2022 Phillies Major League Regular Season Discussion

[zambonir]

If Stott keeps it up he probably will keep the lead-off spot, but you can't argue with what's worked. And with Segura back and a hot Stott and a hopefully improving Marsh instead of Didi and Herrera, you've got guys at the bottom of the order who will be on base.

And yes, of course, most nights Schwarber contributes more runs than he fails to stop. But last night it worked out perfectly, and it also shows why Stott and Marsh can help the team even if they aren't hitting... and that the Phillies do still have too many DHs because having Vierling at one corner some of the time would always be a defensive upgrade (probably over Harper too at this point).

[EDmuch]

If Thor is serious about resurrecting himself as a different pitcher, He should sign a one year deal with us and work with Cotham on his pitch usage. Cotham and his crew seems to have done an amazing job rehabing some of our other pitchers by altering theri pitch usage,

[EDmuch]

What do people think about offering Segura $10 million per year on a 2 year deal?

[phillychuck]

Interesting idea...my initial thought are that 2B is one of the easiest positions in baseball to fill inexpensively, so I would like to sign him for less, maybe $16M over two years.

[Aquapong]

Segura’s best days are most likely behind him. As Chuck said, 2b is the easiest position to fill.

[EDmuch]

Whether or not his "best days" are behind him, I think $8 million per year for two years for a guy who plays a solid defensive 2b, plus with a .280 BA and 10-12 home runs is a solid deal. I think it may be preferable to paying Turner $25 million per year for 8 years,

And I think Segura may take that kind of deal. Isn't he the player with the longest amount og games without ever reaching the playoffs? After he gets to the playoffs with us this year, he may be willing to take a discount to finally play on a team with WS potential.

[phillychuck]

Good point about the playoff incentive.

[andyb]

I am not sure. Segura has slipped a bit this year (736 vs 784 OPS last year). Walks are down a bit. Fielding grading a bit worse (though still a small positive). Injuries have impacted his year certainly, but do we expect him to be healthier in his age 33/34 seasons than he was in his age 31/32 years?

I'd think about it as a discount, but there is a case that Maton with a platoon partner would be just as good (even before we get to upgrades like Turner and Boegarts and Swanson).

[zambonir]

Maybe a one-year deal with an option. But also, no rush, let's see how he plays the rest of the season. Segura's a good player but he may just be league average offensively by next year (and definitely by 2024). Even if you don't sign Turner you can probably still get 2.0 WAR at 2B from any number of cheaper players.

And yes, it's unlikely, but we're still paying a 2B pretty good $ next year too.

I'd pay the buyout and come back to him later, unless he takes the shortest team-friendliest deal at that point.

[Austinfan]

Also have to see how young players progress, if Vierling can handle 2B, he can platoon with Maton and provide depth elsewhere. If Guthrie continues to improve (especially plate discipline) he could be in the mix. See how Muzzioti transitions to AAA ball the next couple months (which would allow Vierling to be a full-time IF). See what Long can do with Sosa (a plus fielder who hit two years ago).

[andyb]

I don't see Vierling as a 2B option. Just no evidence that he can play it well and frankly, if Marsh is our CF, he's going to need a platoon partner until he can prove he can hit.

[xogfog]

Stott would play 2B if the Phillies sign Turner.

[zambonir]

It doesn't have to be Turner either. Some other goods one available. Some of whom might also play 2B.

Guys could also mix and match, Sosa included. Funny how nobody's too concerned that Stott's development has been ruined by playing three positions this year (though obviously 3B was short-lived).

It really comes down to pitching and payroll, including possible extensions. If they don't need to sign a top-tier free agent pitcher they have the money to spend on Turner. But if they think Nola is leaving they might just want to get someone now, even with the youngsters looming.

[andyb]

It is rare that playing somebody at multiple positions (i.e. Kingery) affects more than their defensive development at a specific position. All the talk about that hurting Kingery's offense was just trying to justify it. Create an excuse. Where the reality is that Kingery had significant and independent offensive issues that he never really solved.

[zambonir]

I would add that the Phillies' ability to win with so-called lesser 2B options than Segura is not exactly theoretical. That's not to say he wasn't missed, but he went on the DL June 1.

[EDmuch]

Should we apply the same logic to Bryce Harper’s absence?

[andyb]

The improvement of Bohm and Stott (along with Schwarber's home run streak) is mostly unrelated to the injuries. Stott I guess is a bit different because with Segura out we had no choice but to play him regularly. In a world with Segura he probably would not have stayed in the minors more than a few extra weeks (he is too good for AAA), but he also would not have played full time until they had made a decision about Didi.

Neither injury hurt them that much because other players improved and Hall has hit better than expected. The last couple of weeks getting Segura back helped simply because he is better than Didi. I imagine Harper will be a little better than Hall too.

[zambonir]

Oh, someone definitely will! As soon as they lose two games in a row with him back in the line-up. Let's hope we don't have to find out again (i.e. elbow surgery).

But when it's by choice - considering money, years, age - you can certainly go without Segura more easily than Harper the same way you can go without Kyle Gibson more easily than Zach Wheeler.

[zambonir]

Falter already up with the big club on the taxi squad ahead of Saturday's start.

[andyb]

If Knebel goes on the IL I guess they could go with Falter, though imagine he is there for the road trip in case some starter gets COVID. Appel is a better fit. Or even the guy they just claimed (Vasquez) if they wanted another LHP in the bullpen.

Knebel was kind of the last man in the bullpen lately, more because others pitched well than him pitching poorly. We'll get a 14th pitcher too on 9/1 and Falter or Sanchez is probably a good fit for that spot.