News Of Former Phillies 2018

[zambonir]

Hindsight would have been to move him mid-2016 which I think you argued for at the time.

I'm not surprised there was no interest in him because everyone knew the Phillies were going to release him at 2pm, and if they didn't, he was still gonna go on waivers. So while it might have been nice for the Phillies to pay his salary in exchange for some kind of trade return I'm sure there just wasn't one team that ticked off all four boxes - wanted Rupp, could offer something the Phillies wanted, had room on their own 40, didn't want to just pay his full salary on waivers.

I wonder what kind of contract he will get.

[andyb]

I actually think there was some question about whether we would release him. He is clearly better than Moore and McBride. The release question was solely about $2 million in salary where the extra $1.5 million was gained upon release. That is an expensive insurance policy, though we also know the team probably clears $80 million plus in profit this year with their payroll.

I don't think the Phillies were cheap here. They just wanted the 40-man spot. This is probably a move they did not anticipate over the winter and maybe they should have (even if they missed the window a year or two ago to get something real for him).

Frankly we have been very healthy. Chances are we make a 60-man move now in most seasons and we did not this year. That means we have less current 40-man flexibility.

[zambonir]

Maybe there was a question to you or I, because we don't know, and we aren't on the phone with Klentak. But I think when the beat writers were all highlighting the 2pm deadline in their stories that's not because they are experts in the CBA. Someone in the front office telegraphed it.

And similarly, I think most MLB GMs probably had a sense of what they were going to do. Not to mention all 29 of them passed up the chance to trade for Rupp before the DFA. The ones who did talk to Klentak yesterday, if they are good at their job, would have been able to read his intentions based on what he was asking for.

Agreed it's not being cheap, especially since they would have saved even more had he been claimed. I think it was a favor to him that also saved them money. The 40-man spot was going to open no matter what.

[andyb]

I think it was a favor to him that also saved them money.

Though not a favor if nobody signs him for more than the minimum. That will cost him a million and this is a kid who has not earned life changing money yet.

[zambonir]

True but I think he needs opportunity - especially in the big leagues - more than the money. If a team had just claimed him he still could have spent all year in the minors and been non-tendered. If a team really wants him and has playing time for him in the bigs it might work out better for him next season.

Or it might not. If he's just not that good. them's the breaks. I bet his minor league deal will include a higher major league salary, question is will he play in the majors? Conversely, if someone offers him a guaranteed major league deal at minimum that beats getting claimed by a team that was gonna put you in the minors.

[xogfog]

Jason Werth signs a minor league deal with the Mariners

[xogfog]

The Rangers have DFA'd Tommy Joseph.

[andyb]

This is a couple of weeks ago and he is not going to make the Twins opening day roster, but sometimes we need to celebrate Willians Astudillo. He actually might get a chance in the majors at some point this year. Supposedly he is a very good pitch framer. And a 928 OPS in AAA last year (PCL but still).

[Jeff05]

Oh, that was awesome! I noticed Willians glancing towards the runner just before the pitcher started, maybe it was premeditated. Thanks, andyb. I was a fan of his during his time with the Phillies. From 120ABs last year, he K'd five times and walked fours. He still can't help putting bat on ball.

[andyb]

Apparently he has done this several times in the past including once at Clearwater and more recently in the Venezuelan Winter league.

[Jeff05]

Perhaps he is simply the archetypal catcher: a good head on the shoulders, but it takes time for it all to come together.

[xogfog]

Brewers sign Andres Blanco

Mariners drop Cam Perkins off 40 man and after clearing waivers was signed to AAA.

Marlins DFA Severino Gonzalez.

[zambonir]

Tommy Joseph chose to stay with the Rangers and has been sent to AA.

Cameron Rupp signs minor league deal with the Rangers. Major league money would be $1 million.

Vance Worley opts out of his Reds deal.

[julio]

So...Joseph can't make the Rangers. Perkins can't make the Mariners. Sev Gonzalez can't make the Marlins. Rupp's on a minor-league deal with the Ranger, not on the major-league roster.

I guess it's no wonder we couldn't get trade value for these guys. A "fair return" would be somebody who can't make a major-league roster...

[zambonir]

Did we actually get anything (besides cash) for Sev? Sure didn't for Asher.

[Philsmania]

In 2016, there were people here imploring the Phillies to trade Rupp and Gomez for value while they had it. Truth is they probably didn't have any then either.

[Philsmania]

I was wondering what was up with Tyler Goeddel. Did the Reds even have him in ML camp this spring?

[andyb]

Rupp had value 2 years ago. And probably some (though not as much) last year. He is really the one missed opportunity because we always had alternatives and could easily added a AAAA backup until Alfaro was ready.

Did have huge value? No. But he probably had almost as much value as we got for Galvis this offseason considering that a year and a half ago Rupp was far from arbitration while Galvis was traded with his implied arbitration salary.

[mdougherty12]

Cole Hamels’ velocity is down so far in 2018:

Why Rangers pitcher Cole Hamels' dip in velocity leaves him vulnerable to...

[zambonir]

Couldn't help but revisit:

https://www.philliesphans.com/t/hamels-signs-6yr-144m-extension-with-phillies/40602/22