2019 Phillies Season Discussion

[bkeich]

Hoskins is the RISP whipping boy though. I tend to think those stats are meaningless (SSS) and even out. But they're still happening. His .896 OPS drops to .775 with RISP. By contrast Harper goes from .838 to 1.091.

Bases empty they trend completely opposite, so I think it is a lot of noise/randomness.

Yes, I think it is just randomness.

This year, .896 OPS, but .775 OPS with RISP
Last year, .850 OPS, but .952 OPS with RISP
2017: 1.019 OPS but 1.403 OPS with RISP (only 212 PA).

Between 20-30% of all at bats are with RISP for his batting order position. That isnt a terribly small sample, but there is clearly variance and IF ANYTHING he has been above average in those positions in his career, but this year has been lower.

[mdougherty12]

Hoskins is the RISP whipping boy though. I tend to think those stats are meaningless (SSS) and even out. But they're still happening. His .896 OPS drops to .775 with RISP. By contrast Harper goes from .838 to 1.091.

Bases empty they trend completely opposite, so I think it is a lot of noise/randomness.

Looks like a fluke, Hoskins' numbers with RISP were good last season.

[zambonir]

Bruce off IL, Haseley to AAA.

[zambonir]

Hoskins biggest problem has been infield pop ups with the bases loaded. I don't know how arbitrary that is but with our current issues with RISP, Hoskins is wearing that collar because it fits.

Hoskins has only had 11 ABs all season with the bases loaded, and is batting .364 with 2 walks. So you might remember 1 or 2 ABs that frustrated you, but it's neither his biggest problem nor a big problem. Or a problem.

This team's real deficiency is power. If you have it, you knock guys in from home, first, second and third, scoring position or not. A few more clutch singles may have won a few particular games but it's not the main issue.

[baseballoldie]

I would not be surprised to see the Phillies bring up Bohm in September when the rosters expand. This is the last year for the full roster expansion IIRC.

[andyb]

I was debating whether they would do this (or Miller). This corresponds with realizing that Quinn is too valuable to lose since he can't be optioned any more. I guess it also adds to the possibility of seeing Dickerson in CF occasionally.

Quinn and Bruce and Rodriguez and Knapp in the lineup against Bumgarner tonight. Need Nola to be really, really good....

[Lawman]

Bruce off the IL and up the big club. Haseley optioned to AAA. He's been the hottest hitter with a .326 BA of late. Not sure I see the long term value of optioning Haseley and retaining Rodriguez.

[Austinfan]

Rodriquez is an AAAA player, a hot month doesn't change that, not sure he's even as good as Goselin.

[nycphils]

I’d guess Cesar will get non tendered or maybe traded for a song. Why pay him about $9M? Kingery at 2B and a stop gap for the first couple months until Bohm is ready is what I’d expect.

Between Cesar ($7.75m this year) Maikel ($5.2m)), Nicosio ($9.25m), Hunter ($9m), Neshek ($7m net), that’s $38m freed up to get a high end FA (Strasbourg, Cole, etc) and even another guy, maybe Hamels.

[Taudawg]

Strasburg, Cole and Hamels, I believe, are eligible to be issued qualifying offers. I think the Phillies need to start holding on to more of their top picks. I'd rather they chase pitchers without the QO attached.

[California_Dreamin]

Sending Haseley down is absolutely disgusting and is simply the latest example I could use to show why the players don't trust Kapler and Nightengale's article is pure bunk! Just two days ago Kapler said as one of the reasons that Franco was sent down was because they want to play Haseley every day and see how he does.

Two days later HE is sent down despite playing as well as almost anyone in the lineup, providing the organization and its phans that maybe, just maybe, their drafting methods are finally paying and actually offering what Kapler/Klentak always said was so valuable...the ability to play multiple positions.

I hate this move, hate it, hate it, hate. Frankly, I am sick and tired of the Phils using their ability to move players up and down like chess pieces simply because they can. It is a terrible message to players. DeLosSantos saw it, Irvin saw it, Suarez saw it, Hammer saw it, Ramos saw it, Rios saw it, Williams saw it, Franco saw it and now Haseley is seeing it.

Am I suggesting that all of these players didn't deserve demotions? Of course not. But am I suggesting that some of them did not deserve to be sent down and its likely to affect their performances in the future. You bet your sweet bippy I am. This organization has created an environment where success isn't necessarily rewarded but your number of options available to LHV can sure be a punishment.

I can only imagine what the young guys in the system are thinking/feeling after seeing this. And all to keep a couple of AAAA players [Miller and Rodriguez] on the roster as if they are going to help this team get to the playoffs.

This is a disgraceful move, one that every Phillie phan should criticize. Haseley has been playing very well, certainly better than about 20 other higher paid guys. And don't for one moment think the veterans like Realmuto aren't watching this with increased interest. They want to win and you win by using the BEST players, not by stashing guys on a roster simply because you lack the guts to admit you were wrong and cut a guy who is doing nothing but taking up space and doesn't have a bird eye view of being with the club next year.

While I am at it, I just saw the Phillie lineup for tonight. May I suggest that a lineup of Haseley, Williams, Pirela, Franco, Castillo, Romine, Morrison and Grullon might be more interesting to watch then this one.

Can anyone tell I am a bit perturbed about this move?

[zambonir]

I don't love the move but Kapler and Klentak certainly didn't invent overvaluing veteran utility guys. Seems to me we need a true CF more than we need three LH LFs (if you include MIller) or two utility guys though. I thought the plan was for a five-man bench.

But I'm sure the veteran players love Rodriguez and Miller. Truth is there's a really high chance someone will just get injured in the next 10 days (or at least well before 9/1) so they are trying to retain every asset.

[Austinfan]

The reason they sent Haseley down was simply so he could play everyday, he was rushed to the majors, and if you bring Bruce back, you can't send Quinn down so you'd be burying him on the bench for Haseley. GIven that Quinn is only 25 and as talented (outside of the durability issue) as Haseley, that's not an optimal outcome.

I don't like it, but it's the right move, when the AAA season ends, Haseley comes back up, if the Phillies are out of contention at that point, he plays everyday.

[California_Dreamin]

Who said anything about Quinn, I wouldn't have let him go either. I said Miller/Rodriguez or even one of their myriad of 8 relievers, especially the Twin twins [Morin/Parker], neither of whom has distinguished themselves up to this point.

Clubhouses are valuable places for teams, they often form their identity based on what goes on there and who is there. Is it as important as what goes down on the field? Of course not, but it matters. I suggest that this Phillie clubhouse, especially among the young players, has been one of anxiety, doubt and skepticism.

I laugh every time I read a Kapler/Klentak quote about it being about the 25 guys on the team. This team has NEVER had a 25 man roster, it has a 15 man roster and 30 guys who come and go at Kapler's/Klentaks whim, depending on what their options [literally] are and their latest analytic reading says about a players chances of maybe getting a hit off of an upcoming pitcher based on all that stuff that NEVER takes into account a player's emotional outlook.

[California_Dreamin]

zambonir...with all due respect, veterans love winning. They can have an off season beer with Miller or Rodriguez anytime they want but in the end, they want the guys who give them the best chance of winning on the team. No one will convince me any veteran's love of Miller's personality supersedes Haseley's ability to chase down a flyball or get a big hit while batting down low in the order.

This much I know. Haseley was a starting outfielder and was playing well. Young, athletic, even showing some power. What's not to like? There are a thousand Miller/Rodriguez's hanging around professional baseball, maybe even more than a few in LHV.

[julio]

and Nightengale's article is pure bunk!

CD... Nightengale's article is pure bunk?

What article?

If you're going to reference an article - link it. Don't expect us to know what you're talking about, or do a search, because you can't be bothered to post a link.

[I should add, I agree with your feelings about the Haseley move.]

[allentown]

Once I say this, Bruce likely hits HRs in the next 5 games. However, I think this move is beyond stupid. Hasely was doing well. Bruce hasn't played since July 16 and shouldn't play CF. What's wrong with a rehab assignment for a guy who is coming back from injury and is 3 weeks stale? Let him get his hitting eye back in the minors.

[California_Dreamin]

One last thing and I am done. If Klentak should have learned one thing from last year it is that you need to be careful about messing with a clubhouse in August. It was arguably the downfall of last years team...bringing in veterans at the expense of some of the very same young guys who had elevated the team in the first place.

Look, a case can be made for the Franco demotion and some here are understandably defending the Haseley demotion. Fair enough, But Klentak/Kapler are once again walking down that slippery August slope of moving veterans into the clubhouse while giving younger players the pink slip.

Frankly, I suspect we will see the same results.

[allentown]

Well, not the same results. Last year's team was doing well up to the deadline deals. This team was already faltering badly I really don't expect Bruce to hit the ground running. He's being given the privilege of doing his rehab assignment in MLB.

[Taudawg]

Well I hope I am wrong, however I think the team is going to fall out of the wild card race. Not because of the roster shuffling or clubhouse culture though. I just think this team is too banged up and plenty of other good teams are getting healthy and heating up. I think the Mets get past us. They have four solid starters, we have one. The Nats have three all-star starters. Both of those teams have lineups as good as the Phils. We may squeak out a .500 season, but it might be in fourth place.