2019 Phillies Spring Training Discussion

[David_Criss]

Keuchel would cost a draft pick, too.

[Austinfan]

Thing is if you have confidence in your young pitchers, even if you think the odds say one of three will falter, you're buying insurance for the 5th starter - how much do you pay for that insurance policy and how will that tie your hands in July.

It's not like Keuchel or Gio are sure things at this point in their careers.

[zambonir]

I'm fine with the current situation but if Keuchel will take a reasonable one-year deal I don't necessarily care about the draft pick, which is only a third at this point. Waiting until July is also fine but that will cost you a lot more than a third-rounder. The x-factor with Keuchel and Gio is the LHP thing. Still a lot of big lefty bats to face the first two times through the order in this division, even if we stole one of them.

Eight months from now two or three of the pitchers we are talking about in MLB and AAA probably won't be on the 40 anymore; the question is will it be because they were traded for value, traded for nothing, hurt, or just dropped? Last year at this time Eickhoff was assumed to be the #5 (or higher!) followed by Lively, Eflin, and Thompson (with Leiter Jr. also technically available to start). Three of those guys are out of the organization, Eflin worked out and Eickhoff is still hanging on.

[allentown]

And it is unlikely that Keuchel can be had on a single year contract. Pivetta/Eflin/VV/Eickhoff/Delossantos -- if two of those guys become solid MLB starters, we will have done well. We can't tell which two will succeed, without giving [all of them] the chance to start in MLB. Three will be in the opening day rotation, the other two will likelier get a shot later in the year.

[zambonir]

And it is unlikely that Keuchel can be had on a single year contract.

I guess that is true or he'd be signed already. Will he be able to snag something a la Arrieta, or is he Lance Lynn?

[BostonRoss]

Lynn signed with the Twins one year ago today.

[zambonir]

Arrieta was official one year ago yesterday. Keuchel is certainly closer to Arrieta in resume. Surely he can at least equal (if not exceed) the Happ contract. But that was a million years ago.

[VoteForKalas]

If the choice is between seeing what the young guys have and signing another Arrieta, I'd go with the former.

Hopefully, the retooled offense can carry the load until the pitching settles in

[el-pietro]

This might be the strongest lineup we've seen yet this spring. Rodriguez is probably the only player here who isn't going to make the opening day 25 though Altherr is fighting for his roster spot as well.

Matt Breen (matt_breen)

[tom81]

It’s a shame tonight’s game isn’t televised.

[el-pietro]

Some more useful information from Matt Breen. Odúbel and Cesar are on their way back

Matt Breen (matt_breen)

[el-pietro]

is it not? That is very frustrating.

[phillychuck]

Not even on YES or MLB. Too bad.

[el-pietro]

There is radio coverage at least, though the game is on much later than I thought (10:35pm vs 5:05pm) so I might only catch the first few innings.

[zambonir]

Wow not even streaming that's nuts.

[EastFallowfield]

Yes, seems weird to have an evening game not be televised.

[zambonir]

I guess I'm just surprised the Yankees don't televise all their home ST games, but yes, even more so at night. And you would have thought MLB Network might have circled this one, but I guess the Phillies didn't look like a draw months ago.

[el-pietro]

Phillies lead 3-2 in the middle of the fourth thanks to homers from Realmuto and Scott Kingery. Eflin gave up a lot of hits in the first couple of innings but it sounds like he got unlucky, bloopers, infield singles and the like.

Good to see Scott hit a dinger, I want to believe in him.

Harper is oh fer two, grounder to first and a strikeout.

[zambonir]

Wrong thread!

[DurhamBull]

@el-pietro Psssst! This is the minor league spring training thread!