2022 Phillies Major League Regular Season Discussion

[zambonir]

Dang, none of that is actually good news really. I'm guessing this Hall move actually had as much to do with Camargo though I presume Moniak still goes down on Friday.

They are so short on playable position players, even with the DH, that the usual reflex of replacing a missing starter with a reliever didn't even apply. Though that's also because the starting pitching has actually been pretty good. As someone else noted Appel can't even get in a game yet.

[Aquapong]

The only way Appel gets into a game is if it's getting out of hand one way or another.

[Austinfan]

Does that mean McArthur gets two months of a major league salary while he rehabs?

[zambonir]

It does indeed. As does Jones. And all the other guys who have already been on the 60-day without ever sniffing the majors.

I think Appel will get an opportunity at some point. He's just behind Nelson for the long man role and yeah, he's not gonna enter the 7th inning of a 3-2 game for his first appearance. Let's hope we don't see both of them on Friday.

Nevertheless, they have carried 9 relievers for most of the season and now they still could but aren't.

[David_Criss]

Jonathan Villar is now a free agent available with the Cubs paying his salary. Some of us advocated for him in the off-season. Bats right and part of me wants to see him manning second and leading off. At this point in the season, why not? Cut Gregorius and let Stott play SS. Isn't that his better and natural position? Villar would cost nothing.

I like Hall's glove over Hoskins at first, but that leaves Schwarber, Monica and Castellanos with gloves on in the outfield so Hoskins could DH - eek.

[zambonir]

I'd be more impressed if Dombrowski cut a player - heck, even Herrera who makes no $ - than if he acquired a player in trade right now. Certainly he should rule out nothing. If they play the Cardinals and Jays the way this Braves series has gone so far they'll be leaning back on the seller fence (not that I think they will).

[bkox]

Moniak Survives

The Phillies have recalled LHP Bailey Falter from Lehigh Valley (AAA) and he will start tonight’s game vs STL. OF Óscar Mercado has been designated for assignment.

— Philadelphia Phillies ( @Phillies ) July 1, 2022

[julio]

[quote="bkox, post:969, topic:52639, full:true"]
Moniak Survives

The Phillies have recalled LHP Bailey Falter from Lehigh Valley (AAA) and he will start tonight’s game vs STL. OF Óscar Mercado has been designated for assignment.

— Philadelphia Phillies ( @Phillies ) July 1, 2022

This makes no sense to me. They claimed Mercado off waivers 3 days ago, they're DFA'ing him now... and absolutely nothing has changed in the intervening 3 days. They knew 3 days ago that they were bringing Falter up today. It raises the question, "Do they have a plan?" Or are they just making each day's decision independently, without any overarching plan or framework?

[andyb]

I wonder if Hall changed their short term thinking. Agree this makes no sense. Moniak and Herrera are fighting for one spot of playing time. We could actually have played Mercado against LHP and really not sat any of the regulars. And Mercado supposedly plays actual defense (not that we have seen much of it).

[julio]

I wonder if Hall changed their short term thinking.

I was trying to figure out how this might have played into it, but I kind of struck out. Yeah, it pushes Castellanos and Schwarber out of the DH role (either Hall or Hoskins will mostly be there, since neither of them seems to have a position other than 1B); but that doesn't argue that they need CF defense (even if only in late innings) less - but more. As it stands, they have three CF "candidates" — Vierling, Moniak, Herrera — any one of whom could have been optioned — but instead, they DFA'ed the one choice who had no options. Curious.

Well, unless they wanted to open a 40-man roster slot for some reason. Kent Emanuel has been rehabbing in AAA since 6/21. JoJo Romero started a rehab assignment in Clearwater on 6/17, moved to AA on 6/28. Either of them could be approaching ready to return to the bigs. They would have to open a RP slot, but they could (at least theoretically) do that with an option move.

[andyb]

I think they see Emanuel as a depth starter (behind Falter and probably Sanchez) and Romero as likely needing more AAA time. So I think they go to AAA when their 30-day rehab clocks expire at which time of course they will need roster spots. No reason to not use that whole 30 days though if they are not going up to the majors. Probably will take another Alvarado implosion for them to want Romero immediately.

[andyb]

Vierling at 3B tonight. Just giving Bohm a rest I assume. No problem with that, though they face a right-handed pitcher and still can get only one of Moniak and Herrera in the lineup. Hall being called up just eliminates the need for 2 left-handed CFs.

[Austinfan]

Funny, isn't that supposed to be what ruined Kingery?
Yet it doesn't seem to phase Vierling to play multiple positions.

With small benches, that talent is invaluable, if only as a RH bench player, and even more so if he ends up with a starter level bat.

[Aquapong]

They really should be moving Vierling up in the order. He’s hitting over .300 in the last month.

[zambonir]

Faze (though so many people do it the usage may be official at this point).

Yes the funny part is that when you are a top prospect you can be "ruined" and utility is seen as a demotion/distraction. But if you're a sleeper it's an upgrade and shows how hard you work.

Of course it also puts Vierling in that box when he might just deserve to play OF every day.

[bkox]

That's 2 Junes in a row.

Kyle Schwarber was named NL Player of the Month after an enormous June that helped the Phillies win 19 games. https://t.co/6cDV9nja9b

— NBC Sports Philadelphia ( @NBCSPhilly ) July 2, 2022

[Aquapong]

Eflin and Suarez on the DL. I wouldn’t think Ranger’s issue will be a long term thing, but he’ll still miss 2 starts. I assume that means Falter stays and Sanchez would be the next guy up?

[andyb]

Not much beyond Falter and Sanchez at the moment. Kent Emanuel has had 2 rehab starts in AAA. He might be next along with Plassmeyer (the guy we got from SF for Austin Wynns - pitched poorly before he got to LHV but decent the last month).

Anything serious of course and this team needs a pitcher. I also think they want to keep using the 5th starter if they can. No skips unless absolutely necessary until September. Need to keep Wheeler and Nola fresh for the long haul.

[zambonir]

I think they pretty clearly needed a starter anyway. Gibson and Suarez not consistent, Eflin health issues. At best you upgrade this year, at worst you desperately need a 6th guy as the season wears on - or, as it turns out, now. And you need a controllable starter for next year's rotation too probably. Better to give up something for another Kyle Gibson than nothing for another Jason Vargas.

[andyb]

Gelb thinks Emanuel is a little more stretched out to start than Sanchez.

Matt Gelb: The Phillies are down two starters now -- they... - The Athletic