Phillies 2021 Spring Training Discussion

[andyb]

I would go with Haseley and Quinn. Save the 40-man move for now but have Herrera for injury insurance unless Herrera wanted some sort of contract buyout deal (it would have to be for a bit less than the contract overall for it to be worth it for the Phillies).

[Taudawg]

And now Haseley hits an RBI single to right. I kind of think he’s our starting CF on Thursday and Herrera starts the season at AAA.

I am in agreement. Herrera looks to be in great shape - speed and defense may have fully returned. He also clearly still has the bat to ball skills, but his approach and timing need work. Likely a product of 2 years off. Also, once the Phillies decided to add 3 non-rosters players to the team, I was no longer onboard with Herrera making the team. Taking 4 players off the 40 will require sacrificing several quality young player(s).

[zambonir]

It's probably Quinn against Max Fried, and a platoon in general. But as far as the roster spot, yeah. Herrera had to rise above the pack to overcome both not being on the 40 and the baggage; at this point it's just good asset management to keep him in the minors.

The only other advantage Herrera could have offered would have been if putting him and his sunk cost at CF let the Phillies turn one of the other guys into trade assets. But none of them are worth that much; certainly not more than what they might provide to the Phillies as both current depth and as controllable players for several years to come.

[zambonir]

Joe on the broadcast raving about Torreyes - his leadership, his versatility, how great he was at the alternate site last year, how happy the clubhouse is that he made the team. We often scoff at that sort of thing (i.e. the David Bell effect) but we're also not there.

Bryce just left the park, 6-2 Phillies in the 4th.

[Philsmania]

Could it happen, a win over the Blue Jays?!

Heading into today, the Phillies were 12-14 overall down in Florida, 0-7 against the Blue Jays, 12-7 against everyone else.

[Philsmania]

Joe on the broadcast raving about Torreyes - his leadership, his versatility, how great he was at the alternate site last year, how happy the clubhouse is that he made the team. We often scoff at that sort of thing (i.e. the David Bell effect) but we're also not there.

Bryce just left the park, 6-2 Phillies in the 4th.

The irony about Bell is that he wasn't all that he was cracked up to be "in the clubhouse". As you say, it's easy to dismiss but we're not there and we're not the ones who have to work together in close proximity to each other and spending a lot of time together on the road away from family. It's easy for us to say "So what, [insert name of some other guy] is an abrasive jerk, his teammates need to deal with it."

[andyb]

Quinn has been fighting some food poisoning the last few days which is why he has not played much.

[HopeSpringsEternal]

Could it happen, a win over the Blue Jays?!

Maybe not. Alvarado gives up a 3-run HR to make it 7-7 in the top of the 7th. Alvarado’s ineffectiveness has been a bit concerning.

[donaldorc]

So much for beating Toronto! Alvarado, whom we thought was a great answer to our bullpen woes gives up 4 runs and Toronto now leads 8-7.

[andyb]

Alvarado's stuff seems a little down today (sitting 98 instead of 100) and his control was just off. Not worried now because the mound is wet and they all may be trying to just not get hurt, but something to notice in case the next outing is not as good.

Pretty sure Romero will be back within a couple of weeks and also wonder whether they might look for other left-handed relief (a lower cost version of Watson?).

Edit - Tyler Carr - not too impressive. Not any sort of prospect of course. That was a little hard to watch.

[Lucky_Beagle]

maybe even Watson himself at a different salary?

[zambonir]

I do wonder if we'll get a few guys back on the alternate site roster. But the Phillies' can't really offer anyone a guaranteed major league spot, so if you're Watson what do you prioritize at this point, a higher salary if and when you get added to the roster or a better - even guaranteed - spot on the 40.

[andyb]

I think we'll sign a couple of potential players. They can give a $100K alternate site retention bonus and construct a new opt out date in May or June. Some of the older vets like Watson may prefer to go home and work out, but some who have made less money probably want to go to where they'll have a good shot at promotion.

[Philsmania]

ST 2021 is over. Phillies finish 12-15 and an astonishing 0-8 against Toronto. Better brace ourselves for a lost weekend in Buffalo in May.

[Philsmania]

My pet prediction about Watson remains that he signs with another NL East team and is really, really good this year.

[andyb]

Better brace ourselves for a lost weekend in Buffalo in May.

At the moment that lost weekend would be in Dunedin. I think the plan is to play there until Canadian travel is OK'd. Not sure they would draw enough in Buffalo to make it worth it, and if the players could not drive home they probably have a better setup in Florida for them.

[zambonir]

But there is one thing Kingery wants to make clear: He does not regret making the changes he made — with an independent hitting instructor he met, not on a recommendation from the Phillies — before a breakout 2017 season in the minors.

Phillies' Scott Kingery ready to 'clear his mind' and reset his swing away from...

[LoneStarPhan]

Yes, a horrendous result against Toronto in spring games this year. Of course, spring stats and results mean almost nothing. Time to shake off the bad from spring training and focus on winning starting Thursday.

Still, after last season, seeing the bullpen blow good size leads in 4 of the final 5 spring games just puts doubt in the back of my mind. Today, it was the real relievers who got hit around. Neris for 2 in the sixth and then Alvarado torched in the 7th. I would like to have been able to stash Watson at the alternate site for awhile. We remain short on LH pitchers in the bullpen.

We should see the final moves needed to clear spaces on the 40 man roster and the resolution of the centerfield situation to open the season within the next 48 hours.

[LoneStarPhan]

This Strategy Could Save the Phillies Roster Space or Money

Suggests the Phillies might DFA Kingery. If he is claimed, they are off the hook for the remainder of his contract. If not claimed, he is assigned to minors and opens up 40 man roster spot similarly to what happened with Herrera prior to last season. They note that Kingery is due to make more than normally paid to a utility player and that the Phillies have some top prospects for the middle infield in addition to having Didi and Jean under contract through next season.

Food for thought.

[zambonir]

'Tis settled

https://twitter.com/Phillies/status/1376655116300910593/photo/1

There's no reason to DFA Kingery. They need him on the team this year. His future ceiling in any case is still worth more than Cristopher Sanchez.