2019 Phillies Season Discussion

[Lawman]

Phillies can't rely on Quinn's long term availability at this point. If he's healthy (and playing well) it's a bonus, not a plan.

[zambonir]

With Hernandez playing so well and Altherr gone I imagine Kingery will get a few OF looks. Beyond that it really doesn't matter until July 15 or so, when they'll have to decide if the current bench is the right mix (including whether or not Quinn is healthy or able to perform). I still figure either Quinn or Williams could be traded at that point, whether as part of a pitching deal or for their own replacement on the bench.

Remember, also, there's no waiver trades anymore, so no picking up a Bour or Bautista cheap for veteran stretch run depth. Doesn't seem like Haseley's gonna be the August cavalry either.

I suppose Quinn could be more useful in the 26-man roster era (or even just on a team with a five-man bench) but he's still gotta be able to play.

[Austinfan]

Kingery should be able to play all three OF spots, he's a converted OF in the first place, he has excellent speed and a good enough arm. And in the days of smaller benches, the ability to play 6-7 positions is invaluable.

This is also going to be required because Cesar looks like he has no intention of giving up his starting spot.

[teabag259]

Cesar likely felt Kingery coming on to potentially take his job and to his credit has stepped up. That’s a good thing. Hopefully Kingery gets enough ABs when he comes back up to maintain the momentum he had when he was hurt.

[flyers19rw]

Last season the Phillies ran out to a nice 53-42 start which saw them get into first place. Then the slide hit and the team went 27-40 despite the addition of some players that were thought to be able to contribute during the stretch run. What bothered me about the second half skid was the fact that the BP had been overworked early on and then collapsed as the season drew to an end. Now the Phillies are 24-18 with a vastly improved lineup but we’re starting to see a repeat of the scenario with the BP. Guys are breaking down. Kapler can’t keep running out five guys per game.
Perhaps the switch from Kranitz to Young has had a negative impact on the BP but I doubt it. To me it’s the usage. There aren’t enough arms to sustain the BP for 162 games. You can’t roll a guy out there for 53 pitches and then expect him to be effective two days later. A new approach here is needed.

[zambonir]

I don't think the bullpen is the problem though. And it wasn't last year either. Last year it was the rotation (on a team that didn't have a good offense). This year it's mostly the offense (but it's been a bad week for the rotation too).

And I don't see how the manager is supposed to use the bullpen differently when half the pen is on the DL and the starters are only going four or five innings. There are certainly times Gabe overmanages the pen in close games but today wasn't one of those. The only solution to overuse is to use more guys you don't actually want to see in higher-leverage situations. Or overuse the few guys you do.

The pen will work itself out or be addressed in July, but when your pre-season 1-3 starting pitchers are all faltering and Bryce Harper, Maikel Franco and JT Realmuto are getting out-slugged by Cesar Hernandez that's not a good formula for success.

Another part of the story (besides the injuries) is that without the huge top-of-the-lineup production Franco is no longer a threat (and is in fact a negative-WAR player) while Odubel really hasn't been all year (him too).

Also, defense. "Better than last year" is not actually "good."

[flyers19rw]

My gripe today was rolling out Davis after the 53 pitches two nights ago. If the game today was not a close one, then allow someone to go two or three innings. There are only so many bullets in the clip. Every time a RP is warmed up, its as much as being put into a game. Having six or more pitchers being called upon to go over fifty to high seventies appearances per season is too much work. (CIP-Dominguez was/is not the same pitcher after being worked hard when he was brought up last season) Especially when they are throwing as hard as they are. Its asking these RPs to blow out their arms and their careers as well as being poor management of the pen. Its not game wide problem and needs to be addressed.

[zambonir]

I guess I just don't care about that (nothing against Davis). He's the last man on the totem pole and is probably going back to AAA. He's also the long man, so he's supposed to be ready after an outing like that (with one day off that is). Plus Garcia is actually more of a prospect so you protect him - his mind not his arm - by not making him finish that game. The state of the pen is such that once Morgan and Seranthony gave up the game, Gabe was obviously already thinking about saving Nicasio and Alvarez for tomorrow.

[mdougherty12]

There is nothing unusual about the Phils' bullpen usage in 2019. They're actually slightly below the NL average in relief appearances and innings pitched per game.

[Lawman]

There just seems to be no consistent offensive production, the SP is ok but not really consistent from start to start, the defense is...ok.

This remains a maddingly inconsistent team in all facets of the game.

[LoneStarPhan]

Phillies need Harper to get out of his slump. Hernandez and Segura have passed him in OPS.

[zambonir]

It's a team game but it really is all about Harper. When he's going, McCutchen and Segura score runs, Hoskins and Realmuto become more dangerous (though they've certainly had him on base), and the lesser production from Herrera and Franco doesn't stand out (and when they are going, it's a cherry on top).

But it's not like they've fallen apart. This was their first series loss in three weeks, they are 8-6 in May and 5-5 since the Missouri road trip began. It always looked like a .500 stretch so 2-1 against the Rox and 3-4 in Chicago and Milwaukee would be the goal. Given how hard the latter might be a sweep would be nice.

[zambonir]

Davis down, De Los Santos up.

[HopeSpringsEternal]

Davis certainly was a good soldier this week eating up innings. Hope he does well in AAA and earns his way back to the show.

[el-pietro]

Not sure if its been mentioned elsewhere yet but Kingery is back with the big club, Williams sent down to make room. Kingery starting at CF today.

Matt Gelb (MattGelb)

Matt Gelb (MattGelb)

Matt Gelb (MattGelb)

[zambonir]

Just saw. Wow.

[andyb]

I guess I am not shocked though I think this is as much about getting Williams back on track and leaving Gosselin and Rodriguez largely on the bench since they have been as good as Williams lately as pinch hitters and are completely expendable (whereas Williams is not). As I said before, we really want our backup OF to be able to play CF if we are only keeping one of them.

Hopefully Williams does well in a few weeks and is back, because clearly the team is better with him. Kingery also will inject a little speed. We are a pretty slow team without him and Quinn.

[zambonir]

The NBC article speculated they don't want to lose Rodriguez or Gosselin on waivers. Obviously they will have to do that eventually. I suspect we will never see Quinn and Williams and Kingery on the roster at the same time again (i.e. one of the vets is staying).

[Austinfan]

The problem with Williams is if he's not a good PH, he has little value.
He can't play CF, he's not going to get much time in LF or RF.
So the best thing is hope he gets hot in AAA and someone will give something of value, a top A ball pitching prospect, for example.

With Haseley and Moniak starting to heat up, Williams has little future on this team in a couple years in any case.

[andyb]

There is no real evidence that Williams is a bad PH though. Good last year, bad this year with both being small sample sizes. Letting him sit with no starts for a month was a mistake. Better get him playing time now to see if he can snap at it. The evidence DOES suggest though that be is a better hitter than Gosselin or Rodriguez. This move is about getting him to that place again. It is not as if those guys can play CF either and we really do not need three infield reserves on the bench.