2018 Season MLB Non-Phillies News/Notes Discussion

zambonir 2018-05-09 06:32:32 UTC #61

I'm old enough to remember when this guy wasn't enough to anchor a package for Hamels (not that Boston really wanted to trade him)

gmwannabe 2018-05-09 11:09:11 UTC #62

i remember a few years back, on this site, that i was revelling in the young mets pitching staff with harvey leading the way. Syndegaard, DeGroom and the lefty Matz. i forget who the fifth was, but i thought they were going to be set for years. i guess you never know what is going to happen. they still have Syndy and DeGroom. not sure what else.
gm

Lawman 2018-05-09 12:33:13 UTC #63

Wheeler?

zambonir 2018-05-09 16:36:51 UTC #64

Yeah, it was Wheeler, who's never been that good or healthy either. This was actually the first year all five of them made a start as a rotation, which obviously didn't last. Not too surprising, TINSTAAP and all that. The Mets had even been there before with Generation K. But to even have three pitchers that good is impressive and they did get to the World Series.

Meanwhile, best I can remember, the Phillies also had at least two ballyhooed minor league rotations, that didn't even end up producing one major league stalwart.

Philsmania 2018-05-09 17:16:58 UTC #65

Believe it or not, next week we will already be 1/4 of the way through the season. Is it too early for Nola to be in the Cy Young conversation?

rkeden 2018-05-09 17:30:10 UTC #66

It would help Aaron out if the Nats would trade Scherzer to the American League.

zambonir 2018-05-09 20:45:25 UTC #67

File this one away if there's a tight race in September

Philsmania 2018-05-09 20:54:49 UTC #68

And, a friend of mine tells me that the Mets' lineup card was brought out by the Mets' firstbase coach, one Ruben Amaro, Jr..

LoneStarPhan 2018-05-12 06:14:17 UTC #69

Hamels and 3 relievers throw a one hit shutout against Houston tonight. Hamels gave up one hit in six innings and got the win. Walked 3 and fanned 5.

Philsmania 2018-05-12 15:18:44 UTC #70

Good to see Hamels beginning to roundo into form for the deadline!

schooldoc 2018-05-12 20:22:07 UTC #71

It is indeed. After a bit of a bumpy start (but not horrible), Cole has allowed 2 ER or less in five of his last six starts, including that one-hitter over six last night against Houston.

The speculation is a little early on this, of course. But if Texas continues its struggles, the Phils continue to hang around, and Cole can remain healthy and relatively effective....I think this is a possibility. And given the circumstances, I do not think this would cost the Phils an arm and a leg.

zambonir 2018-05-12 20:51:59 UTC #72

The value of Cole for the Phillies is the fact that they could probably afford to guarantee his 2019 option, especially if the Rangers pay for part of it (since the buyout alone is $6 million). He may also be willing to to take an extension (if it's low AAV enough for the Phillies to gamble on him having an extra year or two left).

He'll be a popular player at the deadline though. FWIW, his 2017 no-trade according to Cot's:

for 2017 season, may block deals to all clubs except Atlanta, Chicago Cubs, Houston, NY Mets, Philadelphia, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa Bay and Washington

I bet the list is different this year, that is a mix of contenders he'd be willing to play for and teams that wouldn't have been in a position to get him, but of course it doesn't matter, what matters is that he has some control, and that he probably would come back. St. Louis is the other team that would worry me the most on that list since his wife is from Missouri and their foundation is active there, but they also sold their mansion (and foundation remains active in Philly too).

zambonir 2018-05-12 21:50:10 UTC #73

Jim Kaat's "crazy" idea to fix baseball: 7-inning games.

(He makes a good, point-by-point argument. Obviously very radical and neither players nor advertisers (and therefore owners) would like it, to say nothing of traditionalists. But it would definitely fix a lot of the things people don't like.)

Philsmania 2018-05-12 21:54:24 UTC #74

Corny Randolph for Hamels, a B/C prospect and cash?

Philsmania 2018-05-12 21:56:30 UTC #75

The Mets and Braves being on that list worry me, particularly the Mets. They LOVE lefties and I am sure they would love to block the Phillies from getting him.

schooldoc 2018-05-12 22:01:06 UTC #76

But more than likely, he is asked to submit a list every year by a certain date (say, June 15, but I have no idea when that date might be). Various considerations can change the teams on his list from year to year although clubs like the Phillies and St.Louis will always be a "yes" for him.

That Randolph offer isn't going to be enough. I'm thinking one top-10 prospect not named Sixto, a young MLB arm and perhaps a lottery ticket for Hamels and some cash.

zambonir 2018-05-12 23:39:30 UTC #77

They may or may not still be on the list. But regardless, the Phillies will have to make the best offer to beat any team he can't veto. They only have an advantage over teams he can veto. I don't think a team is going to overpay in a trade just to block the Phillies, though obviously many playoff contenders will be interested in the same players anyway.

The Mets and Braves might not be able to afford Hamels (even just for this year). They'd have to give up more talent than the Phillies to get Texas to pick up $, including that hefty buyout.

LoneStarPhan 2018-05-13 00:53:30 UTC #78

I would guess that if the Phillies pick up all the money, the cost in players for a deal would not be that great. I suspect many teams would offer more for Hamels on the condition that Texas pays most of the money due to Hamels. Of course, Texas may be willing to pay to get solid prospects. As I see it, the Phillies should not pay a high price in talent but if the cost doesn't include any prospect they see as key in their future, then Hamels might be a good fit. I still think it is a long shot.

allentown 2018-05-13 01:50:19 UTC #79

Phillies likely won't be a yes on his list. No trade contracts are a contractual value -- a way to get extra compensation if traded. It's gamesmanship. Say no to teams who might well want you and be able to pay the freight. Then you can demand an option be exercised in advance or a new extended contract to waive your right to reject the trade. That Cole may be willing to play for Phillies does not ensure that he is on a list of teams for whom he waives right to block a trade.

zambonir 2018-05-13 02:39:18 UTC #80

Judging from last year's list I wouldn't say that at all. Six of the eight teams were contenders. Only Braves and Phillies were placeholders. Doesn't mean the list isn't a different mix this year but I think it's immaterial in any case. We can only hope it's full of teams who wouldn't trade for him, whether the Phillies are on the list or not.

Also, either way, Phillies would probably still be on the list because no one expected them to be good. Pretty sure the list is finalized in pre-season.