News of Former Phillies 2019/2020

[andyb]

One really can't offer a multi-year deal to a guy like Morgan with a shaky injury history and currently diminished stuff. I am guessing the Phillies did offer him something, maybe even a major league deal, though it is doubtful the guarantee would have been more than something like $1.5 million plus incentives. I am guessing they would be perfectly happy to pay him $4 million if he made a full season of appearances (say 60+) because that would have meant he was healthy and pitching well enough to not get set to the minors.

Unfortunately his lack of recent success puts him closer to the category of someone like Ynoa who the Phillies just signed. He has more of a track record, but more injury questions unfortunately. It is possible his body just could not handle the additional velocity after they remade him into a reliever several years ago.

[zambonir]

All they had to do was tender him. They could have gotten him for $3 million but even that was too much for a guy who might not pitch this season (or only for two months). And you don't really want to offer him a second guaranteed year before you see him pitch again.

He won't even make more if he comes back because the Cubs (or whoever trades for him) will still have one year left of arbitration, he'll get a little service time bump but probably can't have enough of a 2020 season for more than that.

I didn't like the move at the time, I like it okay now but only because of the unlikable financial path the team has chosen.

[andyb]

Cord Sandberg on the move for one final college football chance. Ended his Auburn career 7-9. Got a couple of snaps in the Citrus Bowl last week but Bo Nix is too good. He should have aimed a little lower in his choice of program. We'll see where he lands for one more year at age 26.

https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/sports/college/auburn/2021/01/04/auburn-football-quarterback-cord-sandberg-enters-transfer-portal-minor-league-basetball/4124928001/

[zambonir]

Nix wasn't even there when he arrived and neither was the other guy, but yeah - too easy for good recruits to beat you out. Of course they also just fired the coach.

He's actually got three full years of eligibility (two he would have had anyway plus this season doesn't count) and already has his degree (I assume he'd amassed some credits while playing baseball). Hard to imagine what the end game is, if he wants to go pro he should probably head to FCS and just play one more year as the unquestioned starter. Could always play two if they tell him he can raise his stock.

[zambonir]

How makeable they are presumably depends on how soon he can pitch, since they would mostly just be for appearances/IPs.

Adam Morgan Cubs deal if in majors: 900K plus many bonuses

— Jon Heyman ( @JonHeyman ) January 4, 2021

[andyb]

Nick Williams to the White Sox on a minor league deal. $900K if he makes the majors, so there must have been some interest in him as that salary is more than what a pre-arbitration player who is not a free agent would make.

White Sox Sign Nick Williams

[zambonir]

He still has an option left yeah? I imagine both sides realize he's probably not going to spend 162 games (or whatever) in the majors so his actual earnings will be similar to the MLB minimum. If he's lucky.

[BostonRoss]

An interesting read from Doug Glanville.

MLB needs more Black managers. Here's why it won't be me right now

[DurhamBull]

An interesting read from Doug Glanville.

Thanks for posting that. I've always enjoyed Glanville's writing, and I'm glad to see he's still doing it so thoughtfully.

[andyb]

Counting down the best players not in the Hall, Joe Posnanski makes a strong case for Scott Rolen. I think he'll get in but it might take a couple more years.

The Outsiders: No. 5, Scott Rolen

[David_Criss]

Cross Happ off of any dream lists he just signed a one year deal with the Twins.

[zambonir]

It's crazy to think that the Bowa/Dallas Green narrative might have slowed his HoF case with a certain generation of voters. But they are probably the same ones who also don't care about WAR, which Posnanski certainly treats with balance.

[andyb]

Yacksel Rios to Tampa. Well, there another healthy arm that throws 98 that will probably figure things out....

Rays sign reliever Yacksel Rios to minor-league deal

[zambonir]

Well, the Rays weren't able to get Edgar Garcia going. And Rios has always been pretty fringe. But sure, you never know.

David Robertson has rehired Scott Leventhal to represent him. Robertson, who is returning from August 2019 Tommy John surgery, threw his first bullpen today and is planning a showcase for early-February.

— Mark Feinsand ( @Feinsand ) January 21, 2021

I was hoping he might come back on a minor league or Hunter-like deal with incentives, but the fact that he got himself an agent again suggests they think he can do better.

[andyb]

Minor league deals can have incentives so I am not sure I would make much of the agent. I am not sure there is any team out there that would guarantee him a major league deal.

I actually think its 50-50 he comes back. Remember he is a Girardi guy. The Phillies are also the type of team that could easily pay him a few million if he actually makes the roster. Minor league deal. $1.5 million base salary if he makes the team. Can make up to $5 million with games pitched incentives (i.e. needing 50 or 60 games to make $5 million). I'd give him that type of deal if he looks good throwing and the medicals have no red flags.

[zambonir]

True he's a Girardi guy, though Girardi wasn't here when he signed, and it was a different GM too.

I'm sure the agent is mostly to navigate the process, and the incentives. In a normal year I think someone would give him a guaranteed deal, it would stll be cheap enough to walk away from. Some teams have more room on the 40 than others too.

[bkox]

We have added Christian Marrero to the coaching staff as Assistant Major League Hitting Coach. Marrero spent the previous three seasons as a hitting coach in the Phillies organization.

— Pirates ( @Pirates ) January 22, 2021

[David_Criss]

Mitch Walding signs with the Friars and is going to add catcher to his resume. He was fun to watch in the minors - reminded me of Chace Utley in terms of grit and play. Good luck to him. Always hoped he'd have a little more time in Philly.

Padres sign Walding, eyeing position switch

[julio]