2019-2020 Phillies Offseason News and Speculation

[andyb]

Stock (RHP) was the wild AAA guy. He either makes the team or could be gone (no idea if he has options left). Sanchez was the 6'5" lefty but he'll be in AA. Cleavinger probably starts in AAA but needs some time there.

We are definitely adding hard throwers to the bullpen. Kelley was the lone exception and is more of a Neshek type (though he is probably the least likely to survive the winter on the roster).

Roster should be at 39 with Wheeler added. It does not look like they are interested in a rule 5 pick. From the initial previews there were not too many major league ready arms but I guess that is also a possibility. If we are in win now mode we probably need someone we think can contribute from any roster spot even with the extra 26th spot.

[Philsmania]

Do we really need a LOOGY (especially if there isn't going to be those anymore)? We have 8 lefties on the 40-man, all possible relievers. Morgan, Alvarez, Suarez, hope one of the other new arms pans out, Irvin as long man/spot starter.

I mean, I do think we need a reliever. Never mind the injured guys we're counting on, seems like they might also really be counting on one of Pivetta and VV to replace Hunter or Neshek.

I think we are pretty well set with lefties in the bullpen though I say that with the caveat that I thought we were set in the bullpen period last season.

[julio]

Stock (RHP) was the wild AAA guy. He either makes the team or could be gone (no idea if he has options left). Sanchez was the 6'5" lefty but he'll be in AA. Cleavinger probably starts in AAA but needs some time there.

Stock appears to have two options remaining; he was first added to a ML roster in June 2018; optioned for 12 days (too short to consume an option) in July 2018, then optioned in April 2019, and recalled in June; then went on the IL.

[zambonir]

I'm assuming we could add or remove guys before the Rule V as the meetings are bound to bring action before then.

I think what might be most disappointing about the possiblity that they won't pay the tax, not that I'm taking it as gospel, is it also takes away the ability to acquire a salary-dump guy.

Like, I don't usually do wishful-thinking trades but it would have been good to trade Nick Williams and Austin Davis for a mid-level reliever (a $4 million guy on a low budget team). Bruce could certainly get you one too if you decide he's not sticking.

[julio]

I'm assuming we could add or remove guys before the Rule V as the meetings are bound to bring action before then.

If the Phils want to outright players off the 40-man prior to the Rule 5 draft, they must request waivers by... this afternoon. That ship just sailed. Note that they may have requested waivers on players - that information isn't generally released. The last day they can actually outright a player is Monday, December 9th.

If some other club asks outright waivers on a player (technically, "has asked," since the deadline just passed), and the Phillies claim such a player, then can add him to the roster, as long as they have roster space (they have two spaces technically open, which will drop to one when Wheeler is officially signed).

[zambonir]

I was thinking more of trades (for a possible removal), or signing a free agent (for an add). For instance last year we traded two guys off our 40 for three guys off the Mariners' 40.

But in theory, if the Phillies made no trades and signed Gregorius tomorrow, they would be unable to add any other free agents, nor make a Rule V selection, until the meetings are over?

[flyers19rw]

There has been some chatter out there regarding the BoSox trying to find a taker for David Price. The Phillies were listed as a potential landing space. He’s a lefty who has had a decent career but at 34 years of age with an injury history and being owed over $60M for the next three seasons, I hope that the Phillies would pass by him unless Boston sent a lot of money their way. Even then having to absorb Price’s cap hit would be hard to do.

[zambonir]

Yeah that's what I mean, any guys like that are gonna be off the table now. But if Boston took half the money that's about the same thing we wanted to pay Hamels (except more years/risk).

That's actually the weird thing about Hamels, they could have offered him a two-year deal. But I think they already knew it was going to take more money than they originally expected to land Wheeler.

[flyers19rw]

Perhaps there is a Hamels that we phans want to see and then there's the Hamels that the analytic guys see and the two don't match. One year at $9M was the supposed offer.

[julio]

But in theory, if the Phillies made no trades and signed Gregorius tomorrow, they would be unable to add any other free agents, nor make a Rule V selection, until the meetings are over?

That’s correct - unless they’re already asked waivers on a player or players, who they could then outright (through Monday) to free up a roster spot.

Of course, they could come to agreement with a Gregorius, but defer the “official” signing until after the 12th - and for all I know, they may be doing that with Wheeler, too.

[EDmuch]

This is really starting to look like a team that can compete with the Marlins.

[zambonir]

Wheeler apparently flew into Philly today.

[julio]

Wheeler apparently flew into Philly today.

Ahh... Presumably for the physical exam.

[xogfog]

I think they still need to add another pitcher, I don't want to see any more VV starts, I'd just as soon keep him in the bullpen as a sparingly used long man, or let him throw it as hard as he can for an inning. I'd like to see them get a lefty, but the choices are dwindling. Mad Bum is interesting, but a lot of miles on that arm. I don't think we can get Price back in a salary dump now with the Wheeler signing, I think it has to be a second tier starter. If we can't get a lefty, I'd take a look at Rick Porcello, who had seemed to figure it out towards the end of last year.

[flyers19rw]

Any interest in bringing back Smyly on an incentive laden contract? LH; looked decent in September; two years out from surgery and starting to be healthy.

[David_Criss]

Absolutely. Why not? He certainly can't command a lot. Bring him in on an incentive laden deal non roster invite.

[LoneStarPhan]

I expect they will bring a couple veterans to camp on incentive laden minor league contracts to see if any impress in spring training. Smyly certainly could by one.

[zambonir]

We can't afford MadBum. Not sure we can even afford Keuchel or Miley. Smyly or one of the one-year, slightly-over-the-hill guys seems more likely.

Smyly may have offers, we won't know until after the Rule 5. What I still like about him is he can also relieve. Seems to me the Phillies still have to find $4-5 million for a free agent reliever too, though I guess if you assume every reliever is a crapshoot may as well just go with the cheap ones.

That said, if the payroll is actually as tight as these reports are implying, maybe it's just time to move on from Velasquez. He's due to make around $3.5 million, I believe. If he's not starting and he's not certain to thrive in the pen that's an overpriced player, even if the stuff still tantalizes.

[David_Criss]

Right now the rotation is: Nola, Wheeler, Arrieta, Eflin with (DLS, Irvin, VV, Pivetta) as the only candidates for the fifth starter role. This is already significantly improved over the 2019 rotation...... I can't see them having any confidence in VV, Irvin, Pivetta or DLS though

[andyb]

I think Eflin's place in the rotation is less secure than others. RIght now I think it is still 2 out of 3 of Eflin, VV, and Pivetta for the final 2 spots and Eflin only starts with a small advantage. There is recency bias but when you step back the body of work of all 3 are close. A new pitching coach and manager will be less tethered to that recency bias.

I fully expect them to add another pitcher. Whether it is someone guaranteed a spot (like Keuchel) or a low cost competitor is another question. EDLS needs to go the bullpen because his stuff plays up there and he is just not as good as the top competitors. Given Irvin's strong finish in the bullpen the team probably wants him to stay there as a multi-inning reliever (once around a lineup).