2019-2020 Phillies Offseason News and Speculation

[EDmuch]

Braves are going to have a deep bullpen by adding Smith. I was hoping we would go after him. But if the Phils are looking for 2 quality starters & a third baseman, I can see why RP is a lower priority. I still thin it would have been good to add another LH RP.

I also would like to see us get Moose signed BEFORE Donaldson signs.

[zambonir]

Not to wish ill on any individuals but I hope the Braves' relief pitching luck next season skews more towards Robertson/Kimbrel/Diaz than the Yankees. Pretty easy to understand why the Phillies would not want to sign a guy to a three-year $39 million contract and give up a pick to boot. Plenty of other options out there for the pen.

Boras and Moose finally have some leverage, they probably won't be in any rush unfortunately. And I wouldn't necessarily be looking to give him the blow-you-away offer, even if he can be traded or moved to 2B. Unless, of course, the Phillies trade Bohm.

[tom81]

The Boras client I’m most interested in is Ryu, adding a quality lefty starter might be the most bang for the buck and the best fit. This article says he is looking for a 3-4 year deal so something like a 3 year deal with options might work. Sure he is an injury risk but what pitcher isn’t?

Hyun-Jin Ryu Hoping For Three- Or Four-Year Deal

[EDmuch]

I agree that if he could stay on the field, Ryu woukd be a great pickup. Combine him with Wheeler & we don’t need either Cole.

[David_Criss]

Ryu and Hamels along with Nola, Arrieta and Eflin with Smyly, DLS, Irvin, Suarez and Medina at AAA - is that enough?

[phillychuck]

Ryu and Hamels along with Nola, Arrieta and Eflin with Smyly, DLS, Irvin, Suarez and Medina at AAA - is that enough?

Howard? I think Smyly might not be back...

[andyb]

I think we want Howard to be positioned as the 7th or 8th starter going in. Nola and Arrieta are givens. 2 new arms. Then you have 3 competing for the 5th spot (Eflin, Velasquez, Pivetta) with the losers of the competition likely in the bullpen.

Then Howard conceivably though you have other arms like Irvin and EDLS that could be positioned if they wanted to give Howard more time. We also don't know how they will deal with openers. A tandem of Velasquez and Irvin might be a really intriguing 5th starter to change hands and velocity and approach completely on a lineup. I imagine Girardi is not initially a fan of openers, but there is a logic to them as long as we train our relievers to be able to go 2 innings and not just one.

[fish]

I agree that if he could stay on the field, Ryu woukd be a great pickup.

I don't trust that Ryu will match his performance playing for anyone but the Dodgers (except maybe the Mariners). I think they figured his niche and he's grown comfortable into it.

[zambonir]

Why would the Mariners particularly be able to replicate what he has with the Dodgers (who also have a new pitching coach)?

But everyone has assumed the Dodgers want him back and he wants to be back. Is Boras just trying to get their attention or would he really go to the highest bidder?

Given the need for Howard to start at AAA and the fact that he will be on an innings limit, plus the fact that they can't skimp in the off-season, you just gotta hope Howard is your July upgrade, instead of having to acquire a starter.

They might talk to Smyly, especially if he's willing to be in the bullpen again, or if he can't get a major league deal. I don't know that I see Smyly, Pivetta and Velasquez all on the roster (I guess you add Eflin to that list, we're assuming he's already got a rotation spot but that's not 100%).

Klentak and Kapler really didn't show much interest in the opener, would Bryan Price and Girardi? They would have to figure that out together early, if you're gonna roster-build with it in mind.

[bigegypt0417]

I agree that if he could stay on the field, Ryu woukd be a great pickup.

I don't trust that Ryu will match his performance playing for anyone but the Dodgers (except maybe the Mariners). I think they figured his niche and he's grown comfortable into it.

what's his niche?

[Philsmania]

I agree that if he could stay on the field, Ryu woukd be a great pickup.

I don't trust that Ryu will match his performance playing for anyone but the Dodgers (except maybe the Mariners). I think they figured his niche and he's grown comfortable into it.

what's his niche?

Geographic niche on the West Coast?

[fish]

If there is one thing abundantly clear about the Dodgers, its that they know how to implement data as well as anyone- they've figure out what works for Ryu and made him better than I think anyone could have imagined he'd be. That in combination with their understanding of what he's comfortable with and how to manage his work load, i just don't see other teams being able to get the same production from him. He's not a workhorse, he has to be managed throughout the season to get him across the finish line. As for the Mariners- they've gotten results from other Ryu-like asian pitchers. Big ballpark, comfort factor, cultural familiarity goes a long way in getting the best from a guy.

[bigegypt0417]

If there is one thing abundantly clear about the Dodgers, its that they know how to implement data as well as anyone- they've figure out what works for Ryu and made him better than I think anyone could have imagined he'd be. That in combination with their understanding of what he's comfortable with and how to manage his work load, i just don't see other teams being able to get the same production from him. He's not a workhorse, he has to be managed throughout the season to get him across the finish line. As for the Mariners- they've gotten results from other Ryu-like asian pitchers. Big ballpark, comfort factor, cultural familiarity goes a long way in getting the best from a guy.

He averages over 6 innings a start...I mean in most circles that's a bit of a workhorse.

I think it would be better if you just said based on his country of origin, he would be better off in LA or Seattle because no one of his particular origin has ever pitched outside of those areas?

Does Philadelphia not have an established Asian community?

The entirety of your post is anecdote.

[tom81]

There have been a lot of Asian players that have played for east cost teams. Chan Ho Park even pitched for the Phillies.

List of Major League Baseball players from South Korea

The idea that Ryu won’t go for the money and a shot for a ring but only will play for a West Coast team is not based upon any fact.

I also like the idea of adding Ryu and Hamels, neither will take a comp pick or require a lengthy contract.

Ryu has some home/away splits but his away stats are very good.

[Philsmania]

There is a very sizable Korean immigrant community in far North Philadelphia crossing into Elkins Park and in Upper Darby. There's a Vietnamese presence in Queen Village.

[zambonir]

Yes, it's more than a bit... I believe the popular term these days is problematic... to say that because the Mariners have had success with Japanese players, they would have success with a Korean player. Also, who are these "Ryu-like" pitchers the Mariners have had success with?

Even just in terms of Japanese players, we heard the same kind of arguments about Ohtani, and Darvish (both originally and in his last free agency). We don't really know what he wants (besides the best contract, and a contender if possible).

[EDmuch]

Ryu, Wheeler & Moose plus some fungible relievers. A great off season.

[zambonir]

I would think it's Ryu or Wheeler, and then Hamels or another cheaper/shorter-term guy. Compared to Cole or Strasburg I guess you'd still be getting off easy, but you don't want two veteran, injury-history guys on the same contract timeline, even if Wheeler's younger.

[zambonir]

This suggests the Phillies might prefer to wait on Realmuto's extension to keep his 2020 tax hit lower (though it would then be higher for the extension).

Why J.T. Realmuto’s contract extension with the Phillies might take some time

[julio]

because the Mariners have had success with Japanese players, they would have success with a Korean player.

Aren't Japanese and Koreans basically the same people? The same culture? I mean, just ask any Japanese or Korean - they'll explain for you!