2017 Season Phillies Discussion (News/Notes, etc.), continued

[zambonir]

Yeah, I have noticed that too. If they want to boost his trade value my hat is off to them. I also don't think Mackanin's opinion counts for much. But I do wonder if the beat writers are picking up on an actual vibe, and that the Phillies haven't ruled out the extension.

It might also be a different conversation if the Phillies looked ready to win the division in 2019.

[julio]

It might also be a different conversation if the Phillies looked ready to win the division in 2019.

Yes, but they're not, are they? And to don my "CD" hat, what kind of message would it send to other prospects - and to one or two players already with the big club - if they bury Crawford in favor of Galvis? Particularly if Galvis reverts to something more like his career averages as he ages?

[bkox]

Let me try to stop laughing long enough to form an answer.

Some guys just drink the Kool Aid. Crawford has a LOOONG way to go before he is going to be able to carry Galvis' glove, or even his bat. I have seen him play in spring training and here in Clearwater. Every time I see him he reminds me of one player....Anthony Hewitt. We all know what a hall of famer he turned out to be. This kid needs to stop being treated like a prima donna and made just one of the scrubs and let him earn his way.

As far as Kingery, if he is all that good, let him push Hernandez aside. I wonder if he has an arm strong enough to play third. Franco needs to be woken up and pushed by a legitimate threat.

WOW... wayyyyyy overly harsh. First of all.. you come across as if you have some sort of personal issue with Crawford by calling him a Prima Donna. I havent heard him come out and say he deserves anything or that hes complaining. There was one article talking about how he doesnt like to watch video. But that same article praised his attitude and work ethic. Tell me what exactly he has got that he hasnt earned? It wasnt iked he jumped levels or was put anywhere because of his pedigree.

ANd Wow.. comparing Crawford to Hewitt is way off the mark. Crawford's minor league OBP is 101 points higher then Hewitt. Heck Crawfords BA is higher than Hewitts OBP.

Honestly I dont know who is best for the Phillies going forward. Galvis might be great for the next 5 years or might collapse back to norms or below. Crawford could become a star or flame out. But IMO the tone of your whole post was uncalled for.. from "laughing" at a poster's thought/opinion to insulting a player with no real evidence that hes acting as such. Just over the top in your attempt to get your point across.

[bkox]

Matt Gelb (MattGelb)

[zambonir]

Yes, but they're not, are they? And to don my "CD" hat, what kind of message would it send to other prospects - and to one or two players already with the big club - if they bury Crawford in favor of Galvis? Particularly if Galvis reverts to something more like his career averages as he ages?

If Dallas Green was still alive I might suspect that all the talk actually is a message to Crawford. Meant to motivate him, not to pump up Galvis.

[bkox]

CSN Philly (CSNPhilly)

[zambonir]

Didn't see that one coming. But if Knapp ends up having to go on the DL Kelly can just come back. Or maybe if he doesn't....dramatic pause... it clears the way for Hoskins.

[bigegypt0417]

so alfaro is done with options...right?

[allentown]

Means nothing. He used this year's option when he was sent to the minors instead of the 25-man at the start of the season. He can be sent back down tomorrow if the Phillies wish, with no ill consequences.

[bkox]

I dont understand why this team suddenly seems to be afraid of the DL. No drawback to letting Knapp have 10 days... And last night the telecast was noticing that Altherr still wasnt running well. I would rather him rest another 10 days then end up totally blowing out his hammy and spending the winter rehabbing.

[julio]

so alfaro is done with options...right?

Means nothing. He used this year's option when he was sent to the minors instead of the 25-man at the start of the season. He can be sent back down tomorrow if the Phillies wish, with no ill consequences.

Correct... although bigegypt0417 is also correct that Alfaro is "done" with options, if he meant "after this season." That was the case as of some time in April, and it's the case now. This is the third consecutive season in which Alfaro has been optioned.

Teams have three "option" years on young players - that means they can option players (who are on the 40-man roster) to the minors in three separate seasons. They only "use one option" per season, no matter how many times they option the player in that season. Also - the season's option doesn't count as "used" unless the player is in the minors for 20 days in that season. Lastly, the options do not have to be used in consecutive seasons.

[zambonir]

They'd rather not have Alfaro up, clearly. Maybe he'll get a start, but Knapp's probably available to PH. If Knapp's not ready to go for real by Tuesday perhaps they'd DL him, as it wouldn't have to be a very long stay at that point.

Good to be careful with Altherr too but they simply don't have any OFs. If he were to go on the DL again right now it'd be Kelly or Stassi or Hoskins. I don't think they are afraid of the DL, they just don't have any players because of the way the 40 is, and I think they'd prefer Alfaro, Cozens (obviously) and quite possibly Hoskins finish out their AAA season (and hopefully make the playoffs).

[bigegypt0417]

I guess pitchers haven't exactly exposed nick williams yet?

lol

Phillies' Nick Williams has next move in chess match with pitchers

[bkox]

Matt Winkelman (Matt_Winkelman)

[LoneStarPhan]

Williams goes 3 for 4 tonight with a double. He raises his BA to .311 and has an OPS of .923 to date.

[bkox]

Matt Gelb (MattGelb)

[zambonir]

Whelp, you called that one.

[flyers19rw]

Why would a manager call for/allow a player with a bad hamstring to steal a base? Makes no sense.

[julio]

Why would a manager call for/allow a player with a bad hamstring to steal a base? Makes no sense.

We don't know that Mackanin did call for Altherr to run on that pitch, do we? Per LA, it didn't appear to be a straight steal - he referred to it as a "delayed steal." Altherr maybe just went on his own? Are you suggesting that Mackanin should have put Altherr in the starting lineup, but forbidden him from running the bases?

Interesting also that the TV announcers (McCarthy/Kruk) didn't pick up anything at the time (although you could see Altherr reach for the hammy on the video), but LA saw it and immediately commented, "Is he hurt?" at the end of the half-inning.

[California_Dreamin]

Yea, I thought the same thing as you did, julio. We simply don't know if AA went on his own or Peter Mac sent him, we don't know that. Also, AA had just singled twice in his last two at bats and didn't seem to be hampered.

Look, I am as big a critic of the manager as any on this site but in this case, I give him a pass. In baseball, managers often don't give a player the steal sign, they simply give him the "don't steal" sign. Phils were up 3-2, have been struggling to score runs and there were two outs in the 7th. Not a bad time to steal a base in my mind and thats probably what AA was thinking.

Its also worth noting that hamstrings [terribly troubling injury for a ball player] don't always signal a warning before the pull...they just suddenly pull when you running full stride. I doubt that AA will fully recover from this till off season.

This also makes putting Nava on waivers more difficult. I also wonder if they may give Alfaro some time in RF, remember they talked about this when he was first acquired.

I am not so sure that the Phils management doesn't secretly want that 1/1 draft pick. As poor as their record, they aren't that far from becoming a respectable team and 1-2 more top drafts could turn them around quickly.