Phillies Discussion 9/26/2025

Other Stuff

Bye clinched! Yippee!

One last weekend series before the playoffs.  The Phillies are unlikely to improve their current #2 seeding.  They have a week to get their pitching rotation in order.  A week to see if Turner can run at 100 percent.  A week to rest their bullpen.  The only question this weekend is will Schwarber hit 3 more home runs and overtake Ryan Howard’s franchise season record or hit 4 to reach the exclusive 60-HR club.

I added a few resources to the menu above.  Under “Agreements, Rules, Rosters, etc”, I have added links to four major baseball documents – The MLR which is the Official Professional Baseball Rules Book governing all things baseball beyond the ball field, the major league CBA, the minor league CBA, and the official rules governing the game of baseball.  All are the most recent versions I could find online.

The files with roster information remain on the page.

This is your Phillies discussion.

Transactions (End-of-season housekeeping has stalled.  Some players have been activated from the 7-Day Injury and Development Lists.  In addition to a Turner activation (plus possibly Romano) and the necessary moves to create room on the active and 40-man rosters, there are another 50 activations from the 7-day, 60-day, FS injury, and Development Lists as well as a couple dozen minor leaguers declaring free agency.)

9/24/2025 – Phillies activated 2B Edmundo Sosa from the 10-day IL
9/24/2025 – Phillies designated 2B Donovan Walton for assignment
9/21/2025 – Lehigh Valley transferred RHP Gabe Mosser to the Development List
9/20/2025 – Lehigh Valley transferred RHP Mitch Neunborn to the Development List
9/20/2025 – OF Cade Fergus assigned to Lehigh Valley from Reading
9/19/2025 – Phillies activated 3B Alec Bohm from the 10-day IL
9/19/2025 – Phillies optioned 2B Rafael Lantigua to Lehigh Valley
9/19/2025 – Phillies sent OF Brewer Hicklen outright to Lehigh Valley
9/19/2025 – LHP Tristan Garnett assigned to Lehigh Valley from Reading
9/19/2025 – Lehigh Valley activated LHP Tristan Garnett
9/19/2025 – Lehigh Valley transferred LHP Tristan Garnett to the Development List

224 thoughts on “Phillies Discussion 9/26/2025”

  1. Here are some completely hypothetical questions: (these changes would take place after this season ends)

    1. If you could wave a magic wand and make one current Phillie just go away, including their contract, who would it be? (Could be player, coach, etc)
    2. Without repeating the same name, if you could wave the same magic wand and not just make a current Phillie go away but place him and his contract on another team, who would it be and what team?
    3. If you could extend one current Phillies’ contract for 3 more years beyond their existing contract (at this year’s salary), who would it be?
    4. If you could inherit one current player/prospect and their current contract from another team, who would it be?

    I’ll go first:

    1. I personally think Nola may come back and be a good pitcher, but I’ll go with him because of the pure $ in that contract, but I won’t give him to one of our rivals because that could backfire.
    2. Speaking of someone where it definitely wouldn’t backfire, Nick Castellanos to the budget conscious Braves. Inheriting that salary next season could limit the Braves from signing other players this improving our chances of winning another NL East.
    3. I know Schwarber is the obvious choice but Christopher Sanchez is making $2M this season so I would tack an extra 3 years, $6M on the end of his already friendly extension.
    4. Paul Skenes for me

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    1. Because of simply the $$$s involved. Nola and Casty fit fir 1 and 2. Not sure Casty has Braves on his jersey in 26. I do think he is moved. Phillies are going to keep Nola.

      Sanchez is an example of a young player taking guaranteed money. He is going to get paid and pretty soon, I think. That decision as we have seen can go either way. This time it benefited the Phillies.

      It would be pretty hard at this point to go against Skenes. He probably has a 10-12 year dominant career in his future. Trying to think of a hitter that could challenge but no one is coming to mind at the moment.

      Romus. Both Sanchez and Luzardo have elite stuff. Just watching games at night when he is on Luzardo is really special. But Sanchez is more consistent. I wonder how close he makes the Cy Young voting.

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    2. Feels like being on WIP with questions framed for debate. Here are my moves, which don’t fit in the boxes neatly.

      • Let J.T. go unless he will take a major cut on a one year deal. Try for Adley (trade) along with many other suitors
      • Re-sign Schwarber, 4 years @ $30 M.
      • Extend Bader on a two-year deal
      • Extend Kepler on a one-year deal
      • Take any deal for Castellanos that saves salary
      • Offer Ranger 3 years @ $20 M. Might not get it done but it might. There’s a starter’s slot in Philly in 2026.
      • Extend Luzardo.
      • Test the market on Bohm with the idea that Aidan Miller is his heir apparent and that Sosa is just a stopgap. Don’t hate Bohm returning on his last year of arbitration.

      This will be expensive to largely run the team back. Confinef4ee agent interest to the current bunch unless they have unexpected losses. The additions in ’26 should come from the farm.

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  3. Nola passed Robin Roberts tonight to move into 2nd place on the Phillies all time strikeout list. With 1875 career strikeouts, he has a little way to go before reaching Carlton’s 3031 strikeouts as a Phillie.

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      1. rocco…..Nola will now have off two weeks, with just throwing bullpens, before he is scheduled to pitch another game…maybe the rest will help him. Trouble is, if it goes to the 4th game, and Top wants to pitch him, in the NLDS it will be either at Citi Field or Dodger Stadium.

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          1. rocco…….can understand that. He has been terrible for most of the season he has pitched and inconsistent. In Sep alone, ….5 starts…two great games, like last night, and three clunkers. So to the average fan or bettor, he is a huge gamble…..but the manager is confident in him.. Many may be hoping he is not needed in the NLDS.

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            1. I think if Phillies play to there season. To ight they score a lot. Seems every series. 2-1 first game 2nd game 8 or more runs. Sunday game 3-2 game

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      2. Rocco, you gotta eat your crow on that one. Even Skenes would take this line. It’s the line we all want Painter to have too.

        8.0 IP, ER, 9K, 0BB …

        Nola gets the playoff start. He’s earned it over his career. Who is going to want the matchup of Nola slotted in the 4th SP spot… versus their guy? Maybe the Dodgers.. put thats a gamble im sure most teams don’t want to see… a tuned up Nola, with something to prove.

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        1. For Nola velocity is a major factor. Last night he was 93-94 with his 2-seamer at 91-92. When he’s sitting there, his change-up and curveball are effective pitches,

          when his fastball is sitting at 90, every mistake gets pounded and his curveball seems to get loopy.

          Liked by 2 people

  4. Baseball could not have more exciting races. Yanks and Jays tied. Tigers and Guardians tied. Reds control destiny after 160 games. Win 2 and in. Phillies still have shot at 1 seed. Forgot to look at Astros and Mariners results. Red Sox in so they can hold Crochet for game 1 now. Fun times.

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  5. Romus. I am sure you are correct. Want whoever wins to have to go 3 games and use another starter. One would think as the teams have played recently Phillies would prefer either the Reds or Mets, but they did better against the Dodgers. Dodgers still give me the most concern because of their wealth of starting pitchers and figuring that is who they will use most. Plus, most seem to be healthy at this time. Things are going to be interesting.

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  6. Frankly don’t care who we play. When we decide to show up – from starting pitching to pen, add lineup – with Trea, we have depth, power and the right edge.

    Interesting that for the above poll, no one mentioned Buehler. Have to think Walker is a great hedge on Wheeler’s return, Suarez FA. And it allows Painter to start slow.

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    1. To start 2026, Painter could compete with Taijuan for the #5 spot in the rotation while Wheeler recovers. But does the top 4 include Ranger, Buehler? Presumably not both.

      Sanchez- Luzardo – Nola – Suarez/Buehler – Painter/Walkder – (Wheeler)

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Unless Ranger accepts the QO he may not be back….Boras will make sure he gets the best offer. That could still be the Phillies……but it probably will not take place until Feb or March.

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          1. I thought so too (the Mets), but their GM doesn’t believe in giving pitchers big contracts so it will be someone else. Perhaps the Yankees, the Padres or the Cubs.

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            1. Dylan Cease, Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez, Zac Gallen and Shane Bieber. There will be buyers but there will be other starting pitchers out there.

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  7. This may be an unpopular option but why not sell high on Marsh and trade him for a controllable arm. Trade Bohm, Casty, and by some miracle Walker. Go hard after Tucker, maybe his price tag drops a teeny bit because of the injury. Re-sign JT, Schwarber, and Bader. Bader is my favorite OF since Lenny. I think the fit is great for the city as well.

    For 2026 and 2027 the team looks like this:

    C- JT, 1B- Harper, 2B- Stott, SS- Turner, 3B- Sosa/Kemp/Miller, OF- Tucker, Bader, Crawford

    SP- Wheeler, Sanchez, Luzardo, Nola, Painter, and player from Marsh trade.

    RP- Duran, Strahm, Orion, Banks, FA/minor leaguers.

    Infuse some cheap youth, and improve the defense, and championship window is still open.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. We just have to wait and see now what happens next weekend. The past week does give pause, but this has been a common theme for this group for a long time. A big game followed by several not so big games offensively. Now it is simply the first team to 3 wins, and you move on or go home.

    One nice thing today does after the first shutout at CBP in 80 games this season is that the team and fans can celebrate and have a fun relaxed afternoon. The team now has plenty of time to get things lined up as they see fit.

    One thing I do like is MLB having all the games begin basically at the same time. That way those teams still playing for positioning/division titles or Reds/Mets have to go at it.

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        1. Jim. I am with you on JT. I have suggested to Ruff a couple times JT should be no higher than 8th those last few games that had meanings. He had a few times to make a contribution at the plate and did not. How was Edmundo batting lower. Oh well it is history now. One night they even caught him talking to himself about being ready. He gets so beat up as well behind the plate.

          Romus. I am sure most do not play too long. Kyle will most likely get all of his at bats, but some will come out. Only so many bench guys to put in.

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          1. Time for a few guys to move down. JTR hasn’t been hitting in Sept and Bader is also .192 in his last dozen games. He has started chasing lots of bad balls.

            With Turner back, Move Bader down to 6th and JTR to 8th.

            Turner, Schwarber, Harper, Bohm, Marsh, Bader, Kepler, JTR, and Stott should be the playoff line-up.

            Liked by 1 person

        2. Agree……unless he explodes at the plate in the play-offs, the Phillies should be able to bring him back next season with a very reasonable AAV. Though he has played to a 2.5WAR this year….I guess a lot of that positive WAR is defensive leaning.

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  10. Romus. You will like this. Dodgers so loaded in starting pitching Kershaw at 10-2 is not on the playoff roster.

    Bader has come back to earth. Great defensive player but has always been a less than outstanding offensive player. But his hot streak helped Phillies.

    Time to play ball and see where everyone stands in 3 hours or so.

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      1. You know what he is. 240 hitter with some power really good center fielder. When do you give Crawford a chance?. If he can move casty. Then 2 yr 14 million I give him. Marsh to right. Otto and Crawford in left

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      1. Yes they are financed by the owners. Once in while they might be decent. All they do is sign get talent thru latin signings and draft. To feed other teams What is there payroll? How do they draw. Where were the big trades to try to make playoffs? 3 up don’t make it like I made false statement. Prove to me there owner is trying to win.? That team is a disgrace to MLB .

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        1. Marlins have been in the playoffs twice in the last 6 years which is better than many teams in MLB. Yes, their payroll is a joke, but so are the payrolls of teams like the Pirates, A’s, White Sox, and Rays.

          Baseball’s financial structure is screwed up between big market and small market teams but the Marlins aren’t alone. They operate like other small market teams where they trade off veterans to acquire younger players and try to make runs at being good when all of those players hit the majors around the same time. Once the team starts to cost money, they trade those players off and start again.

          Rays and Cleveland do the same, they are just better at it than are the Marlins and Pirates. I guarantee that Skenes will not be a Pirate in 4 years.

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  12. You guys will like this. Mets announcers just roasting the players. Also, on split screen they show Reds celebrating after a loss and to make it even worse the Marlins take a team pic in front of dugout after knocking Mets out.

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    2. Don……the Mets collapse was reminiscent of nosedives that kept the Mets from reaching the playoffs in 2007 and ’08, both seasons ending with final day losses to the Marlins and the Phillies advancing onto the play-offs. The Mets went 38-55 beginning on June 13 to finish the season…. second half marred mostly by awful starting pitching. The main culprits were Kodai Senga, David Peterson and Manaea, all of whom cratered — .so look for Cohen to open up his pocket book for pitchers like Cease, Gallen and even Ranger.

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  13. I try to look for the silver lining in things but for some reason this Phillies team makes it hard to completely buy in. They finished the regular season winning 3 of their last 4 games but they only scored 6 runs total. The starting pitching kept them in those games with the exception of the Suarez bomb.

    Compare that to the two teams that meet up on Tuesday to match up in the hopes of playing the Phils. The Dodgers have won 5 straight and have won 9 of their last 11. The Reds lost today but coming into today they had won 9 of 13 games played. These teams are hot and our team is not.

    Add to that both teams have excellent starting pitchers at least 4 deep. They can match the Phillies in that department and if either one of them can get hot and hit well, it could be curtains for the boys in red pin stripes. Anyone hear/read why Duran Duran was not given an inning this afternoon?

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    3. I’m confused. The Reds go 9-4, including LOSING the game that would have gotten them into the playoffs without any help, and they’re hot. The Phillies ALSO go 9-4 in the same time frame, a time frame which was almost entirely after we had already locked up our bye, and we’re slumping.

      Meanwhile, the Dodgers are somehow a real threat that makes you not want to buy into the Phillies… after the Phillies beat them 4-2 in the season series, including 2 of 3 just two weeks ago (when both teams were still jockeying for playoff position).

      Sure, anything can happen in the playoffs. Any team getting hot/cold can flip the script in an instant. So we have to hedge our optimism accordingly. But there’s very real double standards at play here.

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      1. Dan, I understand the Negadelphian perspective. We’re all infected by it to some degree.

        My take on this team is a little more optimistic. They seem to play with more maturity than past teams, including not chasing pitches out of the strike zone in clutch situations. Heck, even Casty was able to drive in the winning run by just punching a ball into the outfield.

        I also have more confidence in the starting pitching than in previous seasons. I don’t think Sanchez or Ranger are going to get rattled by the playoffs and Nola certainly has been there, though I’m not as confident that he or Walker (either one) are able to produce reliably.

        I loved Realmuto’s answer to Topper’s question of how many more games it will take. Rather than his usual answer citing the number of victories to win the World Series, he said “Whatever the hell it takes, Topper.’ That, hopefully, reflects the more mature, determined approach.

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        2. Listen, nothing is guaranteed in this world, and especially in baseball, but my view is that this team is, even without Wheeler, the best Phillies team of this recent run and the one that has, by far, the best chance of winning the WS. We think about their weaknesses, but I will tell you that ALL of the teams, except for perhaps the Brewers have many weaknesses (and more than the Phillies) and the Brewers don’t have the star power the Phillies have. The Dodgers are dangerous and have the most star power of all the teams, but they’ve only been okay this year. The Phillies have a really decent chance here to win it all. This year the NL is, to me, the better league (I mean, the Guardians won their division and they are so mediocre), so if they can get there, I think they win it all.

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  14. No one is mentioning that Sachez and Luzardo have looked absolutely, utterly dominant the last few starts. If they throw like that in October, this team has a great shot.

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    1. WC. I have mentioned a couple times that Sanchez and Luzardo have to the Game 1 and Game 2 guys at CBP. But I thought I heard T Mac and Kruk discussing Luzardo will not go till game 3. I hear nothing in Indiana, but I see no way they do not do that. Seems to me that gives the Phillies the best chance to win those 2 games.

      I have my concerns on the guys after starters to Duran, but it appears Phillies are going to go as far as the bats or lack of bats take them. Really strange to hit 8 HRs one night and then in the other 5 games last week really do mostly nothing. In a short series 3 clunkers and you go home. Hoping the rest can be a good thing for some of the guys.

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  15. 20 ways to say the same thing which is if the bats show up and take care of business we have what it takes to win the 11 games necessary against whoever we might face.

    Winning 96 games 55 of those at home with the division crown is a hugely successful season. The WS is the Cherry On Top.

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    1. Smart money is always to bet on the field. Philles currently have best odds at +450 which is better than the Mariners and Dodgers at +550.

      Still, you will have a better chance if you take the other 9 teams vs. one of those 3.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Saw couple interesting things last evening from MLB guys. Home teams since the 6-team playoff are actually under .500. Think it was 60 and 64. Also, the 6 seed has more wins than the 1 seed. Now the Phillies in 22 aided that and if Dbacks of 23 were 6 they did as well. Plus 6 seed have one more round to play.

    They all made their picks. Verducci took the Dodgers, Peavy the Pads and Brian Kinney took the Phillies to win the WS.

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    1. Manager Dave Roberts has indicated the Dodgers will start Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and if necessary Shohei Ohtani for their Wild Card Series against the Reds.  Sure hope the Reds win at least one of the first two games.

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      1. I saw that. I kind of hope Reds win 2 of the 3. They have trouble scoring. Hunter Green is Game 1. My guess Lodollo and Ashby for next ones. I am surprised that they did not put Kershaw on playoff roster for WC. He came in and pitched one of the late innings against Dbacks that went extra. They have Sasaki for BP as well. Dodgers have lots of starters and seem they are all healthy now. I think they are most difficult for Phillies path.

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    1. It’s kind of crazy that Abreu never won it with the Phils since he consistently hit above .300 with us. But I guess Larry Walker randomly deciding to hit over .360 for 3 consecutive years will do that.

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      1. Rocco. You need to work on your math. LOL Last night my Cowboys tied for the first time since I was a sophomore in high school. Get another chance to practice your numbers.

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  19. I found it of interest with a new CBA ahead that 6 of the 12 playoff teams were ranked top 10 in payroll. 2 Were just outside. Detroit Cincy the Brewers kind of middle of the pack and Cleveland #26.

    Teams ranked in the top 10 they were on the outside looking in: Mets, Houston SF and Atlanta.

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  21. If LAD, I’d like to see Sanchez put Ohtani on his “wallet” with the first pitch of Game 1 at CBP – Dickie Noles to George Brett style. Then when he gets up and dusts himself off, I’d do it again. Welcome these soft Dodgers to Philly the hard way and get that crowd going. Then strike him out on 3 breaking balls on the outside corner. Series over.

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  22. An offseason preview:

    Thought out was interesting, Spotrac’s FA class Market values…

    Kyle Tucker – 40mil

    Ozuna – 13 mil

    Schwarber – 25mil

    Its updated as Alonso is shown as an UFA

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    1. If that’s accurate, then Schwarber remains a Philly. And maybe Ranger, too. In a market where Schwarber is worth $25 M for, say, 4 years, then Suarez at 3 years @ $20 M makes sense. And Realmuto for 1 year at $16 M max.

      With that said, I hope the Phils increasingly get out of the free agent market going forward because it means the Phils’ farm system has become worth a damn.

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      1. If the Phillies do win the ring this year, and Harper who turns 33 in a few weeks, I am guessing they may move him after the 2027 season to the A’s, soon to be Vegas, his hometown, and maybe get out from the contract.

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        1. I don’t see that happening. Harper will be transitioned into the Phillies FO immediately after his last at bat. Especially “when” he gets a ring.

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      2. Ranger’s Market value was projected at 27mil a year, which I agree with.

        Realmuto at 13mil

        Framber Valdez is at 33mil…. Wouldn’t mind seeing him in Phillies Red.

        Bregman at 25mil

        Alonzo at 29mil which is ridiculous … since he’s basically a DH. Schwarber’s should be higher imo but hopefully the DH only helps keep his $$$ from going throw the roof. I like the BP’s chances of improving at the expense of the SR.. hitting shoudl too but will see.

        https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/free-agents

        Let’s enjoy the playoffs… its still should feel rather odd to most of us!

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        1. Most of these appraisals seem in line but I’d much rather be the team that is NOT paying Ranger $ 27 M a year than the team that is. I don’t think he prepares to be the 190 + innings a year SP that should go with that size paycheck. Tell me I’m wrong when he ends up signing. Tell me again if he ever justifies that size contract.

          Liked by 1 person

        2. I would love JT at one year, $13M (probably not happening), I’d like JT at two years, $26M (let’s do it), I’d move on from JT at 3 years, $39M (I could see a desperate team doing this).

          I’d like Ranger at one year, $27M (not happening), I’m going to pass on Ranger beyond one year…

          Here’s my idea for next year…bring back Robertson on a one year deal – first half, assistant pitching coach, second half, relief pitcher. He seems to be a good dude that other players and coaches like and respect, but I’m not sure I’d trust him making it to October on a full season workload, so maybe we leverage his experience as a coach before ramping up after the all star break.

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          1. They are now in the playing with fire portion of JT’s career – a 34 YO catcher. He’s still good, but now he’s less than a league average hitter. A very smart team would move on from him or sign him to no more than a one year contract (or second year with a mutual option and buyout). Will they be “smart?” Eh, I doubt it.

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            1. Salvatore Perez of the Royals may be an anomaly as catchers go……..however, JT stays in prime shape….but his positive WAR is mostly defensive leaning. The bat really has become pedestrian. The second year may have to be an opt-out for him….mutual options kust hold no water….teams will not want him if he falters, and if he rakes like the dickens, players will test free agency and opt-out.,,like Alonso will probably do with his opt-out clause. Now Harrison Bader has a mutual…..he could rake again in the play-offs and the Phillies may want to exercise their portion of the contract….he just say come see me and my agent after Nov when I am a free agent.

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      3. I posted this on another thread but Ranger is the same age as Nola was when he hit FA and had similar stats the over the 4 year period leading up to his walk year. No chance 3/$60 gets it done. Anything under 6 years would be surprising to me.

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        1. Interesting. I agree there is no way that 3/$60 m would get it done. I’m not sure he’ll get 6 because the knock on Ranger is that he always gets hurt and never throws a lot of innings, which is true. He also has velocity issues which makes it more difficult to project what he would do over 6 years. Velo matters a lot these days and Ranger doesn’t have much margin for error there; if he loses 3 MPH, does he become Patrick Corbin? Nola was, at the time of his contract, a work horse who gave you 200 innings or so every year. That’s worth something.

          I’m thinking something around 4-5 years at $27 million a year. So maybe 4 years and $105-110 million or 5 years and $135-40 million perhaps with an option year and a buy out?

          But, yeah, Boras is going to get Ranger paid a heck of a lot more than $60 million over 3 years and he should. Ranger is a fantastic pitcher.

          Liked by 2 people

          1. By the way, I don’t see Ranger signing with the Phillies, although it’s possible. To me, it’s either Ranger or Luzardo – I’ve said this all year. They will probably sign one, but not the other and I suspect it will be Luzardo who they sign. The upside and relative youth are hard to ignore. Whether that’s the right choice or not is subject to debate.

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            1. That said, if they sign Ranger then they have another year with both pitchers, which is something to consider, especially with Wheeler out the beginning of next year and with a somewhat uncertain future.

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          2. As lefties go that have seen their velo trend down…I see Ranger going the way of Dallas Keuchel in a few years. He has never thrown 160 innings in a season yet and that will also work against him. And then there is the physical fitness aspect that seem to affect his back issues from the past. He should get 5 yrs, maybe a 6th buy-out year to boot.

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    1. “What have you done for me lately”? ….. but in reality, they are the scapegoat for GM’s poor decisions and players inability to produce.🫠

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    1. I imagine Mendoza will be on a short leash affixed to a choker collar. I look at the Mets’ operation and my impulse is to travel in the opposite direction.

      The money paid to Soto doesn’t motivate him to run out a lot of grounders. Alonso looks like a guy who can’t get out of town fast enough. There is certainly talent, including young talent, on the roster but the whole seems less than the sum of the parts.

      If the Mets seem intent on racing down a rat hole and overpaying free agents who are not held to accountability, it won’t be me mourning this. I don’t see Schwarber becoming part of this. If Ranger follows the trail of money to the Big Apple for the likes of $29 M a year for 5 years, it wo’t be me mourning this either.

      There are worse things than for the Phils to adopt a small market mentality, put money into scouting and player development, and the reward and retain players who have shown they can make it in the Philly environment. And not be a big spender pulling in free agents from outside. A team drawing 3 million + fans a season is very different from where the Phils were when they went big on Harper – Schwarber – Realmuto – Wheeler – Turner and Castellanos in order to become relevant again in the Philly sports market.

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      1. The Phillies are not going to adopt a small market approach, but they do seem intent on improving scouting and player development. Miller, Crawford and probably Painter, arrive next year. That’s the best group of arriving prospects since the mid-2000s (no the “Daycare” – God I HATE that name – was not nearly as promising as this group, although they turned out okay).

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        1. If you’re a small market team:

          • You invest in players on an upward trajectory
          • You’d rather get rid of a veteran a year too soon than a year (or more) too late
          • Ownership doesn’t announce the goal nearly a decade too soon that so and so will hopefully retire in his team’s colors
          • In short, you’re the wily poker player at the table, not the whale others take delight in taking a piece of That’s not a bad place to be. You may splurge occasionally but it’s not away of life. It takes away the joy that fans have in complaining about the contracts of Castellanos, Walker, Turner, Nola and Arrieta before that.

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          1. If you have a small market approach, there’s no way you hire a GM like DD, who constantly overpays and overextends (it’s beyond annoying) or you do it only for an orchestrated attempt to push all the chips into the middle of the table for a one or two year WS run and then you get rid of him – which has happened to him more than once, by the way.

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          2. Yep, and if you operate like a small market team you get to sit at home in October and watch the big boys duke it out for a WS championship.

            The wily poker player understands when they are holding the big stack at the table and then use it to force play. Maybe they lose a pot or two but in the long run, they end up holding all the chips.

            Meanwhile, the little guy gets to celebrate how smart he was not wasting his money on winning. Woohoo.

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            4. Yes, that MLB’s ranking of TV market size by team used for revenue sharing. Means nothing in regards to how teams operate. For example, the CWS are a big market team but are a bottom payroll team. SD is a small market with a top payroll.

              Operating like a small market team is a mindset. I remember former Phillies ownership claiming small market status at one time.

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        2. Catch, there are more youngsters coming with Reyes, Escobar, Nori, Cabrera and McGarry and possibly coming in the near future. This is the best our minor league system has been in awhile. Signing high ticket free agents is not the way to go if there is a salary cap in baseball.

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      2. Flea…one large market team that closely mirrors that approach are the Braves. The stick their budge come hell ot high water….ie Freeman, Swanson and Fried. They seem to prefer the LTC on a star player int heir early arb years. Yhay is both savvy and risky…Strider is the risk, but Acuna and Albies were savvy, jury is out on Riley.

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      3. Money doesn’t change people it simply amplifies who they really are. As an organization you really have to do your homework on who you are locking up long term to big money.

        I think it can be said that our guys really give us all they have and that includes Casty.

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        1. Casty, along with T Walker. Schwarber and JTR will be an interesting event as to what Dave D does in their respective offers.

          If anything when it comes to this GM….the length of contracts is the concern. The AAV does not bother me.

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  25. I think Ranger will get a big dollar, long-term deal somewhere, and it might be New York, but it almost certainly won’t be with the Mets (GM doesn’t believe in throwing money at pitchers) unless Steve Cohen insists (which he might!). I think the Yankees might sign Ranger and it could be a good match. It also wouldn’t shock me if Ranger signed in Boston, Chicago or San Diego.

    Keep your eye on Pete Alonso. If Schwarber doesn’t sign here, I think the Phillies sign Alonso. It would probably be a good signing if it’s 4 years or less. Alonso is 2 years younger than Schwarber and is an excellent player. It would be a very fine Plan B and it doesn’t hurt that he’s a righty.

    Liked by 1 person

  26. One pitching question for 2026 was answered today when Matt Strahm passed a physical. His contract for 2026 vested with 60.0 IP and a passed physical.

    He pitched 62.1 innings and will receive a $7.5M guaranteed contract for 2026.

    Matt Strahm lhp
    1 year/$7.5M (2025), plus 2026 option

    • 1 year/$7.5M (2025), plus 2026 club option
      • signed by extension with Philadelphia 3/24/24
      • 25:$7.5M, 26:$4.5M club option
      • 2026 option increases $1M each for 40, 50, 60 innings in 2025
      • 2026 option guaranteed at $7.5M if Strahm has 60 innings in 2025 and passes a physical after the 2025 season (MET)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That leaves the Phillies with 2 players who have options –

      Alvarado, $9.0M club option with a $500K buyout and Bader, $10.0M mutual option with $3.0M buyout.

      Jose Alvarado

      • 3 years/$22M (2023-25), plus 2026 club option
        • signed extension with Philadelphia 2/17/23, replacing contract signed 2/10/23 for 1 year/$3.45M (avoided arbitration, $3.7M-$3.2M)
        • $50,000 signing bonus
        • 23: $3.45M, 24: $9M, 25: $9M, 26: $9M club option ($500,000 buyout)

      Harrison Bader

      • 1 year/$6.25M (2025), plus 2026 mutual option
        • signed by Minnesota as a free agent 2/5/25
        • $750,000 signing bonus
        • 25: $4M, 26: $10M mutual option ($1.5M buyout)
        • 2026 buyout increases based on 2025 plate appearances: $200,000 each for 400, 425, 450 PA. $450,000 each for 475, 500 PA

      Bader had 501 plate appearances. His buyout will increase from $1.5 M to $3.0M. He gets the original $1.5 M, plus $200K for 400 PA, $200K for 425 PA, $200K for 450 PA, $450K for 475 PA, and $450K for 500 PA.

      Looks like somebody should have had 2 fewer at bats on Saturday.

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      1. “Looks like somebody should have had 2 fewer at bats on Saturday.”

        I sense a little tongue in cheek but, either way, I hope he gets re-signed in Philly in which case the Phils’ not pinching him on his ’25 bonus might reward them as the price of good will.

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          1. My guess is that his excellent year has generated interest. He probably is going to want at least a two-year contract. Depending on the price, if I’m the Phillies, I try to get that done. He was the missing piece in the outfield and next year, he would still serve that role, even with Crawford coming up. He’s a MUCH better player than Castellanos who, this year, was not a viable major league player. Bader played to a 4.2 WAR (Castellanos was a negative 1!!!!). You know the last time Castellanos did that? How about never – not even when he was raking for the Reds.

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            1. Agreed…..two years would be a good length. maybe a third with again a mutual option/buy-out. However, we all know, Dave D may just give him 4 years for good measure…and I could see this happening if he is integral piece in them winning the WS.

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  27. October announces itself with a crisp cool breeze. Saturday looks like a perfect day for baseball as does Monday.

    The Dodgers appear to be way too much for Cincy to handle.

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    1. That may be true. The Reds’ two biggest problems were that, because they had to fight until the last day of the season, they couldn’t set up their rotation for the postseason and they blew one of the best chances they had with Hunter Greene not winning his start. If they can get through today (not at all clear), they will have a fighting chance on Thursday, but that won’t be easy with Zack Littell on the mound today. Outside of their starters, the Reds just aren’t that good.

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      1. Yep and I was hoping the Reds could at least steal one game. The Dodgers played the regular season like any classic great team coming off a Championship.

        Which is to say they did just enough to make it back. Not the best matchup for us but if we beat them things will be looking pretty good.

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  28. Once again…fall arrives…Red October…assume Mike Trout will once again be in south Philly….in his end zone box viewing the Birds vs Broncos on Sunday. HoF player with 15 play-off PAs eleven years ago. Must be killing him.

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    1. His choice. If he wanted to change things, I suspect he could have made something happen to facilitate a deal to the contending team. At this point, that boat has most likely sailed.

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    2. Honestly Mike is probably smarter than we give him credit for. Playing for your home town team isn’t all its cracked up to be. Not in a game where you fail more than you succeed.

      Our memories of him may end up being so much better than Anaheim’s because in the end we won’t really care that he never won a WS. We will only care that he will go down in history as one of the greatest and that he was from here.

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      1. That is a very true account …..away from Philly he remains endearing and respected by Philly fandom, especially also since he passionately roots on the other Philly teams.

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  29. With a batting champ hitting .304, it seems likely that, unless there is a laugher like Dodgers/Reds, most playoff games will be 2-1 and 3-1 finals like the other three wild card games. Hopefully the Phillies are the team that can get the three runs. I wish the Phillies had a guy who could bunt his way on and disrupt the pitcher’s rhythm and avoid double plays. Playoff rotations don’t throw the mistake pitches that the Phillies usually need to get runs. Hurry up Saturday and Go Reds tonight.

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  30. Jim: Earlier in discussion on ABS, if I remember correctly you felt, that the pitch had to be framed entirely within the box to be a strike. Why do you feel that way?

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      1. I found it again, Sept. 23 @ 9:03 PM; I reread his post, purpose was to generate more offense by forcing the pitcher over the plate.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Ruff and v1. Both are correct. It only needs to hit the line to be a strike. I am almost certain Ruff that Jim simply stated he would like for it to be required that the entire ball be in the box for a strike.

          This is just my thoughts on the ABS. I do not see how it is going to make huge differences. Teams only have 2 challenges per game and once you lose those you are done I believe for the rest of the game. It is obvious many hitters do not know the strike zone. Simply watch their response till they go back in the dugout and see it for themselves. Just watching games and all the highlights and Romus can probably give an exact number but I bet umps miss 5 to 6 calls per inning of a game. That may be low. If that number is close that would be around 50 pitches in a game and 4 challenges. I realize you keep them as long as you are correct. But …

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          1. Don…..MLB umps call roughly 94% of ball-strike pitches correctly, resulting in about 6% of missed calls per game, or approx 14 missed calls in a typical game with 290 pitches. This translates to roughly 22,000 to 34,000 missed calls across the league in a full season, with specific accuracy varying by umpire. Normally. there are a total of 2,430 games played during the regular season, which includes 162 games for each of the 30 teams.

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            1. Romus. I knew you would have all the answers. I must only watch the games that the ump is awful. They must be perfect in all games. In the game last night, it seemed they were showing the kzone every other pitch. Some were and some were not.

              You need to let Kruk know only 14 a game. Then again it is really difficult to make an error these days as well. Kruk is thrilled with this.

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            2. Don…….ABS in the minors…according to AI

              “While there is no specific statistic for how often the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system was “wrong” in the minor leagues, the system’s performance was measured by the success rate of human umpire challenges. In MiLB challenge system, human umpire calls were overturned about 50% of the time, with the rate slightly declining throughout the game. This suggests that the ABS system, which provided the official call during these challenges, correctly identified about half of the pitches that would otherwise have been subject to a human challenge. ”

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            3. Romus. Ruff and I agree that of the 3 that I think can challenge, batter, catcher, pitcher it is the batter who least knows the strike zone. Pitcher and catcher seem to be pretty on top of it. Hitters, some are pretty good. Some not so good. They think they are good. Especially as strike 3.

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    2. A ball having to be completely inside the “box” was my suggestion to improve the ABS when they implement it. I would also increase the number of challenges or better yet use the ABS full time instead of relying on humans to call strikes.

      Forcing the pitcher to be inside the “box” might start to swing the pendulum back in favor of the batter and increase offense. Might have a better effect than lowering the mound, another of my suggestions to boost offense.

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  31. I do t know if this is correct. But if a ball is low and away and just Knicks the outside. Corner that’s a strike? They are nuts to have 99.9 percent of the

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    1. Casty said, he prefers them 100% low and away and well outside the zone. In that fashion, they are irresistible!😉😂

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  33. Rocco. I have been thinking about this. Last night watching the Yankees vs Red Sox even piqued my interest. They kept showing the gal in the white top over and over again whenever a lefty batter came up. Believe she was like 3 rows from the field. So, my question is this. If I decided on a road trip to Philly, do you believe with all of you influence and connections you could land me a seat like that behind home plate for one of these 2 games. 2 is a little much to ask. I have always thought watching all these games it would be really neat to sit behind home plate. I know you are close to CBP from your posts, and you might even find a ticket dropped on the street. This would be like being at the starting line at Churchill Downs for one of your horse races.

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      1. Rocco. And I thought you were an influencer. That is nice you have a source. I used to have some of those back here as well. Those days gone. I am only kidding. I do think it would be neat to see a game behind Homeplate area. I went to the Vet a couple times back in the day. Father-in-law worked for ARCO and they had a suite behind 3B.

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  34. well boys, it’s the Dodgers. What’s everyone think? my heart says Phillies and it always does but in my mind, I don’t see us taking them out

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      1. Phils have all the healthy hands on deck that they’re going to have this year. With Will Smith on the mend, better to face the Dodgers now rather than later. Also, the abenefit of the bye that the Phils and Brewers have,advantages them now but not in the NLCS. Taken together, the Phils are better off with the #2 seed rather than #1. Bring it on.

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  35. The power trio Green Day sang, “Sometimes I give myself the creeps. Sometimes my mind plays tricks on me”. I’m giving myself the creeps because I believe the Dodgers will beat the Phillies and maybe even sweep them. My mind is playing tricks on me because I think the Phillies will manage to win this.

    The Dodgers are on all cylinders right now. They are pummeling the ball and their starting pitching has really stepped up of late. Look, I want the Phillies to win as much as anybody on this site. I’m probably hoping for the best and preparing myself for the worst. In any event, they need to win game one.

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  37. OK …….. breathe in …… deep breath … good …. hold it … now …. exhale …. again ….. one more time …. agghhh! Do relaxing stuff today easy vibes, soft music, comfort food ….. cause the real stuff starts tomorrow!

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  38. So it kind of seems like Ohtani doesn’t hit as well when he has to pitch. So let’s make it harder on him. I want Turner to drop a bunt down the third base line to start the bottom of the first. Ohtani has to go hit, then quickly get ready to pitch, then go field a bunt, then have to worry about speed on the bases. Same for Bader and Stott. Make his life a little bit harder in the early going. The goal should be to do some damage and try to get into that bullpen early.

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    1. I’d knock his as$ down with something high and tight in the first – get that uniform dirty, get the heart rate up, get the crowd going.

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        1. Not sure depending on score of game we see many Dodger BP guys. Dodgers have already used Sasaki and Kershaw in the leverage innings vs Dbacks the last week. Add Glaznow to the mix and that is a pretty solid 6 guys to use. Phillies need to simply score some runs. If they only score 5 runs like they did in the Twins series in 3 games the playoff run may be a short one.

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  40. ‘The need for 13 pitchers is reduced in a five-game series, so the Phillies could opt to carry both Kemp and Wilson. Or they could choose one and opt for the extra arm. Teams do not need to submit an NLDS roster until the morning of Game 1.’

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    1. Our not having Alvarado around makes me miss him a lot less, especially with Duran in the fold. Every single time with it’s a crapshoot as to whether Alvarado be dominant or walk everyone in sight. It gets old after a while and it does not mesh well with playoff baseball where every single batter matters so much.

      Liked by 1 person

  42. I don’t understand how the Blue Jays at the #1 AL seed end up playing the #4 seed when the Tigers are the #6 seed. The NL seeds I understand.

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    1. They do not reseed. 1 play 4/5 winner. 2 plays 3/6 winner. Just so happened Tigers won. I have a playoff bracket from MLB Tonight on my phone. Teams know before any games played path they will take.

      Phillies have home field for Division. Brewers do for NLCS if they win. Same with Blue Jays if they win.

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      1. If Phillies win this round and Brewers lose – the Phillies have home field advantage going forward through the WS.

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  43. Wonder how the Mets fan feel ……theys traded Pete Crow-Armstrong (PCA) to the Cubbies July, 2021, in exchange for shortstop Javier Báez and pitcher Trevor Williams. The first-place Mets sought a short-term solution for their shortstop position to bolster a playoff run, acquiring Baez. However, the trade now a few tears later is viewed as a failure for the Mets due to Baez’s limited impact and PCA’s emergence as a star player for the Cubs.  

    I am glad Dombrowski held onto Crawford and Miller……Ed Tait is a few years out and well ,Mick Abel could be star pitcher at some point. But Duran as a legit closer was needed.

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      1. rocco….still has to go thru AA and a little of AAA ball……but catching still has to be MLB ready. And that takes time and experience. Look at all the Latin hitting-catchers that have cone up short after promising minor league credentials at the plate…Gary Sanchez, Jorge Montero, Alfaro, even Mets Alvarez was struggling…takes a few years worth of experience.

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    4. Romus. You just never know for sure how something will play out. Long ago Doyle Alexander for John Smoltz. Braves got better of that deal. There were others like that as well. Deals Phillies got Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay looked good on paper with prospects, but most did not pan out too much.

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  44. In the heat of the Phillies play-off run…..the Phillies contingent of position players Aidan Miller, Dante Nori and Carson DeMartini open up on Tuesday with the Surprise in the AFL.

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    2. Anxious to see DeMartini, not really sold on him as yet. Nori grew on me a little the past year ….. and then of course there is the “dream”!

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  45. This looks like the RoRuRo posts this morning. Here is my lineup for Game 1. Turner, Schwarber, Harper, Bohm, Marsh, Bader, Kepler, JT, Stott. I would switch Bader and Kepler but do not think Topper will.

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  46. I just went to CVS on broad near stadium.Phillies fans are out there already. Eagles gear. Even flyers shirts.people are ready.

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    2. Rocco. I think I saw you. I was the one crawling on the street looking to see if anyone had dropped their ticket to the game. Believe you were the one that looked like the Phanatic pregame. Were you on your 4-wheeler?

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  48. What is your over/under for Game 1? I think Phillies must score at least 3 to win. Maybe a couple more. May be a tall task.

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  49. do not know about over under Don, but to me the four key players for the Phillies that need to have a good series to take these guys out would be Harper, bohm, Bader, and Kirkering

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  50. Bringing in Casty for Bader against a righty in the 7th inning is perhaps my least favorite move he’s ever done.

    The GIDP was the most predictable outcome I’ve ever seen and now our OF defense is awful.

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    1. And now we’re told Bader hurt his hamstring. Welp, that might be the end of our postseason run. Our OF depth isn’t good enough to lose him.

      At least Topper is off the hook for the move?

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      1. For me, it wasn’t questionable at all. Robertson was facing 2 RH hitters. His job is to get those guys out and he didn’t. Actually, the ABS system can’t come soon enough. I believe he struck out Pages and the Umpire didn’t see it.

        Liked by 1 person

  52. In watching other playoff teams, it seems most have 5 guys coming out of the pen throwing 100+ mph. Where do these teams get these guys? We have Robertson throwing 92, Strahm at 94, Banks at 91, and Kerkering in the high 90s, with only Duran hitting 100+.

    Why can we not draft and develop kids throwing 100+? Robertson and Banks and Strahm all had nice seasons for us but they aren’t striking fear in anyone in October.

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    1. Why do you think they drafted all those college arms, last draft. They now see you need some better bullpen pieces and cheaper.

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  53. I hope the Eagles do well today, …. don’t want to hit the “trifecta”! Too much to go over on the opener, would just be re-hashing the way we play ……. good starting pitching, followed by not knowing when to take a guy out, questionable relief work and choices, and the absence of bats (5 hits), top of the lineup 1–13.

    Any word on Bader’s hammy?

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  55. Fangraphs just released their Top 100 Prospects and it had 3 Phillies : 11. Aiden Miller 15. Andrew Painter 95. Moises Chace. Very odd that Crawford didn’t make the list. Also they are down on Painter, calling him a mid-rotation pitcher due to the lack of miss from his fastball. 

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    1. A top 100 that doesn’t include Crawford deserves no more of my rime on the subject than my neighbor’s dog. There are people doing bad work in all kinds of areas. Some evaluators are worth ignoring.

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      1. I don’t think this was an accident. Chace, the 95th rated prospect, had a rating of 50. Crawford had a rating of 45+, so, yes, it appears he was intentionally not included in this list. Lots of folks are sort of down on him (others less so), but he’s turned my mind around, due, in large part to his much improved plate discipline. So maybe he’s not a masher, but so what? I’d take the next Kenny Lofton in a heartbeat (Lofton had 68 career WAR and should probably be in the HOF). He should absolutely be given a chance to take the CF job next spring.

        Liked by 1 person

  56. Have to really admire what Toronto’s manager John Schneider and GM Ross Atkins have done with that Jays team. Last year they won 74 games finishing 5th in the AL-East…this year they are on their way to the World Series. Quite a turnaround.

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    1. YOU were up there singeing bats weren’t you? You won’t admit it to me, but if Don asks you, you’ll tell him all about it!

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  57. I thought to start our only chance was to win both of these games at home. If we had Wheeler you could do it with a split but our pitching beyond Sanchez isn’t good enough.

    And from here on out if any of our lefties throw Teoscar FBs up and away they should be immediately expelled from the team. I’m not sure how many times they have to see him go yard to right center to understand that. Soft away and hard in is how you get that guy out.

    And shame on that Saturday night broadcast for not knowing Bader was hurt. Boy was I cursing Robby for that move.

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    1. The Phillies are not a one-trick pony with Sanchez. He’s an ace. Zack Wheeler is an ace. But Suarez and Luzardo are plenty good enough to get the job done – and both finished in the top 10-15 in all of baseball in pitching war. Most teams would kill to have a 2 and 3 who are as good as these guys (and, in reality, they are a 3 and 4 when Wheeler is healthy). Anything could happen, but they have the starting pitching horses even with Wheeler out. My view is that this series will be determined by the bullpen and hitters 5-9 (I assume 1-4 will have at least decent production). If the bottom of the order hits and the bp doesn’t give up too many runs, we can win this, but, that said, if they don’t win tonight, I’m afraid it’s over.

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      1. When the season began, I would have ranked the back end of the bullpen as Romano, Alvarado, Strahm, Kerkering. Nothing has changed more fundamentally during the course of the season than the makeup of the pen. With the 2 leading incumbents not even on the post-season roster.

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        1. I know they will exercise Alvarardo’s option because lefties who throw over 100 MPH are still pretty rare and he can have good stretches That said, I’m not all that excited about seeing the Alvarado inconsistency and walk parade back and if they trade him mid-year, that would be an okay outcome too.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. Alvarado posted his lowest walk rate of his career (2.4). He was obviously way better before he got suspended, but he knows that if he wants to get paid in 2027, he will have to perform.

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  59. No Bader tonight. Kemp, not Wilson, in LF. Wise choice, I think, but a brutal matchup for him.

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    1. I really like that Kemp is getting a chance. You never know when a player like that is going to emerge, but the ability, I believe, is there. No time like the present.

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