2018-19 Phillies Off-Season Discussion (2019 version)

[mdougherty12]

I think that if Cleveland was going to trade Bauer this off-season, they would have done so already. He almost certainly gets traded next winter, though.

[zambonir]

Yeah I think the price on Bauer is just too high for any team right now or it might have happened. Stay tuned at the deadline or next off-season.

Kapler and Bauer would be a bromance.

[TheDave0206]

Was just spitballing a bit during the game yesterday... Would a Phils offer of Odubel and a decent prospect be enough to snag Buxton (given his troubles with the team last year in Minny, none of which were of his own doing, and his excellent defense)? And would we be interested? If he fulfilled his potential, he'd be the perfect leadoff hitter in this lineup for a long time...

[zambonir]

I wouldn't want to go there when they are trying to win this year. Odubel's worst offensive season is still also Buxton's career high, and who knows what Buxton will be/do this season. An even halfway rejuvenated Herrera is probably better, even if Buxton is younger and might play better defense.

I'll be surprised if there's much of a trade market left this late in spring training. Everybody's had their talks and filled most of their spots. And there are so many FAs still out there for depth.

[schillingfan]

Trevor Bauer sounds like he has Aspergers, a form of autism. It shouldn't be a problem in a starting pitcher, there have been a lot of anti-social starters and they did fine. A person with Aspergers doesn't get social cues from others.

[xogfog]

Another Boras client, Kuechel is still on the board, his market has been tepid. He has a draft pick attached to him, so if the Phillies signed him, they would lose their third round pick (already lost their 2nd round pick). He's not a hard thrower, relies on control, but neither was Glavine, and I see him sort of in that mold. With no LHP in the rotation, would it make sense to sign Kuechel to a 2 year 40 million deal, with a 3rd year team option (so you could drop him if Trout is available)? You could then move Velasquez to the bullpen.

[philsphan67]

If the Phils could get Kuechel for 2 years and 40 mill (they have $$), I'd jump at it -- even with the loss of draft pick. With the signings and trades they made, they should be going for it IMO.

[el-pietro]

Agree 100%. I'm sure hes looking for a longer term deal and with the injuries to pitchers in Spring training I'm sure someone makes him a better offer than that.

[Lucky_Beagle]

20 million per year would put them into the luxury tax bracket IIRC, so unless they trade away some salary I am not sure they are interested. It also wouldn't allow for much improvement if needed at trade deadline unless the team decided they were in it enough to go past the line.

[andyb]

They are $18 million under. They could add a $20 million deal and shed a reliever by picking up most of the salary and get under fairly easily. Of course they probably want to save a little room for the trade deadline, though I suppose we hope this administration will exceed the luxury tax line if they want to add a needed player at the deadline. One can always reset next year when the $25 million of reliever salaries goes away.

[zambonir]

It's pretty hard to predict what will happen to Keuchel at this point. Could still be an Arrieta-like deal out there which the Phillies probably don't want, even with the Boras lovefest. But he could also end up really settling, a la Lynn (or Lohse a few years back. Even Cobb was cheaper than expected last year).

One-year might make the most sense because then he wouldn't have a QO at least. Would be taking some risk and betting on himself to perform.

The opportunity is certainly there. They are not the clear division favorite by any means. They can also probably afford to wait and see how things look in July. Which also makes it a decision about $/luxury tax vs. giving up more talent.

[Lawman]

I see Harper is going all-in on recruiting Mike Trout already.

I'm not sure I'd sign Trout in 2021. I'm sure he'l be looking for a 10 year deal, mega millions deal. He'll also be on the wrong side of 30. Do we need Trout and Harper - 2/3 of the starting OF - on the wrong side of 30 and tied to relatively large contracts?

[donaldorc]

I see Harper is going all-in on recruiting Mike Trout already.

Source?

[Lawman]

SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (SportsRadioWIP)

[zambonir]

walking that tampering line with a hypothetical!

Trout will probably be traded before the Phillies get an open shot at him (or he'll stay with Anaheim) so this discussion can wait.

He will only be 29 when he takes the field in 2021 though, so still almost two full seasons before the "wrong side" of 30.

Who knows what the market will be but when you are talking about a consisent 8-10 WAR 990-1100 OPS player those are some decline years I might still like to buy.

And by 2022 Harper might be a 1B or DH. For now let's see if the Phillies actually manage to produce an OF (or two!) internally by 2020.

[tom81]

For now let's see if the Phillies actually manage to produce an OF (or two!) internally by 2020.

Odubel Herrera?

[zambonir]

He wasn't even produced internally!

He and Cutch are both signed through 2021, but either of them could be a 4th OF or traded by then. Ideally because Haseley or Moniak (if not both) have taken over. We should be so lucky.

[andyb]

Or Quinn will still be in his arbitration years, playing 150 games and stealing 80 bases a year while winning a gold glove!

[zambonir]

[zambonir]

The slap on the wrist is bound to sting

Angels contact MLB regarding Bryce Harper's possible tampering with Mike Trout