Non-Phillies 2023 Major League Season Discussion

[Philsmania]

I bet the Phillies and Philadelphia A’s were in last place together a lot.

In the early 1920's and from 1935 to 1946, that was almost a regular occurrence. I read once that during WW2, the Stars & Stripes occasionally posted the MLB standings upside down in an effort to boost the morale of troops from the Philadelphia area.

[bkox]

D.R. lawyer: Franco inquiry led by special division

[bkox]

A person very close to the investigations into the case of Wander Franco: "It will be very unlikely that Wander Franco will play in MLB again, judging by the results of the investigations that are currently being carried out, which directly commit him to the accusations against… https://t.co/Yn5CGckJgE

— Héctor Gómez ( @hgomez27 ) August 17, 2023

[bkox]

Angels are promoting Nolan Schanuel... he was their 1st round pick (11th overall) in THIS YEARS DRAFT. Fastest rise from MLB draft to the Majors for any position player in 45 years:

[zambonir]

Phillies always liked this guy.

Orioles Release Mychal Givens

[phillychuck]

Bad knee, bad shoulder for Givens, who is 33. I don't know if you roll the dice on that.

[zambonir]

Well, you wouldn't sign him to a major league deal (though I suppose someone else might). And relief pitching depth is pretty good. Just a piece of news.

[zambonir]

The view from San Francisco

Instead, they lost for the 12th time in their past 13 road games. They’ve dropped 10 of their past 13 overall, including five consecutive series. They’ll try to salvage a win here with a bullpen game behind Jakob Junis and company.

All signs point to Kyle Harrison's arrival after Giants lose heartbreaker in...

Left-hander Kyle Harrison is being called up by the San Francisco Giants and is expected to pitch Tuesday in Philadelphia, according to sources familiar with the situation. Harrison is the Giants’ top prospect and regarded as their best pitching prospect since Madison Bumgarner.

— Robert Murray ( @ByRobertMurray ) August 20, 2023

[Philsmania]

Pitchers making their ML debut against the Phillies typically shine.

[zambonir]

Well, I know it feels that way, but is it true?

If I dive into my memory banks I might also argue that it feels like Phillies pitchers making their major league debut often won or did well in their first start, whether they were marginal or actually went on to something.

In both cases it's probably because we don't remember the opposite result, which is the expected result.

[allentown]

Disorganized anecdotal memory suggests that first-time-around-the-league effect is real, although to me this is logically absurd in an era where every team should have a ton of data on every significant minor league pitcher -- at least SP and super prospect relievers, lesser relievers and possibly lesser starters may slip through the cracks for their first appearance or two.

[zambonir]

Yeah, anecdotally I would agree that the first-time-around effect is real. But if it is, that also means it does not affect the Phillies any more than any other team. Unless they have the bad luck to face more of those pitchers over a particular season or time period.

Of course there is also a big difference between a good team/playoff contender calling up its top prospect in the middle of the wild card race vs. a bad team starting to give its youngsters - even fringe youngsters - a look after they've given up on a season (and/or traded their better veterans).

And then there is what I remember about the Phillies, when the likes of Mike Grace and Mike Mimbs and Mike Williams were actually what passed for the future of the rotation during those years. (Williams doesn't really belong on that list but couldn't resist adding another Mike.)

Certainly the Phillies have benefitted from it, if it is real, just with Falter last year and Sanchez this year. Neither were brand new, but new enough.

[andyb]

The contrarian in me thinks it is just as or more likely that first-time pitchers do poorly. I think we all remember when we get shut down by some rookie we have not heard of and tend to forget when we hit the pitcher that we should have hit.

I think the "second time around the league" thing does have some truth, though it is often the guys like Falter that it applies too if they have a unique style or motion. But again, I don't really know (and the research required to know is likely too much for an office afternoon even in August). A guy like Falter may do well the first 10 starts and a guy with a more generic style (i.e. hard throwing command-limited typical top prospect) might start more slowly and improve as their command improves.

[bkox]

someone must have these stats somewhere

[bkox]

Orioles owner John Angelos says the only way the team could afford to keep its young core in Baltimore would be by raising prices "massively" pic.twitter.com/yXca3N5wHC

— Talkin’ Baseball ( @TalkinBaseball_ ) August 21, 2023

Dibs on Adley Rutschman after 2028!

[bkox]

The White Sox are considering a move from Guaranteed Rate Field when the team’s lease expires six seasons from now, according to a Crain’s Chicago Business report.

And one possibility could be leaving town.

More from @lamondpope . https://t.co/JrPceb9bLu

— Chicago Tribune Sports ( @ChicagoSports ) August 22, 2023

[bkeich]

Have to think Charlotte / Raleigh / Durham is pretty high on the list for teams. Maybe Portland, San Antonio or something Canadian.

Las Vegas of course is always a strong player, but baseball seems particularly afraid of gambling.

[zambonir]

Where would they go, another country?

I mean, talk about a negotiating ploy.

This is also the last thing MLB and Manfred wants. They want to get expansion going without any loose ends (which right now are currently Tampa and Oakland).

At the same time (going back to another post) I don't blame the Orioles for wanting to maximize real estate and revenue streams, as that's just the way of the world now. But the Angelos family just might not be rich enough to own this team, which is also the way of the world.

[bkox]

Las Vegas of course is always a strong player, but baseball seems particularly afraid of gambling.

um... The Oakland A's are moving to Vegas.

Manfred: Athletics have begun relocation process

[zambonir]

Well yeah, though it's still not a fully done deal I don't think. But certainly everyone wants it to happen (except actual A's fans).

With a seven-year runway anything is possible but Portland and SA are nowhere near actually building a ballpark, let alone funding it.

If I could put some money down on the White Sox not moving I would love to.