2019 Phillies Spring Training Discussion

BostonRoss 2019-03-19 12:45:08 UTC #181

I dunno, I think I'd want to have a good reason to see a clear benefit of giving two of Nola's starts to, say, Velazquez. Sure, more rest is better for a pitcher, but how much benefit is there to an extra day of rest every once in a while? Even if they don't intentionally give Nola extra rest by sticking strictly to the rotation, he will have some starts on more than four days rest from time to time due to the schedule, rainouts, All-Star break, etc.

andyb 2019-03-19 13:31:38 UTC #182

The reason is that 200 innings is better than 220 for Nola. And getting 5 days rest in the middle of the season will be better than 4. Wear and tear on a young arm is hard to measure. Remember Nola has already been shut down one year with an elbow issue. I am not prepared to think he is a guy like Halladay who could handle the cumulative workload (until he couldn't of course).

Lawman 2019-03-19 14:23:52 UTC #183

You mean he won't sign with the Phils in 2021?

rkeden 2019-03-19 14:45:42 UTC #184

Don't be such a pessimist-- All we have to do is beat 12 years and $430 million. Com'on Phils, open up the pocketbook!

rkeden 2019-03-19 15:06:07 UTC #185

Today's game at Houston is posted as cancelled on MLB.com

andyb 2019-03-19 15:46:35 UTC #186

I wonder if that is 12 years beyond his current deal? 2/68 to go on that deal. I was completely expecting this to happen BTW. He was just never going to be a free agent. He does not seem the type of guy that would enjoy the free agent market, so if he was to come to Philly it would be a trade after he was signed long term.

Edit - I see it would replace those 2 years. Seems a bargain to me then. AAV of $35.8 million.

andyb 2019-03-19 18:18:19 UTC #187

17th at 2B and 28th at 3B. Kind of what one would predict from last season. Hernandez is almost 29 so any projection would start him on a soft decline. And Franco has never scored well in these rankings because of defense.

andyb 2019-03-19 19:09:45 UTC #188

Today's Athletic article is mainly about Drew Anderson. Seems he has mainly given up on his slider and has developed a cutter as his 3rd pitch. Good news if it remains effective because he has enough velocity and a decent curve that one could see a back end starter.

Lawman 2019-03-19 19:34:07 UTC #189

Rainout.

Austinfan 2019-03-19 20:00:42 UTC #190

It looked good in the game I saw, basically a cutter is a slider with a different grip, so it's really a matter of command and consistency, if using a cutter allows him to get a consistent break and locate the pitch, then it's an upgrade.

He averaged 93 four seam, 92.5 two seam in his short stint last year, but I think the key for him to be more than just a back of the rotation guy is developing an average changeup along with the cutter.

el-pietro 2019-03-20 18:11:23 UTC #191

Pivetta is looking good today. Gave up a home run but only two hits through five so far on 65 pitches. Hes coming back out for the 6th.

Harper got his first official hit in a ML spring training game on a single up the middle. Though his hit ended in Segura getting thrown out at third and Harper was doubled off shortly later. Still good to see him break his duck.

donaldorc 2019-03-20 18:20:23 UTC #192

Can't figure out why the Phillies can't hit. Or maybe I should say can't score runs.

Squire 2019-03-20 18:22:06 UTC #193

Hope they turn it around when the bell rings because the team has kinda stunk for 2 week straight

zambonir 2019-03-20 18:22:38 UTC #194

News today is also that Hunter and Quinn will not be ready. So Altherr and whatever optionable reliever (not sure it matters who) will make it to Opening Day.

It would stink for him but I'm actually starting to wonder if they shouldn't option Williams eventually. He'll either play great and get traded somewhere he can start or he'll be back up the minute Quinn gets hurt again (Altherr has never exactly been a picture of health either).

nycphils 2019-03-20 18:54:12 UTC #195

Based on last year Williams should be up as a pinch hitter...team is trying to win, unfortunately for him what is best for Williams isn’t the priority.

zambonir 2019-03-20 19:25:01 UTC #196

No question, releasing Altherr is what ultimately makes the most sense. But if you view Altherr as an asset you don't want to lose, you could make the case. And if you view Williams as a trade asset he might be worth more playing every day in AAA (maybe he could even work on his defense). Mostly I'd say you do it if you're worried about injuries (not just to Quinn but to all the starting OFs).

David_Criss 2019-03-20 20:00:41 UTC #197

Basically with Walding being sent down last week, the bench battles come down to: Knapp, Kingery, Altherr, Williams, Cozens and NRIs Brantley, Gosselin and Robinson. Altherr has the glove and Williams has the bench - does that win them the job?

Is there a rotation battle? Will Anderson be given a real look over Velasquez?

In the pen, if they are going to go with 8 bullpen arms NRIs Windle and Paredes have out pitched Pazos, NIcasio, Davis and Arano this Spring.

zambonir 2019-03-20 20:10:55 UTC #198

There aren't really any battles.

Bench is Altherr, Williams, Knapp and Kingery. If they decide not to use five starters for a while, Walding or Cozens could still get a look, or Rodriguez could be added to the 40 (I'm assuming he will go to LV in any case).

There is not a rotation battle. I believe that was Anderson's last start.

With Hunter out Arano, Rios, Ramos or Pazos will all be options (literally). Davis is already sent down. Nicasio won't be waived. I doubt they will add any relievers to the 40 yet.

Only wild card I see is if the Phillies decide they want a second utility IF and just move on from Altherr. Or make a surprise Williams trade.

Austinfan 2019-03-20 20:27:31 UTC #199

Think the only way they trade Williams is if Cozens has turned the corner, but I think they'd like him to show it for a couple months in Lehigh - but they're not giving up on him or Pujols as long as there's no cost - because they do have tremendous upside if they ever figure out how to make consistent contact.

andyb 2019-03-20 21:16:51 UTC #200

My guess is they go with your bench and see who is healthy when Quinn is ready. At that point they could option/trade Williams or just outright Altherr (with a strong chance of losing him).

I just doubt they will do any 40-man moves for non-roster players because the non-roster options are simply not good. Better chance of them grabbing a utility player on waivers I suppose as other teams cut down. Quinn is starting to swing the bat so I imagine they'll injury rehab him in Clearwater and then AAA for a week or two and get him back in mid-April. He'll be eligible on April 5th, but since he missed Spring Training I imagine they will want him to get more than a token number of minor league plate appearances.