “pack suitcases” and keep players out of harms way!

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  2. My guesses for the questions in the opening paragraph:

    How long can Walker fill in for Suarez?

    About 6 pitches into his first inning. After that, we will be starkly reminded of the drop off and praying for it to end.

    Is Strahm really ready?

    Nope. This fingernail thing will be a good excuse to get him some extra work before he actually returns to the team in the second week of the season.

    Is the bullpen better than, or even as good as last season?

    No. We’ve got just enough weapons to not be horrible, but DD is keeping the pulse on what relievers he can snatch away from other teams.

    Will Marsh hit enough against lefties to get most of the starts in CF?

    No. I’m pretty sure at this point Marsh will always be bad at hitting lefties. But I’m also positive that Thomson would never give him enough leash to prove otherwise.

    Will the offense be as good with Schwarber, Turner, and Castellano finishing the spring below the Mendoza line?

    Yeah, the offense is fine. Spring stats historically have no correlation to regular season stats. Plus, last year’s offense suffered through horrifically bad performances from Turner and Casty for a huge chunk of the season anyways. I expect Stott to be better than last year, Turner to have a better end-of-year line, Schwarber to be Schwarber, and Castellanos to cement himself as my least favorite hitter to ever watch in a Phillies uniform. I also think Harper is going to have his first 40+ HR season in Philly.

    Can the Phillies repeat a 95-win season?

    Nope. I’m a little more optimistic than you are, but I’m guessing 92 wins. 2nd in the division, but another strong playoff run.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Don’t know how many games the Phillies will win but expect it to be fewer than last year, and maybe a lot fewer.

      I expect age will take its toll on a couple or three of the vets, lowering our expectations for the team.

      Also not optimistic about Walker. Uncertain about Luzardo. Can see him anywhere from an all-star to a bust.

      Bold prediction for the year: Justin Crawford will be the starting centerfielder by August.

      SWFL Frank

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  3. My 2025 predictions:
    – Wins: 90-92
    – Heart says win it all. Head says lose to Dodgers in playoffs
    – Marchan ends up playing more than 50% of games
    – Marsh has a .700 OPS vs LHP and a .860 OPS vs RHP
    – Rojas has a .720 OPS. Respectable bat. Elite defender. He plays a lot.
    – Kepler has the 2nd highest OPS on team. Guy is a steal.
    – Walker is a disaster and only makes 4 starts before being DFA’d
    – Our bullpen is elite again. Top 3
    – Luzardo is exceptional and our SP has the best WAR in MLB.
    – Painter wins a playoff game.
    – Crawford has a cup of coffee but not much else.
    – Miller does not get called up this year.
    – Otto Kemp gets 75 ABs. Hits respectable. Seen as a legit MLB bench guy similar to Sosa but for corners.
    – Stott has a bounce back year. .750 OPS.
    – Harper has a .400 OB% but fewer than 30 homers.

    Thoughts? What did I get wrong?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I love being wrong and hope I am, but we’ve been spoiled that Zack and Nola pretty much take the ball every fifth day. It feels unlikely that for a 6th straight season, both guys will again avoid any significant injury. I don’t think this team can win a title with one of those guys missing the season / October.

      Another prediction for me is Game 1 of the playoffs will feature a starting lineup that does not include Marsh or Castellanos.

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    2. I like 90-92 wins

      I think Marchan plays closer to 30%-40% than over 50%

      I don’t think the BP is elite unless some move is made to improve it and then I shutter at the notion of who might go from the system to improve it.

      I like Harper for 30+ HRs

      everything else looks really good.

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    3. Can’t argue with anything you wrote. I think Christopher Sanchez is going to have a big year and Ranger will have an injury plagued season. The guy seems like he doesn’t train hard and age is catching up with him. Do you see Marsh getting some time in right field? I think 90 wins is about right.

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    4. Good points v1. I have always liked Kepler. Hope he can stay healthy. Hope you are spot on for BP. I am less optimistic. LG making 4 starts works to reduce the total number of games Phillies can win. I am going to say 88-90. Very doubtful a 95 repeat. Lots of competition in NL East. Nats will be much better. I looked at Passan preview, and he has almost all top teams in NL. It is going to be tough. One thing going in the Phillies and others favor is it is hard to repeat. Even if you are the Dodgers. I hope I am wrong, but I think the Phillies best shot at a banner was 23 and the let it get away. I only watched a few games this Spring but say lots of the same things we saw especially the 2nd half of the season. But let the games begin.

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    5. I’ll cherry pick some of these …
      – Win total is reasonable, i coudl see a we more.. 92-94.
      -I expect Stott to take a big leap forward
      – Kepler feels like a steal, will be hard to replace
      – I think you’re writing realmuto off to early
      – Harper 35+ homers, I think he’s going to be homer happy if Trea is leading off.
      – Probably to bullish on Luzardo, but would love for that to happen
      – hopefully walker DFA’d. Sooner.
      – Painter winning a playoff game.. that would be something! Feels highly probable at this point too… like EASY money probable.
      – Im feeling a PHI vs AZ rematch..

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  4. In the previous thread someone said Ranger is listed as 6’1” but doesn’t look it. I’ve been skeptical of official heights, especially for pitchers, ever since I saw Pedro Martinez (listed as roughly the same) standing next to Jimmy Rollins in 2009, and Rollins is about my size (5’8”)

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  5. Twins told Eiberson Castellano he won’t make the team, I expect the Phils to get him back assuming no other team claims him.

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    1. One thing I appreciate about DD is that he really loves under-the-radar big arms and is willing to coach them up and be patient with them. That approach brings you some failures, but it also brings you guys like Alvarado and Jeff Hoffman – low risk and high reward.

      On DD, he’s been the GM here for, what, 5 years now(?) and he’s still a bit of a mystery man to me. He has distinct strengths (master roster builder, great at under-the-radar trades, seems to build strong organizations and finds good supporting people) and distinct weaknesses (like crazy overextended FA acquisitions; questionable deadline deals at times) but I think for perhaps the first time, he is being given an opportunity to both spend and build for the future, which I think he wasn’t asked to do in many of his jobs – mostly, I think he was told to go for WS titles and the future be damned and like a good employee, he did as he was asked to do. I really do like how they have built the minor league system and tried to find talent everywhere they can. The system is on the verge of delivering some satisfying dividends.

      By the way, at this juncture, why isn’t there a bigger outcry of what great pitching coach Caleb Cotham has become and what a great pitching system the team has built? What he has done, even with established pitchers, is just fantastic. And he clearly coaches different players differently – not relying on one philosophy or favorite out pitch that he forces all the pitches to throw. Honestly, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a mid-career pitcher evolve and improve more than Zack Wheeler. A lot of that is on Cotham.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Very well put. DD does have those strengths you stated, and that is admirable….of course those LTCs to certain vets we all know about that. I am happy he did not raid the farm to acquire more veteran players.

        Now one other pitcher who came along mid-career like Zack W. was former Phil Charlie Morton…shame he had that injury with the Phillies.

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        1. I thought for sure the Phillies would bring him (Morton) back that next year after that injury. He was showing potential in a very small sample size. He left then boom he makes the Phils regret that move.

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      2. Something I just thought about , who was a better signing, Wheeler or Harper? I’m going with Wheeler by a whisker mainly because he was more of a risk. I am definitely glad we have both.

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      3. Which is why I don’t want to see him extend Schwarber and JT before the end of the season or ever.

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  8. Is Joe Ross not stretched out enough to be a 5th starter? At this point the only role I would allow Walker to fill is mop up duty.

    Not that Joe is some secret weapon but I feel like he would allow less damage through 5 IP than Walker.

    By the way Turner had an incredible April/March last season 346/397/866 OPS

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  9. I’ve been thinking around 92 wins, I think Stott has a bounce back year, I think Rojas will play more than expected, I think Turner will have a better year, I don’t think they’ll extend either of the three free agents to be during the season, I think Luzardo will do very well, I think Romano will be excellent, I think JT will play around 100 games and Stubbs will be recalled due to injuries, Kepler will hit 20+ homers, Bohm will finally get 100 rbis, and this will be a fun season.

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  10. How long can Walker fill in for Suarez?

    The Phillies have more SP depth than they have had in years, though unproven. The real question for me is who the next fill-in SP is. I have no faith Walker will be semi competetent in the beginning of the season. Even in his “encouraging” spring training starts, he was still giving up home runs. I think he might be bad once or twice and when Ranger comes back he might get the boot entirely. It’ll be him, Banks or Hernandez because I believe only Banks and Kerkering have options in the pen? My big question is who is next if there is need for an early season fill in. Should be Abel, right? Will pro catching and players around, maybe he is just a lot better major leaguer than minor leaguer. Again, with Abel, Johnson, Caberera hanging around, I don’t think Walker has a long leash.

    Is Strahm Ready?

    Probably more of a break glass in case of emergency in the beginning of the season.

    Bullpen

    I think they’ll get relied on a lot less. If Alvarado is back, I think the last 2 innings we’re in good shape and probably the last 3 feel ok about. With our rotation, it probably matters less (at least in the regular season). I’ll keep an eye out for minor league SP getting converted to RP for a stretch run.

    Marsh

    I don’t know – but I would expect the big “shake up” that didn’t happen during the offseason to potentially happen during the season if the Phillies aren’t rolling during the regular season. If Crawford, Kemp, Miller, etc are playing well and Marsh is struggling, I could see a trade (same for Bohm) where they are looking to get major league talent back. Like, leveraging the extra year of control for Marsh and Bohm for an expiring contract knowing that Miller/Crawford will be starting next year anyway.

    95 Wins

    Probably not. But I’m not sure it’ll be beause the team is worse. Well, as I’m typing I looked up division records from last year. They were “only” 29-23 against the NL East. If they go .500 combined against the mets and the Braves, I would expect them to go more than 6 games over against the Nats and Marlins. I think the Nats are better but the Marlins are an absolute trainwreck of a baseball team. So they might be better in the NL East. Also only 18-14 against the central and I expect Brewers and Cardinals to be bad. The Pirates won’t be great and Cubs are overrated. I think that record should be better as well. 22-10 against the west will be tough. All that being said, I think 95 wins isn’t unreasonable but I expect it to be a little less.

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    • V1 . … I think you did a heck of a good job, actually!I don’t see us good enough to win the whole enchilada! 88 gamesStott and Rojas have wonderful years, Schwarber and Castellanos, not so much.Turner hits .282 and turns in a year similar to last at ss.Bohm plays himself into a big money contract, but not with the Phillies.Wheeler 15 – 7Nola 13 – 8Sanchez 11 – 7Painter ends up 5 – 2.Walker is gone by May day.Kerkering and Alvarado solid years the rest meh.Additions Kepler and Luzardo respectable years.Kemp proves to be valuable player.Stubbs and Marchan prove to be the receiving corps for 15 games.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. I see this team as an 89-95 win club. They should clearly make the playoffs.

    If they get the same type of performances they got in years past, they probably can’t win the WS, so something is going to have to happen that surprises us in a big way – whether it be a younger player making a huge leap (Stott, Luzardo, Marsh?) and/or someone coming up from the minors making a huge contribution. It could happen and this starting pitching staff has a chance to be among the best we’ve seen, even if there are spot injuries, which is likely.

    I was kinda down on the club during the postseason but I’ve become more optimistic. I will say that if they get on the kind of run they were on in 2022, like the Eagles, this time they will win it and if they get past the Dodgers (or someone else knocks off the Dodgers), they have as good a chance as anyone.

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    1. How can you be down on the club?

      Luzardo and Kepler are two huge upgrades over last year’s team without losing anyone important.

      Trading Hoffman for Romano is a wash imo.

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  14. My two cents:

    How long can Walker fill in for Suarez?  He can’t… I was optimistic on him having some sort of redemption but he’s toast imho.

    Is Strahm really ready?  Doesn’t matter… very unlikely to repeat last seasons success… so technically the answer is No based off that

    Is the bullpen better than, or even as good as last season? Alvarado & Romero will replicate Strahm & Hoffman’s success, but rollback years for Strahm. Im hoping Kerking takes the leap…but im not feeling it just yet. I think that slurve can bite him in the butt with a wild pitch in a really big moment.

      Will Marsh hit enough against lefties to get most of the starts in CF?  Don’t think it matters as much anymore… Turner is destined for LF, maybe even by the deadline. Kepler likely takes his spot if he loves it here enough to resign.

    Will the offense be as good with Schwarber, Turner, and Castellano finishing the spring below the Mendoza line?  DD said something to the effect that lineup order has very little outcome on the results… per analytics .. I’ll make my argument below.. but the offense is capable of winning streaks.. and in the playoffs… if they are not in a cold stretch.

    Can the Phillies repeat a 95-win season? Thats the question… as last year they really tanked after the London trip. We are going to find out now arent we? I would say no… just based on the parity on the lower level teams. .. WAS & FL likely play better this year… and I don’t see the 5-1 record vs LAD again… imma say … 93 or 94… wins.

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    1. There’s no way the Phillies are going to let another Taijuan Walker meldown ruin a whole season of the 5th starter spot. Had he even been a little below average and not the worst starter in baseball (by far), this team would have won around 100 games this year. Joe Ross is a competent pitcher and could easily step in and be okay in a worst case scenario. Walker is on very, very thin ice – as he should be. Since last year, he’s completely sucked – there’s no other way to look at it.

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    2. McGarry just isn’t much of a prospect anymore. He doesn’t throw hard enough anymore (at one point he was 96-98 – now he’s more like 94-95 – it’s a huge difference for him) or have the command to make him especially effective. Unless and until something changes on that front, he’s just another guy really.

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      1. This obsession with throwing hard is getting out of control. 6 White Sox are headed for TJ surgery since the beginning of ST. I agree that McGarry is not a prospect anymore but it has nothing to do with his velocity.

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  16. DD when asked about the lineup configuration said that analytics says it makes very very little difference on the outcome of the offense as a whole. I believe he was referencing the entire production of the offense for the entire season …

    Well.. let’s thinks back to 93… i really believe Dykstra’s year won them a few extra games out of the lead off spot. The number of walks, hits, & SB helped that team win a few more close games/tense movements that kept STL from catching them.

    Topper should put Turner in the lead off spot, challenge him to replicate Dykstra’s MVP like season – .300 avg, 100 runs, 100 BB (hardest for him) and 65-70 XBH. 30 hrs & 35 2B. That would make the contract worth it.

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    1. Hmmm – let’s be real. Trea Turner drew 69 walks once in his career and, other than that year, then never drew even 50 walks in any season. The odds he can draw 100 walks are extremely, extremely low even if he tries to do this – players rarely dramatically increase their walk rates. How about he tries to draw 65 or 70 walks? That would improve his OBP a lot and make him more of a weapon on the base paths. If he does that and stays averagish at SS, he could have a 5 WAR year, which would be excellent. And by the way, while it’s true that Turner has been wildly inconsistent for this team, he has been a good to very good player, just not the great player we were hoping for. But he’s not a “problem” per se at all (at least right now – down the road a few years is a different issue).

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      1. Catch, in fairness… this is the one out of his wheelhouse. Try to replicate.. yeah I woudl definitely take 70-75 from him. In today’s game, thats just about 100 walks with the way players hack. IMHO, he can have a much larger impact on the team’s success out of the lead off spot with his skill set. The only other person I’d want in the leadodd spot is… Stott. If he can have a bounce back year, and get back to his 2 strike approach when he was at or near the top of league in hits with 2 strikes.. I’d put him in the lead off spot, but having him lower does seem to potentially help turn the lineup over. Will see how Crawford, Miller, and the other upcoming prospect fit into this team. Just about there to have 3 layers of talent. FA talent, prospect wave 1, adn prospect wave 2. It should be really awesome for once.

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        2. I remember outfielders saying that playing where Dykstra played; was like playing in a toxic waste dump! LOL

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  18. IronPigs opening day roster, 31 players:

    Pitchers (17) – Abel, Aoyagi, Crismatt, Cuas, Johnson, Kuhnel, Lazar, McMillon, Mejia, Mercado, Padilla, Rangel, Schulfer, Sweet, Tyler, Vespi, Zuniga

    Catchers (3) – Breaux, Henry, Stubbs

    Infielders (6) – Arroyo, Brito, Castro, Kemp, Lantigua, Taylor

    Outfielders (5) – Crawford, Kroon, Mercado, Rincones, Stevenson

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    1. That’s a pretty good AAA outfield. Two guys who have a legit chance to end up as decent MLB starters and some possible 4h and 5th outfielder pieces. Not bad all, especially for a team that has promoted 1 (literally 1!!!! I guess 2 if you include Marlon Byrd, but come on!) starting outfielder from the minors in the last 40 years – and that’s Pat Burrell who was the first pick in the draft. That level of drafting and development incompetence is hard to replicate, even by blind luck.

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      1. Think about their good outfielders over the last 40 years other than Burrell – nobody they signed and developed!!!

        Hayes – trade

        Dykstra – trade

        Abreu – trade

        Herrera – Rule 5 pick

        Werth – free agent

        Ibanez – free agent

        Harper – free agent

        Victorino – Rule 5 pick

        Schwarber – free agent

        Marsh – trade

        Rojas – sorry, I don’t define him as being good yet

        Gant – trade

        Einsenreich – free agent

        Incaviglia – free agent

        Kenny Lofton – free agent

        It goes on and on

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        1. To be fair, some of these guys they signed and then developed. Abreu, Werth, Victorino. It’s almost the same as Christopher Sanchez – got them and then developed them.

          Although your point is still very right on

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          1. Abreu and Werth were essentially already major league players – I don’t think we developed them – we just gave them a chance to play regularly. Victorino was a AAA player, but I think they did help develop him to a large degree.

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          1. Sorry, more than 40 years ago – at some point, it’s far too long – I think 40 years is an ample sample size for their player development incompetence in the outfield. And I will say this – Sal Agostinelli didn’t help matters – he was good at finding middle infielders and catching prospects and was okay at finding pitchers, but he gave us one stinker after another in the outfield.

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        4. this list really hits home after D.Brown, Altherr, Quinn, Rudolph, Moniak, and others I am forgetting… they had a real shot at developing some OF.

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          1. I’m not saying they did a great job developing those guys, but I think the biggest problem was that none of those guys was particularly good or had some serious problem that prevented them from becoming productive big league players. For example, Moniak had walk rates in the low single digits – basically nobody becomes a good major league player with plate discipline that is so poor and it’s a pretty hard thing to judge in a high school player.

            Overall, the problem was more the selection of these player in the first place rather than the development of these players from my perspective.

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      1. No offense, but it’s the minor leagues – I could care less if the AAA rotation is a little thin so long as there are some decent prospects in AAA as a whole and there are.

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    3. Most of us know about the popular names, but to me for position players Kemp and Kroon are ones I’m excited to see play.

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  19. Mickey Moniak, who actually generated 2.2 WAR for the Angels in 2023, has now been cut by the Angels at age 26.

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    1. That is somewhat of a surprise. The way little Corbin Carroll turned out with the DBacks…I had envisioned perhaps Mickey could have been doing the same, but alas never materialized.

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      1. It was not a very talented draft and maybe we tried to be a little too cute with signing bonus savings. As it turned out Gowdy was a bust also.

        Even the guy I liked more than Moniak went bust Kyle Lewis.

        Will Smith went way down at pick 32 to the Dodgers and he’s been a very decent MLB player.

        Some of the names below Gowdy are interesting: Nolan Jones, Brandon Marsh, Brian Reynolds, Pete Alonso, Bo Bichette

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      2. Until he develops plate discipline, he has no shot of a long term major league career. I don’t care how physically talented he is. And spoiler alert, it’s extremely hard for a player to improve his plate discipline – thousands of major league players and the biggest sample sizes imaginable tell us this. So the long and short is that the odds are very much stacked against Mickey and his future success.

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    2. Stinks for a few reasons. I know he struggled as a #1 prospect, but he was on a roll in ST the one year, and really had the Untimely injury with hairline fracture in his Hand. He basically made the team before that. If that doesn’t happen… he may have gotten enough traction to stick around here or some place else. In terms of a fan, so rough to go through that rebuild period and basically have your top draft picks not pan out.

      Some history review… from 2003 to 2017… they picked 6 outfielders with their 1st pick. 0 for 6. Randolph was technically a SS, but a OF for PHI, so Im counting him. Justin Crawford could be the first successful OF 1st round pick since… 98’ with Burrell. He was drafted as a 3B but eventually become the Phillies best OF. Will have to count him, the Pickens are thin

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      1. By the way, I am pretty encouraged by Justin Crawford. It’s hard to know quite how good he can become but the odds are he’s going to be a starting MLB outfielder for someone – whether he ultimately becomes a first or second division outfielder is unclear, but he’s got a lot of talent.

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  20. By November 1….Phils will win World Series in 6, and…

    • Andrew Painter will be the 2025 version of Marty Bystrom – AUG, SEP and OCT.
    • Marsh and Castellanos will be a in a RF platoon
    • Stott will bat leadoff – working counts, getting on base and swiping bags
    • Dave puts a few chips on the table and adds a cleanup hitting RH outfield bat
    • Jordan Romano is to Phils what Zack Baun was to the Eagles – an All-Star

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I like Stott at or near the top of the batting order for the potential you mention. Hopefully no nagging injuries this year to undermine that.

      SWFL Frank

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    2. It’s not a bad play to push the chips forward with this SR, if healthy come the deadline. Ranger is a serious weapon imo. He provides some insurances by being able to bounce between the SR & BP… and with Painte’s potential emergence… could be time to strike.

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  21. Ben Brown (already age 25!) has won the 5th spot in the Cubs starting rotation. This is going to get interesting as there are a lot of reports that he doesn’t have a consistent 3rd pitch.

    Like

    1. Hoping he does well. I really liked him when we had him. I had no issues with trading him. I had an issue with trading him for a rental that really wasn’t going to move the needle.

      Like

  23. Nine minor league pitchers added to the 60-day injury list – Andrade, Cain, Carmack, Hill, Karraffa, McGowan, Pan, Rao, Velasquez.

    There is a 15-player limit to the list.

    Like

    1. I know you can never have too much pitching, but at some point you have to ask yourself if it counts as pitching if you don’t actually prevent the opponents from hitting the ball.

      Good luck to the guy, but I’m not worried that we’re missing out by losing him. I’m much more interested to see where Buddy Kennedy ends up, to be honest. The guy knows how to draw a walk and was starting to show some power last year. Seems like he might have some upside left.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. The Phillies have Seth Johnson, Mick Abel and (for now) Eiberson Castellano at Lehigh so that’s the depth. Further along, Moises Chace is at Reading. The Phillies shouldn’t miss Tyler Phillips. He had his shot with the Phillies and now good luck in Miami.

        Like

  26. Against McKenzie Gore today, I would start Rojas in center. I don’t expect that is what we will see as the intention I think is for Marsh to be given an opportunity to face lefties. Personally, I would not start him against a tough lefty like Gore. Furthermore, from my limited observation of Rojas swing this Spring, it appears that he has changed his swing plane and shortened his swing. Most on this board have appeared to have written him off as a 4th or 5th outfielder, but I think he may have something to say about that. He plays great defense, has power and speed. Plate discipline can improve some….remember that he is young and will not turn 25 until July 15th.

    Like

    1. What exactly is Rojas’ power potential? Serious question. I’ve never viewed him as offering much in that category (not that he needs to to be extremely valuable).

      I think for the Phillies to win a World Series this year with no major changes to the team, they need 3 things:

      1. Health of starting rotation and, if health is dicey for one or more starters, Painter to come up and deliver as expected
      2. Career years from the biggest upside bullpen arms (Kerkering, Alvarado, Romano)
      3. One lineup regular with low or minimal expectations to exceed (e.g., Realmuto, or Marsh) and one young player to take a jump to being a consistent above average everyday layer (could be Stott, Rojas, or even Crawford).

      I’m excited. Season is long and always has a lot of storylines. Go Phils!

      Like

    2. Not sure Rojas can be classified as a power guy…like M’s CFer Rodriguez or WSox CFer Robert…he may have some pop….my guess 8/10 HRs. Now with his speed he may leg out higher numbers of doubles or triples…..ticking up his ISO.

      Liked by 1 person

  27. Sooner or later the Phils will sign and develop an elite outfielder. It may happen in my lifetime.It likely will be someone who gets promoted through the system based on talent and not on team need

    There’s a very small chance it’s Rojas; a better chance it’s Crawford or it could be someone no one has heard of yet..

    Like

    1. Or maybe an infielder becomes an outfielder a la Mookie Betts. Generally speaking its more likely an IF converts to an OF.

      Like

  28. It feels like we’re going to regret not finding a spot for Buddy Kennedy… Maybe no one will claim him, but I doubt it.

    Like

    1. Seriously? At best, Kennedy would get 1 start per week. He literally would be the last guy off the bench. He would be lucky to get 175 ABs. If the Phillies regret a bench player, than they will have more serious problems.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. It was the right choice for the team (and him), but Kennedy strikes me as a possible late bloomer and I wish we could have kept him in our system.

        Like

      2. Right… and I think I was assuming that we lose a starter. In that case, I feel we could regret it.

        Like

  29. Could you imagine being a White Sox fan (coming off a record 121 loss season) and seeing that over/under on wins is 53.5! We’re still talking about 108 losses!

    And both Nick Maton and Travis Jankowski made the White Sox opening day roster.

    It’s going to be a rough season for the Southside.

    Like

  30. So, as expected, Marsh gets the start in CF today. I disagree with the decision though it fits with the projected expectations laid out by the front office and manager. The Kepler signing along with Castellanos never sitting leaves little room for lineup manipulation / construction. Castellanos being penciled into the lineup every day is the bigger issue. If Marsh or Kepler could be played there once or twice a week, the team would be stronger for it.

    Like

    1. Starting opening day is a big deal for the players. If Marsh/Kepler are your starting OFers then sitting them on opening day sends a message that they are not really starters.

      Makes perfect sense both are in the line-up along with Harper, Schwarber, and Stott.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. This is likely Marsh’s last chance to prove that he can hit lefties so might as well put him out there on day 1.

      Castellanos is a DH playing RF and his hitting isn’t even that great anymore. If Rincones has a good season at Lehigh, I would eat most of Casty’s contract and trade him in the offseason.

      Like

  31. 5 Lefties in the LU today counting Harp which I don’t like to do because he handles lefties very well.

    Strangely Gore’s splits against lefties are higher than they are against righties. Granted RHB face is almost 4x as many LHBs.

    Like

        2. Gore is essentially the National League’s version of Tarik Skubal – he’s a flat out stud future ace – regardless of the shadows. He has legit ace stuff.

          Like

        3. I agree. I think he is going to be very good. A really nice easy delivery as well. I saw him a few times on my Extra Inning package last year. He was good almost every time. Guys had swing and miss but balls were in the strike zone. They were not chasing.

          Like

  32. whats the deal with the automated strike system? MLB just decided no? Lol i saw so many pitches Wheeler could’ve challenged…

    Liked by 1 person

    2. The challenge system was only for spring training. They won’t implement it before 2027 in actual MLB games.

      Like

      1. HP umpire did not grade out well last night. I would guess based on the ABS he missed at least 20 to 25 strikes in the game. Maybe more. He hosed Wheeler time and again. But he missed them for the Nats as well. Especially those up in the zone and those on the left-hand batter’s side. One thing I really liked the few times I saw the ABS in Spring Training was how fast it moved along. Reviews in college basketball can put one to sleep before game begins. I am looking forward to it in some capacity.

        Like

  34. hot take after the win:

    Kepler takes Marsh’s roster spot for 2026

    Also, Romano… yeah it was opening day… not feeling it though. gonna need a deadline arm

    Like

    1. Should have gone to Alvarado in 8th, Romano for 9th.

      At a minimum, Strahm should have been up in 8th.

      Like

    2. I mentioned to one last night Romano reminded me of Estevez. I had not seen Romano till yesterday so not a good sample size. But gave the same vibes. Tomorrow is another day.

      Like

  35. Kepler looked comfortable at the plate. Total opposite of marsh. He couldn’t even lay a bunt down. Not thrilled at seeing him up there late in a big spot against a lefty.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. He did look uncomfortable. Also, I don’t think back to back with Stott is a great idea against lefties. I suppose, though we will see it until Thomson doesn’t like it.

      Like

    1. The OF is kind of a mess right now. Marsh should not be playing CF he should play predominately LF.

      Kepler more or less should be the everyday RF or Platoon with Casty or have Casty platoon with Marsh.

      Rojas is the best option in CF provided he can at least OPS+ 100. I don’t have a high degree of confidence in that because Rojas in ST K’d 13 times to just 2 walks and the team led ST in BBs.

      But if you could get 800+ OPS out of your OF corners you can make it work. If you only get 7XX then a lack luster offensive showing of Rojas is going to be magnified. Especially in the Playoffs.

      And playoff baseball is so much different than regular season baseball. You need 3 or 4 guys that will grind out ABs early and drive up starter pitch counts.

      And that’s only going to help you if the opponent doesn’t have a stacked BP as the Dodgers do.

      All that said its still going to be a great season. They had no business winning that game yesterday and they did. I always look at those types of games as a barometer of how good they are.

      Like

    1. If he replicates his first half from last year, there will be a whole new generation of fans who believe the HR Derby genuinely ruins a player’s swing.

      Here’s hoping.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. All of MLBTraderunors articles this offseason about a Bohm trade painted him as a minimal asset. Glad DD didn’t give him away. Sure he has his flaws. I think the Phillies were asking Seattle for a controllable #2/3. Seems more than a fair ask.

      Liked by 1 person

  40. This may be a probation year for Marsh. Next season is his 2nd Arb year with a raise due from his current $3M, but finances are not the issue, he needs to produce as a hitter, since there will be others via for OF positions.

    Like

    1. I’m pulling for Marsh. I think he can do it. I mean Stott looked just as bad yesterday.

      That coming from a guy that was furious we traded O’Hoppe for him.

      Like

      1. DMAR would be nice if Marsh could adapt at the plate….but so far he has not….and not just meaning this one game yesterday.. Crawford will be in CF next season I assume, …..IMO Rincones will be asked to step up next season also. We still have Casty for one more year and Rojas will be here also. And then if Kepler produces this season they may resign him for 2 maybe 3 years. Marsh should see the hand writing on the wall.

        Like

      2. I was down on that trade too, but it is looking like it was the right move, because there was no place to play O’Hoppe and Marsh has been a good player for us and projects to be that for a good bit longer. It was a risky but smart trade. I was wrong.

        Like

    2. I think Crawford is an everyday player. Not now but also not in the too distant future. Rincones probably at best a platoon player. But both are left handed.

      Since Hoskins we have really struggled to have that RHB with real thump in the LU.

      Bohm could grow into that guy I still believe but I also believe Alec longs to be on a Midwest team. I could see him in a KC or St Louis uni a few years from now.

      And by then I see Aroon Escobar manning our hot corner. Whoever comped him to Jose Ramirez (I think) was spot on.

      Stott is BH’s son. He’s not going anywhere.

      Like

      1. To his credit, Bohm worked on his defense and generated 3 WAR last season which was the highest of his career at age 27. But he’s no Matt Chapman (who had 7.1 WAR at age 31). And with Scott Boras as his agent, Bohm won’t be worth the money he thinks he deserves. Bohm is under contract for 2026, so let him play out his time in Philly and the Phillies should have some options to replace him for 2027 (Miller, Escobar, draft pick?).

        Bryson Stott won’t be a FA until 2028 so the Phillies have time. However, he also has Scott Boras as his agent so if he wants to get paid, he needs to ramp his WAR into the 5+ range. Else, the Phillies have options (Saltiban, Escobar).

        Like

  41. Marsh is 27, has a career 40% K rate against lefties, with a career .582 OPS. Just play him against RHP, which is 70% of the time, and he’s good — career .787 OPS. Seems like an easy decision.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, this season that is a rather good plan….but not after this season into the future. Marsh has value and see GM may want him, I would be inclined to see what he could bring back in a trade after the season.

      Now I will change my tune if he does a 180 at the plate , for one bring hs K rate to at least under 25% vs RHPs at least, ilo of 31% last season.

      Like

      1. I think they have to continue to kick the tires on Marsh being an every day player (or nearly every day – most lefties will look bad against a pitcher like Gore) and, at some point, if it doesn’t work, the experiment will need to end. That said, Marsh is a pretty good player, Bohm is a pretty good player, and Stott is a pretty good player. Will any of them, all or some of them become something more than that? My guess is that Stott is a pretty good bet to become a solid first division regular – he was just hurt last year. But each of Bohm and Marsh could still take a pretty big step forward . . . or not. We’ll see.

        Like

        1. I think Bohm has been coming around, maturity wise also….in a serious relationship now, and getting older, noticed he also trimmed up the Goldilocks, hmm. He had to hear the off-season rumors on himself and is prepared to prove a point, which is a good thing. Like the Flyers Travis Sanheim…..was on the market headed to St Louis Blues in the off-season last year, but deal fell thru, and came back stronger and more determined to prove everyone wrong. Seems to be a good motivational tool.

          Like

          1. Marsh is an odd one… Can hit RHP strictly because he is LH… but can’t hit LHP because he is LH…

            What does he think RH hitters do? I get it … but I don’t. Marsh is a way better ball player than I am .. so maybe thats why… just seems odd to do so well againt RHP but so Meh against LHP

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            1. I think he has heard all the negative reports on his inability to hit LHP well…and is determined to prove people wrong. I think that is in his favor going forward.

              Like

            2. It’s kind of the history of baseball, isn’t it? Historically, the platoon splits with lefties on lefties strongly favor the pitcher. I think a lot of that is that most lefty pitchers do not throw directly over the top, but from more of a 3/4 angle (now, why that is the case is another thing altogether – but just a watch any game – it’s true) making it harder for lefty hitters to pick up the pitches. But it’s a real thing and it’s not just Brandon Marsh.

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  43. In relation to Marsh, I stated yesterday that I would have started Rojas. My concern with Marsh facing a tough lefty wasn’t my only concern as I think he is playing out of position in center. He unfortunately proved that to be true yet again with an error and two false first steps on balls that may have been caught by Rojas. I do not dislike Marsh as a player so much as I dislike him in center and against tough lefties. Castellanos playing every day complicates things.

    Like

  44. Marsh is a super great teammate who just so happens to have terrible baseball instincts and a pretty low baseball IQ. I have no doubt he works hard and does his best but he doesn’t read balls well, he overreacts on plays, his pitch recognition is non existent, he can’t bunt, he takes strike 3 fastballs right down the gut, etc.

    Give him April to prove everyone wrong but then he needs to be a platoon guy at best, or maybe an extra OF. He is so frustrating to watch. Platooning him and Nick could actually make both players better whereas playing both everyday makes both worse.

    As for the rest of yesterday, great team win. Not worried about Romano yet as I think he’ll be fine. But have you ever seen someone so emotional, fidgety, unkempt, and hyper? I thought he was having a breakdown but I’m told that’s just his schtick….

    Like

    2. Buddy, ….. save some stuff for the rest of the year, we are just getting started …… assume you are saving the good stuff for later, huh?

      Like

      1. 2 players away from where they want to be, A stalwart, All Star calibre outfielder to field his position and fit into the middle of the batting order and a reliever with the quality to end discussion a “closer by committee.”

        Like

      1. Yes…maybe even a tick or two higher. But then again we do not know what FB he was throwing…..he could have been working on his 2Smr or cutter and not the 4Smr, trying to ease up on velo to get more movement. Just not sure.

        Like

        1. This is one of the challenges of having “shorter” pitchers. They tend to be more “arm” throwers and they often lose velocity quickly (see Tim Lincecum). It’s not a coincidence that most MLB pitchers are especially tall and lanky – that length is their pitching leverage. Who knows what’s going on, but for a power pitcher, losing 5 MPH on a fastball is like the kiss of death. Even a few MPH can make a huge difference (see Griff McGarry).

          Like

          1. I suppose we will know more in the next 6/8 weeks once the seasons are fully going. The Reading pitching coaches will work with him now that they are flying in this weekend …..and maybe it was just Chace didn’t want to ‘air’ it out before traveling. up north.

            Like

  46. Ironpigs put one in the win column. Henry 3 – 4 with a dinger. Kemp 2 – 4 with a dinger. Crawford 2 – 4 with a SB. Rangel gave up 3 Rs, Vespi gave up 1.

    Like

    1. Payton Henry had 2 HR. Crawford had 2 SB (and a fielding error during Vespi’s inning, Mercado gave up the sac fly that would have accounted for an unearned run but then walked a batter converting the run from unearned to earned).

      Like

      1. Tks, Jim … nice catch I missed that 2nd Hr. The box I looked at only had the 1 so, but the other 1 did have 2. So, not a bad start for the oinkers.

        Like

        1. I like the oinkers reference. I had lots of them back in the day. Good to see they had a nice start.

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          1. Don…….just fyi…the iron pig (Pig Iron) reference, as the team’s logo, was used as a starting material in steel manufacturing when Allentown had the steel mills….Billy Joel sang about those days. So the team decided to go both ways on the play of words.

            Like

            1. Romus. That is pretty cool way to get your team’s name. I have seen the team’s hat before. Been a while but think it was pretty nice if I remember. It is really nice you guys have those teams out in the area where you can attend the games. Thanks for sharing the info. BTW. I did attend my first college softball games in person yesterday. NAIA teams. Very good game 1. Both lacked the pitching depth for game 2.

              Like

  48. Nice to see Seth Johnson putting 97 and 98 MPH pitches on the board in his debut. Putting aside Chace’s recent struggles, that was still an unbelievable trade for a guy (Soto) who, to my mind, was a borderline DFA/release candidate. One of the worst pitchers I’ve ever seen who could throw around 100. Hopefully, Johnson and Abel can fight for that 5th/6th starter role.

    Like

    1. 97/98? I don’t remember him doing that in his debut last year.

      If Johnson puts up good numbers at Lehigh, it’ll force the Phillies to make a move during the offseason (which is a good problem to have).

      Like

  49. I had to chuckle yesterday when Rojas hit that wormbeater, the infielder gave up on him at 1B immediately. The bats were really good and Luzardo too.

    Like

      1. Romus. I thought Luzardo looked really good. But I thought he was good for Marlins as well when I saw him couple times.

        Phillies need to keep winning. Dodgers still may go 162-0. Seriously I do not think 120 wins are out of the question. What do you think? I asked oldruff this the other day.

        Like

        1. I don’t even remember a time when one team was that much more talented than the next talented team in baseball, including the late 1990s and early 2000s Yankees. The Dodgers are essentially a deep all-star team – they’re that good. But that doesn’t mean we can’t beat them in a short series. Knowing that, the Phillies should be focused on doing whatever they can to compete with LA in a playoff series. By the way, the Luzardo trade has a chance to be fantastic one, this year and into the future, given that Ranger is probably not here next year.

          Like

  50. Pk Don…..good luck to him. I think they call that type of minimally invasive surgery ‘internal brace’. Shorter recovery time. Use a special type of tape….small incision made.

    Like

      1. I am looking forward to seeing Crawford more at the plate, just to get an idea of his ceiling and likely outcome moving forward. But on the whole, he is looking more and more like a really solid big leaguer in the not too distant future. He’s fast, seems mature, fields well, and definitely has ability and upside at the plate. A full year (or nearly a full year) at AAA will probably serve him well.

        Like

        1. Though it has only been approx three years worth of data, his splits vs LHP is not bad…..171 PAs and 50 hits for a .292 BA.

          Now there may have been his fair share of  GB  hits to the left side of second base, but  he does seem  to have a good eye for contact vs the LHP.

          Like

          1. That’s very encouraging. My sense is that he has exceptional bat control – much like Bryson Stott – but he’s a much more explosive athlete than Stott. Of course, Stott has his own special attributes.

            Like

  52. Crews is the perfect example of why you don’t rush young kids (23) to the big leagues. The Nats are going to ruin him, if they aren’t careful. Opener today, are we going to get it in?

    Like

    1. Having watched these kinds of things play out over and over again, I’m of the firm opinion that it is far better to promote a guy 2-3 months late than 2-3 months early, especially when it comes to big league promotions. Some of the problems that Rojas experienced I attribute, in part, to a too early promotion. He skipped a whole level of development and it’s really just held him back.

      Like

    2. Skeet…..with Crews, now 23 years old, seeing three years worth of SEC pitching, with a high percentage of them getting to the majors, and then over 600 PAs in the minors, with a little over 500 PAs between AA/AAA ball , you would think he would be adequately prepared to make the jump. I suppose another couple of months in AAA ball would not hurt him, but I guess the Nats thought otherwise. Remember they brought Harper and Soto up at 19 years old …maybe their luck ran out with the younger prospects coming on earlier than most.

      Like

      1. Harper and Soto were prodigies – it’s pretty unfair to compare virtually any one to them. Crews was a college draft pick and a high one. He has still only played about 35 big league games, so maybe he needs to go down and get more time on the farm. And some guys just don’t work out too well, like Spencer Torkelson (seriously, has anyone ever had a better first round bust name than “Spencer Torkelson”? – He’s like the Edsel of prospects).

        Like

        1. Although Mickey Moniak would give him a run for his money.

          Yeah, we are just about at full bust stage for Mickey. Poor guy, he tries and is physically talented but hitting major league pitching is rough!! Not everyone can do it (or draw enough walks).

          Like

    3. Historically, the Nationals are aggressive promoters.

      Crews was the #2 overall pick in 2023. His first year, he ripped low A at age 21 and the Nationals did a very aggressive jump to AA. The next year at age 22, he started at AA and was decent. They bumped him to AAA and he was again decent. Then he made his debut the later that year.

      I think the Nationals put themselves in a bind jumping him to AA his first year.

      Like

  53. Just wanna give a shout out to Sosa. He definitely looks like a bench players at times, but since coming to the Phils he has a 105 wRC+ to go along with good defense at multiple positions.

    Just to put that in perspective, his 105 wRC+ would put him at 14th, and his 8.9 UZR/150 at SS would put him 9th among all qualified SS last year. He would definitely be signed as a starter somewhere if he was a FA. Super nice to have him.

    Like

    2. And Romus – Reynoldo Lopez goes on the DL – so they are down to 3 good starters – if you include Strider. My sentiment all along was the Braves pitching was too “fragile.” Sale, Lopez, and a recovering Strider ?

      Like

      1. I mentioned last year that Lopez was a candidate to regress and I’m 100% not shocked that he’s on the DL. At age 30 last year, he went from reliever to starter and his innings went from 66 to 135. Now he’s on the IL with shoulder inflammation? Good luck with that.

        Like

  55. I can’t believe that there were disgruntled Phillies fans suggesting we are simply “running it back.” This team is materially better than last year’s team. Luzardo is excellent and Kepler is a huge upgrade in the OF.

    This is a really really good team. They can’t control the Dodgers but we have an exceptional team.

    Like

      1. From 2021-23 he was elite. 3 excellent seasons as a closer. Elite K rates. Last year obviously was a down year due to injuries. Too early to tell this year imo.

        Like

  56. Dylan Crews is struggling but there’s no reason why a veteran like Rafael Devers is putting up a line like this:

    19 ABs, 4 BBs, 15 SOs, 0 hits

    Like

    1. My guess is he’s pouting a little over moving to DH. He was open about wanting to stay at 3b after they signed Bregman.

      Like

  57. Remember when the Phillies gave Ryan Howard 5/125 and he proceeded to give the Phillies -5 WAR? Well, Kris Bryant is year 4 into a ridiculous 7/182 and he’s given the Rockies -1 WAR his first 3 seasons. Bryant has been hurt every year in Colorado.

    Now if Ryan Howard was the full time DH, his WAR would have been -0.6.

    Like

      1. Every 6-8 years or so, the Rockies think they are one of the big boys and give a dumb contract to somebody:

        Kris Bryant 7/182

        Nolan Arenado 8/260 extension

        Troy Tulowitzki 6/120 extension

        Mike Hampton 8/121

        You would figure that the Rockies would learn from this.

        As for Rafael Devers, the Red Sox caught heat for cheaping out and letting Xander Bogaerts sign with the Padres. In hindsight, that was the right move as Bogaerts declined heavily year 2. But then the Red Sox gave Devers 10/313. I guess having 1 bad contract is better than having 2?

        Like

        1. I think Devers was 26 when he signed his ext. I think it was the right move for them. He was/is an elite offensive player at that point.

          He is catching a lot of flak at the moment for his horrid start but he did have shoulder surgery in the off season so physically I don’t think he’s right.

          Also the Sox handled the Bregman sign badly. While on paper its correct Bregman is the better defensive 3B the human side of things is a classic example of how not to treat your star player.

          As fans we may not like that you have to ask your star player if they are on board with a change in direction or bringing in certain guys as FAs but that is the world we live in today.

          Many different personalities in the sport. You better know yours. You better know if they are all about team or all about their brand as you are filling out your roster.

          Like

      2. Bryant contract was an insane overpay in terms of years and dollars from the moment it was signed. What on earth were they thinking?

        Colorado is such a horribly run organization. They have no sense of what they are doing, what they should become or how to get there. They have some okay players, but no stars, no identity, no clear path forward, and no depth. I’m excited the Phillies beat them, but let’s see how we do against some decent teams. The Nationals aren’t any good either (not blaming the Phillies – all they can do is beat the bad teams they play and so far, they are).

        Like

      3. Bryant contract was an insane overpay in terms of years and dollars from the moment it was signed. What on earth were they thinking?

        Colorado is such a horribly run organization. They have no sense of what they are doing, what they should become or how to get there. They have some okay players, but no stars, no identity, no clear path forward, and no depth. I’m excited the Phillies beat them, but let’s see how we do against some decent teams. The Nationals aren’t any good either (not blaming the Phillies – all they can do is beat the bad teams they play and so far, they are).

        Like

  58. I was at the game yesterday and it turned out to be a perfect day at the Bank. The Phillies no doubt put on a 1st class show.

    As much as I love being at games the crowds are something I will never get used to LOL.

    Traffic in and out anymore is insane. I love parking in the K lot for the overhangs and because you can set out your chairs and have a couple before going in. I thought leaving at noon to head down would put us in good shape but wow was I wrong.

    Also I have never been to an opening day before so I thoroughly misjudged the parking situation.

    We got in K but the only spots left were all the way in the back corner near the LINC.

    Getting out of the lot (we stayed til the last out) was even worse and it probably took us close to 1.5 hours to get home. The game lasted 2.49 HRs.

    Like

      1. Yes the past 2 seasons my buddy was getting tickets to the 1st night game. This year he wanted the home opener so if he’s buying I go with the flow and don’t complain. LOL

        As an aside section 139 which is down by the LF foul pole but on the 3B line is a pretty neat view.

        Like

        1. Yes been in that area….great viewing area.

          .I use to venture down to the park a lot in the past , but now as an old fuddy- duddy just do not want to deal with the crowds. Though I was a faithful guy during the poor years 2013 thru 2018 and really enjoyed not having to deal with the crowd scene….25K a night was fine with me.

          Hard to believe the place is over 20 years old now.

          Like

    2. Openers and playoff games are notoriously difficult to leave. Overall, many parking spots are just tough – like almost anywhere in the main stadium lot. It used to be easy to escape to the exit on Broad Street, but they redirected that traffic and now it’s a nightmare. Some spots in the Linc are good, if you can get near an exit that takes you to S. 11th street, same thing with Xfinity or Wells Fargo parking. Nobody goes on that street, but you follow that around and it will take back onto the I-95 Ramp. Otherwise, walk all the way past the Novacare Center and park in that lot with the employees – also pretty easy to exit, but a small hike to get there.

      Like

      1. Another strategy is to find a cheap lot on Broad street or in center city and just take the subway down – can sometimes save time (although it adds a few steps).

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