Phillies Acquire OF Austin Hays from Baltimore

[andyb]

I really don't know how Hays will do against RHP. Imagine we might find out as soon as today. Looks like we don't face a LHP until next Wednesday (Cortes). Marsh has really taken a step back this season closer to what he was with the Angels. We did get a bit of a mistaken impression last year because he had lots of luck and avoided lefties. And Rojas had that classic first time in the league success last year where his playoff performance really suggested he needed half of this year in AAA (and he still might need that).

Looking forward BTW two huge matchups against the Yankees Monday and Tuesday. Gil vs Wheeler and then Cole vs Nola. Looking forward to that. The schedule is definitely more difficult in the second half.

[zambonir]

I feel like there's still too much angst about Marsh though. They were patient with Bohm when he could neither hit RHP (which is twice as prevalent) or defend his position for two seasons, and Bohm has more than 2000 career ABs and is about to turn 28. Marsh is 26, has 1300 ABs, and is elite defensively (+11 DRS this season). It's true he's that much worse against LHP but it's both a small sample and a chicken-egg thing. And he's still got a 110 OPS+ overall which is better than Austin Hays (but obviously you still platoon them).

I feel like the schedule gets easier in September. If there's any danger of truly losing ground, it starts with these six games (now five) and August.

[RolenRules]

"....and also cost us Hoskins."

True, and I like Rhys, but so far this year he has been at replacement level for the Brew Crew. So, the Phils probably made the right decision to not re-sign him.

[zambonir]

I didn't realize Rhys's season had taken a bad turn. In the end, I'm not sure the Phillies truly chose either Castellanos or moving Harper over Rhys; they didn't want to give him a multi-year deal (though presumably after the injury he would have taken the QO).

[flyers19rw]

In fairness to Hoskins he has been hurt and still isn’t 100%. His bat has been missed, strikeouts and all. What hasn’t been missed is his play at 1B. Harper has outplayed him at the position and that has been a noticeable improvement.