Discussion

David_Criss 2020-09-15 20:42:25 UTC #642

Torreyes designated for Garrett Cleavinger

mdougherty12 2020-09-15 20:44:28 UTC #643

Arietta, Robertson, Neris, VV and what the club is paying towards Jay Bruce adds up to $40.575 million in 2020 (in terms of luxury tax math, the numbers will change a bit, I don't know which number John Middleton cares about). Raises for McCutchen, Wheeler, Nola, and Kingery will add $10.25 million (but don't change the luxury tax math). Raises for arbitration-eligible guys like Hoskins, Eflin, Knapp, Morgan, maybe Hembree will add some more money. Gregorius ($14 million) and Realmuto ($10 million) are the only other large salaries coming off the books.

andyb 2020-09-15 20:47:14 UTC #644

Hoskins to the IL was the move for Quinn. No Bruce yet, but Garlick is still with the team so that is the move they would make then.

zambonir 2020-09-15 21:16:39 UTC #645

The one reason I might shy away from Hector is also one of the best things about him - he's been really durable. Does that mean he's finally due (a la Robertson) or can they get one more year out of him? Either way, he brings more value than any free agent would, because you either get a worse player or a risky more expensive multi-year deal (though we still need to do one of those too).

Bruce is playing 1B in Allentown today.

andyb 2020-09-15 21:20:32 UTC #646

Apparently went deep against Llovera, though not sure how impressive that is.

40-man roster also at 39, so if they have another move in them before the playoff deadline it would be tonight. And Bohm is at 1B tonight BTW with Kingery at 2B and Segura sliding back to 3B.

flyers19rw 2020-09-15 22:06:53 UTC #647

The Phillies could walk away from some of those arb players. Didi probably will see his market wither a bit. At $10M he’s a sign; at $15 not so much. Term might matter with him. There are some decent SSs on the FA market this year. With COVID, teams might not be so generous with offers this year.
Be that as it may, I do believe that if Klentak uses his money wisely and is sharp in his trade options, the holes that the Phillies have can be addressed in the off season. No reason why they can’t be a serious contender for the crown of the NL East.

andyb 2020-09-15 22:10:39 UTC #648

Marcus Semien having a bad year but one year removed from 8.9 WAR. Might be less expensive than Didi if they are looking around. He is still only 29 and last year was not his only good year.

mdougherty12 2020-09-15 22:22:09 UTC #649

I wonder if Oakland will make a QO (I'm not even sure if those exist this off-season) to Semien.

flyers19rw 2020-09-15 22:27:37 UTC #650

I believe that Andrelton Simmonds is a FA as well.

zambonir 2020-09-16 01:54:47 UTC #651

All three of those guys (Didi and the other two) are options. But we need someone unless we trade Segura, and even then, Segura is better at 2B and Scotty doesn't look like a guy you want to give 600 ABs too at the moment.

Funny, during tonight's game I was thinking I'd still take Arrieta back for $10 million, and we're not likely to get anyone better than him (if we sign two pitchers). Now his season appears to be over and if so Eflin is our #3 starter for sure/by default.

zambonir 2020-09-16 05:04:27 UTC #652

They were out there doing work today after all

andyb 2020-09-16 12:16:42 UTC #653

A couple of reasonable insurance policies. Bird just has not played regularly in so long even though he is only 27. Hard to know what he has left after the various injuries. He does walk a lot. He is the type of guy that one would want to see a couple of months of good play in the minors before calling him up in the future.

Lucroy is pretty much done offensively. Just imagine they go to him if Realmuto can't come back at all rather than Marchan. Knapp would play every day in the playoffs no matter what. In the short term no likely switch I imagine. We'll want a backup catcher start on Friday in the next DH.

Also, Wheeler is going tonight and pushing Nola back. This will not cost Nola a start as he would still be starting on the last day of the season if necessary. Probably gives them more flexibility to skip him Sunday for game 1 of the playoffs if a spot is clinched by then (hey, let's be optimistic).

andyb 2020-09-16 13:09:40 UTC #654

Some more pitching thoughts from the Athletic:

Mentions that Irvin and, somewhat surprisingly, Medina are on starter's schedules at LHV. Rosso too I assume though I wonder if they want him more in short relief after his start cratered in the 3rd inning. Arrieta will miss a turn though I think he still hopes he comes back (the 25th is the potential day which means they can't put him on the IL if they want him to make that start).

Bird and Lucroy would be eligible for the playoffs even if they are not on the 40-man roster yet. Bird is insurance for Bruce having a setback. Lucroy for Realmuto not being able to come back. Ideally they do not activate either. Bruce is probably back tonight at 1B. Garlick a rib cage injury so assume Bruce just takes his active roster spot.

HopeSpringsEternal 2020-09-16 13:20:25 UTC #655

Good plan. Hey, I am optimistic about getting into the playoffs.

David_Criss 2020-09-16 16:27:09 UTC #656

With Torreyes removed, one has to think a non 40-man pitcher could be added soon since the Phillies now have 3 different games that will need a starter since Arrieta and his fourth/fifth starter stuff can’t be counted on again for the rest of the year and with double headers. Options are thin:
Irvin (successful in the minors in 16, 17 and 18 as a starter)
Jones - not on the 40 – started 8 games at AAA last year with a 6.62 ERA
Llovera (never pitched above AA only 12 games there)
Medina (future bullpen piece maybe who has never pitched above AA)
Parker and the rest of the gambles in the pen
Rosso (who started 14 games in AAA with a sizzling 5.50 ERA and has an almost 8 ERA this year)
Sanchez (started and relieved, but never above A ball)
Suarez (decent starter in the minors, decent pen piece last year)

Who do you go with? Romero would be fun, but not stretched out

andyb 2020-09-16 16:35:44 UTC #657

I think we want to leave Romero where he is. He has shown he can go 2 innings, but really don't want to mess with him too much since he is so inexperienced.

Not sure they add someone to the 40 for a start (like Jones). It means they are making that rule 5 decision now and I think they want to hold that extra 40-man spot for Lucroy or Bird in case they need it.

Squire 2020-09-16 18:48:33 UTC #658

Moniak getting called up to replace Garlick per Salisbury

https://twitter.com/JSalisburyNBCS/status/1306303356001038336

zambonir 2020-09-16 18:49:30 UTC #659

If there is one thing we have enough of on the 40, even with Jake out, it's pitchers.

I would say the only question is would they consider bringing up Lucroy even without putting JT on the IL. If he's not ready by Thursday, basically, but could be back Friday or Saturday. Longer than that and he could just go on the IL.

Oh wow, Moniak! Never mind.

andyb 2020-09-16 18:56:35 UTC #660

Interesting on Moniak and the 40-man slot. Though I guess one could also safely put Hoskins and/or Realmuto on the 45-man IL if it were clear that they were out for the season.

Still need a corresponding move for Bruce.

Nice reward for Moniak even if he won't play much. If Realmuto and Bruce are expected to play later this week there are also clear late inning pinch running opportunities if Quinn is already in the game. Also, while everyone is concerned about the number of pitchers being used and the double-headers, we still have a 28-man roster and the extra spot (Irvin?) available in the double-headers.

Note it is also a 40-man move (as with Marchan) that they were 99% certain to make after the season anyway.

zambonir 2020-09-16 19:19:24 UTC #661

I assume Bruce isn't coming up as soon as we thought, but probably just option Cleavinger and then call up another pitcher on doubleheader day. Or he takes JT's spot if that's where it is headed.

They could also DFA Hale who would probably clear waivers now but he might be needed Friday. Heck if we can sweep the Mets - tonight being the tough one - you may as well just concede one of the games Friday, don't plan to use your better bullpen arms.