2022 Phillies Major League Regular Season Discussion Part 2

[andyb]

He just needs to be in the organization today to be playoff eligible. He definitely is renting a spot to see what he can do for a few games. Seranthony, Wheeler, and maybe Eflin all might come back in the next couple of weeks. I guess they decided to not send Sanchez out now with Wheeler missing another start or two. Natoli gets the expanded roster spot at first. Then who really knows.

[Philsmania]

Why didn't they just trade Zimmer for Nittoli?

[Matt_Winkelman]

Because Zimmer was on the 40 man roster so could not be traded unless he fully cleared.

They also traded the player they probably would have had to cut to stay under 180 player org limit.

[David_Criss]

Donny Sands not Darrik Hall gets the call

[julio]

Donny Sands not Darrik Hall gets the call

I'm not certain, but Darick Hall was optioned on 8/23; I don't think he's eligible to be recalled until tomorrow (9/2) at the earliest (10-day rule) - unless the 10-day rule has been waived for the September 1 roster expansion (I don't know; I don't have the 2022 Major League Rules yet). We'll have to wait and see what happens when Hall becomes eligible.

[Austinfan]

Sands also gives them more flexibility than Hall.

A third catcher allows you to pinch hit either Sands or Stubbs for say Sosa or Marsh if need be, and still have a backup catcher on the bench.

[zambonir]

Yes I think it's correct that Hall can't come up yet. And neither can Munoz for that matter. What's amazing is Sands was in Norfolk yesterday (i.e. not on the taxi squad). I'm sure Hall will be back eventually but I also think there's no rush (and of course once they send Sands down he can't come back for a while either, barring injury).

Dombrowski said yesterday that the decision would be based on what Thomson thought would help him in terms of how he wants to manage, not who was best or most deserving.

[andyb]

Not sure Sands really gives them more flexibility than Hall. They each play one position. Assume Hall will be up at some point, possibly as soon as they get back from the West Coast. If the 10th day was the first day of the Giants series then they would have called somebody up for only one day which seems a bit much when the team is out West.

Hall gives them more than Sands if all they are looking for is a pinch hitter.

[Austinfan]

Except Sands allows the option of using Stubbs (LH) as a PH, or Sands (RH).
And with Harper at DH, Hall's only role is PH.

[phillychuck]

And Hall has not been hitting at LV, either. They might be waiting for him to actually hit a couple of balls hard down there. He is 1 for 27 (a single) with 12 Ks and only 1 walk since being sent down.

[andyb]

I'd rather have Hall pinch hit than Stubbs. Guessing the Phillies would too. Sands is just not important when you never pinch hit for your regular catcher.

[zambonir]

Who knows. Sands actually has a higher OPS in AAA than Hall (barely). He's also right-handed. Maybe he's up for this series because Castellanos is still going to be out. Maybe they will even give him a start (either to give him a look or because Stubbs tweaked something after coming into the game Wednesday?) Or we might just see Stubbs PH without entering the game, and Sands is just there for an emergency (but Hall could just as easily go three games without playing). Thomson did talk about the fact that Hall is going to have to get used to that role, and I suppose he can only do that by being up. Not sure he can even make the NLDS roster once they need more pitching.

[andyb]

Hall sat for a bunch of games so he definitely needed to see regular pitching. Obviously if he keeps slumping they won't call him up immediately, but I am guessing if he has a good weekend series he'll be called up when they get back.

If Castellanos is still out they should put him on the IL. After this series and another off day he would be eligible at some point next week too. Of course we'd rather have a better left-handed hitter who can play RF for Vierling against RHP and we don't really have that at AAA unfortunately.

As for the playoff rosters, I think we go with one less pitcher and one more hitter for all series. We just don't need 5 starters and if a starter can't relieve (Thor) then they should not be on the roster. I suppose they could make Suarez the relief swing starter in the playoffs, but he is kind of the number 3 starter now even with Wheeler back. I rank them Wheeler/Nola, Suarez, Gibson, then Thor at the moment.

[bkeich]

Only a lighter note:

For those of you that watch Pardon the Interruption they wished a Happy 73rd Birthday to Garry Maddox yesterday and showed some clips of his best defensive plays. Still impressive. The only guy who ever intimidated hitters from CF.

[allentown]

I remember him well. A super fielder and a good hitter as well. Career 37 WAR, most with Phillies. He was the ultimate benefit from the Dick Allen trade.

[phillychuck]

I thought we got him for Willie Montañez...

Does Montañez trace back to Dick Allen?

[allentown]

Yes, we received Montanez as a substitute, when Curt Flood refused to report to the Phillies. Montanez was coming off an Achilles injury. He hit reasonably well for us, not so good in the field.

[Austinfan]

Maddox is why I look forward to Rojas in CF, as well as Muzzioti and even Marsh if he develops.
Having a fast CF makes a huge difference when you have corner OFs with limited range, as the Phillies do.
They can shade a few feet closer to the lines, knowing the greyhound in CF will track down the balls they'd never get close to in any case.

Worked for Bull.

[xogfog]

Worked for Bull.

Except on Black Friday...

[xogfog]

Wheeler felt discomfort in his elbow. MRI clean, but return will be later than originally planned, just being cautious. Thompson said if it was the playoffs, Wheeler would probably say "give me the ball".