2022 Phillies Major League Regular Season Discussion

[zambonir]

And with 2013 on the mound!

[andyb]

Ugh. Was hoping it was only one or two. Speaks a bit to clubhouse leadership even though the article is saying the right things about adjusting for Bryce.

How the Phillies clubhouse is tackling the challenge of life without Bryce...

"The Phillies will have to make significant roster changes before entering Canada because a sizable portion of the roster is not vaccinated."

[gmwannabe]

who going is going to be Phillies version of Nick Foles (Nick Foles is to Carson Went as _____ is to Bryce Harper. I hope we all get the same results.
gm

[zambonir]

So more likely than not they added several unvaccinated players in the off-season, since they had reportedly exceeded 85% by the end of the last one (realizing that they still could have had plenty then, if the AAA and non-playing staff put them over).

Does Nola line up to pitch in Toronto?

[andyb]

Does Nola line up to pitch in Toronto?

But wasn't Falter one of the unvaccinated last season? I do think it won't be much more than 4 or 5 but still will be annoying. Assuming no rainouts Nola is at least scheduled to throw the last St. Louis game right betore Toronto where we would get Eflin and Gibson.

Imagine we'll just empty the 40-man roster or substitute players we can DFA easily. Like Kingery for 2 days. Maybe we get a Jhailyn Ortiz debut and some Christopher Sanchez long relief.

[xogfog]

It's more likely that Blake Snell will end up being the next Brice Paup/Pascal Siacam...

[zambonir]

Maybe they should acquire a vaccinated DH/RF before then.

My early money is on Castellanos, Knebel and who knows how many other relievers. Possibly Stott. And we don't know if Bohm ever was right?

I am actually surprised Canada is not requiring a booster, if they're still being so strict, though the boosters still don't guaranteed no getting or transmitting it. All the rule really does for them at this point is keep unvaccinated non-citizens out of their health care system, which is fair enough!

[andyb]

All these rules are outdated now of course. COVID transmits more easily and is less deadly (and is everywhere around the world). International rules are usually 3-6 months behind the science. Does not mean people shouldn't get boosted, but that reality can coexist with the rules needing to change.

[zambonir]

The only person for whom a Foles analogy works would be Kingery, in that they were both players who had already achieved something (Foles had even started in the playoffs) and lost their jobs. If Haseley was still here he'd qualify. Not really anyone else like that on the roster.

As far as just an unexpected hero, it pretty much has to be Vierling, Moniak or Herrera. But if two of those guys even flirt with .800 OPS as a platoon we'd be over the moon. They're not gonna touch .900 or 1.000. It's on Realmuto and Castellanos to reach peaks they've shown they can in the past, since the team has been getting by without them so far.

[andyb]

I like Bohm also for possible improvement. His doubles this past weekend were often on mid-90s fastballs pulled down the left field line. That is a good sign that his hands are working better through the zone. He needs to improve his pitch selection, but this is still a talented hitter underperforming.

[zambonir]

I guess Bohm fits the analogy too, to some extent.

Darrick Hall would be a different analogy.

[VoteForKalas]

I like Bohm also for possible improvement. His doubles this past weekend were often on mid-90s fastballs pulled down the left field line. That is a good sign that his hands are working better through the zone. He needs to improve his pitch selection, but this is still a talented hitter underperforming.

I agree, I think he is the young position player with the most potential that has already shown flashes.

[zambonir]

In the comments on his article Gelb says it will be more than any other team so far, and "a decent-sized number." Reds had four.

Agreed, vax requirements don't do much to stop transmission, and the virus is also less deadly (though not for unvaccinated people). But if I'm at Toronto baggage claim and every single person in the building is vaccinated there's still less viral load around than if I'm in Newark. Ditto the plane with mostly unmasked people.

It's actually more surprising the Blue Jays (and other athletes/performers) haven't been able to get an exemption.

And surprising there hasn't been more cases in MLB but I assume that is because no one is testing without symptoms and in many cases the symptoms can be mild enough to be ignored/dismissed as allergies/a cold. .

[Austinfan]

It does make you wonder about Phillies scouts choosing really dumb people.

I mean if only b/c we're talking young men in their sexual prime, you'd think reports of COVID causing impotence would be enough to motivate them!

[zambonir]

Technically minor league news, but certainly possible major league depth

Phillies Sign Jace Fry To Minor League Deal

[gmwannabe]

X what a shame. I was watching that opening game and saw the injury to Cunningham. with that defense they had, if Cunningham didn't get hurt, that had a real shot that year.
gm

[bigegypt0417]

Phillies claim Oscar Mercado off waivers from the guardians.

[bkeich]

You suppose their first question was "are you vaccinated?" (I am sure they are not allowed to ask)

[zambonir]

I mean, they have to be be able to know a player's vaccination status as it still affects testing protocols, plus they have to know it for the Toronto trip. It can't be a condition of employment per se, but deciding not to claim a guy on waivers isn't that. The Indians would have already had the info.

So, RHB, doesn't seem like much of an upgrade over anyone, or a good player since 2019, but some defensive value. Don't know that I'd immediately bounce Moniak for him with all the RHPs coming up but they could give him Munoz's spot.

[andyb]

Mercado seems a run of the mill 5th OF these days:

Oscar Mercado Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History |...

Damon Jones to the 60-day IL to clear a 40-man spot. Nothing on the 26-man roster yet. Right-handed OF. Wonder if they go with 6 OF now and drop the extra infielder (Munoz since Camargo is back). This tweet from the Phillies suggests he is going to the big club immediately.

To make room on the 40-man roster, LHP Damon Jones was recalled from Lehigh Valley (AAA) and placed on the 60-day injured list with a left shoulder impingement. A corresponding 26-man roster move will be made when Mercado reports.

— Philadelphia Phillies ( @Phillies ) June 27, 2022

This also suggests they could do the same with Crouse the next time we need a 40-man spot. Even if Crouse is ready to pitch they could do a 30-day rehab clock to string it along. We'll have 60 players on the 40 by the end of this season.

More on Mercado here:

What is Oscar Mercado's future in Cleveland? - Guardians Baseball Insider

Interesting athlete. Good speed. Good top exit velocity but poor average velocity. Disappointing recent years but still has good platoon stats against left-handed pitching. Guessing they are going with 2 platoons: (Vierling/Herrera, Mercado/Moniak) for the time being and will reassess in a couple of weeks. Seems a decent pickup on a waiver claim if you need immediate help, though unlikely to stick long term.