2018 Trade Deadline rumors/speculation

[EDmuch]

PC, then why all the complaining about Franco's defense?

[phillychuck]

I've personally never really complained about his defense that I remember (memory might be faulty, though).

Although, bad defense with an 800 OPS is a lot easier to stomach than bad defense with a 700 OPS... If you look at f-WAR, NC has been better than MF by more than 1 game per year INCLUDING defense, 6.2 WAR for NC over the last 3 years vs. 2.1 for MF.

[bkeich]

Does it really matter if you're talking about approximately 1 play per week?

Is a difference of 0.040 in BA a big difference? That is one hit / 25 at bats (1 week). Yes, oddly enough, 1 extra play per week is worth discussing, baseball is a game of small, small numbers.

best 3B average less than 3 plays made per game, the worst average more than 2.5

Actually, the difference is about 2 plays per week (6 games, about 0.33 plays/game). And yes, that is very significant. If every player make 13% more plays (approximately the difference) on a team that teams defense would be the best in league history.

[phillychuck]

That play difference includes differences in pitching staffs, too, the low play/game players play for staffs that are higher K-rate and direct balls more frequently to the center of the field, so the 2 play/week difference doesn't take that into account. Also, a team like the Phils that shifts so much and has a good defensive 3B available (Crawford?) can adjust to the situation. I actually think it's less than 1 play/week.

If you're just looking at NC vs MF, the f-WAR above seems to say it's a pretty significant gain.

[EDmuch]

Please Crawford is such a pathetically weak offensive player by 3B standards, he should not even come into the discussion.

I have also read that Castellanos would be put in RF and Williams would return to his "bat off the bench" role.

[Patchmk88]

I’d rather Williams play everyday. He has started to hit the ball very well. Also I’d rather give Franco the rest of the year as he has started to turn the corner too. If we aren’t getting a superstar but want an upgrade, I say go find a SS. I’m tired of waiting on Kingery’s .630 OPS to improve from the 6th spot.

[saycheese]

Neither would I that was my point I don't consider Diaz a star either. I think sometimes we over rate things. Good players both of them stars don't think so. Now Vlad Guerrero Jr. he is a AA star.

[saycheese]

I think they would keep Castellanos in RF be even then he is a below average defender. He would be here for his Stick, which is a pretty good not on the Machado level of course but certainly could add. I can see Altherr coming in for late inning defense for him.

[EDmuch]

I agree that from an offensive standpoint, the "black hole" is at shortstop and neither Crawford nor Kingery has filled the void. That to me is why MM was such a perfect fit for us.

Unfortunately, I am not sure of any shortstops available that would be an upgrade.

[EDmuch]

Wow, Hoskins in left, Castellanos is right. They better buy Herrera a fast motor scooter to cover all that extra ground.

[EDmuch]

Asdrubal Caberea seems to be the best available SS candidate on the market and he has not played there regularly in the past year.

[bigegypt0417]

Asdrubal Caberea seems to be the best available SS candidate on the market and he has not played there regularly in the past year.

I'm pretty sure looking at available SS is not going to be useful. The Phillies have two of them they'd like to develop.

[flyers19rw]

I'm not down on Kingery. He's a 2B and doesn't belong on the left side of the IF and is at SS only because of injuries. Credit to him for doing a decent job there as a fill in. His hitting is off but it could be the effects of focusing on his play in the field. He certainly has had a challenging rookie season.

[Squire]

While I like Castellanos there is no evidence that the Phillies are the slightest bit interested. Zolecki article mentions Moustakos (who I think is the most likely candidate) as well Minnesota's Eduardo Escobar.

[saycheese]

Interesting read from Brandon Sommermann on Twitter. [https://twitter.com/PFL_BSommermann/status/1019564954616324096]

The Phillies offered Medina, choice of Randolph and Anderson or Irvin, plus lesser pieces or Kilome.

They also talked about Medina plus other combinations including Ortiz, Gamboa, Brito & Maton.

Essentially the Orioles started out wanting a package centered on pitching, then they change their mind (As the Orioles often do) and wanted a package centered around hitting. I think the Diaz hit two home runs in the futures game sealed it for the Dodgers as the Orioles need to make a splash with this trade. Even if Diaz doen't turn out to be a great player it softens the blow of them dealing a great player

[EDmuch]

BE, you are probably right about that.

[Austinfan]

That offer makes more sense than the rumors that were flying around.
A good payment for a rental, but nothing ridiculous.

I'm happy to ride out this season with the team they have, they have one of the best pitching staffs in the NL, and if some kids step up, could make a real run.

If Hoskins and Herrera get hot, they're good enough to carry a team with good pitching for two months.

[allentown]

That's strange. The MiLB site also has 21 more CLW ABs.

[phillychuck]

Did BA miss his last 21 ABs in A-ball?

[bigegypt0417]

this is his slash line in Clearwater according to fangraphs...

.300 .343 .415 .758

330 AB's