2019 Phillies Season Discussion (part 2)

[zambonir]

You have to wonder how much action the 40 is going to see over the next three weeks. They've got several more AAAA type pitchers they might want for September, plus a catcher (regardless of whether it is Hundley or Grulion). And it's also possible (if unlikely) that Seranthony comes off the 60.

[David_Criss]

Eickhoff moved to 60-day IL

[zambonir]

Ah, interesting, didn't see that coming since he was already on rehab assignment. But apparently he can remain so regardless of which IL he's on (and he can come off the 60 as soon as this weekend, if he was ready/wanted).

[Philsmania]

640

If Arrieta gets the surgery now, he has six months before ST to recover, if he waited until October, he might not have been ready to start next season. Shut him down. We're stuck with next year's cap hit, at least maybe get one good year out of him.

When do the Phillies have to exercise the $20M options if he pitches well next year?
If he can bounce back, I have no problem "signing" him to a 1 yr/$20M deal for 2021, but not until I see him in action for a few months.

A friend of mine and I were at the game last night and discussed the Arrieta contract. As much as Phillies phans complain about it, we wondered if the Cubs regret not resigning him to a contract similar to what the Phillies signed him to instead of going out and signing Darvish to that massive contract. WARwise, the Phillies have gotten more out of Arrieta so far than the Cubs have gotten out of Darvish. A case of, "well, it could be worse"?

[zambonir]

The Cubs didn't have that opportunity, though. Supposedly they offered him a contract that was slightly less than what they gave Darvish. Had he taken it they'd probably feel no better than they do now.

[phillychuck]

Cholly sure can coach up those hitters, huh? It's hitting' time!

[bkeich]

How bad have the injuries been this year?

Logan Morrison will be the 52nd player playing for the Phillies this year. That is the 2nd most in team history (1994: 54), a record which I am guessing will fall during the first week of September (although maybe not, we may have already seen everyone that will be called up). I would assume Moniak and ?? will also make the list.

They have already set the team record for pitchers in a season with a shocking 32. How much has the game changed? In 1976 the team used 11 pitchers all season, we have more than that active on the team right now.

[julio]

Logan Morrison will be the 52nd player playing for the Phillies this year. That is the 2nd most in team history (1994: 54), a record which I am guessing will fall during the first week of September (although maybe not, we may have already seen everyone that will be called up). I would assume Moniak and ?? will also make the list.

There's currently no room on the 40-man roster to add players. Jake Arrieta could be moved to the 60-day IL, if he's going to have surgery, which would open one slot.

Players on the 40-man who are on optional assignment, who have not already appeared for Philly this season:

Arquimedes Gamboa - Let's just say he hasn't earned a September cup of coffee (.580 OPS in AA).
Adonis Medina - could get called.
Jose Pirela - probably most likely of these three.

Players who may have earned a September reward, who would have to go on the 40-man this winter or risk being drafted in December:

Deivy Grullon
Jan Hernandez - currently has a broken bone in his hand (sliding into home head first...)
Tyler Gilbert
Darick Hall

I really don't see the Phillies adding anybody else - at least not a prospect - to the 40-man before the end of the season. There are a few older guys who might get added to the bullpen:

Dan Straily
Nick Vincent

But they have one 40-man slot, unless they DFA somebody (or define Morgan, Ramos, or Bruce as done for the season, and assign them to the 60-day).

So don't look for Mickey Moniak, or Austin Listi. They're not Rule 5-eligible; their rewards come next season (if they continue to perform).

Who did I miss?

[andyb]

Who did I miss?

They usually call up a 3rd catcher. If they don't want to start the service time clock on Grullon they could call up Nick Hundley who they just signed. Agree that they probably only have 1 or 2 40-man spots to play with. Arrieta potentially. I think Ramos is still on the IL and it has been a while. And if they decide not to call up Pirela they could certainly give his 40-man spot to someone else.

[phillychuck]

They can DFA Gamboa without worrying much that someone will pick him up. He's always been more potential than performance, and I don't know that anyone other than the Phils sees the potential.

[zambonir]

Hopefully Klentak realizes Gabe's giant roster made the team unwatchable at times last September. Plus next year they will no longer have the unlimited options.

I wonder if signing Hundley means they intend to (and perhaps even promised to) call him up or if it depends how he looks. Seems to me service time wouldn't be a big issue for Grulion (and surely he's going on the 40 this time).

I guess Jay Bruce isn't likely to come off IL before rosters expand.

However, they are only carrying 7 relievers now (with Eflin back to the rotation) and a five-man bench (with Morrison having taken Arrieta's spot). Will they stick with that? If not they either have to cut Miller or option Haseley (which seems much less likely, especially so long as Dickerson is out). Then they could also add Vincent or Straily if they don't want to bring one of the young guys back up (and if they cut Miller that opens another 40 spot).

[California_Dreamin]

I predict that Straily will not only be brought up in September but will start a game. I simply believe the Phils promised him this when he signed. He was doing really well at the AAA level when the Phillies signed him and, given the dearth of good starting pitching in baseball, I have to believe that he had several offers and the Phillie promise got him to sign.

[andyb]

A roster in the 30-33 range for September seems about right. On offense bring Franco and Williams back. Maybe Pirela and a 3rd catcher. Then add 3-4 more pitchers. Morgan and Ramos if healthy. I am not sure I would add every potential reliever though. From Garcia, Hammer, Davis, Irvin, EDLS they should pick a couple that they would use at least semi regularly.

Last year I agree there were just too many players and it was not like we were gaining too much with pinch hitting in the 3rd inning.

[zambonir]

Probably true about Straily but he still had a nearly 10.00 ERA in the majors (which is probably why he's not starting this weekend, along with the tight roster). I think it was less that he's been promised a start than the fact that there was obviously still opportunity here, while he didn't get Arrieta's spot, another injury or string of ineffective starts by someone could always be around the corner.

[Austinfan]

Like Smyly, I doubt they're focused on what he did earlier in the season, but rather whether Straily has regained his stuff/command - that's why I'm sure they have scouts at Lehigh and Reading on a regular basis and talk to the managers and coaches.

Straily hasn't lost any velocity (never had much to begin with, 90-91), but his slider went south this year, without it he's simply not a ML pitcher with a mediocre FB and decent changeup.

[zambonir]

Also - and I admit I didn't remember this either - we traded for Straily. He didn't choose to play for us. He'd already been outrighted and accepted a AAA assignment from Baltimore and then they sold him to us (essentially).

He's not a free agent either (though I assume he'd have to be added to, and stay on, the 40).

[zambonir]

Waiver Matt is at it again: Jared Hughes claimed from the Reds, Ramos to 60-day.

[Lawman]

Phillies Claim Jared Hughes

The Phillies announced that righty Jared Hughes has been claimed off waivers from the Reds. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Phils placed right-hander Edubray Ramos on the 60-day injured list.

[Austinfan]

Jared Hughes

Hughes is another body, 34 years old and his velocity has dropped move than 2 MPH the last two years.
Basically a sinkerball pitcher who throws in a few sliders.

[David_Criss]

Hughes has a $3,000,000 team option with a small buyout for next year, so no big deal.