183 thoughts on “Phillies Discussion (7/29/2026)”

1. I forgot to mention above that relief for Philadelphia fans has arrived. Eagles football camp opened on Wednesday.

   LikeLiked by 1 person

   1. Touche…….forget August for the Phillies.

      LikeLike

2. I have a tough time getting excited about DSL players I posted this before . It seems to me very young pitching. Lot of hitting. I just don’t get Renteria in DSL,who, I might be wrong played against better before, going to DSL instead of Clearwater

   LikeLike

   1. rocco….I get more excited about the DSL/ A ball kids than the MLB team playing in Philly.

      LikeLiked by 1 person

3. The Phils FO needs to have a serious conversation with Turner. You gotta move him off SS, not because he’s that terrible, but because it’s the best way to get more offense on this team.

   I think we are going to be crying in terms of the players that are on the way out. DD is going to take a swing, and let the cards fall where they may.

   Phils are going to make 4 trades. An INF, and OF, a RP, and SP. Some combo. I think Painter, Wood, and Ferrubus (sp? C) are gone. Will see, but thats the sense Im starting to get. Getting Swept by the Marlins is going to make everyone “Pucker” a bit. Im sure Middleton is a bit tense right now.

   LikeLike

4. I remember watching the late Roy Halladay at the end of his career. Total disbelief. Here was the greatest of the great, getting shellacked. The painful lesson I learned as a fan, was that in baseball, a decline happens slowly, then really fast.

   I see a similar pattern playing out with this Phillies core. It has clearly run its course. The “we need help” plea from Harper is the final tell. A white flag by a desperate player. As Mattingly correctly points out, Harper broke locker room code with that statement. Harper knew what he was doing. He sees it too.

   Jeff Passan has twice mentioned the Phillies connected to Zack Neto this past week. I am sure the cost would be an enormous prospect package. But that would be a core changing move. As would a trade for a starting catcher like Hunter Goodman or Adley Rutschman (whom I have long advocated for on this blog). These are the type of deals we need. We are locked into 3 max contracts, whom all are poor defenders. I hope that Trae can make a move to the OF this offseason, although I recognize learning to read MLB line drives is no easy task. Harper is a DH at this point too. Beyond those three, and Marsh, we have no depth. This is mostly a function of poor drafting and development, which has to fall on DD too.

   Our first round picks have been mediocre MLB players at best. Bohm, Stott, Abel, Painter, Crawford, Nori are simply not impact players. There is still hope for Painter and Crawford and Aidan (if he is healthy) but the rest, what you see is what you get. And beyond our first round picks, the results have been remarkably poor. Over the last 10 years of drafts (excluding this year), we have a grand total of 1 player on our roster who was drafted by our team after the first round, Orion Kerkering. True drafting and player development incompetence. Looking at our current minors, I don’t see that trend changing. Beyond our first round picks, our best prospects are LatAm signings. Note, Gair has a chance to be an impact player. But beyond Gair, I don’t see one high impact potential player whom we drafted. Our back up catcher depth is horrific. We can’t produce a respectable 4th or 5th starter. We have zero OF prospects who can play at MLB level right now. And again, we have no minor leaguers who we trust out of the bullpen so we need to trade for relievers again. Starting Pitching, Relief pitching, catching and OF. Nothing. It’s just remarkable.

   Bottom line, we need a reset. I am hoping that DD sees this too. If he moves prospects, I hope he does so for young, controllable players who will change our core. Neto is a good example. But Zack Neto will not save this team. We need to transform this team. And this offseason DD needs to overhaul our drafting and developmental approach.

   But as I type this out I realize, it all comes back to DD. So maybe the Phillies need to do what the Sixers did, dump the GM and start over with a new FO.

   LikeLiked by 3 people

   1. The state of the Phillies falls on DD, but drafting and developing players is really hard. There are very few teams that do it consistently, that’s why FA is such a big deal (to fill in the gaps). I’ve mentioned previously that if the Phillies can get 1 starter per draft, then they are doing their job.

      It’s very rare that a team will have 5+ homegrown players out of the 9 hitters. The other players will come from trades and FA.

      LikeLike

      1. The best teams draft and develop top players. If you want to be good then that’s what you have to do. No excuses.

         LikeLike

         1. Harper’s comment cuts both ways – he lobbied long and hard for JT and Turner, and I’d argue he had some input to Stott.

            I have no issues that he’s asked for better players – as there needs to be accountability. But some of DD’s flexibility in getting those players is tied up on his asks for JT and Trea.

            And yes, drafting and development needs improvement.

            Lastly we need some luck…Keller this year, Bader hurt last year, Hays in ’24. We need to find a Werth, or even a JC Romero waiver wire pickup.

            LikeLike

            1. Harper has a .203 batting average and a .617 OPS against LHP this year. To put that into perspective, both are worse than Marsh. He needs to look in the mirror. He is an automatic out against a lefty reliever with a good slider. Looks like a child against a good lefty reliever.

               LikeLike

   2. Til I am blue in the face. DD did what he could and I have little issue with any of it. I also believe certain things were done that maybe he normally wouldn’t have done if there weren’t certain influences effecting those signings.

      That said yes he should move on and turn the reigns over to a candidate that can massage this roster for the future.

      Painter still has a chance and the book can’t be closed on him. We all know Halladay had his struggles prior to becoming Doc.

      Crawford is 22. Plenty of time to let him grow into who he has the potential to become.

      Stott I really like if for nothing more than his defense and he’s not horrible at the plate.

      If they simply find a way to leave things alone the future can be really bright: Renteria, Ferrebus, Wood, Marquez, Gair, Spangler, Gasparino etc

      IMO BH has clearly soured. His off hand comments over the past few months signal to me he would welcome a change. He wants to play with Judge let’s see if we can make that happen and plug in Keaton Anthony for a while.

      Marriages almost always start out honky dory but they sometimes end. JM has given him just about everything that he has asked for. It gave us some exciting baseball but clearly his need to be GM is not helping things and/or keeping them from making decisions for the health of their long term future.

      Sometimes you have to punt on 4th down and if going 2-8 out of the AS break isn’t a 4th down moment I’m not sure what is.

      LikeLike

      1. With all due respect , I hope your kidding,? DD has killed us with bad contracts. Bad one yr signings. And has hurt us from taking on salary with his bad contracts. All this time couldn’t find a outfielder. Bad bullpen arms. Lack of vision. Nola instead of some else. Caving to Realmuto for 3 yrs.

         LikeLike

         1. I’m the last person that is going to defend DD. I’ll just say I don’t think or believe it was all his doing. I think he worked within the parameters of the mandate which was keep putting a winning product on the field, Keep BH happy and keep the bank full.

            I don’t think the way we measure success is the same as ownership frankly. They may talk the talk about winning championships but the underlying KPI is attendance and sentiment.

            So much they won’t ever say or admit publicly. To that end though the getting to the WS 22, an NLCS 23 and winning 2 division’s 24/25 and making the playoffs in their eyes is great.

            DD like the vast majority of executives is going to thread the needle between giving ownership what they want and the shareholders what they think they want.

            DD’s not elite comments seemed to be a culmination of frustration from following a path he might not of been 100% on board with adjacent to moves he thought would deliver the WS. Happens all the time in sports.

            Once it runs its course a change happens.

            Its likely there are a bunch of people in the org to share in the blame of how its gone.

            C’est la vie back to the drawing board.

            LikeLiked by 1 person

            1. I agree. I think the Yankees are the perfect example of this. George Steinbrenner did anything and everything to win a world championship. Hal Steinbrenner seems to enjoy winning because it makes money. So NOT winning a world series is okay by him, just as long as they make the playoffs and he makes money.

               I’m also tired of the “not elite” stuff. I agree that maybe it shouldn’t have been said. But I also think the best way for Bryce to handle it is to go out and have a top-5 MVP finish and then bring it up. Didn’t DD also say that Bryce didn’t have an elite season, by his standards? And that Bryce would probably agree with it? Again, I don’t think it was that bad of a comment, and I think it got blown out of proportion. Either way, I’m just tired of hearing about it and the little drama that it has been causing. Ultimately, if you just hit like an MVP, it shuts a lot of people up.

               LikeLike

         2. rocco…brutally honest and for the most part correct. You should wish that this team falls short of the play-offs, then Middleton will let Dombrowski go. Sometimes it is a good thing to hit rock bottom.

            LikeLike

      2. 100% of our roster and minor league system is a direct result of Dave Dombrowski. If you don’t like our depth, that is on Dave. If you don’t like our farm system, that is on Dave. If you don’t like Mattingly, that is on Dave. 100% is on Dave. Ownership gave him one of the largest payrolls in MLB. He has been here long enough to change anything that he didn’t like. He had complete control over which FA to sign. He had complete control over our scouting and PD depts. He had final say in our draft. He is in total control. Anything that is bad is on him. And vice versa. Whatever is good is on him too.

         I think that DD has done many good things. The Marsh deal was a big win. The Luzardo deal and the Duran deal were big wins too. Signing Schwarber twice was great. But he has also made a lot of mistakes. And the failure to have a strong farm system is on him too.

         LikeLike

   3. V1again, I agree with the majority of your summary but I have to ask – if DD knew how to overall our draft and development process, why hasn’t it already happened?

      Really agree with your last paragraph- they absolutely need to start over but per Gelb on The Athletic – a contract extension for DD is imminent extending his tenure well past the end of the ‘27 season, and when the announcement is made it will very likely outline his succession plan. I’m guessing that’s Preston but Gelb did not say. So I think the Phils biggest problem is at the top – Middleton has never demonstrated a capability to hire the right leaders to run this organization.

      Lastly, I think the one thing we don’t talk about enough is the impact post salary cap implementation before the ‘28 season. The Phils are going to so far over the cap, mostly with really bad contracts by that point, nobody is going to want them, but the Phil’s will be forced to get under the cap eventually and for every large contract in the future, 3-4 young players making small money will be required. So the burden on this already disgraceful draft and development process will only be amplified in the future. So trading away prospects at this deadline will likely make the future challenges exponentially greater.

      LikeLike

5. Personally, I’m okay with trading from the entire farm system. The Phillies have been better at maximizing the trade value of their prospects than they have at consistently developing them into impact major leaguers. Odds are one or two prospects they move will eventually become good players…big deal 🤷‍♂️ The problem is that this organization has run out of time to wait. By the time any of these prospects develop, the current stars will have faded out. Just go for it DD.

   Bryce Harper saw this coming years ago. He just called it out right now. Im glad he did. Make the team focus. This is it. the time is now. Don’t let the FO sell us a bunch of BS. You can’t build a roster solely through free agency and expect to sustain a championship window without continually adding young, controllable talent. Every contender needs that balance, and the Phillies haven’t developed enough of it.

   It’s open season – Painter, Crawford, Wood, Miller, Renteria, Marquez, McFarlane, Escobar, Gair, Ferrubus…. whoever else… Turner, Marsh, Realmuto … Luzardo if getting a better SP. Everything is on the table. This team needs a Sixers like refresh. I hope DD can pull a rabbit out of his … Because he needs to!

   LikeLike

6. Harper, since the All-Star break and entering Wednesday’s disastrous getaway game in Miami, was batting .179 in the last 11 games. He just joins the rest of the lineup in not measuring up. Perhaps it is a temporary slump.

   LikeLike

7. If I was the GM, I would have two untouchables: Renteria and Marquez.

   I would trade Aidan if we get fair value (meaning, assuming he isn’t hurt and gets valued as a top 50 prospect).

   Everyone else in the system is available, including Painter.

   LikeLiked by 1 person

8. In regards to Roy Halladays decline it certainly didn’t help that he threw over 110 pitches 20 times as well has over 120 pitches several times in 2011. Not conducive to longevity. I think some managerial malpractice

   LikeLike

   1. Carlton – 254 complete games and 5,217.2 innings over 709 career starts

      LikeLike

9. Francisco Renteria avoids a hitless day with a ninth-inning solo home run, his seventh of the DSL season. Renteria hits this one at 100 mph in the Phillies’ 9-1 win

   https://x.com/Mitch_Rupert/status/2082882325793128679

   LikeLiked by 2 people

10. Here is a point I have not seen been made, pertaining to the unique dynamics of a trade deadline before an expected lockout.

    There could be more players available than we typically understand. Specifically with low market teams, even in the hunt. With the expected lockout next year, they could look to shed some salary now, to make up for the expected loss of revenue next year, that likely linger into 2028 for them. Player salaries are 60%+ of all operating expenses, so they could make more of a prudent business decision than what’s best to the team to win. This is really the last opportunity to lower expenses and run lean before for all the small market teams that claim they don’t make a profit… it they actually don;t make a profit… don’t you think they’d trade away some of their higher priced players? Apparently they make 7% margin on their operating profit.

    I guess we are going to get a peak behind the curtain. It will be interesting to see if any of the small market teams make questionable baseball moves.

    LikeLike

11. Kind of impressive that Clearwater after promoting all those players was able to put up 16 runs on 14 hits last night, they gave up 10 runs but only of them was ER.

    McFarlane with 2K’s in his AAA debut.

    LikeLike

12. Rumor by passan Skubal to dodgers. Really why play

    LikeLiked by 2 people

    1. Yeah. Shipping out prospects and ignoring how unbeatable the Dodgers are is stupid

       LikeLike

    2. they just activated Edwin Diaz

       LikeLike

13. Just a fun Phillies note that Kody Clemens hit a 2-out, 2-strike, walk-off grand slam off of Matt Strahm today with the Twins down 3-0 in the 9th. Link: https://www.facebook.com/Twins/videos/kody-clemens-walk-off-grand-slam/1521036899266592/

    A microcosm of DD’s time with the Phillies — no space for Clemens, a young talented player in light of the aging, overpriced roster, but traded Strahm for usable pieces that could help the team long term. He’s had good and bad. The long contracts to these older players are an albatross.

    It’s too bad the team likely won’t realize it and try to reset now. Maybe they could get something for Realmuto, maybe they could trade Duran or Stott or something valuable from the ML roster for some quality prospects to come up and support Harper, Schwarber, Miller, and others in the next 2-3 years as we retool for another playoff run around a different set of players. I think the deadline and the season’s outcome will again be unsatisfying and the plan go-forward will be muddy at best.

    LikeLike

    1. Regarding Clemens, he’s a 30 year old 1B having his first season of above average offense in the majors ever. He’s not even raking, he’s got a .301 OBP. AND he hits lefty.

       I’m glad he’s having some success, but he wasn’t good for us, he didn’t fit our needs, and he’s not hitting well enough even now that he’s worth regretting that decision.

       LikeLike

14. Don’t understand why the Phillies would be enamored with Varsho. First of all he is a rental making almost $11M and second his numbers are not that much better than Crawford’s. He’s a better defender but that’s it.

    Varsho 345-PA 19-2B 2-3B 7-HR 26-BB 67-K 247-308-383

    Craw 316-PA 12-2B 3-3B 2-HR 18-BB 63-K 257-306-339

    He has a lot of homeruns in past years but not this season. I say pass.

    LikeLiked by 1 person

    1. We’re rumored to be looking at a large package deal with Toronto that could potentially include Gausman (4-10 record with an ERA over 4.5), Hoffman (not good numbers and coming off a WS Blown Save), and Varsho (who Ciada already pointed out is an expensive version of Crawford and just very slightly better numbers). So we’re going to trade away a bunch of prospects to get someone who’s slightly better than Nola, someone else who’s slightly worse than Kerkering, and someone else who’s slightly better than Crawford?

       Instead of Varsho, $11M, and losing prospects, I’d rather see some combo of Rincones, Crawford, De La Cruz, Kemp, and Reyes get the playing time and go with the best player or platoon and use the money and prospects elsewhere. I’d rather see Wood and/or MacFarlane get a chance to show they can pitch out of the pen before I’d trade prospects for Hoffman and pay him whatever he is making, and maybe I’d try to acquire Gausman because even a second Aaron Nola right now would be better than the 5th starters we are throwing out there, as depressing as that is.

       I really just don’t understand how anyone can look at the job DD has done the past 18-24 months with the decisions he’s made and think he should still have a job, let alone getting a multiyear extension.

       LikeLike

       1. I don’t get it either and it really calls into question the soundness of John Middleton’s judgment; but it’s sounding like it’s absolutely going to happen. My view of Middleton is that when he has tried to use his own judgment to hire executives he has failed miserably so once he finds an experienced executive with a good track record, he relies on and trusts him entirely, which is precisely what happened with Gillick, although, to my mind, Gillick was a notably better executive than DD.

          LikeLiked by 1 person

          1. What I hope may be happening behind the scenes is that there’s a succession plan and that Preston Mattingly is being groomed (quite possible) and will be very good as a GM with actual power (on this point, we have no idea).

             LikeLike

15. Some of the #Phillies draft picks from earlier this month are heading to Clearwater, the team announced:

    OF Caden Bogenpohl

    OF Will Gasparino

    C Macon Winslow

    https://x.com/Cory_Nidoh/status/2082925337827041525

    LikeLiked by 1 person

    1. Gasparino a 5th rounder….he is a MLB player for sure.

       An OF with both Nori and Gasparino…..rocco will like that.

       LikeLiked by 1 person

       1. Romus Happy Chicken Fingers Day.

          LikeLike

    2. Caden Bogenpohl drives a hanging slider to the tune of 104.6 mph and 396 feet for a double in his first pro AB for Clearwater

       https://x.com/Mitch_Rupert/status/2082962093993504808

       LikeLike

16. I’m a Phillies fan for over 60 years but Kudos to the Dodgers for drafting and developing so many prospects.
    I would much rather young players playing game the right way (ie good approach at the plate) as opposed to hitting bombs. I have no clue about Phil’s draft picks this year but appears they went for big tall bombers. I assume the bigger the strike zone you present the more holes pitchers can find.

    LikeLike

17. Bogenpohl hit a double 104.7 mph exit velo on his first AB

    https://www.mlb.com/gameday/820513/play/9

    LikeLike

18. Yesterday on Unfiltered, Bill Colarulo reported that Middleton is looking to extend DD. What is he thinking ???? Or better yet, he’s probably NOT thinking.

    LikeLike

19. My top 10 Phillies prospects:
    1. Renteria
    2. Miller (assuming he is healthy)
    3. Marquez
    4. Wood
    5. Gair
    6. Spangler
    7. Ferrebus
    8. Boghenpohl
    9. Parra
    10. Gasparino

    Hot take is I have Gair at 5. I read a BA article that he has the best fastball metrics in the minors. Not just because he throws it 102. Elite spin rates. If Wood’s fastball is a 70 then Gair’s is a 75/80. He has back end closer stuff. That is hard to find and valuable. Probably needs another season of development but it would not shock me if we saw him up here in September. Command can be spotty. But stuff is elite.

    I also have Marquez over Wood. I am so high on Ramon. 95 heater and 80 change with same arm speed and tunnel is elite. That is going to work well in MLB. I like Wood too. So this is just Marquez passing Wood. I am pretty down on Escobar and Nori. They may make it to majors but I don’t see special traits. Hope I am wrong.

    https://x.com/futurephils/status/2083026075920036183?s=46&t=-U_MfMB4sZDD0dW6wRaryg

    LikeLike

    1. Nice post. Let me be a devil’s advocate on Gair, as I got cold feet after Painter. Painter is 6’7″, Gair is 6’6″… I like the spin rate on Gair, and I hope Painter is working his way back after surgery still. What is concerning is the “extension/stride” of Gair looks short to me for his height, much like painter. Gair’s FB also looks straight to me, very similar to Painters. Hopefully im wrong,but Painter’s trajectory has really skewed my hype for pitchers at the moment

       LikeLike

       1. Here is a picture at release. that looks like pretty good extension to me. definitely better than Painter’s. Not elite like Miz, but certainly not bad.

          https://share.zight.com/DOu0Dr9b

          His fastball has great ride, meaning it doesn’t drop like what most FB do. that induces a lot of swing and miss. he has an 18% swinging strike rate.

          LikeLike

          1. Speak of the Devil, looks like Painter has been recalled for tonights start.

             I’ll have to look at him more. Need to see different angles. In fairness I am comparing to Wheeler. That said I do agree, I trade Wood 1st out of those 3.

             LikeLike

             1. I saw that. Man I hope that works out and he has improved. I was most concerned with a yoyo approach to Painter when he was sent down. I hate the idea of down and up and down and up. If he pitches, I hope that he has fixed his issues and has success.

                LikeLike

             2. Out of Wood, Marquez and Painter, I would trade Wood first mostly because, at his height, I think he will have trouble retaining that velocity over a longer period of time – but all three of them are fine prospects, Painter included!

                LikeLiked by 1 person

20. what would you give up for Neto? Reports are they’d move Trea to OF.

    Id headline itbw Wood. I dont love giving up Wood but I’m past squeezing prospects who then dont pan out. Particularly pitching prospects.

    I’d also move crawford in that deal if they ask.

    Id say no on Renteria

    LikeLike

    1. The Phillies are doing their diligence on Neto but I find it hard to believe that Trea would agree to move to the OF, especially in season. Neto has 3 years of control left so his cost will be astronomical. It would be Gage and Crawford to start.

       LikeLike

       1. I know players are egotistical, but Trea has to know he’s terrible at SS. Maybe he’s not CF this year, but you could throw him in LF and he could probably handle it. I mean, they have been throwing signficantly worse people out there.

          LikeLike

          1. Tatis Jr has a big ego and he made the move. So did Oneil Cruz. Bottom line, he has to put team first. He signed a monster contract, so he isn’t working towards a big deal. He has to recognize that he is hurting the team. That said, mid season position shift like this is a very hard ask. It is best handled by giving him a full offseason.

             LikeLike

             1. Oh I don’t expect him to be good in the OF this year but it’s a pretty low bar to clear . . . Edmundo, Reyes, Castellanos, Kemp. It hasn’t been great

                LikeLiked by 1 person

                1. That’s fair. If the team is willing to live with Castellanos defensively for several years, I am sure that Trea would be better than him in RF with zero time for transition. That said, we would have to replace him at SS, so this move only works if there is a SS upgrade.

                   LikeLike

21. Curious … what do you think about the possibility of the commissioner vetoing a trade of Skubal to the Dodgers, if it were to happen?

    The situation is ripe for a power trip. I think it’s fairly easy to see the outrage many fans would have across baseball if the Dodgers got Skubal, and how detrimental it would be to baseball. Then again, you can’t really buy prospect capital like you can FA. It will be interesting to see if they let it go so the Dodgers basically 3 peat.

    LikeLike

22. All of our commentary regarding prospects, trades, drafting, etc. . . . is fun and important at a micro level. At a macro level, the most important thing is having the right people in place to ensure the future of the organization. To that end, I was beyond disappointed to learn that Middleton is about to extend Dombrowski, which I currently believe is not best for the long term future of the organization. He has his strengths and his weaknesses and the strengths are big strengths and his weaknesses are also significant, especially his poor judgment on long term contracts. Let’s hope he can find a way to steer them through the expensive mess of long term contracts he has created for the organization – it won’t be easy.

    This isn’t the worst thing that could happen, but it sure as heck isn’t the best, either. Let me put it this way, under similar circumstances, were he in this position, there is zero chance Jeffrey Lurie would be extending a GM in a similar position. Just saying.

    LikeLike

23. I just took a look at the standings. Phillies are not going to catch Braves now. 7 out. I will not be surprised if at the end of the season this team is on the outside looking in. Five teams are now within 3 games of the final WC spot that the Phillies hold at the moment.

    Regarding deadline not sure this team is fixable with what can be done. I agree with v1 above about not giving away all the youth for someone who walks at the end of the season. If not for those 3 crazy games in DC Phillies would be on the outside now. This team has lots of issues. Not sure this great culture that all talk about is really correct. Seems like a lot of me for me these days. That is a recipe for failure.

    Rocco. I got to take back that 40-25 prediction I made at break. I am not sure 25-40 is in the cards at this time. Phillies seem to be stuck in quicksand during this sprint to the finish line.

    LikeLike

    1. Don…best thing for the Phillies long term…they miss the play-offs this year. There would be a renewed emphasis in a correction.

       LikeLike

24. Following an Athletic piece, encouraging, on what Painter’s been working on, Phillies have announced he is pitching tonight in Baltimore. Fingers crossed.

    LikeLike

    1. I actually believe there’s a good chance that Painter still develops into a good to excellent major league pitcher. The velocity is there; the pitch movement on breaking stuff is there. What he needs is to improve his “pitch shape” especially with his fastball and improve command. So while I’m disappointed in his year so far, and obviously there is doubt there about his future, there’s every reason to believe he can at least become a mid-rotation pitcher and perhaps better than that.

       LikeLiked by 1 person

25. Thoughts on moving Turner to the OF: In 2008-9 Alex Gordon was the Royals starting 3Bman. He was pretty good there, too. He played half of 2010 at third and then he moved to LF. From 2011 to 2017 he was one of the best LFers in the game winning Gold Gloves. I believe that being a SS Turner is probably a better athlete than Gordon was. I think Turner could be a GG left fielder.

    LikeLiked by 1 person

26. Does anyone think that Painter’s start tonight is an audition before the trade deadline?

    LikeLiked by 1 person

    1. No. I think if there was outside interest in Painter, the Phillies wouldn’t risk a start this close to the deadline. Internally, I don’t think one start is going to determine whether or not the Phillies pursue a starter at the deadline. I think it’s more likely the Phillies want to see where they are with Painter so that they can better decide how to navigate the deadline. See if they should purchase a rental or go for a guy under more control. I guess, it could be construed as an audition for the Phillies.

       LikeLiked by 2 people

    2. I think its one of 2:

       Showcasing him

       or

       Seeing if the recent improvements are enough to stop them from having to trade for 5th starter.

       Will see. there is some optimism he may have figured things out enough to be a serviceable 5th SP.

       LikeLike

27. This is a good time to remember that Painter is only 23 years old. Not many pitchers dominate from the get-go like Clemens did. We all know of Halladay’s struggles. The Diamondbacks gave up on Scherzer, DD scooped him up for the Tigers, and the rest is history.

    LikeLiked by 1 person

    1. Good point. Scherzer is a great example of giving up on a young pitcher too early and it being a disaster. I wouldn’t trade Painter unless we got a young all-star type back.

       LikeLike

       1. Same with Schilling-Baltimore/Houston and Arrieta-Baltimore also.

          LikeLike

          1. Yep. there are definitely examples. but also more examples of guys who never actually figure it out.

             LikeLike

    2. Why is it the Phils need to ONLY trade Top 10 organizational talent, but teams like Texas can trade a Low A non-Top 25 guy and land a RHP + C from Angels?

       Maybe Howie or Gansey can cross Pattison Avenue and lend a hand in the negotiation.

       LikeLike

28. Past couple of years I felt a guy or two could give us a solid chance. This season no I don’t feel that way. I’ll be on edge the next couple of days LOL

    This push pull between DD and BH is going to come out real high on the dramameter. And its going to be glorious 🙂

    LikeLike

    1. DD can take the pressure off by inviting Commiss. Manfred back down to the locker room and give a pep talk to the lads.

       Incidentally….wonder if Painter ends up in Canada next week.

       LikeLike

       1. heh, heh ……. a diversion or a feint, nice ….. I like it … the media will be on it like stink on ____!

          LikeLike

29. I think that we can get Gausman and George Springer from Toronto without giving up top prospects. Both are expiring contracts. Gausman is 35 and Springer is 36. Both are having somewhat down years for different reasons. I think giving Toronto salary relief would mean that we could get productive, playoff proven vets without giving up a massive haul.

    So why would we want players that are not having great seasons? Good question.

    Gausman’s ERA is 4.51. One of the worst of his career. However, his FIP, K/9, BB/9, GB% and Hard Hit rates are all in line with his prior seasons. His ERA is inflated a little by a higher than normal BABIP and a slightly elevated, but pretty close HR rate. Net, net, I don’t think that his 4.51 ERA is a reflection of the quality of pitcher he is. I think his FIP of 3.57 is a truer picture.

    Springer is a similar story. His BB%, K%, Hard Hit % are all inline with his career. His BABIP is down this year. I think that is because his ground ball % is up this year. But anyway, he is a guy who could get hot in the playoffs. And is just a rental. We would have to deal with his Casty-esq defense in RF, but he hits lefty pitching.

    Definitely a package to consider.

    LikeLike

    1. I would give them whatever 4 prospects they want other than Painter, Wood, Marquez, Miller, Renteria and our most recent first round pick. Have at it!

       LikeLike

       1. agreed.

          LikeLike

30. You hate to see this, hope he’s ok,

    Juan Parra was just removed from the DSL Phillies game after taking a 91 mph fastball to the side of the head. Parra initially popped right up but looked as if he wasn’t quite sure what he was doing before going down and being tended to by the trainer

    https://x.com/Mitch_Rupert/status/2083250889943396759

    LikeLike

31. Gair

    https://x.com/i/status/2083268523371933819

    LikeLiked by 1 person

32. No wonder this ridiculous organization doesn’t develop anyone. What a joke.

    LikeLike

33. it’s early but Painter taking some steps. Slider got a little McLeanish movement and fastball better and composure in tough spots much better. Very exciting. Hope not kiss of death

    LikeLike

34. 5 strong innings for Painter. I really hope they have the sense to pull him now and take the gains. Mattingly needed to pull Nola and sent him back for the 6th, and that’s not what you do with Nola this year

    LikeLike

35. V1 …….. tell me what you see in Crawford’s at bats ….. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen uglier ground balls turn into hits …… but, why … I’ve watched the contact ….. sometimes pulling off and topping. How do you see it?

    LikeLike

    1. Then you never seen Matty alou. Won batting title

       LikeLike

36. Painter looked good after the Alonso HR. If you credit his opening couple hitters to nerves, I think he pitched very well. He was really nailing the corners in the third, fourth, and fifth innings. I don’t know what’s in the Phillies minds, but I usually get it wrong where prospects are concerned at the deadline. So, maybe Painter just pitched himself into another uniform.

    LikeLiked by 1 person

    1. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. Thought he exhibited more confidence and the sweeper and slider were good.

       LikeLike

       1. Ruff, wonder what Don thought of Painter, I know he doesn’t have aT.V on farm. But he might have seen it at the farmers market in Indiana

          LikeLike

          1. Rocco. I saw the game at the local drive in. I have told Ruff that Painter was fine last night. I would have left him go out for the 7th. Do not think he had too high a pitch count. Kind of in a groove at that time.

             I also knew when Kerkering came in to begin the 7th that the train was a long way from the station. I am not a Kerkering fan. Never have been. I know some of you think he is great.

             Once again, a game they should have won. As far as Painter going forward, I really do not know what that holds. I did think he pitched and appeared on the mound to be more aggressive and more conviction. Conviction is a term Barry Larkin uses, and I see Reuben has adopted it as well.

             I thought a couple week back the team was ready to move forward. Not sure they are prepared to do anything now. A few band aids here and there is not going to make this a good team. I think that ship has sailed with the LTCs this team has now and for the future years.

             LikeLiked by 1 person

37. Will Gasparino’s first professional hit is a rocket of a grand slam to break the game open for Clearwater. The Phillies’ fifth round pick turns on a 95 mph sinker and hits it 397 feet at 107.4 mph

    https://x.com/Mitch_Rupert/status/2083360751213826267

    LikeLike

    1. What the scouting report said. Three strikeouts.and a home run.

       LikeLike

       1. Kingman like.

          LikeLiked by 1 person

       2. If Kyle gets to 50 which is unlikely now, he is on pace to 200 Ks. It would be a 4 to 1 ratio. I actually thought of a Dave Kingman comparison the other day. Just think what Kingman would be paid today.

          LikeLike

38. I am amazed looking at dodgers top prospects compared to ours. Top five all over 300 avg. With double deceit hrs one of them is a 11 round pick from 2025 draft.

    LikeLike

39. They could get Shohei at the deadline and I don’t think this team has the makeup to make the playoffs. They keep finding a way to turn victory into defeats. Now it’s the bullpen’s chance. Duran and then Kerkering.

    Stand pat or sell and reset.

    LikeLike

40. I didn’t see the game last night but I was watching the game feed on MLB app. The strikeouts were a good sign. But he also had several hard hit outs (100+ mph ev).

    The homer he gave up was on a 97 mph 4-seam dotted in the upper right corner of the strike zone. Good location. But crushed. Looking at this below chart, it seems he is tipping his pitches with his release point. He doesn’t tunnel his pitches well. This same chart for a great pitcher, has the same release point for every pitch type. Something to work on.

    But overall, a positive outing. Something to build from.

    https://x.com/pitchprofiler/status/2083371971727822920?s=46&t=-U_MfMB4sZDD0dW6wRaryg

    LikeLiked by 2 people

    1. I watched his start, turned it off after getting so frustrated with Kerkering

       Here is what I saw:

       1st 2 batters… Nervous, same old Painter. Technically Alonso hit 2 hrs off him. He crushed his inside sweeper that went just foul. Made him look like a AA pitcher. The FB he did hit out felt even worse at that point. I gotta admit, right then… I was thinking nothing changed but his MPH

       Then .. I saw the improvements:

       Better MPH AVG than earlier in the season, Better location of secondary pitches in the zone throughout, Able to get to 0-2 count, and then put hitters away 6 or 7 SO. Biggest improvement – A better setup pitch, – a reworked splitter with downward movement that tails to into RH hitters, away from LH.

       I keep him. I think he turned the corner enough. BAL is not a slouch lineup even with their record. Painter needs more time to develop, that’s all. If his arm slot position is tipping his pitches, then corrects to that plus others is likely to get him back on target.

       He was using his sweeper other get ahead, and setup his FB and Splitter. Splitter was coming in at 91.

       LikeLiked by 2 people

       1. Indeed, lots of breaking balls

          LikeLike

41. Don’t waste what few good players in the farm system that the Phillies have for rentals to try to get into the post season. They’d probably be playing on the road in the first series. This team is not going anywhere.

    LikeLike

    1. I say miss the play-offs….failure can be a real motivator.

       LikeLike

       1. I can’t believe how negative you are. I am glad that I am always positive.cheer up M8

          LikeLike

          1. it is all part of the Negadelphia Complex.

             LikeLiked by 2 people

          2. Mr. SUNSHINE ….. is that you?😎

             LikeLiked by 1 person

          3. Rocco. That is what I like about you. The glass is always overflowing rather than empty.

             Romus and Ruff can be negative Nellie’s at times. LOL But they both correspond with me almost nightly now during the games. Sometimes we bail early if we know you have hit it big on the early payout.

             I was hoping my son got to meet you when he was in Philly. Told the guys today Phillies have won 1 not 2 games since they left Philly following game one win over the Dodgers. How many moons ago was that?

             They did go to Skinny Joey’s for a cheesesteak.

             LikeLiked by 1 person

             1. 2 blocks from my house.

                LikeLike

                1. We could not figure out how to get a hold of you. Kids were there Saturday thru Monday night. Saw 3 games. 2 of the 3 wins Phillies have since the All-Star break they saw. Unfortunately, they have been home for almost 2 weeks now. They had great time. Kid got down on field 2 days, and lots of pics and autographs.

                   Romus had an idea, but I nixed it. He said you were very close to CBP.

                   LikeLike

42. Brace yourselves for the purge of the Phillies farm. DD has that desperate look and my gut says come Monday, us prospect followers are not going to be real happy.

    LikeLike

    1. Agreed, we are going to have a very different prospect list. I think there is a good chance he keeps Painter now.

       the defense would stink but .. man… Moving Both Harper & Turner off their positions could really increase this team’s offense.

       Turner to 3B, LF, or CF… with Harper to RF just changes the dynamics so much.

       • Arraez – 2B
       • Turner- CF
       • Harper – RF
       • Schwarber -DH
       • Ward – LF
       • Neto – SS
       • Bohm – 1B
       • Stott – 3B
       • Realmuto – C

       im sure the farm would be gutted but… they’d score runs

       LikeLike

       1. “….they’d score runs”

          ………six of those guys above are now here, and they do not score the runs needed, so the addition of Ward, Neto and Arraez will have to turn the trick!

          LikeLike

          1. Spot on Romus. Scoring makes no difference if the BP gives them away faster.

             LikeLiked by 1 person

             1. Last time I checked, the rules were the team that scores the most runs wins. So, if your BP gives up runs, you can still win, ……. if you score more runs then he does!😉

                LikeLiked by 1 person

                1. Dam Romus is on fire today

                   LikeLike

             2. Don are you planting pumpkins this week?

                LikeLike

43. Maybe. If they are extending DD. He’ll take a longer term approach. Maybe. This team is a tough watch with everyone swinging from heels instead of trying to get on base and move runners to extend leads. Lord knows they need to extend leads.
    With DD, Harper and manager all speaking their mind (which I like). Maybe skids greased a little for a readjustment after season. Might Harper be ok going back to Las Vegas to be big name like Phils used Thome for CBP. Phil’s have 2 DHs. Keep Schwarber or maybe trade with Reds. Add prospects free some doe for free agents. Still have pitching hopefully develop more bullpen depth from minors. I kinda threw in towel on this year with Dodgers Brewers and Braves. And don’t look much better next couple years. Gonna have to pivot.

    LikeLike

    1. Kind of lost the plot here. While I’m not investing im this team a ton if I’m DD, selling off everything sets you way back. They have 3 great starters next year. Wheeler recently left open the possibility about pitching beyond his contract. You want that to be in Philly.

       its like we forgrt how bad they were for so long. I understand the fear of turning into the 2013 old Phillies but thats not where they are now. And you need that money and reputation to bring in FAs when its needed. Those destinatioms never fully rebuild. Hell, even the mets are selling but arent dumping soto. Destinations retool.

       get to the playoffs. Weird stuff happens.

       LikeLike

44. Jose Soriano got scratched from his start. Stark mentioned him as a name to watch this deadline. With Nightengale saying the Phillies like Adel and Stark’s mention on 97.5 wonder if a blockbuster could be made there? I liked what I saw out of Painter, I wonder if he could headline that type of package, not sure that Gage Wood would be enough. If you move painter then Wood becomes the #6 next year.

    LikeLike

45. Yet another lead off homer for Bryan Rincon. It’s his 18th of the home run of the season He only had 18 career home runs total in his 4 year pro career before this season.

    https://x.com/FuturePhils/status/2083658291171733565

    LikeLiked by 1 person

46. Five shutout innings from Phillies prospect Ramon Marquez

    His line: 5 IP | 3 H | 0 ER | 1 BB | 7 K | 68 pitches 15 whiffs

    That is now 10 consecutive scoreless innings for Marquez, who has a 1.50 ERA in 6 starts in High-A

    https://x.com/FuturePhils/status/2083667723603578901

    LikeLiked by 1 person

47. DD will trade him in a minute. Middleton has to tell him no.

    LikeLike

    1. rocco…if he was doing this in AA level the Phillies would get more in return.

       LikeLiked by 1 person

48. Skubal to the Dodgers …

    let’s hope the commissioner has a set. Time to veto.

    LikeLike

    1. what would be the rational

       LikeLike

       1. Rationale?

          For The best interests of baseball

          I give them credit, but they play by a different set of rules. They signed the best FA Hitter, Best FA Closer, and now have traded for the best SP…. in which they already have 6 that would rival almost any rotation currently assembled.

          Now … why can they do this? That deferred money is the reason my panites are in a twist. It allows them to manipulate cash flow. It gives them the confidence of “we can afford this” when they’d likely have a different outcome if they had to pay it now. Look.. they have a 430,000,000 projected payroll now. 8 players above 27mil a year. I get the draft awesome but … this team is able to do things so well..yes it is bad for baseball. I get it, but It can’t even been fun anymore for the Dodger fans. This is not about a 3 peat. we are seriously looking at a 5-6peat at the moment.

          LikeLike

          1. thats a larger (amd legitimate) problem. But the commissioner shouldn’t block a trade to force parity

             LikeLike

49. I am a fight to the end type of guy. But there comes a point where a person has to be logical and not throw good money after bad.

    Skrubal to Dodgers is that point. Wasting top prospects to go all in now is pointless. Is stupid to be honest. Anyone outside our top 4 I am fine trading. But let’s not pretend what it is. Simply window dressing to say we did something.

    Dodgers were a far better team before getting the best pitcher in baseball. Personally, I hope for a salary cap. I don’t care if we lose a season. It is for the better of the game. Imo this is the final straw.

    LikeLike

    1. Totally agree…..stay the course and hope that basbeall gets that hard cap, though Harp may not like that idea.

       LikeLike

       1. I bet he doesn’t. Probably wanted Phils to get Skubal

          LikeLike

    2. Agree, if goal of swapping prospects for deadline help is to make/win World Series that goal is effectively over with Skubal to Dodgers.

       I don’t want to spend capital for a wild card and a quick exit.

       Reset from within.

       LikeLike

    3. Well if im going to spin this.. Apparently Ohtani might be injured on the pitching side, so .. if that’s the case Skubal just replaces him so they technically stay the same. Phils need to go offense, ride Sanchez, Wheeler, and getting a shutdown 8thing arm to pair with Duran. repeat the formula for 4 wins in a series. Will see.

       LikeLike

50. Maybe the Phillies and Brewers can join forces to compete with LA.

    LikeLike

    1. Add the Braves, Cubs and all other NL teams to put an All Star team together to play the Dodgers.

       LikeLike

51. A salary cap won’t stop the Dodgers from drafting and developing players better than everyone else. It’s more likely to save wealthy owners from making even more dumb decisions. Personally, I believe gambling is a greater threat to the game than the Dodgers’ bank account.

    LikeLike

    1. With a hard cap, also comes the floor requirement……..forcing many small market teams to pony up more money to maintain that requirement….also benefits a majority of the players who are not the superstars.

       Next should be another draft….international, to include Asian countires.

       LikeLiked by 1 person

    2. “A salary cap won’t stop the Dodgers from drafting and developing players better than anyone else.”

       This is correct and also an irrelevant refutation of the argument for a salary cap. No one is arguing against drafting and developing players better. The point is the Dodgers have a tv deal unlike anyone else. They can just pay unlimited funds to fix holes. It is an uncompetitive situation.

       The Dodgers lineup included a total of 1 player who was drafted and developed by them, Dalton Rushing. Andy Pages was signed by them as an international FA.

       If they are so great at drafting and developing players, then why are they paying so much money for players that other teams drafted and developed?

       I do not thing they have any player in their top 5 or top 6 starting pitching staff that they drafted and developed. All of their top RPs came from other teams.

       The argument that they are good at drafting and developing players better than anyone which is why they are so dominant ignores all facts and is a red herring. So is the argument that a salary cap only benefits the owners. A salary cap benefits the fans. Most of the league has zero chance of ever winning a World Series. The current system is absurd.

       LikeLike

       1. I Agree that a salary cap floor could hurt the dodgers. Why? Less good players will be available to gobble up. Hurts other contenders as well, but surely it would increase the market for a Miller, Edwin Diaz, etc.

          Secondly, curtailing their utter dominance in the Japanese market would help. Getting Sasaki, Yomamoto.. No other team had a real shot.

          Yes they draft better than everyone, that you can’t beat, you tip your cap. That said, they are not the dodgers if deferred money is off the table, a salary floor Is in place, and the international market is forced the draft or a policy is in place where they all don;t basically go to LAD, LAA, or SEA.

          LikeLiked by 1 person

          1. Yeah. Let’s level the playing field and if they are so great at drafting and developing then they would still be dominant. Hat tip to them.

             LikeLike

52. The timing couldn’t be better for the Skrubal trade. DD has to be smart enough to see that there is no point in going on in this year. The Dodgers are just cut from a different cloth compared to every other team in baseball. Their pockets are unlimited and so is their farm system. For them to even be able to complete this deal for a rental just shows the lengths they will go to win. The system is broken and I think the only way to fix it, is with a lockout. I thought the final straw was when they got Tucker. Well if that wasn’t it, this definitely is.

    Maybe Manfred will veto the trade, there is precedence for this. In 2001 with the Chris Paul trade: Owner Pressure: Rival team owners heavily pressured the league office, complaining that the deal would make the Lakers too powerful right after a lockout and damage competitive balance. So David Stern vetoed the trade.

    LikeLike

    1. Why would Manfred veto the trade….Skubal is a two month rental and becomes a free agent in Nov…….Yankess could pounce on him with a $40M PLUS AAV contract.

       LikeLiked by 1 person

53. I agree that Skubal to the Dodgers has to make DD rethink his moves. I wouldn’t trade away our future (Painter, Wood, Marquez, Miller, McFarlane, Parra, Renteria) right now. If they can improve around the edges by trading lower prospects, go for it, but hold onto the top guys.

    LikeLiked by 1 person

54. Crazy. They will kill interest in this sport. Dodgers are a all-star team.not the level playing field they talk about.

    LikeLike

55. Banning contract deferrals a la Ohtani will do more than a cap.

    LikeLike

56. I don’t blame the Dodgers, I admire them. I blame MLB and have lost all respect for the game’s process and rules. I have made the decision, made much easier by the great work done by Howie, Bob Myers, and Danny with our other 3 teams, to boycott baseball 100% this year – i won’t give them the satisfaction of my TV ratings and certainly not my ticket $. I have not missed a Phillies Red October game during this run and I haven’t missed an alumni weekend since CBP opened, flying cross country for all of it, but I am done – not going next weekend and not going in October this year. I will reconsider when there is a hard cap and the playing field is leveled. Until then…

    As for the Phillies, V1again is spot on. DD should now pivot and IMO, the question this deadline must answer – how do we best position the Phillies for post-lockout baseball to be competitive for the next 5-10 years and avoid another 2012-2021. I think the answers to doing that are unpopular but are as follows:

    1. Get off 1-2 bad contracts now – whether that means a minimal return, virtually no return, or even attaching some low level lottery ticket prospects. Target 1 would be Nola, target 2 would be Turner. I understand doing this would be hard for Trea, maybe impossible for Nola, but after the lockout it will only be tougher because other teams will know you have to dump salary and hold all the power.
    2. Keep any and all prospects and affordable players – Top 15 prospects stay, young players stay. Forget 2026.
    3. Explore trading 1-2 of your big name players that won’t be a part of the 2028-2032 Phillies envisioned success. These guys all have no-trade protection so it will have to be creative but I’m thinking Wheeler could return a haul, Realmuto would return less but still meaningful with the dearth of catching talent.
    4. Lastly, Mr Harper. If DD told him, we’re going to sell and retool, I’m sure he would agree to consider a change of address. Mr Schwarber as well. Both of these guys could and would be a big part of the post lockout Phillies vision but if you could get a haul at this deadline for one of them, I’d do it. I’d move Bryce only, and only consider Kyle if Bryce said 100% heck no from the start.

    I think the chances of DD and Philadelphia’s Jerry Jones / George Steinbrenner wannabe doing any of the above is less than 1%, but it’s probably exactly what Howie would do, and has already done.

    LikeLiked by 2 people

57. I like the idea of trading Treat, I wanna see Rincon at SS TBH

    LikeLike

    1. Trea*

       LikeLike

    2. Trea is going to lead the Phillies in BA in like 2 weeks

       LikeLike

58. I think everyone needs to calm down a little we already beat Skubal this year (as a team that can’t hit LHP), had a lead against the Dodgers in every game last season, and have a crazy good winning percentage with Wheeler/Sanchez/Luzardo. They may even match up in a 3 game series if Milwaukee gets the 1 seed.

    I wouldn’t go all in anyway but what does that really look like? We weren’t trading Renteria, Miller would be selling low, etc. Maybe you trade Painter, Wood, or Marquez. This isn’t a highly ranked farm system it’s not like we’re trading the kind of quality the Padres did to get Miller or Soto.

    LikeLike

59. Look you take advantage of what you can to win. When Don bought Fair Oaks Farms. And forced the little farmers out. No one complained it’s business. Our best shot is two right hand power bats and a bullpen arm.hope painter is better

    LikeLiked by 1 person

60. Rooting for Alvarado. Last 5 starts only one run allowed. If the Phillies were selling, he’d be a good chip to play. They’ll probably add on so he stays and we all hope for the best.

    LikeLike

61. If Turner doesn’t want to move off SS now, Its selfish. The best chance for this team to take down the dodgers, is for him to move off SS to beef up the offense.

    Rocco, proud of you, you showed a shimmering light of hope in your last post.

    Agreed, best chance to beat dodgers is Add RH power, especially since Skubal is LHP. Hope Painter has found it, and pry Miller away from SD. The issue is, SD is basically in the WC hunt.

    DD needs to make moves for today, but more heavily focused for 2027 shortened season. Neto might be that player. Miller & Duran would nice. Get Sanchez & Wheeler to the 7th, them finish it. Have enough offense to win it.

    Harper, you want a championship … you gotta go back to RF or LF. Turner to CF or 3B, preferably CF. Pony up boys.

    LikeLiked by 1 person

62. Players on Dodgers who they drafted and developed:

    Outfield:
    – Andy Pages: signed for $300k LatAm. Good signing. .793 OPS

    Infield:
    – none

    Catcher:
    – Dalton Rushing: .809 OPS
    – Will Smith: .720 OPS

    Starting Pitcher:
    – Emmet Sheheen: 4.95 era
    – Justin Wrobleski: 2.88 era

    Relief pitchers:
    – a few middle innings guys.

    That’s it. The rest of their lineup was either big FA signings or trades that took on max contract players.

    So spare me the “Dodgers are just better at drafting and developing” BS.

    LikeLike

    1. Really there farm got Shubal. They might trade them but they get good prospects unless mlb 100 is bullshit.

       LikeLike

       1. The reality is few teams felt like they could match the Dodgers this offseason. So paying full value in prospects for a rental doesn’t make sense.

          LikeLike

       2. rocco….Tigers really got one top tier prospect in the deal….Hope….and they hope a hope a hope, Hope turns into a solid starting OFer with Greene. The two pitchers in the deal….MRH

          LikeLike

    2. v1 – Always love your comments. Keep in mind though a number of the players the Dodgers traded for Skubal and (other deals) were young players their scouts had told them to acquire from other teams. In the Skubal deal River Ryan and the outfielder were obtained in trades. Brady Smith was a 3rd round draft choice in 2023. They have been doing this over and over. This is one of the things that separates them from other teams – they are acquiring talent through under the table deals.

       LikeLiked by 1 person

    3. And they trade other prospects for the likes of Skubal. Have a look at David Murphy’s column at the Inquirer today. He goes through a whole series of trades LA has made that have been pretty awesome.

       My buddy sent me this from a Red Sox Chat:

       “I guess it would be a good time to check in on how badly LA’s big free agent signings have gone the last couple of years. WAR totals to date:

       2025
       Snell (5/182): 2.0
       Scott (4/72): 1.4
       Teoscar (3/66): 1.3
       Treinen (2/22): 0.2
       Conforto (1/17): -0.6
       Yates (1/13): -0.1

       2026
       Tucker (4/240): 0.7
       Diaz (3/69): 0.0

       Total: 4.9 WAR for ~$230 million so far”

       Look, if the owners would give money back to the fans in exchange for a cap, I’d be all for it. But the trend is towards multi-billionaires and private equity groups buying teams, and they want to extract every dollar they can from us.

       LikeLike

       1. The point is that Skrubal is going to sign with the Dodgers this offseason. No one will pay full value for a rental. Look at the NBA rules. Existing teams have advantage to resign players. And salary caps make it impossible for most teams to sign stars.

          That’s how you get small markets like Oklahoma City and San Antonio with elite teams.

          LikeLike

63. Arraez, Azorena (SEA), and Miller.. Miller ain’t happening so maybe the Mutts throw us a bone for Weaver.

    LikeLike

64. A Phillies writer said the Phillies offered:
    – Gage Wood
    – Justin Crawford
    – Jonathon Bowlan

    For Skrubal. That’s a very big package. I guess DD has other deals lined up for OF. Them not taking that package is interesting if it’s true.

    LikeLike

    1. Seeing a lot of takes that the Tigers intentionally sent Skrubal to Tigers for a worse package to force the salary cap. Crazy conspiracy theory but who knows.

       LikeLike

       1. That conspiracy really doesnt make sense. This trade ismt about the money but that the dodgers have good player development and drafting

          LikeLike

    2. Wow, unless there is an extension agreement, I don’t know if I would’ve liked that deal. I am not inferring giving up on the season like I’ve seen some people say, but it seems a bit much for a team needing young, cheap, and controllable talent. Wonder what plan B is.

       LikeLike

    3. If the Phillies had different needs – Im fine offering that for Skubal. However, that trade makes our bullpen worse and our offense worse. We’d have 1-0 leads thru 7 every playoff game and then give up 3 runs in the 8th.

       That dodgers packsge is just better. A very good SP, high upside outfielder. Like, im pretty sure the dodgers wouldn’t trade Hope and Ryan for Crawford and Wood.

       to your dodgers drafting and developing point. I will say that since they buy all the players in the offseason they have less need to plug holes. Like, they signed Ohtani, Sasaki, Yamomoto, Glasnow, Snell. They don’t need to use Ryan. They signed Teoscar Hernandez and kyle tucker – they don’t need Hope. We are hard pressed to trade Miller, Wood, renteria bc we need them to play for us

       LikeLike

       1. You have it backwards. They signed those players because they are better than the players that they drafted and developed. That’s the point. They have unlimited funds to upgrade any position and not take development risk. Development doesn’t stop in the minors. Most players need several years in the majors to make adjustments. Look at Painter or Crawford. So many players like that.

          LikeLike

65. Couple former dodgers floating around Seager and Bellinger that weren’t too bad. And we’re all hoping Phil’s first round pick (who some on here comped to Seager) gets close to that.

    LikeLike

    1. Bellinger resurrected his career. Was a mess in final few years as a Dodger. Seager was allowed to leave to sign Freddie Freeman.

       LikeLike

    2. Not to mention using prospects like keibert ruiz, verdugo, and countless others to bolster their team seemingly year in and year out. Maybe those prospects didn’t materialize into anything but what do the dodgers care, they get their guy and win.

       LikeLike

       1. Dodgers do have the luxury that many of their positional prospects play in leagues and ballparks akin to playing at Reading.

          Rarely do they develop any pitchers from their system….Kershaw (a first round pick) and Buehler are two that lately come to mind. Dusty May, Tony Gossilin et al eventaully falter.

          So their hitters put up great MILB metrics playing in friendly hitter’s ballparks like in the old PCL and Texas League.

          LikeLiked by 1 person

          1. Dodgers defer money 1.1 billion according to what I just read.

             LikeLike

             1. I wonder how the CBA will treat this loop- hole that some teams use in contract negotiations.

                LikeLike

    3. Comparing Dodgers vs Phillies – originally signed

       Players on Phillies 40 man or on 15 day IL – 11 – 7 active on 26 man roster 

       RHP Orion Kerkering – 2022 5th round draft pick 

       RHP Alex McFarlane – 2022 4th round draft pick – minors 

       RHP Aaron Nola – 2014 1st round draft pick 

       RHP Andrew Painter – 2021 1st round draft pick 

       C Rafael Marchan – 2015 international FA – IL

       3B Alec Bohm – 2018 1st round draft pick 

       2B Bryson Stott – 2019 1st round draft pick 

       OF Justin Crawford – 2022 1st round draft pick 

       UTL Otto Kemp – 2022 UDFA – minors 

       OF/1B Felix Reyes – 2020 international FA -minors 

       OF Gabriel Rincones Jr – 2022 3rd round draft pick 

       On 40 man but on 60 Day IL – Phillies – 1

       OF Johan Rojas – 2018 international FA

       Phillies original draft picks or free agent amateur signings now on 40 man rosters with other organizations : 27 – 16 active on 26 man rosters – 8 on IL – 3 in minors

       LHP Sam Aldegheri – Angels – signed 7/2/19 from Italy – minors 

       C Travis d’Arnaud – Angels – 2007 round C-A draft pick – IL 

       RHP George Klassen – Angels – 2023 6th round draft pick – minors 

       RHP Mark Leiter Jr – Athletics – 2013 22nd round draft pick – IL

       RHP Connor Seabold – Blue Jays – 2017 3rd round draft pick – IL

       LHP Jojo Romero – Cardinals – 2016 4th round draft pick – IL 

       RHP Ben Brown – Cubs – 2017 33rd round draft pick 

       LHP Hoby Milner – Cubs – 2012 7th round draft pick 

       LHP Cole Irvin – Dodgers – 2016 5th rd draft pick 

       LHP Erik Miller – Giants – 2019 4th round draft pick 

       1B/DH Rhys Hoskins – Guardians – 2014 5th round draft pick

       SS JP Crawford – Mariners – 2013 1st round draft pick 

       C Rodolfo Duran – Padres -signed 6/15/16 from DR 

       C Logan O’Hoppe – Rangers – 2018 23rd round draft pick 

       LHP Ranger Suarez – Red Sox – signed 4/1/12 from Venezuela 

       INF Curtis Mead  – Red Sox – signed 5/4/18 from Australia – IL 

       RHP Julian Garcia – Reds – 2016 10th round draft pick 

       OF Mickey Moniak – Rockies – 2016 1st round draft pick 

       1B TJ Rumfield – Rockies – 2021 12th round draft pick 

       RHP James McArthur -Royals – 2018 12th round draft pick – IL 

       OF Matt Vierling – Tigers – 2018 5th round draft pick 

       INF Hao Yu Lee – Tigers – signed 6/15/21 from Taiwan 

       RHP Drew Anderson – Tigers – 2012 21st round draft pick 

       RHP Jacob Waguespack – Tigers – signed 6/22/15 as UDFA 

       RHP Mick Abel – Twins – 2020 1st round draft pick – IL

       LHP Tyler Gilbert – White Sox – 2015 6th round draft pick – IL 

       RHP Seranthony Dominguez – White Sox – signed 5/31/12 from Dominican Republic

       Players on Dodgers 40 man or on 15 day IL – 13 – 7 active on 26 man roster 

       LHP Jack Dreyer – 2021 UDFA

       RHP Carlos Duran – 2018 international FA – minors 

       RHP Edgardo Henriquez – 2018 international FA

       RHP Landon Knack  – 2020 2nd round draft pick – minors 

       LHP Ronan Koop  – 2021 12th round draft pick – minors 

       RHP Roki Sasaki  – 2025 international FA

       RHP Emmet Sheehan – 2021 6th round draft pick 

       RHP Brock Stewart – 2014 6th round draft pick – IL 

       LHP Justin Wrobleski – 2021 11th round draft pick

       SS Alex Freeland – 2022 3rd round draft pick – minors 

       OF Andy Pages  – 2018 international FA

       OF Ryan Ward  – 2019 8th round draft pick – minors 

       C Dalton Rushing – 2022 2nd round draft pick

       On 40 man but on 60 Day IL – Dodgers – 4

       RHP Bobby Miller  – 2020 1st round draft pick 

       RHP Ben Casparius – 2021 5th round draft pick 

       RHP Gavin Stone – 2020 5th round draft pick 

       C Will Smith  – 2016 1st round draft pick 

       Dodgers original draft picks or free agent amateur signings now on 40 man rosters with other organizations : 27 – 25 active on 26 man rosters – 2 in minors

       RHP Gerardo Carrillo – Arizona – 2021 international FA

       RHP Juan Morillo – Arizona – 2015 international FA

       RHP Grant Holmes – Atlanta – 2014 1st round draft pick

       RHP Dean Kremer – Minnesota – 2016 14th round pick 

       LHP Alec Gamboa – Boston – 2019 9th round pick – minors 

       C Connor Wong – Boston – 2017 3rd round pick

       INF Michael Busch – Cubs – 2019 1st round pick 

       INF Miguel Vargas – White Sox – 2017 international FA

       LHP Caleb Ferguson – Cincinnati – 2014 38th round pick

       RHP Kenley Jansen – Detroit – 2004 international FA

       INF Zach McKinstry – Detroit – 2016 33rd round pick 

       OF James Outman – Detroit – 2018 7th round pick 

       C Thayron Liranzo – Detroit – 2021 international FA – minors 

       DH Yordan Alvarez – Houston – 2016 international FA

       OF Cody Bellinger – Yankees – 2013 4th round draft pick

       RHP Walker Buehler – San Diego – 2015 1st round draft pick 

       LHP Robinson Ortiz – Seattle – 2017 international FA

       OF Luke Raley – Seattle – 2016 7th round draft pick 

       LHP Justin Bruihl – St Louis – 2017 international FA

       RHP Dustin May – St Louis – 2016 3rd round draft pick 

       C Hunter Feduccia – Tampa Bay – 2018 12th round draft pick 

       OF Jonny DeLuca – Tampa Bay – 2019 25th round draft pick 

       RHP Nathan Eovaldi – Texas – 2008 11th round draft pick 

       SS Corey Seager – Texas – 2012 1st round draft pick 

       RHP Clayton Beeter – Washington – 2020 2nd round draft pick 

       C Keibert Ruiz – Washington – 2014 international FA

       INF Jorbit Vivas – Washington – 2017 international FA

       LikeLike

66. JL26 makes a valid comment above – yes – this is a big trade for the Dodgers but who knows whether Skubal does in fact reinjure the repaired elbow ? The LA rotation is still held together with bailing wire and duct tape – Snell and Glasneau suck – they are never healthy. Now I know this may be alot of pissing in the wind – but its not like Dodgers don’t know bad fortune with health issues.

    Secondly – the way to beat the Dodgers is the way the Phillies almost did it last year with solid starting pitching. Where the Phillies fell down is they needed better relievers. The way to handle the trade deadline is to acquire Miller the SF lefty reliever ; one other high powered reliever ; also add Kirby Yates from Angels – and somehow get a 4th/5th starter who doesn’t give up any more than 4 runs in the first 5 innings. Hope the offense can score. Singer of Cincy ?

    The offense is terrible – but it has been for quite a while (years). I would rather the Phils tackle the pitching and hope to win games that are well pitched – and saved by the bullpen. I even think a rerun of Jeff Hoffman would help – check his peripherals for the last months. And yes, I know the defense doesn’t help either but why not platoon everybody – even in the field.

    It ain’t over till the fat lady…..

    LikeLike

67. The odds of anyone beating LA this year have gotten even lower, no doubt, but they aren’t zero. So, as long as have a chance at the playoffs and huge strengths in our SPs 1/2/3 and CL we should add where we can get worthwhile improvements at good values.

    We should NOT be trading any top prospects since our odds are low to win a title between LA’s all star team and our weaknesses. But if DD can get 1) a decent RH bat, and 2) a good 7th/8th inning RP, then that’s all that should be entertained.

    LikeLike

68. mets trade Freddy Peralta to the Rays

    LikeLike

    1. Was really hoping we’d trade for him. I genuinely think our pitching lab could fix him.

       But I’m guessing so can the Rays.

       LikeLike

69. https://x.com/i/status/2084023800044163453

    gair

    LikeLike

70. luis Garcia to the Yankees for four pitchers

    LikeLike

71. My gut feeling says Jo Adell and I dunno how I feel about that.

    LikeLike

72. My gut is a 220 hitter like hill and a 5.68 era relief pitcher

    LikeLiked by 1 person

    1. “How about Angels’ s Neto, 25, had his issues this year defensively with 15 errors compared to Turner’s worst-in-baseball 19, but has a sharper glove to hone and some nice power at the plate with 19 home runs so far this season, and 23 and then 26 in the past two years as a full-time major leaguer. A potential move for Neto, and Addell, could be that lineup shakeup that fans have been clamoring after for a long time, ever since the Phillies really started hitting a postseason wall. Turner, with that contract, isn’t going anywhere.”

       LikeLike

       1. It would be awesome to get Neto so we could watch the race between him and Schwarber to see who breaks Mark Reynolds single season strikeout record.

          LikeLike

73. Mavis graves

    https://x.com/i/status/2084063587710947403

    LikeLike

74. brian rincon

    https://x.com/i/status/2084072183052067156

    LikeLike

75. Cubs got Gausman for their 14th and 21st prospects. Seems like a low price.

    LikeLike

76. Adel, Ward, Call – Are these guys that much better than DeLa Cruz? Is it worth giving up anyone good for them?

    As R.Hebner wrote above, Neto will fit right into this swing and miss lineup. Too bad Rincon is another year away.

    LikeLike

    1. Adel I have no interest in.

       Whether or not Call is better than DLC depends entirely upon how much you believe in the latter’s current hot streak. For his career, he’s below average against lefties and unplayable against righties. Call, on the other hand, has a pretty established record of being good against lefties (and absolutely mashing them this year).

       Ward is just downright a good hitter. And has been for several years straight. And even when he’s not hitting for power, he’ll get on base for the guys who are. He’d be an excellent piece to knock Bohm out of the 4/5 spot in the order. But he’ll also cost the most to get.

       LikeLike

77. Buxton… hope this guy wants to see the postseason … okay the trade.

    Don’t care what he’s said.. I’m trying to speak it into existence – Buxton, the starting CF for the 2026 World Series Champs, your Philadelphia Phillies

    🤞

    LikeLike

78. New discussion at https://phuturephillies.com/2026/08/03/phillies-discussion-8-3-2026/

    LikeLike

Comments are closed.