2023 Phillies Regular Season Discussion Part 2

[andyb]

Because we hit 1,500 messages in the first thread and everything is not trade deadline related.

[zambonir]

Nope but we'll still manage to discuss that 50% of the time here for the next week.

And also we've only been discussing Noah Song in the minors thread lately. But that is clearly the biggest topic between now and tomorrow morning.

[LoneStarPhan]

I really hope they can retain Song but it almost seems impossible to go forward with him taking one of the valuable bullpen slots.

I guess that is why they pay people well to make those decisions.

[Philsmania]

Perhaps that's the method to the madness to them clinging to Covey....to get used to having a dead spot in the bullpen for mop-up or pitcher of last resort work.

[allentown]

but it almost seems impossible to go forward with him taking one of the valuable bullpen slots.

I think we can afford to devote the 26th roster spot to the future. If the 8th reliever kicks us over the cliff, we were extremely perilous already.

[zambonir]

Perhaps that's the method to the madness to them clinging to Covey....to get used to having a dead spot in the bullpen for mop-up or pitcher of last resort work.

Covey has actually been nothing but effective for the better part of the month. It was only as a starter (and as part of bullpen games) that he struggled, and was put in meaningful situations.

And having that kind of pitcher in the eighth spot is really nothing new. They carried David Hale for like a year-and-a-half. Often it's 2 or 3 different and generally ineffective optionable guys.

So for sure it can be done. But last year's team only made by the playoffs by one or two games and this year's team might make or miss the playoffs or nail down the 4th seed by one or two games. So the eighth spot is not nothing. I think it depends more on the timetable for Alvarado and whether they acquire a reliever at the deadline. If it's just Covey (or a matter of waiting until September and then bringing back Bellatti), give it a try.

[andyb]

The song remains the same, for today anyway.

Noah Song's minor-league rehab clock ended yesterday, but the Phillies are not forced to make a decision on his status until tomorrow, according to MLB rules.

— Matt Gelb ( @MattGelb ) July 28, 2023

[allentown]

Thanks. I was wondering why I hadn't seen anything about Song's status.

[zambonir]

So is that by like, midnight, or game time?

[Callison]

Covey has actually been nothing but effective for the better part of the month. It was only as a starter (and as part of bullpen games) that he struggled, and was put in meaningful situations.

When guys don't perform consistently, as a fan you wonder why somebody better isn't in their place - and it should be easy. The Phils have several of these players. Sosa. Hoffman. Covey. And then suddenly they DO perform and you wonder where they've been. But if I were the Phils, I would improve the bottom of the pen by two.

IMHO, the Phils could suddenly become a dangerous team if they could add a top closer. Might be the best place to do the trading to minimize the loss of prospects and get the best bang for the buck.

Nice inning by Hoffman yesterday. In Big Rob's way, he sent him back out there for a second inning in a one run game, when he could have just closed it out with Soto and Kimbrel. Big Rob and the Phils think a lot of Hoffman, but in a one run game, CLOSE IT OUT WITH YOUR BEST!!!

[Lucky_Beagle]

Don't the Phillies currently have a top of the line Allstar closer who has converted all but 1 save opportunity and has a winning record?

[Callison]

Don't the Phillies currently have a top of the line Allstar closer who has converted all but 1 save opportunity and has a winning record?

The idea is to stack about 5 of them, Kimbrel, Soto, Alvarado, Dominguez and, oh, say Hader.

Most teams try to close games in the 8th and 9th. The Phils can nearly close games in the 6th. That's where they need to go.

[zambonir]

Yeah the Phillies literally have two all-star closers (even if Soto is not great) and two all-star caliber closers (even if Seranthony and Alvarado are both health question marks). And then you have guys like Hoffman and Marte with the stuff to become like any of the above. And Strahm.

Every bullpen has its mop-up guy and and middle reliever. In 2008 that was Clay Condrey and Chad Durbin. Last year it was Nick Nelson and Brogdon (with Bellatti performing better than that). Depending what they do with the rotation and how they feel about the health of the Alvarado and what happens with Song they might want to pick up a depth piece but they do not need CLOSER (or to pay the trade price for one) in a million years.

In fact, I would suggest that if they really wanted to go bigger with a (controllable) starting pitcher or a bat, the bullpen is actually a place to subtract, not add. Flip one of the vets for prospects that you can use in a bigger trade (or just to replenish prospect depth).

[bkox]

Song DFA'd

The Phillies recalled RHP Noah Song from his rehabilitation assignment, reinstated him from the 60-day injured list, and designated him for assignment.

— Philadelphia Phillies ( @Phillies ) July 29, 2023

[zambonir]

Never have so many posts been dedicated to a guy who got DFA'ed!

So they can still trade him, just won't be for much more than any other similar waiver wire guy (and probably less). Or is that not even the case with a Rule 5 guy? (i.e. they already tried to trade him).

According to Lauber:

The #Phillies designated Noah Song for assignment. They can trade him before Tuesday’s 6 p.m. deadline for all players to be dealt or put him on waivers. If he went unclaimed, he’d have to be offered back to Red Sox.

— Scott Lauber ( @ScottLauber ) July 29, 2023

[zambonir]

The Phillies can trade Song, although his Rule 5 status would carry over to a new team and baseball’s trade deadline is approaching at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Otherwise, they must put him through waivers. If he clears — and officials from multiple clubs, including the Phillies, expect him to be claimed — the Phillies would have to offer him back to the Red Sox, his original team.

Noah Song designated for assignment by Phillies, who must trade him or put him...

[bkox]

And then you have guys like Hoffman and Marte with the stuff to become like any of the above

Dating back to May 20th, Yunior Marte boasts a 2.28 ERA across his last 24 appearances. He’s walked just 5 batters in that span, and opponents have slashed .239/.286/.315 against him.

After a tough start to the season, he has really cemented himself in a strong Phillies bullpen.

— Alex Carr ( @AlexCarrMLB ) July 29, 2023

[zambonir]

And here's the other guy

Jeff Hoffman Has Finally Found a Home

[JaxBill]

If he clears waivers and they offer him back to Boston, do the Sox have to carry him on major league roster or can they assign him to minor league team?

[julio]

If he clears waivers and they offer him back to Boston, do the Sox have to carry him on major league roster or can they assign him to minor league team?

The Red Sox can treat him the way they would any prospect - it would be as if he had not been selected in the Rule 5 draft.