2020 Phillies Spring Training News, Notes & Discussion

[Philsmania]

Progress? We shall see but maybe the two sides just needed stop negotiating for a couple of days to let the temperature cool down.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/06/league-union-reportedly-closing-in-on-deal-for-2020-season.html

[LoneStarPhan]

Negotiations should have been resolved by June 1st and spring training should be underway by now. Both the players and the owners have FAILED the fans. For a sport that has been declining in popularity for years, they are risking a huge financial investment. I sure hope that it doesn't happen, but MLB as we knew it could be in for some extreme changes in the next two or three years.

[California_Dreamin]

By the way, for those of us who were around in 1964 [allentown, julio, lonestarphan, yours truly] it truly was "the best of times, the worst of times" to be a Phillie phan. And today, June 21, indeed Father's Day 56 years ago, it was the best of times. Phillies swept a Sunday DHer in New York against the Mets and Jim Bunning, he the father of 9 children, tossed a perfect game. Rick Wise won the night cap 8-2 for his first major league win as the Phils took a 2 game lead over the SF Giants. I recall Bunning going on the Ed Sullivan Show that night.

A few weeks later, in the very same Shea Stadium, Johnny Callison would hit a game winning 3 run homer against Dick Radatz in the bottom of the 9th to give the NL a 7-4 win. Truly, these two events, along with the thrilling wins on an almost daily basis made the Summer of '64 one of my most memorable ever.

Alas, summer turned to fall, ecstasy turned to agony and the best of times became the worst of times. But not so on this day, June 21, Fathers Day, 1964.

[zambonir]

Well, if they'd gotten the deal done by June 1 and started spring training this week, we might already be looking at a cancelled season. Or at least some very diminished rosters. It was reported that quite a few of the Phillies' positive tests were major leaguers. If the season were to start on July 10 they probably wouldn't be available to play. They'd need more than a week to get ready after completing quarantine, more than that for a pitcher).

Would have been nice if they could have resolved the financial and baseball-related issues more quickly so they could focus solely on the health protocols, but I'm not sure you can separate the two.

[zambonir]

I guess this thread can just resume?

Hearing Phillies will utilize the Triple A facility in Lehigh Valley, as well as Citizens Bank Park, to space out the group for spring training II, which could begin in a week if/when final health protocols are signed off on.

— Jim Salisbury ( @JSalisburyNBCS ) June 23, 2020

[bkeich]

Hearing Phillies will utilize the Triple A facility in Lehigh Valley, as well as Citizens Bank Park, to space out the group for spring training II, which could begin in a week if/when final health protocols are signed off on.— Jim Salisbury (

@JSalisburyNBCS

) June 23, 2020

Hadnt thought about that, but that would really make a ton of sense. Put the players in 2 places, maybe even have two teams (i.e. split squads) for everyone to "speed up" spring training.

I look forward to baseball, I just hope it doesnt become something we really regret seeing. These guys are all young and pretty healthy, and certianly not in "high risk", but that doesnt mean we won't lose one. If that happens it will be a complete and total cluster... The Players Union will absolutely take control of the game.

[zambonir]

Lots of info here. Roster rules, taxi squad (allows for up to 60 players total) special COVID DL. Trade deadline will be August 31. Also they are talking about having two teams of unsigned minor leaguers in Nashville playing games that MLB teams could pluck from.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/06/latest-on-potential-2020-rules-changes.html

[bkeich]

One they need to clarify:

Player that made the final out starts on 2nd in extra innings.

From one interpretation of that rule it doesn’t work. I think it needs to be “Last hitter who completed a plate appearance”. If it is the player who made the final out it could have been someone who hit 5 batters before the last out (ie. It is possible for a leadoff hitter, on 3rd base, to make the final out when the #6 hitter completes his plate appearance). That guy would be 4th up the next inning and could need to hit while still on base.

[bkeich]

Imagine the possibility:

2 out, none on, ultra fast, no hit player coming up (think Billy Hamilton type) That Team has their shutdown reliever warming (think 2008 Lidge) So they are confident that the next inning will not result in a loss (although obviously possible)

Coach tells him to strike out intentionally so they start the next inning with him on 2nd. Must better chance to score than him trying to get home with 2 outs.

[zambonir]

That almost sounds fun to me, strategically.

Alternately, Jay Bruce is coming up with two outs and no one on and you've already used your two best relievers, he doesn't hit a home run, he starts the next inning on second, I assume you are allowed to PR for him? (Send in Vinny Velo!)

[tom81]

I assume you are allowed to PR for him? (Send in Vinny Velo!)

If you can PR for the guy who starts on second It really adds value to have an extra bench guy that can fly. If still available Roman Quinn is the 1st up. With the expanded rosters maybe they keep a 6th OF.

[zambonir]

When spring training was cancelled Roman Quinn was our starting CF (over Haseley). Short season may keep him healthy too! I imagine the 26th player will still be someone versatile but with the DH and lack of a minor league season at least one of our 2B/3B/OF AAAA guys has probably lost their job to Bohm.

I also don't think you make roster decisions based on what might only be 3 or 4 games (between 7 to 10% of games each year go to extras) but it could be entertaining when it happens. I'm already at peace with it I guess!

[andyb]

The 26th man will probably be someone like Logan Forsythe (or the second version of him since they brought about 4 of them to camp.). Could be Bohm too. We had not necessarily thought he was a given for the roster initially, so that extra spot could be him. Or he could be on a 4-week tryout to win a 3B/DH job while the roster gets cut from 30 to 26.

[phillychuck]

I'm sort of excited if they will be playing spring training games (exhibitions?) in Allentown. I wonder if Lehigh County is green by then if they will let people into the park. A few fans could easily be spaced out more than 6 feet.

[zambonir]

Back when things were normal it wasn't clear if Cutch would be ready, or if Bruce would be ready to play the field for that matter, so there was extra LF time open potentially (or an extra bench spot if Haseley played LF). Hard to remember who of Forsythe, Harrison and Neil Walker had the inside track. Gosselin was there too. It seemed possible that Gosselin or Torreyes might make it because they could play SS but if you add Bohm then Segura is available as a SS option (as is Kingery).

And they still have a lot of bullpen questions.

I suspect the spring training games will all be intrasquad.

[zambonir]

Phillies will face a BRUTAL schedule in 2020

On the other hand, the Nats and Braves and Mets have to play the AL East teams too, so it could be a dogfight.

[andyb]

On a 26-man roster they had a 5-man bench. Catcher, 2 OFs (one of Quinn/Haseley and Bruce if healthy), and 2 IFs/Utility types. I think Forsythe did have the inside track but thought they would do Forsythe and then one more. That one more could be Bohm though they could start with a 6 or 7 man bench. Probably 6 and go with 16 pitchers the first 2 weeks. They are allowed to have a 3rd catcher travel with the team so they seem less likely to use that roster spot.

I start with Bohm on the bench as one of the 6. In 2-4 weeks they make a decision. Injuries of course could play a role.

Have we also asked the question of whether any Phillies will opt out? Family member pre-existing conditions count. Will Trout play the whole season with his wife giving birth? Sean Doolittle's wife here in DC is immuno compromised. Will he play?

I suspect each team might have a few players who choose not to play. We'll know more when we see who reports next week. And of course a bunch of Phillies tested positive. There could be a few pitchers who are not ready to open the season simply because they are quarantining for a couple of weeks.

[zambonir]

Zach Wheeler's baby should be due right around the start of the season, so he might miss the first two weeks, but would be available to play, assuming no complications. Question is would he even come to spring training, since you certainly don't want to put her at risk until she delivers. He could miss half his starts, in theory.

Hopefully none of the starting pitchers were in Clearwater. We know it was originally mostly rehabbing players and a few other guys who chose to stay in the area (or were already based there).

[andyb]

NY, NJ, and CT announce a 2-week quarantine for visitors from states with a growing number of positive tests that includes FL and AZ. The Yankees and Mets may have pitching staffs that have a bunch of players a week or two behind. The Phillies could even require their FL-based personnel to quarantine for 2 weeks. They probably should do that given all the positive tests.

Teams are just going to need lots and lots of pitchers. Assume there will be lots of 10-day shuffling back and forth between the taxi squad. Or temporary promotions for players that fail temperature checks (the COVID list). We could have 25 pitchers in a 60-game season, maybe more.

[LoneStarPhan]

Texas had its largest number of new cases ever yesterday. Hospitalizations also set a new high. New cases have been increasing by one thousand each 3 days over the past ten days. Frankly, things don't look good, but we can hope this works out.

Regardless, 2020 will not be a real season in any sense. It will give us some baseball to follow (hopefully) but probably more of a chance to see many players and make decisions on roster rebuilding during the coming off season.