Put it this way, in a clutch situation, are you more confident in Castellanos or Rojas right now?
I just saw JT end the game, pulling a breaking ball into a DP instead of keeping his hands back and taking it the other way.
Right now I have more confidence in Stott at the plate than any veteran on this team.
I think Rojas needs a few months in AAA, but come next July, I wouldn't mind a Pache - Marsh - Rojas - Muzzioti OF.
I'm not sure they'd hit much worse than Schwarber/Castellanos, but they'd field much, much better.
It's not that I want all kids, but when your roster becomes top heavy with 30+ players, it's not just the money that's an issue, it's also aging curves. And in the case of the Phillies, speed and athleticism.
When the Phillies rebuild the farm system into a top ten unit (cut back on FA signings, and improve scouting and development, which it seems like they have done), I'll have no problem packing surplus prospects for key additions. But right now other than Stott, who are the young 3-4+ WAR players?
As far as Sanchez, what I've seen so far doesn't look like a fluke, more like Ranger when things clicked for him. His velocity is actually down from last season (92.0 from 93.2, suggesting he's still building up strength, but his changeup and slider are improved, that's a solid 3 pitch combo for a 5 inning pitcher).
Abel and McGarry are probably a year away, Painter two years, what other SP candidates are there in the system?
If I'm trading a major prospect, it's not for a rental but young pitching to build up depth at the upper levels.
