News of Phormer Phillies, 2024

[zambonir]

Wild lede to that story btw. Now we see starters get the final out in a playoffs series, but only out of the pen.

NEW YORK — The Baltimore Orioles have never needed a closer to clinch a World Series. Each of their three championships ended with a starter’s complete game, which gives you an idea of how long it’s been.

[xogfog]

I would actually kick the tires on Neris, the issue is, he is near the innings total needed to vest his contract for next year for 9 million, which is a lot, would probably mean either not bringing back Hoffman or Estevez, but he can't be any less shaky than the bullpen is right now.

[zambonir]

He's 35 years old. He has a 1.5 WHIP this year. He already cleared waivers but some team might sweeten the pot for him if they want. It won't be the Phillies because other teams are going to need him more.

Priority has to be fixing the guys who are already here. If they really need another reliever at this point than trading Seranthony really was a mistake, and so was Banks. Was Estevez?

I'd sign him next year to replace Hoffman if you assume Estevez is coming back (or vice-versa). But it won't be for more than Strahm makes.

[gmwannabe]

Whit Merrifield...enough said.

[zambonir]

Listen, he's still not that good, but consistent playing time obviously suits him. The entire premise of signing him was flawed (the idea that playing less would actually make him better, using him in LF or anywhere else other than 2B where his defense is actually still pretty good). He's made 18 starts, all at 2B, and appeared in just one other game. Doesn't mean what he's doing right now is any different from what Sosa did when Turner was out (not nearly as good, even).

[flyers19rw]

JMO but there seems to be something wrong with the BP. Could be coaching, usage or whatever. It needs to be examined in the off season and corrected. To have a couple of guys in the pen crash is one thing. However this is an inclusive failure aside from Stromm and even he’s had some inexplicable failures. I’m not putting this on Cotham since the SP, except for Walker, has been the bedrock of the team.

[EastFallowfield]

Funny he gave a win to the Mets too

Make that two.

[Philsmania]

Another case of "Holy cow, this guy was still around!"

Guardians Designate Anthony Gose For Assignment

[andyb]

And the best players from that famed Hewitt, Collier, Gose draft were....Vance Worley and Trevor May. Gose has 2.0 WAR hitting and -0.1 pitching. Maybe he should have stuck with the hitting.

[allentown]

I remember most of us liking the Collier and Gose picks. Almost none of us approved of Hewitt on a first-round pick. Collier showed in the minors that he could hit and field. He couldn't stay healthy, but he definitely had talent, really talent demonstrated as in-game skills. Gose was a part of our trade for Roy Oswalt. He stole a ton of bases in the minors but had way too high a CS %. In the slots where they were drafted, Hewitt was a horrendous pick, Gose was ok to good, and Collier was good but unfortunately derailed by injuries.

[dcsman]

Wow! Gose is a pitcher now! I didn't see that coming.

[andyb]

Wow! Gose is a pitcher now! I didn't see that coming.

It was pretty well known when he was drafted that he could have been a high round pick for either hitting or pitching. Upper 90s from the left side over 15 years ago when that velocity was less common. He just wanted to play every day and chose hitting specifically.

[zambonir]

He's been a pitcher for a long time, though it didn't end up getting him in the majors for a longer time.

[gmwannabe]

How about that Whit Merrifield. I guess all he needed was a chance to play.

[bkeich]

Backup Catchers last forever

Former Philadelphia Phillies Catching Prospect Signs Deal with NL West Rival

[andyb]

Backup Catchers last forever

Or not?

Giants Designate Andrew Knapp For Assignment

[RolenRules]

Angels To Promote Caden Dana, Samuel Aldegheri

Very aggressive promotion

[fish]

mlbtraderumors.com

Angels To Promote Caden Dana, Samuel Aldegheri

The Angels announced that pitching prospect Caden Dana is scheduled to start Sunday's game against the Mariners. The club will …

Very aggressive promotion

Anyone else get the feeling that he well outperforms what Tijuan Walker did over his last 4 starts?

[andyb]

Aldegheri has a 5.19 ERA in his 4 AA starts for the Angels and at 95.1 innings is already past the 83.2 innings last year which was by far a career high. We are late enough that he won't waste an option if it does not work out, but hard to see the value in such a promotion and the danger of his performing poorly or getting hurt has got to be high.

[zambonir]

Well I'm sure the Angels know what they are doing

Technically he may well out-perform Walker. Let's just hope Phillips does too.