127 thoughts on “Phillies Discussion (4/13/2026)”

1. Griff to the dodgers for cash eh…. interesting

   LikeLike

   Reply

   1. I was surprised myself. Im speculating but … I wonder if he requested a trade or mouthed off a bit that got him traded. On the surface it doesn’t really make sense from the Phillies to trade him to the dodgers unless:

      • feel like he’s never going to get control down under their coaching
      • they think the dodgers will add him to their bullpen, and the Phillies hitters can light him up in the postseason
      • the additional international money can help them land a player they deem more valuable than him.

      Will see what happens. Odds are in the Phil‘s FO for now.

      LikeLike

      Reply

      1. yeah i guess taking away international $ from LA is always a win haha

         LikeLike

         Reply

   2. Not just any cash…..but international credit line of money…..Phillies will invest it into a young 16- year old hopeful star someday.

      LikeLike

      Reply

2. On the pre-game show, Mattingly seemed to indicate that there was a target for the 500K they got. Guess we will find out in the future who was the target.

   LikeLike

   Reply

3. https://x.com/i/status/2044216176545280035

   Mavis Graves

   LikeLike

   Reply

   1. Cannot wait to see how he will handle AA hitters later this year.

      LikeLike

      Reply

   2. Every time I see his name, I just starting singing to myself “Mavis, discount tires, America’s discount tire store!” It’s a thing.

      LikeLike

      Reply

      1. Don’t bring that up abut Mavis tires….I got four tires there last year, and it took them almost 6 hours to do the job. Dropped the car off at 8AM, came back two and half hours later, and they were not even started. I think they finally released me after 1PM. That will not happen again.

         LikeLike

         Reply

4. Bad luck?? https://x.com/SleeperMLB/status/2044442914193907879

   LikeLike

   Reply

   1. And: https://x.com/JohnnyWWDayz/status/2044492755028545900

      LikeLike

      Reply

      1. The underlying metrics of our uber-talented pitching staff is why nobody should be worried long-term about our pitching, especially with Wheeler coming back soon. Long-term, pitching is NOT our problem – not even close.

         LikeLike

         Reply

5. Gage wood tonight at CLR

   LikeLike

   Reply

6. extended spring roster and injured players at complex if interested

   https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/4-15-26-extended-spring-roster-update

   Steve Potter

   LikeLiked by 1 person

   Reply

   1. Thanks Steve…….I like to see how Romeli Espinosa does….he is only 17 but he does have some good scouting write-ups. And also on the Red DSL roster, for now anyways, Juan Parra.

      LikeLike

      Reply

   2. I didn’t see Renteria’s name. Have you heard anything on him? Where is he playing?

      LikeLike

      Reply

      1. he is at the Dominican Academy – there are no current plans for him to come stateside this season

         LikeLiked by 1 person

         Reply

7. Harry, Whitey said, “Get the married men off the field”! It appears the Cubs met us at the most opportune time. This is as ugly as the Lee sisters …… ugly, beastly and ghastly.

   LikeLike

   Reply

   1. Prior to the season, I said I would take the under in whether the Phillies win 90 games this season. Much of the doubts expressed about this team have been phrased as “running it back” and the aging of the starters.

      My doubts have been more about what is supposed to be the given-for-granted starting pitching. So many questions: How much will they miss Ranger? Can Wheeler come back completely from surgery (and he’s a year older, a fact rarely mentioned)? Likewise, is Painter the same pitcher we had hoped for a couple years ago before his TJ surgery? Is the best of his career behind Nola? Can Tijuan be a productive innings eater? And, for those who have been ready to pronounce him a star without question, can Luzardo follow up with another career year?

      Still a young season, but so far my doubts and questions remain.

      LikeLiked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. I would have bet the 90+ but today based on what I have seen IDK. I’m sticking with my bet and not taking it back.

         Talk to me after this series. Braves leading the league in runs scored with 106. Dodgers 1 run behind them at 105.

         LikeLike

         Reply

         1. My prediction for the season was 87. They have had the pitching in the past, if it falters I might be right. The bats seem to be no different, …… still a lot of swing and miss. Not getting the good vibes on this group. DD needed to shake things up and didn’t!

            LikeLike

            Reply

            1. Skeet……just wondering how DD could have shaken things up….he painted himself into a corner with all those LTCs to the aging guys. Bohm, Stott and Marsh were their only real tradeable assets. And they all had a wart or flaw in their game.

               LikeLike

               Reply

               1. What you say is true. Bohm is too late, Stott’s bat is questionable and I’m hoping Luzardo doesn’t turn out to be Walker and then we have the “Elite One” and Turner and 3 more of Schwarber. So you are right, he retired to the “head” and locked the door.😝

                  LikeLike

         2. In 2011 they won 102 wins, in 2012 they won 81….aging stars went downhill…and from there on out until 2022, it was a disheartening and depressing decade.

            Hope we do not see a repeat of that era again.

            LikeLike

            Reply

8. McGonigle signed a 8/$150 million extension. What a great kid. He worked his rear end off for that….

   LikeLike

   Reply

   1. Another pre-lockout contract. And you are correct, a DELCO Bonner good guy.

      LikeLiked by 1 person

      Reply

   2. This contract starts in 2027 which matters because it has bought out 3 FA years but it’s still risky for the Tigers.

      First 6 years are controlled by the team and let’s just say McGonigle is Juan Soto. Juan Soto was a generational talent who made a crazy amount in arbitration (approximately $80M his first 6 years). 99% of hitters will NOT be banking $80M in their first 6 years. That means that the 3 FA years becomes 3/70 and that’s if McGonigle is Juan Soto. Most players will bank $50M and under. I believe Kyle Tucker made under $40M before he became a FA. So If McGonigle is Kyle Tucker, those 3 FA years are 3/110.

      The Tigers make this type of deal knowing that they overpaid for his prime years and will let him walk once the deal is over.

      LikeLike

      Reply

9. I’m hoping Walker’s spot doesn’t lineup with the Braves series. Haven’t looked yet, but …. I know innings need to be pitched,but … its painful…

   LikeLike

   Reply

   1. Walker, Sanchez and Painter, I believe.

      LikeLike

      Reply

10. Reyes is hot at LHV 333/347/958 OPS but 15K to only 2 BBs

    Nori still producing 317/333/870 OPS but 9Ks 0 BBs

    Dissin SSSS alert 412/400/1.106 OPS 4K 1 BB The extra S is for Super only 21 PAs at Reading so far.

    And Escobar one of my favorites coming into ST is trying to find himself 256/341/674 OPS 10K 4BB

    JS Honorable mentions Spikerman 1.087 OPS; Caicuto 993 OPS; Shojinaga 900+ OPS and a guy I’d all but given up on Saltiban 822 OPS.

    At CLR Ferrebus still just 20 is off to a good start OPSing over 1.000

    And not sure if anyone knows much about Nolan Beltran. At 21 he’s not what I would consider young for CLR but again in a very SSS he has 885 OPS with 2Ks to his 3BBs

    As an org we seem to K way too much (anecdotal of course)

    LikeLike

    Reply

    1. I saw that spring home run by Reyes. To dead center, off a down and in pitch . I like him

       LikeLike

       Reply

       1. rocco…….Reyes will need to be added to the 40 and then needs to be able to handle the corner OF…assume LF. If he is activated can see them DFA Pedro Leon.

          LikeLike

          Reply

    2. I have learned the hard way over the years that minor league hitting success doesn’t always translate, even success at AAA. That said, I am pretty intrigued by Felix Reyes. What has me very interested is that he absolutely mashes against LHP. Thus he could be a great platoon with Marsh in left.

       Last year, Reyes’s split against LHP was .371/.406/.685/1.091

       To put that OPS in perspective, the highest OPS in the past 10 years in the Eastern League belongs to Ben Rice with .974. Now that is combined OPS, not split, but at any level a 1.091 OPS is elite.

       It is clear that Marsh absolutely can not hit LHP. He just can’t. I like Otto Kemp, but his stat line against LHP in the minors was worse than Reyes’s:

       • AAA: .281/.399/.578/.977

       • AA: .310/.467/.437/.904

       That’s a really good split against LHP and has translated to the following at the major league level (2025 numbers): .231/.324/.462/.786.

       This team needs a jolt and often bringing up a rookie can do that. I would like to see them give Reyes a shot in the majors against LHP as a platoon split to Marsh.

       LikeLiked by 1 person

       Reply

       1. My issue to start the season with Kemp was that he was too young to not play everyday and it would be likely that we wouldn’t get much from him. That side of a platoon is more for a more veteran player say like an Andrew McCutchen.

          I think the same would be true for Reyes. For all I know he isn’t a great defender in the OF. I seen him a bit at LKW in RF and he didn’t look bad but that’s only a handful of games.

          You’d want him playing everyday and maybe sitting a handful of games against really tough righties.

          Garcia’s defense is really good I will give him that but if the season gets away from them who knows what they might try.

          LikeLike

          Reply

          1. There isn’t a full time role in the MLB for either Reyes or Kemp unless we get an injury to one of our corner OF players.

             LikeLike

             Reply

       2. This aged well. So they are giving him a shot. Let’s see

          LikeLike

          Reply

11. I hope you guys find this post and laugh at me by the time the year is over, but im ready to sell and get whatever we can to get out of the contracts we have. This team has zero vibes, zero care and zero emotion. And they are aging so their talent can’t mask that anymore. I would genuinely be ok with accepting that the dodgers are going to win the next 3 world series and start prepping for the next era after that. Yes that means trade some of the big boys. But this team is painful to watch and considering all these old guys are locked down til 2029/2030, i wish theyd see the writing on the wall and try to make some major changes now while its still somewhat in the realm of possibility.

    I know I MIGHT be being a bit dramatic, but its to the point where 6:40 comes around and I dont even really want to put them on tv anymore. And that is saying something. I watched 162 games of the desi relaford/mark lewis middle infield combo.

    Then you watch the flyers and you see a bunch of guys who are young, exciting and care and its like YES this is what you want your team to look like and play like. Phillies are straight up tedious.

    LikeLike

    Reply

    1. If you keep throwing money at players in their 30s, eventually it all comes crashing down because of the inevitable decline. And then you’re stuck with the contract…

       LikeLike

       Reply

       1. Absolutely. And we all knew that Turner and Harper would probably be bad in 2029 but we thought wed have a banner or two by then. But also, its not like these guys are 38. They SHOULD still be decent. They just look like they dont care. Maybe that is the wrong word, but they look like they approach playing baseball the same way most people approach their 9 to 5; show up, get paid. They don’t look like a group of guys who have any spark or care at all.

          LikeLike

          Reply

          1. I think a player declining at age 38 is wishful thinking. Here is a small list of stars and their age when they stopped being above average:

             Derek Jeter: 36

             Ken Griffer Jr.: 31

             Albert Pujols: 36

             Miguel Cabrera: 34

             Ichiro Suzuki: 37

             Chase Utley: 36

             Nolan Arenado: 32

             Paul Goldschmidt: 36

             Harper and Schwarber are 33. Turner is turning 33 in June.

             LikeLike

             Reply

             1. Hitters generally enter a gradual decline after their age 27 or 28 season (yes, that early) and the decline can become more steep after around the age 32 season. Some players can buck the trend, but that’s what you typically see.

                LikeLiked by 1 person

                Reply

                1. So true Harper realmuto, Stott, Bohm, Garcia,

                   LikeLiked by 1 person

          2. Maybe I am cynical but I don’t think that was priority one. Yes JM wants to win a WS all owners do but the driving force is keeping the Bank full and keeping fans engaged and excited. That’s where the revenue is and that is what drives up valuations.

             There’s been a certain euphoria down there since 2022 and I think Middleton got pretty high on that electricity.

             Turner at the time coming off a WS loss was supposed to put them over the top plus they wanted to keep their super star happy. It didn’t happen.

             Kyle and JT are fan favorites. I don’t really put that on DD. I’m not saying the owner is running things but I do think he has influence on the players he really feels attached to.

             I’m curious to know what the conversations were as I am sure DD and Mattingly advised this could all go to @#$% in a hurry.

             Did JM simply say well fellas we’ll cross that bridge if we come to it…

             LikeLike

             Reply

             1. DMAR……one fault attributed to Monty was his loyalty to his stars, that is, keeping them beyond their peak years. And it was a happy family, though the team on the field became mediocre.

                Middleton may be falling into the same trap. We all know what will happen over the next 2/3 years with many of these guys….Nola, Turner, Harper and maybe even Schwarber. Their decline has actually started already.

                The immediate future does not look bright to me….the lock-out next year, may be a blessing for the aged guys….a reprieve in some respects.

                LikeLike

                Reply

                1. I actually don’t think Middleton is the one falling into this trap, it is mostly DD. But that leads to another issue with Middleton – in that, unlike Jeffrey Lurie, left to his own devices, Middleton has not been good in identifying executive talent to lead the team. As a result, Middleton takes the next best route, which is to find the most experienced, historically-successful executive he can find so that he is going by track record and not his own personal determinations of who may or may not be good. Then he relies on that executive almost completely, just as he did with Pat Gillick. So, you get DD making virtually all decisions with all of his strengths and weaknesses – and he has a ton of both. His biggest weakness has been overpaying and overextending players, especially position players. His second weakness is that, by my estimates, he’s not very good at identifying hitting talent. So, what do we have? An aging group of position players and a team that doesn’t hit a lot. Not very surprising. But it’s a long season, so let’s see what happens. I think the team, at some point, is going to make a big trade for a bat – it just feels like that.

                   LikeLike

                2. We shall see Romus. I’m all in at least for the drama of how it will shake out.

                   Its still the most real thing you can watch on TV 🙂

                   LikeLike

       2. The Phillies approach to their hitters leaves a lot to be desired in almost all respects.

          LikeLike

          Reply

          1. Something peculiar I noticed last night with Bregman on at least two of his ABs he just stood there. Two pitches down the middle just stood there. close pitch inside just stood there.

             I think he went from 0-2 to a BB without swinging at a pitch. I think he did something close to that in his next AB but on that one he got a single on a 2-2 or 3-2 pitch down the middle.

             In my view some teams are really taking advantage of the ABS to bring pitchers into the middle of the plate.

             As a hitter that should be a tool that allows you to eliminate in/out/up/down in hitter friendly counts.

             I’d be trying to see 2 strikes every AB unless I saw a FB down the middle. That’s pretty much all I would sit on.

             LikeLike

             Reply

    2. Can Martone hit a curveball?

       Unfortunately making a MAJOR trade before the next CBA and lock-out will take a GM with magician skills.

       LikeLiked by 1 person

       Reply

12. Knew this day would eventually come……former Phil prospect Hao-Yu Lee has been recalled by the Tigers and is in the starting lineup. He is playing third base and batting eighth and will make his major league debut in the process. He is a hitter for sure.

    LikeLike

    Reply

13. In the words of rocco….’pathetic’

    LikeLike

    Reply

    1. Entrance music: “I’m Walking the floor over you!” I think he has pictures, I’ve thought so for sometime.

       LikeLike

       Reply

    2. Don53 wanted you and Rocco to know he can read, but not post …. still suffering the effects of the “Romus” disease ….. but that he finally sold all the Easter plants!

       LikeLike

       Reply

       1. I had to call in a local computer guru to get my issue resolved. Word Press kept pushing me into trying to establish my own site.

          LikeLike

          Reply

14. Anyone who thinks that Sosa is an answer to any of our offensive problems is delusional. He will never be an every day player swinging at crap 3 ft out of the strike zone. It’s exhausting

    LikeLike

    Reply

15. So we can lament TW performance all we want and I don’t believe his effort is anywhere near ML pitcher’s, but he could have given up 1 run and we still would have lost. No bats really sick team!

    LikeLike

    Reply

    1. no defense for the offense…

       I will say this… I think when Walker pitches… the team gets tight. They gotta feel it… it’s gotta get tiring. Nice guy and all, but he’s not a MLB pitcher. He has an MLB contract though

       On the offense… the FO really got egg on their face with Bichette. Team knows he was “supposed” to be there until Mets owner threw out a ridiculous number. To make matters worse, was it really unrealistic that Miller was going to take someone’s spot? So… I take it there is an “air” in the clubhouse that likely hasn’t been there for years… even with Casty exciled.

       They should have the arms… they need another bat or 2.

       LikeLike

       Reply

16. Felix Reyes. 2-4 with 2 HRs. .325. 6 HRs

    LikeLike

    Reply

17. The Cubs are a really good hitting team. They scored a ton of runs in Philly this past week and pounded the Mets yesterday. The amazing thing to me is that Happ, Crow-A, Bregman and a couple of others haven’t begun to hit yet. Should they figure out their pitching, they could run away with the NL Central and be a real threat in the playoffs.

    If the Phillies can salvage a game this weekend, their problems are still ahead of them. They have 4 next week with said Cubs and 3 more with the resurgent Braves next weekend. When that stretch is done, the boys in red pinstripes could be looking at an 11-18 record. Are there enough tall buildings with ledges that can handle the influx of the brethren threatening to take the leap?

    LikeLike

    Reply

    1. The silver lining, as this season may get away with us…….the higher draft choice, just like 10 years ago.

       LikeLike

       Reply

       1. ……. then parley the #1 into 3 #2’s (Schmidt, Rollins and Rolen …… dreaming again can’t trade draft picks …. right?

          LikeLike

          Reply

    2. Maybe we could get a group PP rate on a bunge jump ….. and tell them we won’t need the bunge!

       LikeLike

       Reply

18. Romus Don’t use Word press, do what I do use you 💖 📱📱

    LikeLike

    Reply

19. Steve Potter with the scoop!

    https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/4-18-26-felix-reyes-gets-the-call

    LikeLike

    Reply

20. Johan Duran to the 15-day IL, oblique

    Seth Johnson recalled

    Otto Kemp optioned

    Felix Reyes contract selected

    LikeLiked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. ty

       LikeLike

       Reply

21. Please keep Kevin Long away from Felix, PLEASE!!!!!

    LikeLiked by 1 person

    Reply

22. OK, OK ……. I understand, you just don’t want to talk about it, it’s OK, but you got to admit it was great to see the “kid” hammer the 1rst one out against a quality major league pitcher! OK, go back to sleep!

    LikeLiked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. It was great

       LikeLike

       Reply

23. I think we are nearing the end of the Rob Thompson era. MATTINGLY!!!

    LikeLike

    Reply

    1. I’m big a Rob Thomson fan, but, due in large part to DD’s inadvisable contracts and inability to develop young hitters in the system, DD’s job will become vulnerable if they don’t look like they are making progress in the next month or so. But, to me, what actually makes Topper more vulnerable than in past years is not that they have had hot or cold streaks (which happens both in terms of hitting and fielding), but that they are playing very poor fundamental baseball. That’s the manager’s responsibility and, I think, the type of thing that would drive John Middleton crazy because it is (or should be) largely preventable.

       And, by the way, be careful what you wish for if Don Mattingly is promoted. If you believe Preston Mattingly should be the next person running this organization, having his Dad as manager is not a good thing. Really, it’s not – because it’s a clear conflict of interest and if they fire Donnie Baseball it could easily create a permanent problem with Preston or cause him to want to leave. Take a look at the Colangelo mess and the problems the Orioles had with the Ripkens when Cal, Sr. was let go. It’s not a good idea.

       LikeLike

       Reply

24. Saw this post about one of are HS draftees,

    https://x.com/Prospect_Tilt/status/2045213187151167617

    Interesting that they thought he was advanced enough to start at single A

    LikeLike

    Reply

    1. Yes indeed….he actually played games last summer at CLW after he was drafted as then an 18 year old. Maybe he will get to go home near Toms River at Lakewood by the end of the summer if he continues raking at CLW.

       https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ferrar006mat

       LikeLike

       Reply

25. https://www.mlb.com/news/phillies-gage-wood-dominates-at-single-a

    LikeLike

    Reply

26. On April 9th, Dombrowski said that Miller has started to swing the bat. Today there was an article where Thomson said that Miller is taking ground balls but hasn’t started to swing the bat. Why the contradiction in statements and which is true ?

    LikeLike

    Reply

27. Wheeler 4 inn. 6 H 4 R 4 ER 4 Ks 1 BB 2 Hr

    LikeLike

    Reply

28. The 2019 Washington Nationals, who won the World Series, famously held a 19-31 (.380) record through their first 50 games on May 24th of that year. This was one of the worst starts in MLB history for a eventual champion, but they finished the regular season 93-69 before winning the title.

    If we’re looking for a glimmer of hope.

    LikeLike

    Reply

    1. Did they make any significant changes to the roster and/or coaching staff ?

       LikeLike

       Reply

       1. Asdrubal Cabrera was a big add for them and everyone’s favorite role player “Baby Shark” Geraldo Parra. They also had a really good glue guy in Howie Kendrik.

          Not to mention a really good 1-3 rotation in Strasberg, Scherzer and Patrick Corbin. Even their 4th was pretty solid.

          Not sure about any coaching changes but Dave Martinez’s seat had to be pretty hot before they turned things around.

          Turner of course was on that team so he should no a little bit about how to get things back on track.

          LikeLike

          Reply

          1. Their biggest weakness that year was the Bullpen which I believe they sorted out at the deadline.

             I’m fairly confident in our pitching coming around but I don’t know what you do with the offense. I think Stott will turn it around. I’ve never been a big Bohm guy but he can’t get much worse so you’d have to expect him to turn it around.

             Crawford’s been OK in CF I’d leave him alone and Marsh isn’t a good CF. Crawford might catch that RBI double in Game 2 of the Braves series. Wouldn’t be opposed to adding a RH option there as when Marsh starts in CF it’s an auto out against a lefty.

             Maybe Reyes can hit well in a part time role and take some time away from Garcia. Then maybe Kemp can get hot a AAA and take Bohm’s playing time if he doesn’t turn around.

             LikeLike

             Reply

    2. there is NO WAY this team is this bad. It’s just not. It is technically early. For reference… the Phillies have been swept by the braves a fair amount of times during this run. They seem to “swap” sweeps so will see. Im not alarmed “yet” … unless this continues past April. The closer they can finish towards .500 the better.

       Cold starts are also nothing new for this team

       LikeLike

       Reply

    3. I agree that this team is much better than they’ve shown, especially the pitching, which I think is likely to end up being elite. The hitting and the fielding are better too. So, do I think this is an over-.500 team? Yeah, I do. Do I think they are still likely to make the playoffs? Yup, I think it’s still likely. But do I feel good about their chances overall? No, not yet. And the reason for this is that the way this team is constructed it’s hard to envision them getting through 3 or 4 consecutive series without getting almost completely shut down on offense in one of them. It’s not a coincidence this has happened the last 3 years – that’s who they are. So, if they are being real with themselves, they are going to have stop the “back of the bubble gum card” nonsense and figure out who they are going to have to stick with and who they are going to view as being replaceable. And they are probably going to have to trade for a hitting stud. And they are going to have to hope that one of their young hitters (not including Crawford – he’ll be around but he won’t dominate) takes a huge leap forward. It’s such a shame with Aidan Miller, because the situation is so perfect for him to step in and shake this team alive.

       But on the hitting, you want to know the biggest problem over the last 15 years? Unless you include Odubel Herrera, who they didn’t develop and who landed in their laps, this team has drafted or signed and developed, by my count, one above average hitter – and that was Rhys Hoskins; maybe two if you squint real hard and include Alec Bohm who is a second division regular. But there’s no star there and, aside from Odubel (who was better than we give him credit for, although he was quirky as hell), where’s the good-hitting first division regular? Now, I think they may be doing better at developing those players now, with Miller and Crawford coming, but this team is a team of hitter free agents – it’s awfully hard to build and maintain a very good team with just free agents. And it’s expensive as hell.

       LikeLike

       Reply

29. Escobar over the weekend had a 2-4 night with a HR; an 0-5 night then a 3-4 night. Its there he has to figure out how to be consistent now.

    Not much has been heard from Bryson Ware since drafting him out of Auburn in 2023 but he does have 5 HRs through only 47 AB’s while OPSing 1.000. He’s 25 now so probably won’t turn many heads at his age and at AA.

    I did see after we talked about it that they were calling up Reyes. I had a little chuckle of course.

    If he played everyday he could be at least as good offensively and maybe better than Garcia but defensively in RF he’s no where near Garcia. But would he be any worse than Casty was out there…

    LikeLike

    Reply

    1. A 1B man playing the outfield, same as Anthony and Kemp ……. trying to find a guy a position, but when you sign players for decades what can you do? Unlike you guys that think everything is going to be ok, I don’t, I believe they need to shake this team up, and I don’t care where they start. They can start with coaches or players. The thing I hate seeing the most is the air of complacency that seems to prevail. Where is “Dallas Green” when you need him or Pete Rose or the attitudes of Bowa or Dykstra. Any closed door clubhouse meetings been revealed ……. even the pouter’s pouts have diminished.

       LikeLike

       Reply

30. Very good article that is worth the read:

    https://thatballsouttahere.com/rob-thomson-refuses-to-acknowledge-the-otto-kemp-reality-all-phillies-fans-understand

    LikeLiked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. I’m very neutral on Rob but I saw this article and thought really what is he supposed to say about a decision that probably wasn’t his.

       For all we know when they were all discussing the roster construction Rob told them this isn’t going to work Otto needs to play everyday and we’re just not going to get him enough ABs as the right side of a platoon.

       I’m just a guy on a blog and I saw this coming over a month ago.

       What could they have done differently? Maybe made Kemp the everyday LF Marsh the everyday RF with De La Cruz as his platoon partner or after you sign Garcia put Kemp back in AAA and use De La Cruz or Moore as the platoon partner for Marsh in LF.

       So many other options were better than what we just witnessed…

       LikeLiked by 1 person

       Reply

       1. DMAR……if they come up very short, and they miss the play-offs this season, I can see the three of Marsh, Stott and of course, as expected , Bohm all gone. We are stuck with the post-30 year old superstars, so changes that can be made, will be made.

          Can they turn it around, sure, but hope DD does not get fooled and thinks the future is set with this group.

          LikeLike

          Reply

          1. Another issue is that the players who have FA contracts with the Phillies either have a no trade clause or have 10-5 rights:

             Harper, Turner, Wheeler, Realmuto, Nola

             Schwarber will get 10-5 rights AFTER this season.

             The only players with contracts that can be traded without their permission are Cristopher Sanchez and Jesus Luzardo. They will instead get a bonus (likely $1M) if they are traded.

             So even if the Phillies wanted to start getting rid of contracts, they can’t without the player’s permission.

             LikeLike

             Reply

             1. Yep we are stuck with those post-30 year superstars. as they start declining. Though with JTR and Wheeler, the light at the end of their contract tunnel can be seen.

                The other four…Turner, Harper, Schwarber and Nola….we will have to grin and bear it and watch the slide.

                Dang I feel like a Mets fan.

                LikeLike

                Reply

          2. We’ll see Romus. Like I said it is really good reality TV and I am still watching all the games if only to see JC play and try to establish himself as a big leaguer.

             If I were Middleton though I’d be starting to try and identify a new regime to take this club forward.

             I don’t think DD is the man for that job and I don’t think Preston has the chops to pull it off.

             LikeLike

             Reply

             1. I half suspect that the reason for Mattingly Sr. being hired as bench coach is to get a “Where do we go from here” report to the FO! I don’t suspect him to be around long term!

                LikeLike

                Reply

             2. It’s worth noting that, for whatever reason or reasons, DD has never been any team’s “forever” GM, but it’s actually a little worse than that. He has historically had a shelf life characterized by an ending where the team he leaves has some heavy digging out and waiting to do, including the Tigers and Red Sox who were gutted by the time he left (not all of which was his fault). That said, unless things crash and burn pretty badly here (and, who knows, they might?!), I think this time he’s going to dictate his own exit, perhaps for the first time, so I think we’ve got a few years at least to see if he can plow through all of this and make the team a long-time competitor. To give him some credit, I still think the Luzardo signing and Sanchez extension will prove to be excellent. The handling of the offense and contracts to old and some bad offensive players . . . not so much.

                LikeLiked by 1 person

                Reply

31. The Phillies are 5 games under .500 and on a 5 game losing streak, but nobody is talking about them because the sad sack Mets have lost 11 in a row.

    The Phillies have scored 75 runs, tied for 3rd last. The pitching hasn’t held up either with 113 runs scored against, also tied for 3rd last. This has lead the Phillies to be DEAD LAST in run differential at -38. More news? The Phillies are tied for 2nd last in defensive runs saved (-14).

    So the Phillies can’t hit, can’t pitch, and can’t field? I’m not sure how it got this bad this fast.

    The Phillies next 7 games are against the Cubs (a vastly superior defensive team) and the Braves (who just swept the Phillies). 8-10 games under .500 is a distinct possibility.

    LikeLiked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. See 2012 for the relevant history lesson. If someone doesn’t wake up real soon, the 2027-2035 Phillies might look very similar to the 2013-2021 Phillies.

       LikeLike

       Reply

       1. The Phillies minor league system is much better now than what it was back then. There is actually some decent talent in the pipeline. However, the Phillies have WAY MORE money tied up now in monster deals than back in 2012. No matter how you look at it, it’s going to be real ugly when the losing starts.

          LikeLike

          Reply

32. I don’t believe the team will miss Duran-Duran for two weeks. How many save opportunities would he have anyway?

    LikeLike

    Reply

    1. Jhoan Duran has an oblique issue. Those issues are very problematic, I expect him to miss at least 3 weeks.

       LikeLike

       Reply

       1. Duran will come back in 3 weeks just like Wheeler will come back with his 97 mph heater after major surgery in his mid 30s…

          LikeLike

          Reply

33. Bryce Harper has been hitting which is great, but the problem is that his defense has massively declined. His dWar last season was -1. 21 games in, he’s already at -0.6. And before people say that he should play RF, note that the OF is harder defensively than 1B. Harper is a DH playing 1B, but can’t play DH because of Schwarber. It has come to the point where Harper’s defense will reduce his value. I think Harper will struggle to accumulate 4+ WAR seasons going forward.

    LikeLike

    Reply

    1. There is NO WAY you can send out Nola and Walker

       LikeLike

       Reply

       1. I thought you jumped off the Ben Franklin, good to hear from you!😉

          LikeLike

          Reply

34. Let the record show that I was very willing to non tender Bohm and roll with Sosa/Kemp at 3B. I just didn’t feel that Bohm was going to be worth the $10M arbitration number. The upside just wasn’t there.

    There’s no easy fix for the offense right now. Bohm is not part of the solution and I guess you can bench him, but not sure how much of a happy bench teammate he would be. Carter Kieboom and Christian Cairo are hitting well at Lehigh and you can argue that they can’t hit any worse than what Bohm is doing now.

    Picking up Steward Berroa was a good call, he’s also hitting well. When the eventual Adolis Garcia release happens, call up Berroa to play CF and push Crawford to RF.

    If the Phillies become sellers at the deadline, trade Marsh, Sosa, Mayza, Alvarado. Stott isn’t worth the trade if he’s not hitting.

    LikeLiked by 1 person

    Reply

35. Topper continuing with a similar lineup continues to demonstrate a lack of urgency, similar to his boss. I’d just rattle some cages and shake it up – 1) Harper 2) Realmuto 3) Schwarber 4) Turner 5) Marsh 6) Garcia 7) Crawford 8) Bohm 9) Stott

    LikeLike

    Reply

36. As a guy who has publicly stated here that he expects the Phillies to win under 90 games this year, I am not a fan wearing rose-colored glasses.

    However, this team has had a really bad run of luck, too. Their BABIP of 0.265 is 26th in MLB. We saw in the last two games of the Braves series some well hit balls go for naught, including Schwarb’s line drive to right that Acuna chased down to end the game when it probably should have been a double that tied the game bringing Harper up for the potential game winning hit.

    On the other side, we saw the Braves hit (if that isn’t too strong a word) dribblers and bloops to score runs. Braves, BTW, are near the top in BABIP at 0.318.

    So, I’ll continue to be pessimistic about the Phils’ full-season chances, but also expect to see the luck, and thus win-loss rate, improve.

    LikeLike

    Reply

37. Last 36 innings, average 1 run per game, ….. I think Long is gone. With respect I have to say I have never seen the guys in red diving for baseballs and coming up with them like the cubs do!

    LikeLike

    Reply

    1. You mean, Long Gone?

       Maybe they should hire Jay Wright to coach the defense.

       LikeLike

       Reply

       1. Of all the disturbing plays in Monday’s game perhaps the most disturbing was watching Harper standing around first base watching Marchan desperately, and futilely, trying to catch a pop foul that Harper should have gotten.

          If there is a leader and tone setter on this team it is Harper. He set a very bad one there.

          If Thomson is ever going to step out of character and admonish someone, this game, with Harper as the example, would be it.

          Is there a Dallas Green or Jim Fregosi somewhere to set the limits and maybe light a fire?

          LikeLike

          Reply

38. If you watched the game closely you saw that we got “goosed” early on!😉

    LikeLike

    Reply

39. Marchan got a hit!💯💪💥

    LikeLike

    Reply

    1. Batting average is now more than halfway to the magic 100 mark.

       LikeLike

       Reply

40. Mick Abel, who last week had a 7 IP, 10K, 0 BB, 0 runs start, is now on the IL with elbow inflammation. I’ll say this about Dombrowski: he hasn’t yet gotten burned on any prospect trades. O’Hoppe hasn’t developed (3 career WAR), Ben Brown has negative career WAR, etc., etc. Eventually, Tait and/or Caba may change that . . .

    LikeLike

    Reply

41. What a sorry team right now….Marchan, bases loaded, 2 outsd, and 2 and 2 count, next pitch at his thigh…he jumps out of the way….what would Chase Utley do! Turn his back to the pitcher and let it hit him and force in a run…so Marchan strikes out on the next pitch, a splitter out of the zone…sheeesh.

    LikeLiked by 1 person

    Reply

42. Yesterday was 420 I think most of them partook…

    LikeLike

    Reply

43. Reyes has been up for 4 games. He has 3 PAs. He was red hot at Lehigh. Hits a HR in his first MLB AB. Hasn’t played since Friday.

    I guess they want him to cool off some before putting him back out there. Totally mind numbing how this org handles these call ups.

    LikeLike

    Reply

    1. I would consider giving Garcia a day off and move Marsh to RF and Reyes to LF.

       Garcia going the route of Andres Galarraga: can’t handle the low outside slider.

       LikeLiked by 1 person

       Reply

       1. Or Ryan Howard! The low outside slider ended his career!

          LikeLike

          Reply

          1. I would argue that the infield shift did more damage to his career. Ryan Howard couldn’t hit an opposite field single to save his life.

             LikeLike

             Reply

44. I wonder if Howie Kendrick has any thoughts on what they are going through right now and what he would be saying to either the FO, the manager or the players…

    Not sure if he is manager material but a guy like him might be just what this team needs…

    LikeLike

    Reply

45. Jeff Hoffman of the Blue Jays has -0.5 WAR which is hard to do this early in the season. His numbers: 6.97 ERA, 1.935 WHIP, 3 blown saves. He’s still owed $12.66M for next season. The Blue Jays fans are ready to run him out of town.

    LikeLike

    Reply

46. I really never followed Garcia. What in the world did DD think giving him ten million. That he after three bad yrs would start hitting. If I was owner he be gone today. He won a world series. Sorry he has a ruined this team with contracts Nola Garcia, Castellano, just to name a few . This team is like the bad phillies teams I grew up, rooting for. Three guys at top who could hit Allen clean up. Then 5-8 junk guys who could hit a lick. If the top didn’t produce you lost

    LikeLike

    Reply

    1. rocco……..you really are going hard on Bobby Wine, don’t you think!

       LikeLike

       Reply

    2. While hoping for the best and acknowledging that Garcia is a good fielder, I have expressed great skepticism from the start that this signing would go well given the Phillies abysmal track record and signing plug and play outfielders (and infielders) in their 30s to one-year deals – it’s like one long, sad, parade of failure. I still hope Garcia can turn it around but it looks like another predictable bad signing of an older position player.

       LikeLike

       Reply

47. The Philadelphia Phillies are signing Korean RHP Chan-min Park, 17, to a 7-figure deal. Park (6-3, 205) is up to 94 and can really spin it. He’s got four pitches and a polished operation/strikes. FB, SL, CB, CH/SPL. Used the $500k for Griff McGarry to help get it done.

    https://x.com/JoeDoyleMiLB/status/2046644222330314930?s=20

    LikeLiked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Smart move…..the kid seems very advanced for a 17-year old.

       LikeLike

       Reply

       1. Sounds like a young Nola

          LikeLike

          Reply

    2. This right here is where I’m at while I wait and see if this group of guys can start winning again…

       LikeLike

       Reply

48. matt ferrarais florida state league player of the week for week 3

    LikeLike

    Reply