2021 Phillies Major League Regular Season Discussion

[bkox]

•SP Spencer Howard recalled.
•RP Matt Moore (back discomfort) placed on 10-Day IL.

[bkeich]

Apparently you hurt your back when you whiplash around to see where the ball went. I would have guessed neck.

[zambonir]

Just glad he didn't get COVID

That's surely for the best. Moore hasn't pitched badly in relief but I'd rather see Suarez claim Romero's role. In the long run they can't keep carrying two depth starters and one long reliever but they'll probably still need all of them over the next two months (but less so in June with the off days, fortunately).

[bkox]

#Phillies claimed RHP Brady Lail on waivers from Mariners and optioned him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. To make room on the 40-man roster, RHP Ramón Rosso was designated for assignment.

— Todd Zolecki ( @ToddZolecki ) May 23, 2021

[BostonRoss]

I don’t have any optimism about the defense, even beyond 2021. The four corner positions are all awful, and three of them will be around next year, barring an unexpected trade. And Didi makes five.

[zambonir]

Well, either next year is a season of idling before a major retool, or multiple players on the current roster - not even counting the two who won't be under contract - will be on the move. I don't see how you open next season with Bohm at 3B or Didi at SS. But there will likely be a DH, and Segura may still be tradeable (not for any real return, of course). Then you sign a big FA SS, since that's where the best players are, or trade for a 3B. Perhaps move Bohm to LF, or consider trading Hoskins, if you can't trade Segura.

But without the ability to even pencil in Haseley or Kingery as platoon players it's hard to fill on the holes. Right now I'd probably pick up Herrera's option!

I'd like to see them play well enough to force Dombrowki and Middleton's hand this year, meaning, get Story or Bryan or Gray (or two of three) as deadine buys who stay long-term. That's the only way any of them could be worth the trade cost. The problem is contract-wise are you just signing the next Cutch or Segura or Didi, guys who give you 1-2 years at best. And I realize it's all a fantasy anyway.

[Philsmania]

The Phillies haven't had more than one All-Star since 2013. Any chance they get more than one this year?

These guys deserve consideration, in my opinion:
Wheeler
Harper
Segura

And, if Herrera keeps on this pace....

[zambonir]

Harper might have a shot because he's Bryce Harper but he is 38th among outfielders in WAR, and even when you just go offense-only, where he's at the top, there are still several RFs ahead of him.

Same issue with Jean really, he's got a nice bat but is he really one of the two best 2B in the league when you include defense?

Wheeler's the easy one. I think a month ago there was talk of one of our relievers making it, but I can't imagine who now!

[Sabin]

No love for Realmuto?

[bkox]

No love for Realmuto?

Catcher is a tough position in the NL.

Posey has a OPS over 1.000. So does AZ's Carson Kelly.

Molina's OPS+ is 141. Brewer's Narvaez OPS+ is 157. Dodgers Will Smith is 141

[Sabin]

It is, and statistically Realmuto is trailing the group you mentioned. But it's close enough yet that I thought he would've garnered a mention.

[DurhamBull]

I don't see how you open next season with Bohm at 3B

IMO the guy who finished 2nd in RoY voting last year deserves more of a chance than he's had this year to rebound before the Phils give up on him, especially since it's not as if there's a stellar 3B prospect in AAA forcing the issue.

[David_Criss]

Brady Lail

Last years Bohm is this years Maton. Bohm is going to be great. Saw him play regularly in Wichita. He has the drive, work ethic and will be fine. This is the sophomore slump where scouting reports and pitchers caught up and now he will adjust. The moment he was drafted there was talk of moving him to left field or 1B. He is the 3B this year because Kingery was suppose to be 2B, Gregorious SS and Segura 3B - that was the 2020 plan. Kingery's play changed that and rushed Bohm.

Hoskins is going to get expensive soon and McCutchen is gone next year. If I were a betting man, Bohm plays this winter learning 1B or LF. then .............Kris Bryant is your 3B.

[David_Criss]

Hope they can hold onto Rosso. Soon they will have to make room for Haseley which means Sanchez, Kingery or Joyce if he isn't hitting and Quinn is ready to replace him as the weak bat off the bench.

[Philsmania]

I think a month ago there was talk of one of our relievers making it, but I can't imagine who now!

I looked it up to to compare Neris to other closers and there are at least three who are having really, really good seasons.

I actually think Harper's best shot to get to the All-Star game may be via election on the fan ballot since, as you say, he's Bryce Harper and if he's on enough leaderboards (he's top ten in both BA and HR's), that might catch the attention of enough fan voters. But yes, Fox would certainly want him as would ESPN for the silly HR Derby. Having said that, fans these days seem to be more selective and attentive with their ballots. Gone are the days when Darryl Strawberry got elected every year, even in 1985 when he was only batting .215 at the break.

[BostonRoss]

I guess you never know what kinds of off-season moves might happen, but there are so many defensive holes that it's hard to see how there can be a lot of improvement anytime soon. Sure, Cutch will be gone, and Bohm could be moved to the OF (though he might not be good defensively there, either). They could move on from Hoskins (or make him a DH when it becomes universal), but that leaves an offensive hole to fill. Harper will be in RF for several more years. Most big acquisitions (e.g., Kris Bryant) are not likely to be good defensive players. Last off-season the Phillies declined to go after defensive upgrades like Bradley and Simmons; will they change their approach next off-season?

[BostonRoss]

Regarding All-Stars, not everyone thinks that whoever happens to be having the best first 60-70 games should be chosen. This is an exhibition for the fans, and there are probably a lot more fans who want to see established stars like Bryce Harper even in an off-year (not that he's been terrible, and hopefully hew will improve as his health gets better).

JT should be in the mix though Posey and Molina are certainly established stars, and Kelly is great. I don't see Segura being considered

[andyb]

If I were a betting man, Bohm plays this winter learning 1B or LF. then .............Kris Bryant is your 3B.

Agree with Bohm in LF. Not about Bryant though. He has never been more than an average 3B. He is hitting the age when he too should move to 1B.

The Phillies should be able to sign a bat that can also play defense. Segura at 3B and Maton at 2B is also a possibility. The DH should provide flexibility around Hoskins (who really should not get an extension once his pre-free agent days are up). There are moves to be made. Just not sure Bryant at 3B is that move.

[zambonir]

I think Alvarado might have been an early "might be an All-Star" relief name, but that didn't last.

Not giving up on Bohm in the Dom Brown (or Cody Asche) sense, just don't think he sticks at 3B. If the bat doesn't return he doesn't stick at LF or 1B either but we're a long way from that.

The Phillies lack internal options everywhere, so that doesn't matter either. If they want to win in 2022 or 2023 they will have to continue to acquire talent other ways. If not, well, that's probably the correct decision.

But like I said, turning Bryant or Trevor Story (or both) into the next Cutch/Segura is also risky, especially if they rate longer deals.

If they did pursue Bryant I think he's probably the LF, Bohm 1B. DH does give you options but if you can't trade Segura or Didi maybe you move Hoskins. I don't think Segura at 3B is any better an option than Bryant.

And yeah the questions of whether they can have a better defensive team vs. whether they can win next year are related, but distinct. If you're attempting to upgrade 3-4 positions defensively (3B, SS, LF, 2B) there's going to be some offensive downgrades. So maybe you find a 3B who isn't half the hitter Segura is, but is a plus defensively. And if you're not a player for one of the top SS you reverse this year's course and get a good defender there.

I reckon you trade Segura and Didi is 2B/DH material or you trade Didi. But what about Kingery? Will he be a contributor? Does he have trade value? And is Maton really an everyday player?

I just figure if they don't fall out of this, Dombrowski is eventually going to be Dombrowski.

[andyb]

I am encouraged by Stott so far. He should get to Reading soon and one wonders how far away he'll be next year. His BB rate suggests he is too good for his competition and Lakewood suppresses power. He is probably more of a 2023 certainty, but any long term planning should really include him and now potentially Maton.

Getting some low cost bats in the lineup that play at least average defense will make fitting the defensive-challenged bats like Bohm and Hoskins around them and provide money to fill holes. Hoskins with his increased K rate really could end up as a below average 1B/DH type really quickly. Yes he has changed his approach to be more aggressive, but the higher K rate while doing that suggests he may have peaked already offensively.