2023 Phillies Regular Season Discussion

[Austinfan]

I don't see why Song can't be effective at the back of the pen.
It's not like he's a 20 year old kid you have to shelter, he just needs a few starts in the minors to get the rust off.
You're going to ask him to pitch mostly in meaningless games, where all he needs is a 98 MPH FB and one decent off speed pitch.

[zambonir]

We shall see. It may work, it may not. Perhaps it is that simple (i.e. if it doesn't work, bye-bye). But he pretty much can't do more than two sim games and two rehabs (at most) before he has to come up. Conspiratorially I still feel like we could hear "recurrence of back tightness" next week.

Even though they have carried and barely used Covey this week it just seems like the bar is higher for bottom of the bullpen these days. And it would be yet another non-optionable arm. Once Seranthony comes back Song would be taking a roster spot at the expense of Marte, Bellatti, Ortiz and Brogdon (if only one of them). He may be up to that, he may be Francisco Morales.

[Lucky_Beagle]

My understanding is there is no deal to be made with Boston unless all other major league teams do not want him under the same terms the Phillies current/will have to deal with. If he has any chance to make it why wouldn't the A's or some other team be willing to try him out for his required term.

[zambonir]

I'm not sure about that. If the Phillies return him to the Red Sox he will go through waivers first. But if they do a trade I don't think he has to.

This does also raise the question: did the Phillies do a deal with LA for Victorino or did every other team pass on him?

Rule 5 Draft picks are assigned directly to the drafting club's 26-man roster and must be placed on outright waivers in order to be removed from the 26-man roster in the subsequent season. Should the player clear waivers, he must be offered back to his previous team for $50,000 and can be outrighted to the Minors only if his original club does not wish to reacquire him. A Rule 5 Draft pick can be placed on the Major League injured list, but he must be active for a minimum of 90 days to avoid being subject to the aforementioned roster restrictions in the next campaign.

Clubs may trade a player selected in the Rule 5 Draft, but the same restrictions apply to the player's new organization. However, a club may also work out a trade with the Rule 5 pick's original club to acquire his full rights, thereby allowing him to be optioned to the Minors under traditional circumstances.

[Yogi]

Add to your assessment, no clutch hitting, stupid base running and poor management. A mediocre team at best. Turner. JT and even Harper , and Schwarber all not doing anything on offense. Nothing stands out on this team except no energy and poor playing, not worth going to the park to watch.

[bkox]

Add to your assessment, no clutch hitting, stupid base running and poor management. A mediocre team at best. Turner. JT and even Harper , and Schwarber all not doing anything on offense. Nothing stands out on this team except no energy and poor playing, not worth going to the park to watch.

They have the same record in June as Atlanta.. what are you talking about?

[zambonir]

Whatever happened to our board member who was literally Negadelphia?

(Aqua's post was from May 31, but certainly tonight they seemed to look like that team)

[Jazzhead]

dd to your assessment, no clutch hitting, stupid base running and poor management. A mediocre team at best. Turner. JT and even Harper , and Schwarber all not doing anything on offense. Nothing stands out on this team except no energy and poor playing, not worth going to the park to watch.

I was at last night's game, and we certainly had the means to win it. The biggest blunder, IMO, was bringing in Hoffman in a high-leverage situation (tied 1-1 in the 7th) that he just wasn't ready for. Ranger outpitched Strider, but the Braves got to our bullpen while we didn't get to theirs.

[Austinfan]

If Covey is the threshold, Song has a good chance of reaching it.

[David_Criss]

So we lose Guthrie and Plassmeyer in favor of Covey....Not saying Guthrie or Plassmeyer really had a future in the City of Brotherly Love, but........And meanwhile Bellati is pitching decent at AAA while Covey dusts off his pitching hand once a week.

[gmwannabe]

And the Braves have brought up a 20 year old starter that has come up the ladder very quickly. Their top 4 prospects are young starting pitchers. looks like they are set for a long time. Phils have 3 young ones plus maybe song. Hopefully, they work out. I guess it pays, and helps, to keep all of your draft choices.
gm

[phillychuck]

I thought the difference between the Phils and Braves was primarily due to LA signings, but looking at the rosters, that's not the case. Arguably, Suarez and Dominguez are as valuable to the Phils as Acuna and Albies are to the Braves. Those are the only home-grown LA signings.

Mostly, the Braves have repeatedly fleeced other teams in trades and have drafted a bit better and developed players a bit better than the Phils. I think we are closing that gap.

[zambonir]

It would be funny if Pache turns to be a valuable Phillies player for years to come.

[andyb]

Clemens OPS down to .681 overall. I know we can't fit Jake Cave in the lineup, but are we sure Clemens is better than Hall?

[bkox]

but are we sure Clemens is better than Hall?

5 games ago he was at .750. Not sure we should demote based on a bad week of games. But maybe soon. But his PAs are still low enough that a 1 for 4 night with a HR would raise his OPS back above 700

[zambonir]

True but at the same time did Hall deserve to get Wally Pipped by a guy who's not even really a 1B? Bad enough he already missed his window to be a DH, and may not have that much time before Harper claims the 1B job to boot. Of course I don't think he's really being punished either, a little longer rehab time couldn't hurt, and why break what doesn't need fixing as far as the team's overall performance this month with Clemens. He also still has a .747 OPS/119 OPS+ against RHP. He just should not be facing lefties.

I also wonder why Jake Cave can't play 1B.

They really do need to get a look at Cave, because if Harper really is going to move to 1B they will have to decide whether Cave/Marsh/Clemens (and Harrison) are going to play LF or if they want to get someone. I guess you could say the same of Muzziotti.

[andyb]

It is more the total body of work for Clemens including last year. I just think Hall is better and the lineup really needs power.

The SSS for Clemens may have been his hot streak.

[zambonir]

The line-up really does need power. If they had the normal amount (Harper's outage was today's notebook subject at multiple outlets) the bad RISP nights would not be as noticeable.

But I'm also still not sure Hall is better. It's interesting that his OPS against RHP last year was 100 points higher than Clemens' is this year, but his OPS+ was lower. Both of them pretty brutal OBPs.

[andyb]

I have no illusions that Hall will be a panacea. He is more a 7 hitter than a 5 hitter in a lineup. I just think he showed growth as a player last year and think there may be a little bit more and he certainly does have a good power tool.

They both need to be platooned. I just wonder if the Phillies fall in love with Clemens during a hot streak where he was a pleasant surprise and it is no shock he comes back to earth a bit.

They are probably not that different. Same age. I just think Hall may be a little more of what this team needs. Cave is probably a better hitter than either but unfortunately does not play 1B.

[Aquapong]

To expand on the gameday thread idea of skipping Sanchez, he had three appearances against the Mets last season and none of them really went wells. Maybe holding him until the Cubs is a better idea.