Also during the upgrade downtime, MLB officially designated John Middleton as the Phillies' "control person" which I guess is MLBese for face of the organization, not that that is really news.
I don't see it as "really news," but it is a confirmation that Middleton - not Montgomery - officially speaks for the organization, to other owners; e.g., at owners' meetings. When ownership meets to vote on things (think ratifying the new CBA when it's finalized), Middleton is in that role - not Montgomery.
It's another formal step taken by the organization, and approved by MLB, that indicates we have a different leadership than we did two years ago. All to the good!
Here is one of the articles I read while the board was down on Middleton being designated as the front of the organization. It did say he is 48% owner. The limited partnership prohibits any owner gaining majority ownership.
Phils traded Jimmy Cordero to the Nats for a PTBNL. Not a great return, but they were constrained by roster issues.
Once they DFA'd him last week getting the roster set for the rule 5 draft, it was clear they feel he had slipped as a prospect. Still, many thought he was likely to be lost in the rule 5 draft.
Did Washington put him on their 40 man roster?
I'd guess the PRBNL will be settled after the rule 5 draft. They could get a player then who is not taken from the Nationals and not have to make a 40 man roster decision until this time next year. At least we don't lose Cordaro in the coming rule 5 draft. 
What was notable was that the Phillies openly stated it. Might be the first time ever that they've done that, regardless of the percentages. I'm not sure they've even ever (officially) identified all the members of the ownership group before.
Presumably at his request/wish. He evidently cleared waivers, and if he did, he has the minor-league service time to become a minor league ("6-year") free agent.
split this topic Nov 28, '16
split this topic Nov 29, '16
The hot stove talk is certainly getting interesting, though (as usual) a lot of it is probably flimsy and agent-driven. A move like acquiring Brian Dozier would certainly imply a more aggressive approach to 2017 & 2018 (but I'll believe it when I see it, and also wonder if his 2016 is sustainable. Not that he was bad before, but the player he was in 2014-2015 wouldn't be nearly as dramatic an addition, especially at 30 and 31.)
I'd be interested in Dozier. He might not be as good as he was in 2016, but he is an average 4+ WAR player for his career, and he's reasonably priced. And if he does manage to kep up his 2016 production, we'd have an offensive star.
The problem might be that he's at his peak value, and so we would probably have to buy high.
Yeah I just don't know why you'd pay the trade price for a player who is a 31 year-old free agent after two seasons, unless the Twins are willing to take a lot of single A material. I guess the presumption is he wouldn't be expensive because he is a salary dump but he's not that expensive, multiple teams can definitely shop at that market. The That Ball's Outta Here article about this fantasized that Hernandez and Tocci could get it done - doubtful. And that the Phillies could flip him before next season which I suppose is technically true.
(I guess this belongs in the Winter 2017 thread now?)
It depends on what the trade price is. There are many combinations of prospects I'd consider giving up for two years of a 4-6 WAR player, with the possibility of getting first crack at re-signing him if he continues to rake, or to flip him for some other area of need if the Phils aren't contending by 2018.
The Phillies haven't had even a 5 WAR offensive player since 2011. The last time a Phillies hitter exceeded Dozier's 2016 WAR was Chase Utley in 2009. Dozier may not be able to keep it up, but he might. It seems worthwhile to gamble a little to get a player of that caliber.
So our plan is to acquire every available 2B to drive up the price on Hernandez? The Hunt Brothers tried this with silver.
Well, it is an interesting idea. I guess at least it is a sign that the full 40 man doesnt mean that the Phils management are done (nothing done of course but at least they might be trying to improve the ML team, which as it is awful).
