Discussion

Philsmania 2020-07-28 22:46:10 UTC #61

Boston Brewing bought out Delaware's Dogfish Head which was one of the brewers really behind the Independent Brewers Association. Cest la vie, I guess. But, better Boston Brewing than AB-InBev.

And Victory is now owned by venture capitalists who also own Southern Tier out of New York State so they are not really independent anymore either. I like pale ales but a lot of their beers are too hoppy even for me.

Sly Fox is also pretty big in Southeast PA, The Phillies used to have their stuff at CBP. Conshohocken Brewing which they had at the ballpark until a couple of years ago is growing fast, as is Workhorse out of KOP.

Breweries are all over the place now, with four within walking distance of where I live in Lower Roxborough--New Ridge, Twisted Gingers, Manayunk Brewing, Bald Birds Manayunk location...five with a long walk to Wissahickon Brewing in East Falls.

We need to bring back "The Official Beer Thread"!

julio 2020-07-28 23:06:29 UTC #62

I do not understand why posters say things like this.

What is that Nike slogan, again?

zambonir 2020-07-28 23:06:59 UTC #63

A big part of this season was always going to be, "whichever team is least affected by COVID-19 wins." The Marlins have taken the first hit, and if the Phillies struggle a little this weekend, that is their bad luck.

I guess it's possible they'll be able to return to the practice field tomorrow and Thursday - that could certainly be done with more distance (and less time, in increments) than a game-day routine, and they don't have to travel to NYC like they would have. OTOH if they are supposed to isolate for five full days, them's the breaks. Perhaps MLB should give them the a few more days without games to "rehab"?

Lawman 2020-07-28 23:08:57 UTC #64

Just say no?

flyers19rw 2020-07-28 23:39:00 UTC #65

Tom Moore out of Atlanta is pushing a USA Today report that several Marlins were in strip clubs in that city when Florida was playing exhibitions against the Braves last week. If that is true, the game needs to shut down the Marlins and force some changes in that organization for lack of control. At a time such as this, for management not to make the players fully understand the ramifications of poor behavior is unacceptable.

Lucky_Beagle 2020-07-28 23:46:51 UTC #66

Do not pay them the time they miss...force the team to forfeit any game they can not field a team including the ones in Philly when they should not have take the field if this is all true and documented.

zambonir 2020-07-29 00:02:45 UTC #67

There is no rule against going to strip clubs, just like there was no rule against the Phillies players going out drinking in Clearwater (with a Blue Jays player) and no rule against players letting their kids play with other kids. It is merely a prescription/preference that the players make good choices. That's the decision MLB made by not having a bubble, and letting the players live their normal lives at home.

Honestly if the report is true - though even if it is there's no saying that's where the transmission started - and the Phillies don't end up getting any positive tests, that's good news for the rest of the league. But it is folly to think that some other players on some other team won't make a similar mistake over the course of the season, especially when you factor in the alternate sites. It doesn't have to be a strip club, could be a family gathering, or one postgame drink on the road.

allentown 2020-07-29 00:43:51 UTC #68

No, it's not their bad luck, for the Phillies or the Yankees, it is MLB's mismanagement. The Marlins with multiple positive tests are allowed to open the season. Then they are allowed to play on Sunday, with the gameday scratch of their starting pitcher. Meanwhile, the Phillies and Yankees are shut down for a whole series, despite zero positive tests, because the higher ups in baseball want to play PR games and try to reclaim their credibility when they say they care about player safety. It's farcical. Apparently, this season will be determined by whim.

Did the league order the Phillies to play on Sunday. Some of the players certainly felt at risk, if they chose to play in protective masks.

And yes, if the rules don't prohibit players going to bars and strip clubs, then they need to can the season now.

LoneStarPhan 2020-07-29 00:58:29 UTC #69

Every game the Yankees or the Phillies miss due to this debacle just remind us of the mismanagement by MLB.

Zambonir makes a good point in that in that infection might come from many sources from strip clubs to family gatherings to religious assemblies. From peaceful protests to political rallies. We probably will not know where the infection of the Marlins had its origin, but surely the players were briefed on the importance of avoiding crowds and limiting their contacts during these next several months. Engaging in legal activities that involve spending time indoors in a crowded room (bars and clubs are examples) just increase the chances for an what we see happening with the Marlins.

I have real concerns that the NFL will have some similar outbreaks as they go forward into training camp and then try to play the full season.

zambonir 2020-07-29 01:20:34 UTC #70

It just doesn't strike me as that big a deal or a punishment that the Phillies had some games postponed, even if it wasn't done for the right reasons. The big deal is that the Marlins were allowed to play. It's dumb luck because the whole thing is a farce and the Phillies (and Yankees) just happened to draw the short straw this time. Next time it will be another team, because there is going to be a next time.

The thing is I also don't think any protocol was actually violated on Sunday. There's no way MLB didn't know about the tests because MLB is who adminsters the tests. The "vote" the Marlins had on whether to play was of their own accord; had they - or the Phillies - voted not to play it would have been against MLB's instructions. That I would have liked to see (as we've now seen the Nationals basically force MLB's hand). Outbreaks, depleted rosters and cancelled games are all something they expected, dubious though it may be. It's never been about safety that's for sure.

Clearly the rules that are in place are lacking - both the fact that the Marlins could play even though it was probably obvious more players were gong to end up testing positive, and the lack of clarity about whether they should even worry about outdoor transmission to an opposing team.

Meanwhile, while it's possible the off-day will leave some guys out of rhythm, we just skipped two inferior starters to go back to Nola/Wheeler, and bought Eflin some time. Sure hope Howard is also up and in the bullpen when he's on turn.

The #Phillies rotation once play resumes Friday vs. Blue Jays:

Fri - Nola
Sat - Wheeler
Sun - Arrieta
Tues - Eflin
Wed - Velasquez
— Todd Zolecki ( @ToddZolecki ) July 28, 2020

Lawman 2020-07-29 01:48:36 UTC #71

I'm pretty much in agreement w/ you on this one. It's going to happen again.

zambonir 2020-07-29 02:57:53 UTC #72

Spencer Howard could join the Phillies this weekend. He pitched on Sunday in Allentown, so he would be available to pitch as early as Friday.

I don't think that's based on anything other than speculation/seeming inevitability.

Squire 2020-07-29 13:04:58 UTC #73

https://twitter.com/matt_breen/status/1288459861357932544

Phillies add RHP Adonis Medina, SS Bryson Stott and OF Austin Listi to the 60 man pool and assign them to LHV

Lawman 2020-07-29 13:17:50 UTC #74

If this was a normal season, would any of these guys be in AAA now? Or lower?

Squire 2020-07-29 13:19:39 UTC #75

My guess is that Listi would definitely be in AAA. Medina would probably be in AAA. Stott would be in High A

julio 2020-07-29 13:26:47 UTC #76

Medina was in AA last season; Listi spent time in AAA and AA. I would think that Listi certainly would have opened with the Ironpigs, and Medina might have.

Stott was in Wiliamsport last year; he might have been jumped to Clearwater to open 2020, skipping low-A Lakewood (or not); if he were, and he forced the issue, he might have been promoted to AA by this point, but AAA seems unlikely.

One point, though: These three players were added to the player pool, and assigned to the Alternate Site in Allentown. They were not necessarily added to the AAA roster. The latest roster information I've seen (milb.com) indicates that Medina and Listi are on the Reading roster, and Stott is on the Williamsport roster.

It would be helpful if the beat reporters would refer to the Alt Site as that, or perhaps as "Allentown," rather than Lehigh Valley - because being assigned to the Alternate Site is not the same as being added to the AAA roster.

Lawman 2020-07-29 13:28:51 UTC #77

julio:

Medina was in AA last season; Listi spent time in AAA and AA. I would think that Listi certainly would have opened with the Ironpigs, and Medina might have.

Stott was in Wiliamsport last year; he might have been jumped to Clearwater to open 2020, skipping low-A Lakewood (or not); if he were, and he forced the issue, he might have been promoted to AA by this point, but AAA seems unlikely.

One point, though: These three players were added to the player pool, and assigned to the Alternate Site in Allentown. They were not necessarily added to the AAA roster. The latest roster information I've seen (milb.com) indicates that Medina and Listi are on the Reading roster, and Stott is on the Williamsport roster.

It would be helpful if the beat reporters would refer to the Alt Site as that, or perhaps as "Allentown," rather than Lehigh Valley - because being assigned to the Alternate Site is not the same as being added to the AAA roster.

Thanks, much appreciated.

Lucky_Beagle 2020-07-29 15:25:31 UTC #78

Did the Phillies still have 3 open slots of their 60? I suppose one took Stock's place, maybe they didn't fill a slot when Harrison left?

julio 2020-07-29 15:31:08 UTC #79

My count shows the player pool at 54 (excluding Suarez and Marchan, who appear to be on a COVID list). The Phils' pool has never approached 60, as far as I know.

Don't assume my count is totally correct - TPTB (club and MLB) seem to be playing cat-and-mouse with this information - but again, as far as I can tell, they've never come near the 60-player limit.

andyb 2020-07-29 15:59:56 UTC #80

Most other teams wanted their better prospects in the 60-player pool so they could get regular practice and exhibition games. Stott and Medina definitely fit that mold though I guess Medina was a candidate for the majors late this year originally if he had a good AAA season (maybe even with a Seranthony bullpen conversion which has been discussed).

One other minor factor is that trades can only happen with players on the 60 and I imagine Stott has some trade value potentially.