2024 Phillies Late Season Discussion

[zambonir]

Maybe Casty should get the day off with pitchers like this

Haha, that's a whole other issue. I never thought he needed to be benched or given a day off versus playing through his struggles, which ultimately did work. But at this point it's been made clear that he did in fact set a goal to play all 162 games, and Topper's gonna let him. Now, do they all have to be starts? Don't know?

But also, I didn't presume Casty was one of the guys struggling to adjust, given he's been the team's best hitter since the all-star break. So he's either seen enough fastballs or he's figured a few things out, if not as consistently as we like.

Long also got Bohm and Harper and Turner to the All-Star game and got Schwarber to hit LHP so if he was good at his job until July 15 he can still be good at his job again.

But you can also tell from the article (and their performance) that it is all easier said than done. We forget how much of hitting is guessing or at least making educated predictions to begin with. It's not really "recognition" at the moment of release.

[EDmuch]

I am no longer feeling ok about the ability of our offense to regain its macho. I mean, seriously, these are supposed to be elite hitters who, even though they know what is coming from t e opposing pitchers, seem totally unable to adjust.

[zambonir]

I for real still see it as a potential positive. They could have cruised to 110 wins and then run into Arizona or Atlanta in the first round and still lost. That was true just in general and even more true if the offense suddenly wilted against greater competition and a more aggressive pitching game plan. Now it least it won't be sudden, or unexpected. And therefore hopefully fixable. And if losing in the playoff is about going cold at the wrong time, well, this is a better time.

Would I put a bunch of money on them to win the World Series right now? Probably not (well, I would if the odds got longer but I doubt the lines have caught up to the current situation). But there's also still no reason they can't play well again just like there was no reason the '22 and '23 teams ever even looked like they would contend for a playoff spot for two months (ditto Texas and AZ last year).

If not - like, if they actually are the third-worst team in baseball for the rest of the regular season - then yeah, it would be kind of like the Eagles, and a lot would probably change, and rightfully so. Have the players really stopped listening to this staff after two years? Just don't know how to play from ahead?

[julio]

He had season-ending surgery. But I thought you could only put someone on the 60 at the same time you filled the spot (I.e. the 40 has to be full to do it). I'm guessing since this transaction hasn't actually been officially logged yet it could be accompanied by Covey being added back.

Triple-A infielder Rodolfo Castro was placed on the 60-day injured list with a torn ligament in his right thumb. The move opens a spot on the 40-man roster. …

Refreshed reliever Orion Kerkering gets back in the groove for the Phillies

As of this morning, Rodolfo Castro is still on the 40-man roster. He's still listed as being on optional assignment.

On 8/21, the IronPigs placed Castro on the 60-day IL... but that's the AAA IL, not the major-league IL. At least in the official published record, Castro has not been recalled from optional assignment, and is not on the major-league IL. He could be, at any time, if the big club needs the 40-man roster space (Castro's undoubtedly on a split contract, so his salary on the IL would jump, of course).

Looks like maybe Lauber just got it wrong.

[zambonir]

I am pretty sure even the minor league transaction hadn't shown up online yesterday, all I saw was the July move.

It's possible this was in the Phillies' press notes without the team itself even understanding the difference. But Lauber should still know you can't put a player on the MLB 60-day without an accompanying move.

I would think he still goes on for Covey unless they don't intend to just outright Covey. Either way, a useful slot, split deal or no, a prorated MLB salary for Castro is peanuts at this point.

[andyb]

As of this morning, Rodolfo Castro is still on the 40-man roster. He's still listed as being on optional assignment.

The Phillies have not needed the spot yet. They will if they activate Covey in a few days. 60-day moves are just not made until they are needed. Given the flux in the pitching staff they will eventually move Castro to the 60-day list because we probably are going to see cameos from guys like Kyle Tyler and Michael Mercado in the next month.

[zambonir]

Yes, but Lauber said he'd been removed from the major league 40 and that there was an open spot, which was both wrong and also just not how it works. And he gets paid to cover the team.

[julio]

The Phillies have not needed the spot yet. They will if they activate Covey in a few days. 60-day moves are just not made until they are needed.

Yes, I understand this, andyb. I noted what I noted because Scott Lauber reported that Castro had been placed on the 60-day IL, and that a 40-man spot had been opened, and Lauber's report was posted in this thread.

\snark\ Given that I'm a guy, and an MLB Rules nerd to boot, why are you mansplaining this to me? /snark/

[andyb]

And nobody really cares that Lauber is wrong on a meaningless detail.

[julio]

And nobody really cares that Lauber is wrong on a meaningless detail.

Just call me nobody.

[RolenRules]

Phillies Reinstate Ranger Suarez From 15-Day IL

I hope he is 100%. If so, he can help to right the ship.

[zambonir]

Except that it was the only reason we were discussing the transaction (especially in the major league thread).

[andyb]

Except that it was the only reason we were discussing the transaction (especially in the major league thread).

When someone mistakenly thought the Phillies probably had to make a move on the 40 to do some recent transaction.

[zambonir]

With September on the horizon, is MLB's postseason race already over?

In the National League, the Los Angeles Dodgers (100 percent), Philadelphia Phillies (99.5 percent) and Milwaukee Brewers (99.3 percent) have all but clinched a spot in the postseason, while the red-hot-since-the-break San Diego Padres (95.1 percent) and Arizona Diamondbacks (92 percent) have catapulted into strong positions to join them.

[zambonir]

They are not calling it a bullpen game per se

Lazar has dazzled since his call-up on Aug. 9, permitting no runs or walks over the first six outings of his big league career, but was sent to triple A on Saturday night to make room on the roster for starter Kolby Allard. Allard will pitch on Sunday to give the starters an extra day of rest.

J.T. Realmuto records seven RBIs as Phillies rout Royals in Ranger Suárez’s...

[andyb]

Dazzled may be a bit strong for Lazar. He has gotten good results in mostly low leverage situations with command that is often mediocre. He definitely has some deception in his delivery which means the league might get used to him with exposure. He has been good though. Just not good enough to be irreplaceable.

Allard will make a start here. By September 1 we'll be able to add a pitcher and Lazar will probably be back when he is eligible. Allard might go for Covey after this start too unless they do something with Walker.

Positive news is that Turnbull is throwing again. Hard to expect much but we were not expecting Covey either.

[BostonRoss]

It was just one game, but Allard looked bad a week ago in Worcester. He was very hittable and also had poor command.

[zambonir]

Right now the question is do they really let Walker start against the Braves particularly. I think they are a lot more willing to lose some of these games than we are to watch them. It might not be necessary to go all out in the race with Milwaukee, LA and (for the WS home field) Cleveland etc. But the Braves series could still be pivotal for the division with just a four game lead potentially (I'm assuming 2-2 over the next four which may seem pessimistic after last night, but optimistic after the past five weeks).

Per Ross's comment - they want rest for the other starters more than they want to win today, clearly. I mean, Wheeler doesn't even like having the extra day of rest! But it does give us home fans more for the money tomorrow.

[andyb]

they want rest for the other starters more than they want to win today

Yes, and they did not want Allard against the Astros and Braves (at least for now).

I am not sure they know what they will do with Walker's next start. I keep wondering if they will try to get 4 or 5 innings out of Seth Johnson who is lined up with Walker in the rotation. Covey has only been pitching shorter stints as well. I guess it is not certain Walker will be removed if he has a good side session. I just think the pressure will be immense to do something different.

[DurhamBull]

I was surprised how open Franzke and Stocker were last night about saying that the Phils couldn't send Walker out as a starter again. For whatever that's worth.