2021 Phillies Major League Regular Season Discussion

[zambonir]

Yeah but I think they want someone who can play CF, and given how poor this team has been defensively I think they might also be willing to use him (or Herrera) in LF if they do start sitting Cutch more. Though obviously MIller is now fully available for that spot as well.

It's all moot if these COVID absences are more than just symptoms or false positives of course.

[bkox]

That's only four players

Its not just players that are counted.. Tier 1 individuals such as players, managers, coaches, trainers and support personnel

[zambonir]

True, true. Of course, the team could mandate all those people get it, like any other business. With the players it would have to be agreed to.

I also wouldn't want to be the clubhouse attendant or bullpen coach who ruins it for everyone else! No matter how much people want to respect the "it's a personal decision" stance.

[bkox]

True, true. Of course, the team could mandate all those people get it, like any other business. With the players it would have to be agreed to.

I also wouldn't want to be the clubhouse attendant or bullpen coach who ruins it for everyone else! No matter how much people want to respect the "it's a personal decision" stance.

I agree.. but my point is.. if we assume all the non-players have gotten the shot.. its more than 4 players that havent to drag it down below 85%. If we assume the coaches and manager and support personel take the overall number to 50. Then it takes at least 7.5 players (Eddie Gaedel anyone?) to not hit the 85%

[zambonir]

I get it, but I don't think we can assume that about the non-players either. Some of the coaches were in the COVID protocol themselves just six weeks ago, so if they weren't vaxxed at that point and another 2-3 weeks to get on it, they'd only now be finishing up as well.

Clearly the obstacles that exist for normal people - work conflicts or child care or simple access to a place ot get the shot - shouldn't apply here.

I also wonder about the roster churn. Did the likes of Howard, Herrera, Suarez, Jankowski get vaxxed while in Allentown? Of course any of them can be among the abstainers too.

[LoneStarPhan]

Free J&J shot at the ballpark Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Saw the graphic on the broadcast today.

[bkox]

Um.. didnt see this coming:

The @Phillies optioned INF Nick Maton to Triple-A after the game. No corresponding move yet.

— Todd Zolecki ( @ToddZolecki ) June 6, 2021

[andyb]

Well they were probably going to do that when Didi is back. Question is whether Didi is ready, or if they are delaying the OF decision a bit. It would leave them thin at SS in a pinch, but Segura could still play there with Miller at 2B if Torreyes got hurt.

[phillychuck]

Maton needs regular at-bats.

[zambonir]

He needs regular ABs and he's the only player on the roster with options (well, Bohm has 'em). Presumably he is replaced by a pitcher initially - either one of the COVID guys or just a fresh arm (possibly Moore?). The more permanent moves loom but I don't think Didi is close, and they probably prefer to keep Haseley off the 40 for the small amount of time they have left.

[Sabin]

I get it, but I don't think we can assume that about the non-players either.

And I get that. I think the point being made (and I could be wrong) is that your original proclamation that only four players take the club below 85% was an assumption one can't really make either, as the pool of persons being audited is larger. Doing any math at all assumes we know the current % to begin with. Maybe it's out there, but I haven't seen it.

[Sabin]

He needs regular ABs and he's the only player on the roster with options (well, Bohm has 'em).

This is what I was thinking as Bryce and Didi got healthy - namely, if they are looking to squeeze every win out of the MLB team, at what point does sending Bohm to AAA to work out the kinks become part of the discussion? I like the kid, and am hopeful he gets his groove back, but he's been terrible this year. It could potentially be a win-win if he rediscovers some things at AAA while the MLB club squeezes a win or three (depending on who holds 3b down in his absence, and for how long) out of it.

[zambonir]

He could go down for as little as two weeks. Gelb's piece last week mentioned similiar stints by Schwarber and Dansby Swanson, as well as the Brewers' Hiura, who was down this year for three.

I suspect the Maton demotion tells you they aren't really thinking about it, though when does Luke Williams get back? Obviously Miller would get first crack anyway, and it's not like we're short of LH OF if they need to give Cutch days off.

It's not an easy call. They need Bohm to find himself not just for the next five years, but for this season. Though you could say the same about Didi and Cutch (who has at least come around).

[David_Criss]

To be a fly on the wall inside the Phillies offices during the off day today. They need to create a 40-man spot for Haseley soon. Howard needs to go back to AAA and learn how to throw more than 2-innings. Kintzler needs to go. They need to add a player to the active roster, too. Moniak, Kingery and Marchan are the only bats healthy on the 40-man - don't see any of them coming up. Haseley and Gregorius aren't ready.

Will there be a bigger move and we will soon see Williams, Randolph, Tejada or Bonifacio?

[zambonir]

Howard's not going anywhere unless it's because they skip his starts this month, and if that's the case he'll probably stay on turn as a long reliever. It's not like Moore or Anderson were that much better. Last thing they want is for him to pitch another 20-30 of his limited innings in Allentown.

I doubt Kintzler is going anywhere either, they're not going to punt on that $3 million just yet. I'd still sooner bet on him finding his way back than on Moore or Anderson becoming any higher-leverage relievers.

I don't think the roster is complicated at all right now. Either Didi is coming back tomorrow or a pitcher is coming up. Or the COVID guys will be back (and Sanchez goes back down).

And when Haseley gets added back to the 40 they will DFA Jankowski or Joyce, assuming the roster remains full by then.

A surprise move might be nice but I think Williams is the only option. Calling up Randolph would just ruin the progress he's made, let him keep at it. Bonifacio's in AA. And Tejada's no better than Torreyes.

[bkox]

To be a fly on the wall inside the Phillies offices during the off day today.

Imagine the first thing discussed was... What the heck happened with the net behind home plate!

Calling up Randolph would just ruin the progress he's made,

Randolph is on the IL with a right elbow sprain.

[zambonir]

Randolph is on the IL with a right elbow sprain.

well, it wasn't my idea!

I don't see how they add anyone to the 40 anyway. They are just trying to forestall the big chess moves until trading season, at which point it will be easy (either because they are selling, can move a few guys while also buying, or just finally waive a few people to make room for upgrades).

[Sabin]

Imagine the first thing discussed was... What the heck happened with the net behind home plate!

Wouldn't be the first time the 'net has crashed at an inopportune time.

As for the roster, I still think they need to be looking at Bohm. As the season has progressed through May and into June, the Phillies have slid a bit further down from the Mets, and the Braves are now inching slightly ahead. Naturally, the decision to send him down has its pros and cons, and is not an easy one. But, IMHO, if you're a club talking seriously about (and spending equally serious $ for) playoff contention, have a pennant that is still in reach but creeping slowly away, and have limited promotable/tradable youth, you have to be looking at a position where a potential upgrade already exists on the 26-man that could, if successful and implemented early enough, swing enough wins as to be significant come October.

[zambonir]

Kingery has been outrighted and cleared waivers. Funny, I was just going to bring that up but thought maybe they'd moved past it.

[andyb]

They telegraphed that a couple of weeks ago so I guess they were just waiting for the right time. The Jankowski spot is also relatively easy for them to use whenever they need someone like Luke Williams. I never thought they were going to move on from Joyce quite yet.

One of the consequences of June having so many off days is they probably don't need 14 pitchers for much of it. This does not explain how they deal with the logjam of long relievers not in the rotation, but they can easily stash more in AAA for a couple of weeks while they think about it.