2019-2020 Phillies Offseason News and Speculation

[David_Criss]

We sure are banking a lot on a kid who has only played 63 games at AA. Trust me, as a WSU fan, living in Wichita, I got to see Bohm up close many times and want nothing more than for him to become the next Mike Schmidt...........But, he has only played 63 games at AA. We could paint a house writing the names of can't. miss prospects who missed.

[zambonir]

I tend to agree with that. I'm not saying his future isn't bright, whether it's at 3B or not. But he really needs to tear it up pretty good at AAA, like, a .900 OPS, for me to think he can just come up in July and be an above-average regular on a championship team. Obviously those who don't think this is a championship team can live with that (and Haseley in CF too).

But that's why you look at the mid-range, platoon-friendly options on a one-year deal instead of Rendon or Donaldson. That way Bohm can take the job or not take the job. In the latter scenario he spends the whole year in AAA (perhaps moving to LF or 1B at some point), or he gets traded.

[bkeich]

I am starting to worry that the Phils have written the book on how not to rebuild. Six years into a rebuild and we will start 1 position player from our minor leagues (2 if Kingery starts) and have one solid starter. I realize this statement is a little deceptive since we cashed in the rebuild last year to “win now” with 3 position players, but those guys are going to be on the downside of their careers pretty fast and we haven’t even snifffed the playoffs.

This offseason is beyond critical. We need a slew of starting pitchers, 2 (at least) for the major league club, a few relievers, a 2B, 3B, CF (Kingery, unfortunately, takes one of those spots) and a good part of the bench that returns an inept backup catcher. Honestly, I am not even sure we are not 10 players away from this being a good team.

This level of turnover every year is not the signs of a rebuild coming to an end, but instead a team hanging on to a core. The sad part is the core we have is pretty small and frankly poorly accomplished.

I fear that an entirely new organization of people will be rebuilding again in 2022 or so.

[DurhamBull]

If the Phils trade Segura, I wonder if he won't become another story like Santana where he performs below expectations for the Phils and then exceeds expectations elsewhere. So many players seem to be underperforming their talent level with the Phils that I have to wonder if it isn't environmental (coaching staff, health training, bad mojo in the water?)

I don't want them to trade Segura unless they get a killer deal. Too much churn is not helping the ball club.

[zambonir]

The original sin of the rebuild is still the failure of the Amaro era. It's pretty shocking (and in some cases, unlucky) that not one of Altherr, Williams, Herrera, Quinn and even Randolph could hold down a starting OF job. And I'm sure in 2015 we thought our Franco/Crawford/Kingery/Hoskins/Alfaro IF looked pretty sweet. Starting pitching also looked deep, if lacking any future ace (but Nola wasn't supposed to be that either). Even if only half that core had panned out it was going to be easy to fill around it.

Of course, the failure to have any help now from the 2016 draft is also a problem.

But the team's not a disaster. These are all fillable holes.

Segura seems to get traded every two years, so who knows. He probably stays for the same reason Franco and Hernandez did the last two years - value on the roster is still greater than the trade value. I think Segura can bounce back - he was also hurt a couple of times last year - but I would certainly trade him for peanuts if you can use the money to sign both Gregorius and a 3B and be free of the obligations going forward.

I also don't think Santana's struggles were the Phillies' fault. He might have done very well this year after one season of adjustment, but Cleveland and the AL was clearly more comfortable for him. He also wasn't that bad, just not amazing. His lesser defense was the real surprise and maybe that was on the coaching staff (as so much seemed to be that season).

[Patchmk88]

Sources: Phillies seen as top bidder for Wheeler

Interesting considering everything else I’ve read seems like we aren’t going as high as some of the other suitors.

[LoneStarPhan]

I was watching Good Morning America on ABC and the news banner on building behind hosts as they went to break just now was that the Phillies were leader in bid to sign Wheeler

[David_Criss]

Phillies Actively Pursuing Zack Wheeler

MLB trade rumors has it, too

[Lawman]

5-6 years for Wheeler? Just say no.

[Florida_Sunshine]

All this will do is get other interested parties off their duffs. Hopefully the Phils can bring this to a quick resolution.

[allentown]

Speaking of RAJ's awful messing up of a necessary rebuild, Zach Wheeler is a prime example of how to get top value for your soon-to-be FAs. At age 34, 1/3 of a year of Carlos Beltran netted Wheeler. Yes the Mets sent money on the deal.

[EDmuch]

it is somewhat interesting that while looking to improve their infield, the Phils ignored Jonathan Villar who was available for the price of a prospect (and not necessarily a top prospect). 28 home runs, 30+ stolen bases. Offers more offense than Didi in my opinion. would have provided a real lead off hitter.

[baseballoldie]

Braves just signed Cole Hamels for 1 year - $18 million.

[David_Criss]

NOOOOOOOO There goes my dream of Nola, Wheeler, Arrieta, Hamels and Eflin rotation
Holy cow $18 million is a lot. Was thinking $10 to $12 million
Will Suarez or DLS be given a shot? Madbum and Wheeler both cost a draft pick

[Lawman]

I never liked the traitor anyway.

[allentown]

Agreed. Villar's offense is on a par or slightly better than Gregorius. Gregorius really makes very little sense for the Phillies.

[bigegypt0417]

let's not go crazy about Villar...his career is two good seasons with a bunch of sub-par season.

Didi gregarious has a better resume for being a consistent hitter. He came back a bit early from an injury last year and never got going.

[allentown]

Villar career through age 28: .737 OPS with a .329 OBP, 201 SB/55 CS (39/10) last season
Gregorius career through age 29: .743 OPS, .314 OBP, 30 SB/14 CS (2/1 last season)

Gregorius with 8.4 WAR over past three seasons; Villar with 6.7 (these are r-WARs)

Last year, Gregorius missed a lot of games, Villar had a plus year.

That makes them fairly comparable, since we have two SSs. I expect Gregorius will cost significantly more.

[bigegypt0417]

Villar career through age 28: .737 OPS with a .329 OBP, 201 SB/55 CS (39/10) last season
Gregorius career through age 29: .743 OPS, .314 OBP, 30 SB/14 CS (2/1 last season)

Gregorius with 8.4 WAR over past three seasons; Villar with 6.7 (these are r-WARs)

Last year, Gregorius missed a lot of games, Villar had a plus year.

That makes them fairly comparable, since we have two SSs. I expect Gregorius will cost significantly more.

Villar has two years that are of any consequence. You are posting numbers that are two year and the rest is basically bad.

Gregorius will be more expensive because he's been more consistent. Villar is buoyed by two seasons. Also...I would assume this is a player the manager is pushing.

[Patchmk88]

Really disappointed that we let Hamels go to the Braves on a one year deal. I’m sure he’d be ours if we matched. He’s the 2nd pitcher we need this year and signing him on a 1 yr contract would have been perfect. Now I have to watch him pitch for a team I despise.