2019 Phillies Season Discussion

[zambonir]

I think that's just a combination of a LH starter and parcelling out off-days between today and tomorrow. Of course for their careers Rodriguez doesn't actually hit lefties better than Cesar, but he's kind of hot I guess.

[julio]

After his strong two-inning performance this afternoon, the Phils have optioned Enyel De Los Santos back to AAA (where he presumably will go back into the rotation):

Todd Zolecki (ToddZolecki)

Not really unexpected, since they'll want De Los Santos to pitch regularly in the rotation - even if they need him down the road a a long man, he wouldn't stay stretched out in the Phillies bullpen.

[zambonir]

Anderson's been down long enough that he could return for his latest shift in that role, or they could opt for a true reliever (Davis, Rios).

Or Pivetta.

[Lucky_Beagle]

Or Garcia!

[HopeSpringsEternal]

Anderson's been down long enough that he could return for his latest shift in that role,

Anderson pitched today for Lehigh Valley (4-2/3, 98 pitches). I don't expect that he will be the one promoted.

[ZardozMD]

Is anyone else concerned that the team's BAA is highest in the league (.268)?

[zambonir]

Kind of interesting but this was always gonna be a team built to outscore, and we're 7th (basically middle of the pack) in ERA (and total runs) allowed. Gotta be a lot of noise - and SSS - built into that. Plus a lot of Pivetta and Bad Nola. So I think I'd take the glass half full approach: that they've managed to win despite that and the pitching is actually getting better, rather than regressing.

[Austinfan]

With Eickhoff healthy, Eflin taking a step up, you have a deep SP pool with Pivetta, De Los Santos and Irvin in AAA. That buys time for Romero to find himself.

The problem has been RP injuries, Hunter, Robertson and Arano is a big chunk of innings.
Keep an eye on Leftwich in Reading, 16 IP 4H, 5BB, 27K

[julio]

Official moves today - De Los Santos to AAA, Edgar Garcia to the Phillies:

Philadelphia Phillies (Phillies)

[Austinfan]

I'd rather they just rotate RPs, Anderson was kinda screwed up by going back and forth and won't surprise me if De Los Santos struggles for a start or two.

[zambonir]

It's two different roles. They want those AA starters for multi-inning mop up (whether in a loss or a blowout win) and nobody really cares what it does to their routine as AAA starters because nobody really expects them to join the major league rotation this year (the next guy who starts more than 10 games for the Phillies this year is either Pivetta or not in the organization yet).

Whereas they want Garcia to actually be a functional member of the bullpen, if not a permanent one (i.e. he's optionable). Gets the call over Davis and Rios.

Also got DH games later this week so which means Kapler can do AL-like bullpen management, fun!

[andyb]

They need a fresh long man though. Garcia is less of a classic long man but I am guessing he is good for 2 innings and will be flipped back out if he does that in the next couple of games.

They probably wanted to bring Pivetta up for this role (and maybe leave him up here) but he pitched on 5/3 so needed a couple more days rest. Would not be shocked if he is up Wednesday.

[zambonir]

Now that's a better question. Are they actually ready to make Pivetta a swingman? I'm sure it would be disappointing for him but he'd also be back in the bigs. But my gut feeling is they are ready to see what Garcia can do, a la Seranthony last year, not just squeeze a few low-leverage innings out of him. Nicasio can be the long man.

[andyb]

They have been quoted several times in the last week that they envision Pivetta coming up to be the long man. Was mentioned in today's Athletic chat in response to a question about Velasquez.

Obviously things can change. Eickhoff could be smoke and mirrors (and getting a stretch of mediocre lineups to face). Velazquez has good surface stats but has still been inconsistent. Eflin also has never had sustained success. Obviously there could be an injury and I am not sure they feel good about anyone from AAA beyond Pivetta as a rotation piece. De Los Santos has not had good results starting and may have more of a reliever arsenal. Irvin may not have the stuff (but I am intrigued with him as a tandem opposite hand long reliever). Suarez has not taken a step forward. They have volume in AAA. They just may not have too many arms that really profile as a rotation piece beyond Pivetta and JoJo who needs a full year down there at minimum.

[zambonir]

Yeah I know they keep mentioning it but it doesn't sound like they've gotten serious about it either. I suppose it's serious if and when they do it. As you note he's still probably the next option to start again...but he could still do that while being in the major league bullpen.

Certainly if there are injuries Anderson deserves a look based on his ST and so does Irvin in general (and because he's a lefty), if they want to get him on the roster. But barring Keuchel I still expect a deadline trade, and the odd man out/AAA arms will presumably help make up the package.

[David_Criss]

Was glad to see Garcia get the chance. Anderson and De Los Santos are they starters or are they bullpen arms? I hate the let them start in AAA then come up to the bigs and pitch out of the pen shuffle.

[zambonir]

Anderson and De Los Santos are both depth pieces who will do whatever is best for the major league team, just like last year. If you think that is indicative of them not being viewed as future starters who need to be protected in that role at all costs, well, you're not wrong.

Meanwhile:

Unsigned Keuchel stands ground on market value

[allentown]

Meanwhile:

I don't know if Keuchel gets it or not, but this writer certainly does not get it at all, as he quotes Keuchel's great past seasons. Teams have learned the stupidity of paying for past seasons, especially for a pitcher. Teams now rightly calculate value based upon expected future performance. It is nonsense to think Keuchel's value is being killed by a lost draft pick. If he really were all that, a guy who can laugh off a nearly $18 mill QO, then the loss of a 2nd or 3rd round pick isn't significant, compared to the deal he'll get and the value he'll add. The Phillies happily gave up a two for Harper and a 2 and a 3 last season for Santana and Arrietta. Other teams have happily surrendered picks for FAs they really liked.

The writer would have us believe that Keuchel having the most starts last season is a plus. it isn't. It is a measure of wear on his arm. The last time he pitched 200+ innings in a season, he was injured and his next two seasons were both partial seasons and with results the year after the 232 IP season a huge step down from that great season -- likely meaning he was pitching through injury before being shut down. He seems set up for an off-year in 2019. He is likely holding out for a multi-year deal. I see him as a significant risk. His 2018 numbers are good, but hardly great and significantly off what he has done in the past. Only a foolish team will give him a contract which rewards him for his 2014 and 2015 seasons, expecting that he'll replicate that performance in the future. Odds are strongly that he will not.

[David_Criss]

It will be interesting to see if Cole Irvin starts tomorrow or Friday for LeHigh Valley. With Gabe staying mum on VV future, do we finally get to see Irvin? He can be placed on the 40-man and when Hunter comes off the 60-day there will be other options to designate. Does VV go to the pen, does he get optioned like Pivetta or how many more starts does he get?

[andyb]

When Kingery is back we'll get a 40-man slot for whichever infielder (Gosselin, Rodriguez) we send out.