2017-18 Offseason Non-Phillies News/Notes/Discussion

[zambonir]

Couldn't hurt for him to try 3B and LF but he's probably never putting on the tools again. I'm sure in AAA there are multiple guys who can be emergency catcher too.

He talked in an interview the other day about really wanting to play in MLB and America but following in Ruf's footsteps seems a lot more likely. You gotta wonder if his spot on the 40 is even a given - if they do sign a pitcher, plan to promote Kingery early, and take one or even two guys out of camp (a reliever, maybe Florimon or Flaherty) you don't really even need him. Even if Santana or Hoskins get hurt that spot and playing time will go to an OF.

[bkeich]

If Joseph can be medically cleared just to be a 3rd catcher it greatly increases his chances I would think, particularly with our manager. He is almost crazy about making players flexible, and a credible catcher is hard to find that can also play other positions.

If Joseph can fill in as backup catcher for a week or so it means we would not have to make moves whenever a catcher gets a short term injury, which is often as they are always a little dinged up. This would really help Joseph, who is a solid enough bat to be a bench 1B/C/OF (maybe 3B). Adding Catcher to the list probably keeps him in the majors.

[David_Criss]

I know he can't be a fulltime catcher, but can he still catch a few games a year?

[Lawman]

This is awesome. Phillies better bring this back.

Darren Rovell (darrenrovell)

[phillychuck]

Nope. It's a health risk to him. If I were the Phils, I would NOT permit him to catch...too much risk of permanent brain damage. 3B is another story!

[julio]

I know he can't be a fulltime catcher, but can he still catch a few games a year?

In a word, no. The issue isn’t with how much he catches; he’s one fast ball in the face mask from a career-ending concussion and possible brain damage. The risk is there if he catches one inning.

[zambonir]

Besides, Carlos Santana is the Phillies third catcher

[Philsmania]

This is awesome. Phillies better bring this back.

Darren Rovell (darrenrovell)

I don't agree. Better to have them keep the proverbial blood flowing instead of having them take a brief seat.

[zambonir]

I am not sure that it matters, functionally. Also the players aren't going to be required to use them (one will be available for visiting team too).

The thing is, they were really cool during a time when a baseball game wasn't as saturated in non-game entertainment. Now it will just be another thing going on amidst mascots, hot dog launchers, races, promotions, etc. Maybe it will increase pace of play? (But I doubt it.)

[bkeich]

No chance it increases pace of play. The walk out is a commercial break, my guess is MLB would prefer to force players to walk out backwards and on there hands and knees to make it take longer and get an additional 30 second commercial in

Reasons you should all be happy I am not the commissioner

[Lawman]

They are still cool. Just because of the retro and nostalgia. Also, I wouldn't force players to use them. Well, maybe I would.

[California_Dreamin]

I have become a Tampa Bay Ray this year as they announced today they are going with a 4 man rotation. Not sure how long it will last, or even if it will be successful but as someone who likes alot of the new rules but still grew up when the Phillie rotation was Bunning, Short, Mahaffey and Bennett with a touch of Culp thrown in for good measure I hope this Ray experiment works.

[tom81]

With teams looking at only letting their starters go through the lineups twice, pitching only 5-6 innings/game it does make sense to go with a 4 man rotation. With the 10 day DL it also is easy to call up someone for some spot starts if the 4 men are getting tired.

[zambonir]

Except they are not truly going with a four-man rotation. Every fifth game (barring off days one assumes) is going to be a bullpen day.

[andyb]

Except they are not truly going with a four-man rotation. Every fifth game (barring off days one assumes) is going to be a bullpen day.

And with the extra days off in the schedule now (season starts 4-5 days earlier, ends the same day as last year) they probably only need that 5th starter slot 10-15 times.

This is more of a small market cost saver to push the number of starts from their top 4 up from 32 to about 35-37,

[jimbomill]

That is good news, hope more teams follow suit.

[tom81]

Moustakas has cried Uncle!

Royals To Sign Mike Moustakas

[zambonir]

That's actually a nice twist for the Phillies even if they aren't that crazy about him (with good reason). If they do need a 3B and it's not Machado (who doesn't want to play 3B anyway) or, perhaps, Hernandez, that puts another one on the market, and he's a lot younger than Donaldson (who will have a QO)..

Wonder if he even got a no-trade. 'Cause the Royals basically gave up a draft pick to get him, though they already got two coming.

[tom81]

Does KC have any more moves left? They are still about $20 million under last year’s payroll and there are still more bargains out there. They could easily sign Lynn or Cobb and stay under last year’s payroll.

Per the Atlantic, “In just over a week, club officials sifted through the remnants of a free agent class and signed Moustakas, Duda and outfielder Jon Jay to one-year deals for a combined cost of $13 million (plus performance bonuses). In eight days, the club roster has transformed from one destined to lose 90-plus games to one with considerably more hope.”

[phillychuck]

Reacting to the Athletic quote above, three players who figure to generate 0-2 WAR each don't move the needle very much. Do the Royals think they do?