2021 Phillies Major League Regular Season Discussion (part 2)

[bkox]

Galvis offered to catch in the post game interview too.

Honestly I think Harper would love one game back there some time. Just for the fun of it.

[zambonir]

I don't think anyone is serious about it (though Harper's probably more serious than anybody else is).

But the argument you're making also suggests that it's time for JT to stop catching full-time. Already heading in that direction, so what's the right number next year, and how does it affect the second catcher spot?

Of course, we can't seem to keep JT healthy at 1B already. Or Rhys for that matter.

[flyers19rw]

JT is good but not Harper good. His value is at his position both on the field and at the plate. In the future, JT may end up at 1B but the time isn’t right now unless Marchan or Hoppe can push him to another position. Actually, if JT were to move out from behind the plate, with his quickness and arm, 3B might be a better spot for him than 1B.

[andyb]

I think this is just about being an emergency catcher if there are a couple of games where JT is unavailable and Knapp is not back yet. Though I would not be shocked to see him catch an inning in game 162 of some non-playoff season (hoping it is not this season).

[zambonir]

Yeah, Williams was actually the previous emergency catcher, and now it's Torreyes, but making Harper that and actually using him are two very different things. Wasn't Werth, a pretty valuable player (and a RF) in that role for a while too though? He had experience too of course.

They're probably gonna have to bring in a FA catcher if JT actually can't play for multiple day. If I understand it correctly none of the COVID guys can return for 10 full days because they had symptoms and tested positive. Testing negative earlier in that window isn't enough, you have to serve the quarantine period and then test negative at the end.

Hopefully Marchan - like Maton and Williams before him - can have a hot stretch even if it's not sustainable long-term. At this point there is no long-term.

[phillychuck]

I do believe Galvis has caught before for an inning or two, maybe in the minors. He'd probably be good!

[andyb]

It will be interesting to see if we add a catcher today. 40-man roster is at 41 I believe. The Bonifacio move was a COVID exemption. It is possible we could add a catcher temporarily under another COVID exemption until Knapp is ready. Of course someone else on the 26-man roster would have to go until rosters expand on Wednesday the 28th.

At LHV Taylor Heineman has been catching a lot lately. Bryan Holiday just got released by AZ. Logan Moore (it would be a nice little career reward for him) is lurking on an inactive list. No good choices other than hoping Marchan can catch most days and JT gets healthy in a hurry.

[zambonir]

That's funny about Bryan Holladay, I had noticed he was right there in front of us when talking about the type of fringe vet the Phillies might have had instead of Knapp. Though he actually still turned out to be pretty good/had a lot of years left when the Phillies cut him loose!

[bkox]

Vince Velasquez will start for Triple-A Lehigh Valley tonight. He’s on the same day as Matt Moore, but Girardi said Moore is the fifth starter and will remain that. It’s unclear where Velasquez fits.

— Matt Gelb ( @MattGelb ) August 31, 2021

[bkox]

JT Realmuto still out of Phillies lineup. Travis Jankowski goes on paternity list. Outfielder Matt Vierling called up from Triple A to start at first base

— Jim Salisbury ( @JSalisburyNBCS ) August 31, 2021

No J.T. Realmuto. Matt Vierling, who has played six professional games at first base, is there tonight. Jorge Bonifacio in center.

— Matt Gelb ( @MattGelb ) August 31, 2021

Realmuto will go through batting practice, Joe Girardi said, and there is a chance the Phillies change the lineup before first pitch to insert him at first base. But they also might just give him another day.

— Matt Gelb ( @MattGelb ) August 31, 2021

[andyb]

So tonight's game is literally Harper vs Soto, each supported by a cast of AAAA players. I guess Segura is better than AAAA, but not too many are at this point.

[bkox]

Cutch and Segura too.. but yeah

They should just cancel the game and have a home run derby and skills competition between Harper and Soto.

[andyb]

Over under on the number of pitches in the strike zone that Harper sees tonight? I guess they pitch to him with the bases empty carefully and with the bases full. Otherwise not so much.

[Sabin]

Over under on the number of pitches in the strike zone that Harper sees tonight? I guess they pitch to him with the bases empty carefully and with the bases full. Otherwise not so much.

Heck, late game and Nats up three, they may just opt to walk in a run.

[andyb]

Both starting pitchers tonight have given up an astonishing number of home runs. Moore has given up 14 in 64.2 IP and Corbin 31 in 136 IP. Not that there are too many home run threats in the lineup if Harper and Soto are pitched around.

Could be some intermittent rain in the forecast too. Might as well empty the bullpen because you can bring in 2 more players/pitchers tomorrow though we probably should bring in a 3rd catcher for a few days to be safe. Roster move is easy because they have a 40-man spot now and can move Hoskins to the 60 if they want to (and they'll let that catcher go when JT and Knapp are back).

[Sabin]

Phillies offense line, Aug 1 - Aug 8:
.289 / .347 / .554 (.901)
8-0
6.9 R/G
22 2B, 2 3B, 16 HR

Board Crash - Aug 25
.193 / .279 /.327 (.606)
4-10
2.9 R/G
15 2B, 3 3B, 13 HR

Aug 26 - Aug 30:
.272 /.351 /.500 (.851)
4-1
7.0 R/G
10 2B, 5 3B, 7 HR

[bkox]

Could be some intermittent rain in the forecast too. Might as well empty the bullpen because you can bring in 2 more players/pitchers tomorrow though

I doubt we play tomorrow anyway. Forecast for DC shows hard rain all day and night tomorrow:

The remnants of Ida will interact with a stalled front, resulting in a prolonged period of heavy rainfall beginning Wednesday morning and continuing through Wednesday night. Rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are expected, with localized amounts up to 6 inches possible.

Im guessing we end up playing Thursday afternoon. Its the only off day the teams have in common the rest of the season.

[zambonir]

Roster move is easy because they have a 40-man spot now and can move Hoskins to the 60 if they want to (and they'll let that catcher go when JT and Knapp are back).

Isn't Seranthony's clock up? And what about Muzziotti? Of course they could still release Vince, and Bonifacio probably doesn't last either.

[Austinfan]

Hey, wasn't Corbin someone a few people wanted to pay to add a couple years ago?
Just shows you why you have to be wary of most pitchers in FA.

[zambonir]

Yeah, would have hated to to actually win the World Series in 2019.