2022 Phillies Major League Regular Season Discussion

[zambonir]

Gonna need some more Matt Vierling heroics.

[bkox]

The Phillies have traded RHP James Norwood to the Boston Red Sox for cash considerations.

— Philadelphia Phillies ( @Phillies ) June 18, 2022

[bkox]

Rob Thomson said the plan was to limit Eflin because of knee bruise earlier in week. Team does not seem overly concerned. Though Eflin admitted knee is not 100 percent, he thinks he can make next start. Re-eval this week. All say patellar tendon is fine.

— Jim Salisbury ( @JSalisburyNBCS ) June 19, 2022

[zambonir]

The plan was to limit him to 40 pitches?

[zambonir]

Kelly optioned today to get the roster in compliance with pitcher limit. Camargo probably ready Tuesday.

[bkox]

The Philly Mafia? From Harpers Instagram

[HopeSpringsEternal]

My understanding is that the team is traveling in suits and ties as a tip of the cap to Rob Thomson who has always dressed that way for road trips.

[zambonir]

Kind of surprised they are flying out today (unless they're flying back to Philly?)

[Philsmania]

My understanding is that the team is traveling in suits and ties as a tip of the cap to Rob Thomson who has always dressed that way for road trips.

It wasn't that long ago that MLB teams had strict travel dress codes which basically required office-professional attire.

[Austinfan]

Is this for real? Gammons on Appel:

"He hasn’t yet made it to the majors. He’s had elbow and shoulder operations, retired from baseball in 2018-19, and these days is pitching for the Phillies’ Triple-A Lehigh Valley club, where, after years of rehab, mechanical and grip alterations, he is throwing at 96 to 98 mph."

"Appel has found considerable encouragement from the velocity. “I was around 94 in spring training, now I’m up where I haven’t been in years,” he says. “I haven’t worked on consecutive days, but what is good is that no matter how I throw, I feel good the next day. This has been a great experience.”

Former top pick Mark Appel is still trying to make MLB, and it may be the right...

[zambonir]

Is what for real, the velocity? Or just the likelihood that he can truly help? (Related, of course.)

The article (which I previously posted at some point) is less about Appel being especially great and more about how teams will take any arm, from anywhere, in any role.

It will be interesting to see what the roster moves are over the next month. Three guys in rehab, Appel in AAA, Coonrod still on the 60. Those spots still have to come from somewhere. Kelly and Jones probably DFAs unless someone else goes on the 60 or they don't even bother adding back one of the rehab guys to begin with.

[bkox]

Ryan Lawrence made this observation regarding Appel

One thing I noticed while looking at his @baseball_ref page recently: despite being a reliever, he’s had a starter-like routine, with 3-4 days between appearances. Maybe that’s a work in progress, but not sustainable for a big league reliever. https://t.co/mg4l9RPYPK

— Ryan Lawrence ( @ryanlawrence21 ) June 18, 2022

[andyb]

And we have seen the results (i.e. not that good) when a starter converted to relief like Francisco Morales starts increasing the frequency of his appearances. Pitching in relief is very different physically. It is good to see his stuff improve. Hopefully he gets a shot at some point, though expectations for Appel should be modest.

[zambonir]

Well, maybe they only envision him in that sort of role. Either long relief or more than three outs twice a week.

Regardless, he's probably no more or less variable than the guys we wish he could replace.

[andyb]

Camargo back as expected. Imagine he'll be in the lineup (along with potentially Munoz and Bohm) against the LHP tonight. Extra bench player does allow them to platoon a bit more. And defensive sub for Bohm if needed.

And Bowden lists the Phillies as good fits for Frankie Montas and Martin Perez here. Note Perez is having a good year and is the opposing pitcher for Texas tonight.

Ranking the top 10 starting pitchers who could be traded by the deadline, and...

[zambonir]

I've also seen it suggested the Rangers won't let Perez go (and try to extend him) but that seems like a questionable thing to do.

My guess is the Phillies do acquire a controllable starter to replace Gibson next year, and at some cost.

[EDmuch]

Or did you mean to replace Eflin?

[zambonir]

Well I think it's more likely they re-sign Eflin than Gibson, but sure, they might have to replace both, or they could try to bring Gibson back on a one-year deal.

Heck, Ranger is no sure thing either! And if they acquire someone with more than one year of control (not including this one) Nola's spot will be opening as well.

But on paper, Eflin still has an option (albeit one that is not likely to be executed) and a longer future ahead of him while Gibson is a free agent. And I'm assuming they might acquire someone Gibson-like (i.e. a 4th/5th starter with one year of control) rather than someone younger/better/more controllable.

But that is what make it interesting in terms of who DD might pursue and what it costs. The cost will be determined by the guy's service time or contract status as much as his talent.

[EDmuch]

Well I think the health of Eflin's knees may also prove to be a big factor in a Gibson - Eflin evaluation

[zambonir]

Well, that's true, and a big factor both for the next two months and future years. But I reckon Eflin will still pitch more innings than Gibson over the next five seasons unless it's career-ending type stuff, of which there's no indication (at least not yet).

And if he does struggle or miss time again he may want the option, and the Phillies may actually be willing to exercise it, as the guy is still a pretty solid bet for 1.5-2.0 WAR. That bird in hand is still worth something even if it's a slight overpay. Or they could rework it into a more team-friendly pillow.