2018 Phillies Spring Training News/Notes/Discussion

[andyb]

The schedule used to always have an off day after opening day so they could guarantee a full house if the weather was bad. That seems to have gone away in this era of 80%+ capacity in smaller stadiums. They can still use Sunday to make up for a rain day with bad weather more likely the earlier they start.

The off days are definitely a bit weird. Better off to start Wednesday so they can stagger the off days a bit. I'd also have no problem if they prioritized warm weather cities the first couple of weeks too. They don't seem to even try to do this and it is more important the earlier they start.

[zambonir]

I attended an awful rainy Roy Halladay start when his decline was in effect in Atlanta in 2013 a couple days before the Final Four was held there so it's not unprecedented.

No doubt the MLB schedule has varied over the years, but in that case it was because the basketball was a week later.

[Squire]

We traded recently DFA'd RHP Ricardo Pinto to the White Sox for International Allocation Money. I don't know how much. I don't know whether it is for the 2017-2018 cycle or the next one.

[zambonir]

I don't think you can trade for a future cycle? Going off of Winkleman's Twitter, he presumes it is for this one.

[andyb]

I think one can only trade for allocations in the current pool year. No idea if there is anyone worth spending an extra $250K on at this point. It would be really nice if we can acquire a comp pick in some way before the draft. Was hoping Rupp might have gotten us that.

[zambonir]

Given how team's value picks and youth these days, combined with the new FA compensation system, I would think they are going to be valued very differently this year (but in any case, Rupp's value was zero).

Also apparently comp picks can't be traded in the off-season?

[andyb]

Also apparently comp picks can't be traded in the off-season?

That is correct. Looks like they can be traded only during the regular season and obviously only up to the draft. Seems like a silly restriction since trading this picks once they are established in November is not going to upset any competitive balance more than it does in April. MLB is sometimes stuck in the past.

2018 Competitive Balance Draft Pick Order

[zambonir]

Well, the one thing that is interesting is we still don't know the draft order.

(But the whole system of not trading picks is silly.)

[Austinfan]

Could be some late birthdays they've lined up and waiting to see if they could obtain additional money.

[andyb]

Could be some late birthdays they've lined up and waiting to see if they could obtain additional money.

That is not how it works. Players with late birthdays are only eligible in July and August. If you don't turn 16 by September you wait for the next period to sign.

[LoneStarPhan]

Yes, we have to assume they have some use for the international signing money. At least, they got something for Pinto.

I am disappointed that they could get nothing for Rupp but I do believe they tried to make a deal since last October. I would have liked to get more than money back for Joseph as well, but again, there was clearly little interest in giving up much for him from any other team. Regardless, both Rupp and Joseph were not in the plans moving forward and the Phillies needed their roster spaces.

[julio]

Well, the one thing that is interesting is we still don't know the draft order.

Here's the current 2018 draft order, per mlb.com:

http://m.mlb.com/draft/2018/order

With the exception of possible trades of competitive balance picks, as far as I know the only other thing that might affect this order would be if somebody signs Greg Holland (the only unsigned free agent who received a qualifying offer last November).

[zambonir]

With the exception of possible trades of competitive balance picks, as far as I know the only other thing that might affect this order would be if somebody signs Greg Holland (the only unsigned free agent who received a qualifying offer last November).

That's what I meant. If I was trading for (or making available) a competitive balance pick I might still like to base my valuation of it on whether it was 36th or 37th, slight as the difference may be.

[zambonir]

Whereas the Braves decided to play three straight games, the Reds went with a Thursday/Saturday/Sunday schedule. But they are already taking the rainout.

Why – and how – the Reds postponed Opening Day

[el-pietro]

Not sure where to put this but the Opening Day 25 man Roster has been finalised.

Phillies announce 2018 Opening Day roster

No surprises among the hitters. Florimon and Kingery are both listed as Utility players.

Only four Starting Pitchers for the time being
Nola, Pivetta, Velasquez and Lively make the rotation. Arrieta has been optioned for the time being.

9 men in the bullpen to start the season
Hector Neris, Luis Garcia, Pat Neshek, Adam Morgan, Hoby Milner, Drew Hutchison, Edubray Ramos, Jake Thompson and Victor Arano

[el-pietro]

Todd Zolecki on Twitter

Arrieta to Clearwater - or staying in Clearwater I guess...
Eickhoff, Hunter and Leiter Jr to DL.

[el-pietro]

Unimportant but interesting news. Kingery will wear 4 according to a graphic shared by the Phillies on Facebook.

[andyb]

Looks like they had to use his remaining option to get him into a minor league rehab game rather than just extended spring games. Not that it matters that much, but getting into shape should probably be a valid reason to use the DL. What if a player without options had to do that?

[tom81]

9 men in the bullpen to start the season
Hector Neris, Luis Garcia, Pat Neshek, Adam Morgan, Hoby Milner, Drew Hutchison, Edubray Ramos, Jake Thompson and Victor Arano

I 'd be surprised if any of our SP's goes through the other teams batting order more the two times their first start. With a 9 man bullpen and off days they might be on a really short leash for awhile.

[julio]