News of Phormer Phillies 2017

bkox 2017-08-12 21:48:16 UTC #181

zambonir 2017-08-12 23:50:55 UTC #182

I think it's fascinating that it's been NL teams taking a shot both times.

allentown 2017-08-12 23:57:02 UTC #183

I think Howard wants to do what he wants to do and apparently he doesn't want to DH. After his last few seasons, if he can convince himself that his bat is good enough to get him back to MLB in September, then I suppose he can also convince himself that his glove is good enough. The guy must really love playing baseball. Even with what his family stole from him, he should have enough $$ saved for a very luxurious retirement. He certainly built a great retirement home for himself.

zambonir 2017-08-13 00:03:29 UTC #184

Could be, though I also think the DH who can't play a position barely exists anymore (unless he's an elite hitter). But however much Howard is deluding himself or limiting his options, a playoff team is actually gonna look at him for two weeks, and he won't be close to home like last time.

Can't imagine he'll actually need his glove, if he gets to Denver. Maybe for a double-switch. The Rockies are loaded at 1B.

bkox 2017-08-13 01:56:56 UTC #185

Mariners Sign Jeanmar Gomez To Minor League Deal

zambonir 2017-08-13 02:49:44 UTC #186

I guess I missed Gomez leaving his previous team.

And I gather both Reynolds and Desmond are hurt in Colorado so that's the window for Howard. He was so terrible for Gwinnett though, can he show enough to at least get added to the roster before the month is over? (Though I guess, unless I am forgetting a rule change, that date doesn't matter too much if you have injuries).

bkox 2017-08-14 04:39:24 UTC #187

Howie Kendrick with a walk off Grand Slam tonight

DurhamBull 2017-08-14 12:10:36 UTC #188

He's having a career year at 33 (albeit in a part time role). He was hitting very well for the Phils, he's done even better with the Nats (SSS). That's got to feel really good for him.

zambonir 2017-08-15 20:35:55 UTC #189

Daniel Stumpf, Tigers: Stumpf turned in a nice performance in Triple-A, and while his strikeout totals haven’t carried over to the bigs, he’s been a useful ’pen piece in small sample. Through 22 1/3 innings, the former Rule 5 pick has a 2.78 ERA, though his secondary stats don’t support that mark. Stumpf has averaged 7.9 K/9 and 4.0 BB/9 against a 42.2 percent ground-ball rate. He can be controlled through 2022, though he comes with an 80-game PED suspension on his record.

arpax 2017-08-16 01:16:39 UTC #190

Howie Kendrick now with 3 homeruns in his last 5 at bats including his walk off grand slam last night

bkox 2017-08-22 20:20:34 UTC #191

Marlins have recalled Severino Gonzalez.

andyb 2017-08-28 17:31:10 UTC #192

I admit that he is still a non-prospect and Reno is probably a really good park to hit in, but Willians Astudillo has a 900+ OPS this year:

And he is still catching a bit.

allentown 2017-08-28 18:13:58 UTC #193

It undoubtedly is a good hitting park, but he still is 2nd on the team in OPS at .928. He still only has 120 AB so it is a little bit of SSS. He's the same old Willians: only 4 walks and only 5 strikeouts. It's hard to think of this as only his age 25 season. He spent 3 years in the VSL, then a year in GCL, then missed a year to injury, then spent a full year at LKW at age 22. A quite good year with the bat at LKW, not as good the next year at CLW and that was it for his Phillies career. I remember all the chatter he got on this forum and about 5 times as much over on Phuture Phillies. More than a few saw him as our catcher of the future.

andyb 2017-08-28 18:18:30 UTC #194

Of course it is his age 25 season, but physically (and in the picture) he really plays like he is in his mid-30s.

He is just a fascinating guy to watch and I am rooting for him. Maybe AZ finds a way to get him some at bats in September. If you want a pinch hitter that will put the ball in play with runners on, he is your man.

mdougherty12 2017-08-29 06:13:19 UTC #195

Taylor Featherston DFAed:

bkox 2017-08-31 04:49:45 UTC #196

Philsmania 2017-08-31 15:32:27 UTC #197

Any chance the Rockies call him up today? Looking at all the 2007 memories really clarifies how the protracted sad denouement to Howard's career in Philadelphia made it easy to forget just how special he was for a time.

allentown 2017-08-31 16:50:58 UTC #198

He had 286 career HR when his Achilles tendon failed. I think that was the fewest AB to 286 HR in baseball history.

zambonir 2017-08-31 19:29:47 UTC #199

As we discussed elsewhere he doesn't absolutely have to come up today to end up on a playoff roster. He was definitely more of an insurance policy than anything.

Philsmania 2017-08-31 20:02:24 UTC #200

Yankees acquire ex-Phillie and Southeast Pennsylvania native Erik Kratz.