2017-18 Phillies Off-Season News/Notes/Discussion

[zambonir]

It is kind of a moot point until they do or don't trade one of Rupp or Knapp (or Alfaro, just for the sake of argument). If they somehow all stick around they won't need a AAAA option. They probably do want three catchers on the 40 but that could just wait until a call-up is required, or you can always find someone like Fryer in-season.

Though I still wouldn't be surprised if they trade Rupp and bring in a veteran back-up, with Knapp either also traded or in AAA. We're living in a world where they just signed a FA at the one position that didn't look like it was in question, so you just never know.

[allentown]

But "loading up on AA and AAA veteran catchers"? No. Maybe ONE such guy, along with Fryer, to go to Reading - but even that only if they cut ties with Brodzinski (who's on the AA roster now), and presumably also with at least one of the current high-A catchers (Bossart and Cabral).

They probably add another AA/AAA catcher beyond Fryer for injury protection. Out of ST, ignoring injury, I think it's Fryer backing up Moore in Allentown, with Bossart and
Grullon at Reading. That has Cabral starting the year in CLW, where he had less than 100 AB last year. If he makes it up to Reading mid-year in his age 22 season, that's plenty fast for a catcher.

[julio]

They probably add another AA/AAA catcher beyond Fryer for injury protection. Out of ST, ignoring injury, I think it's Fryer backing up Moore in Allentown, with Bossart and
Grullon at Reading. That has Cabral starting the year in CLW, where he had less than 100 AB last year. If he makes it up to Reading mid-year in his age 22 season, that's plenty fast for a catcher.

This is possible (I alluded to "one more" such catcher, but questioned "loading up on..."). This would mean Brodzinski is released (or nudged into "retirement," coaching, etc.). This wouldn't surprise me. The reality of player development is "up or out," and the sheer number of young catchers in the organization means there's going to be some "out" between now and April.

But come April, it seems to me they really only have room for one such veteran in the high minors. Whether that's Fryer, or somebody else (due to injury, or Fryer's collapse in ST, or whatever), it doesn't look like they'll be carrying more than that.

[andyb]

They'll keep an extra catcher or two around in extended that is a bit older just in case they have injuries.

As for the top of the system the biggest question is whether they move one of their top 3 catchers. If they trade one AAA will have Moore and this new catcher or another catcher yet to be acquired with ML experience.

If they do not trade a catcher they send Rupp or Knapp down (most likely Knapp) to play every day with Moore backing them up.

I lean towards the "trade Rupp" option. I think the new regime likes Knapp because of the high OBP and switch hitting. So they probably make sure they have a veteran in reserve at AAA.

BTW three catchers on the ML roster has near zero possibility. Besides the talk of a short 4-man bench, there is also no longer the need to have one of the catchers occasionally play 1B with Santana and Hoskins. One can only have 2 catchers on the ML roster in that situation.

[zambonir]

Yup three catchers unlikely now. I agree Knapp is the one who stays, unless he gets moved because his trade value is higher.

Last year they signed Holaday and we talked about all this stuff and then they signed Hanigan and we talked about all this stuff and Knapp wound up winning the job. Holaday had an out clause.Hanigan didn't. I'm assuming Fryer doesn't. Still wouldn't be surprised if they signed another one though.

[Austinfan]

The reason you "load" up is you're basically auditioning for a couple roles, and with marginal players, you don't know what you have until you see them in ST.
While they have some good defensive catchers, there's a big difference between being mechanically sound and having the experience to manage a young pitcher.
Experienced catchers can help coach young pitchers during games, and often are extensions of the manager/pitching coach.
So they may want one on both the AA and AAA roster, depending on what they think of Bossart.

[baseballoldie]

Pretty sure Brodzinski already is serving as a bullpen coach in AA. Had only 1 at bat in 2016 and none in 2017.

[Squire]

Interesting development. The Phillies are adding a second team in the GCL. They announced two staffs today.

[julio]

Interesting development. The Phillies are adding a second team in the GCL. They announced two staffs today.

This is excellent news! Increased commitment to player development. I hope they don't hit any visa limit issues.

(Of course, it means I'm going to have to revise the minor league links in the Baseball Links section; I've tweaked the page, but the links still point to the 2017 GCL Phillies pages - milb.com hasn't got the new pages up yet - and given MLBAM, they'll probably fix this along about the first week in June!)

[zambonir]

Phillies add several notable names to minor-league coaching staff

[LoneStarPhan]

I have disliked MLBAM since the day they took over everything.

I think it is great to be adding another rookie level team.

[zambonir]

MLBAM's where all the money comes from these days! (Along with what will probably be the last-ever TV deals, of course).

Kevin Cooney thinks there is no way the Phillies don't trade an OF as part of a package of a pitching, but I still think this Klentak quote is more than just blowing smoke (I mean, he's not fooling anybody, teams know he can afford to trade an OF).

“The game is evolving,” Klentak said. “We are moving past the days where it's a cookie-cutter lineup — the same eight guys in the lineup every day, hitting in the same spot in the lineup, playing the same position for 160 games a year.
“The way we look at the current composition of first basemen and outfielders: With Carlos, we now have two left-handed hitters (Herrera and Williams), two right-handed hitters (Hoskins and Altherr) and a switch hitter. Two guys who can play first. Three guys who can center, all of whom can play corner outfield. That's a pretty good setup to have. It may not be the traditional three outfielders and a first baseman plus a fourth outfielder or fifth outfielder or traditional utility guy. But that's the way we build depth. That's the way we make sure we don't take a step back on the day game after the night game.”

Wait for it ... Santana signing probably means trading an...

[bigegypt0417]

Phillies add several notable names to minor-league coaching staff

really like that they are bringing in some quality people from the outside...

[zambonir]

But it's also funny that, after purging the entire front office and major league staff of ex-Phillies, we get Rico! (Wes Helms I'm not even sure counts, not that Rice was exactly a Phillie for Life).

Brogna's career WAR was -1.1, wow.

[Lucky_Beagle]

agreeing to a minor-league pact is righty Pedro Beato, who Heyman tweets will remain with the Phillies.

[Squire]

Unless I'm getting a sweet deal or a pitcher, I'm liking the idea of keeping all the outfielders. In fact I am hoping we carry Quinn at the major league bench too.

[Philsmania]

How about that?! The Phillies signed a guy named Steve Geltz! But, to be a party-pooper, he pronounces his name with a hard "G" (GHELTZ)

Minor MLB Transactions: 1/2/18

[Slinging_Southpaw]

According to Chris Cotillo of SB Nation, free agent infielder Will Middlebrooks "likely will sign a minor-league deal with the Phillies."
It sounds like the two parties are simply sorting out the details. Middlebrooks has logged just 70 plate appearances at the major league level over the last two seasons, with a combined .169/.229/.262 slash line. He turned 29 years old in September.
Related: Phillies

Source: Chris Cotillo on Twitter

[zambonir]

I assume Middlebrooks is not good enough to get an opt-out, he's headed for Lehigh Valley

[BostonRoss]

Steve Jeltz hit five home runs in seven seasons with the Phillies. Steve Geltz gave up 11 homers in 26.2 innings last season.