News Of Former Phillies 2018

[xogfog]

Jeremy Hellickson signs a minor league deal with the Nationals

[bkeich]

A guy that had a QO just 18 months ago and had a poor but not awful season last year. Sadly pretty good value for the Nats

His numbers last year are somewhat artificially high by an extreme HR Rate. His K Rate fell 20%, which is also a bad sign. I am surprised someone didnt take a 1 year, $2M chance on him, but maybe he wanted to play for a team with a chance at the playoffs. My guess is he will get his chance to prove last year was an aberration at some point this year.

In Baltimore in 51 innings he gave up 43 runs on 49 hits. That is almost impossible to do (especially with only 17 walks). A 1.277 WHIP doesnt usually produce an ERA around 7

[julio]

[Hellickson's] numbers last year are somewhat artificially high by an extreme HR Rate. His K Rate fell 20%, which is also a bad sign. I am surprised someone didnt take a 1 year, $2M chance on him, but maybe he wanted to play for a team with a chance at the playoffs. My guess is he will get his chance to prove last year was an aberration at some point this year.

I wouldn't assume that the Nats aren't going to pay Hellickson $2 million (or more), if he actually makes the club any time soon. His "minor league deal" includes a $2 million major-league salary if he makes the club, with $4 million more in incentives that he could earn. The only thing the Nationals didn't give him is a guaranteed contract.

Jon Heyman (JonHeyman)

[bkeich]

Yes, I assumed his contract was about $2-5M, really can't be much lower (yes, it is a couple multiples of the minimum, but you rarely see a FA at league minimum). What I really meant was that I was that it is somewhat surprising that he has had to wait this long to get a contract in that range, but like I said maybe he was waiting for a contender to come calling or had specific teams in mind.

[julio]

like I said maybe he was waiting for a contender to come calling or had specific teams in mind.

I think this is pretty likely; his agent is Scott Boras, and waiting out the market is pretty much SOP for Boras. He doesn't do this all the time, but certainly more often than not.

If Hellickson pitches well enough to make the Nats' rotation, he'll be fine; given the recurring 15-day opt-outs, even if he doesn't make the Nats' rotation, unless he bombs in AAA he'll land somewhere. At that price, he could even wind up in the back of the Phils' rotation; he would have to be preferable to Eflin/Lively/Eickhoff. And he'd have to look more attractive than, for instance, Drew Hutchison, who would require the same roster adjustment. So who knows?

[zambonir]

Damn Julio, saying Hellickson would be preferable to Eickhoff, that's almost as harsh as Ed!

Legitimately though, I don't know if we can say he'd be preferable to any of those guys, Hutchison included (if only because Hutchison is young and controllable). He may just be in full decline. And I believe Lively put up more WAR than Hellickson did for the Phillies last year, in fewer starts/innings.

I think the Nats might just be doing Boras a favor here, especially with all those opt-outs. Hellickson may not actually be better than A.J. Cole (who is out of options) and if they really think Cole can't do it why not just get Cobb? (Though the answer is $). I mean, we're talking the 5th starter here on a team with two aces and Gio Gonzalez. My guess is Hellickson spends April in the minors as insurance/depth, this just gives him a place to land, and be seen. If the Nats have an injury or Cole can't hack it he's there and if not he'll find another team eventually.

[julio]

Damn Julio, saying Hellickson would be preferable to Eickhoff, that's almost as harsh as Ed!

I didn't say he would be; I said he would have to be, to be considered.

Yeah, I saw the smiley, and I know you weren't serious... I think I'm reacting to something else that has me perturbed today...

[julio]

This didn't take long.

Matt Gelb (MattGelb)

[David_Criss]

Clay Buccholz signs minor league deal with Royals

[julio]

Chris Cotillo (ChrisCotillo)

[zambonir]

MLBTR says they think Nava might rejoin the Pirates in the minors, he's hurt.

[Philsmania]

It looks like for now that Carlos Tocci will remain a phormer Phillie.

Rule 5 Draft roundup: spring performances

[andyb]

Might not be the worst time to see if Texas wants to make a deal for Tocci that would let them keep him in the minors. Pick up a promising short season or DSL player as the cost. We do have 2 GCL teams to staff so there is actually a little more room to pick up some young, toolsy players.

[Lucky_Beagle]

Might not be the worst time to see if Texas wants to make a deal for Tocci that would let them keep him in the minors. Pick up a promising short season or DSL player as the cost. We do have 2 GCL teams to staff so there is actually a little more room to pick up some young, toolsy players.

However IIRC he would need to go through the waiver wire process and every team would have to pass on him before this could be an option.

[zambonir]

Pretty high chance he clears waivers, how many teams want to add a Rule V guy - or even have a hole on their 25 - this late in the season? Certainly the Phillies and Texas have talked often this month.

[David_Criss]

Bourjos and Flaherty sign with Braves
Abad signs minor league deal with Mets

[zambonir]

Major league deals for both the Braves guys. Gotta like this new Phillies era of mostly young players and crowded 40.

[zambonir]

I guess "former" isn't correct yet but here come the Rangers again

Evan Grant (Evan_P_Grant)

[julio]

Todd Zolecki (ToddZolecki)

[andyb]

Surprised me a bit that there was no interest in Rupp. In hindsight it would have been better to move him before Alfaro was ready and go with a AAAA guy last year (and Knapp).

I guess we save $1.5 million here. Give it to Nola as part of his long term deal.....