2018 Season MLB Non-Phillies News/Notes Discussion

[zambonir]

The Nats could much more easily afford to give up a draft pick for Corbin too. We'll see if the Phillies want to give one up for Harper or a reliever.

I'm not worried about their commitment to get one of these guys. The bidding hasn't even started yet. If the Yankees or Dodgers get one of them for $380 and we hear the Phillies weren't willing to go $400, then yes, that will look bad (though I'm sure plenty of other people will say that's indeed "stupid" money and they're glad). But it almost certainly starts at 350 (or at least 330 as that's more than Stanton, AAV aside).

[andyb]

Good article on the proposals to end shifts - and why that is misguided. BABIP has actually been steady with the increase in shifts (and batting average is a bit higher because of HRs). The problem is the strike zone. The article makes a pretty compelling case about raising the bottom of the strike zone a bit to where it was before the mid 1990s.

Improving the game would require a shift in thinking —...

[tom81]

This will make many fans in Philly happy it they carry through with it but I can see this turning out poorly.

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25502208/gabe-kapler-philadelphia-phillies-manager-publicly-critical-players

[allentown]

I don't think publicly criticizing the players ever works, but it's a long-time Phillies tradition. If you don't like how they're preparing or playing, talk to them privately. If that doesn't work trade them, play them less, send them to minors, don't renew their contracts. Public criticism of players is what the Phillies have done when the GM/owners fail to build a team with enough talent to win or the manager does a poor job -- find a scapegoat. They've scapegoated some very good players over the years, while being very protective of some 'sacred' non-performers, who other players thought had poor attitudes (talking about you, David Bell). Seriously, why would you want to talk down a guy's value if you'd like to trade him off the team? Makes no sense.

[zambonir]

There is a right way and a wrong way to to it. I didn't think MacPhail's comments about his advice to Gabe were too off-base. I never had a big problem with Mackanin either, and Charlie would occasionally do it. Bowa was another story. And when it's the GM or front office (Green, Amaro, Wade - he even got into a fistfight in Houston!) it's never good.

Using the media to send messages and communicating with the fans is part of the job. Now, if the fans are idiots (i.e. "Bobby Abreu doesn't run into walls") you sure hope the manager doesn't share their perspective. But Gabe often went to the other extreme to support his guys (and even himself, a lot of 'nothing to see hear' type optimism and denial, both in April and as the season wore down).

[Philsmania]

I don't think publicly criticizing the players ever works, but it's a long-time Phillies tradition.

Are you sure it's just a Phillies thing?

[zambonir]

Semi-related (because of course it's not just the Phillies though I don't think Atown was suggesting it was): this was a great read about Billy Martin, the Yankees and the NY beat writers. Still haven't watched the movie.

The unexpected key to the Yankees' 1978 comeback

[Philsmania]

Per numerous reports, the Mets are trying to move Heaven and Earth to get Realmuto, even if it means moving significant prospects. They really want to shove their window of opportunity open now and worry about the future another day. One scenario has a three way deal with the Yankees, possibly including Syndegaard (though later reports say the Yanks may be looking at other Mets pitchers).

Mets, Yankees, Marlins In Talks On Three-Team Deal

[xogfog]

That would be monumentally stupid if the Mets move Thor to the Yankees of all teams.

[Philsmania]

That would be monumentally stupid if the Mets move Thor to the Yankees of all teams.

Yes, but they appear to be that desperate to get Realmuto.

[Lawman]

Toronto Blue Jays (BlueJays)

[xogfog]

Poor Tulowitzki, if he could of stayed healthy, he'd probably have been on a HOF path.

[Lawman]

He's available at the league minimum. Any interest? I have none.

[zambonir]

Not even at 3B

[Lawman]

Bob Nightengale (BNightengale)

[Slinging_Southpaw]

...…….as long as he never left Colorado.

[EDmuch]

According to MLBTR the Yankees have closed on a deal for Happ subject to his passing a physical.
Great, just great.

[California_Dreamin]

Rays closing in on a deal for Charlie Morton, per MLB rumors. Tampa Bay? Is that close to Delaware or Houston [where he pitched last year]? Don't think so. Guess this shows that no matter how much scribes and agents try to "connect the dots" they are more often than not incorrect.

I still think money talks for 99% of these players.

[Lawman]

2 years, $30MM.

[Austinfan]

Morton and Happ were both luxury items, we have six starters and three LH starters in AAA this season.
Machado/Harper isn't going to come down to money b/c the teams that want them will pay enough that $10-20M won't be the difference maker and once you get to $350M, trying to beat the offer by $50+M is more stupid than aggressive. It's already a deep hole, and neither player is worth 20% of your budget.