Phillies Hot Stove 2022-23

[Taudawg]

Bryce Harper Undergoes Tommy John Surgery

[flyers19rw]

I’m not in favor of messing around with Bohm’s defensive positioning unless it’s on a permanent basis. We’ve seen how his defensive lapses have had a negative affect on him at the plate. It probably is not a coincidence that his improvement in hitting last season occurred at the same time as his fielding. There is little question that he put a tremendous amount of effort into improving his play in the field and it bore success. Since he presently is on track with the glove and bat, just leave him alone where he is having success.

[andyb]

The wording of the article seems to imply Bryce is back at some point in May, though likely at DH for a month or two at that point.

Hall as the extra roster DH for those first 6 weeks does make sense. A RH bat will complement him as they will want to get their extra right-handed OF (Vierling or someone else) plus Sosa in the lineup against all LHP.

This probably increases the importance of breaking camp with a solid rotation. Not sure it matters with the shortstop decision since that is more of a 6-8 year proposition. Having a solid 4th starter though will be important in those early weeks without assuming that one of the kids will win that job or even the 5th starter job (which likely starts with Falter at this point).

[Austinfan]

I think they will add one starter, either an over 30 on a one year deal or someone younger on longer-term deal who could potentially replace Nola or Wheeler. Falter/Sanchez to start the season is fine for the 5th starter, with a AAA rotation of McGarry, Painter, Abel, Skirrow, Plassmeyer?, Miller.

[andyb]

There are no under 30 free agent pitchers that could replace Nola or Wheeler (even Rodon turns 30 this year). The more likely scenario is spending $10-$15 million a year on a 4th starter. Eflin or Walker potentially. Assume they will not be in the market for DeGrom or Verlander. One can wish for a magic 29-year-old who will take a $15 million/1 year contract, but they don't grow on trees unfortunately.

There is a strong chance of a trade (potentially involving any prospect but Painter) to fill one of these jobs if we want someone younger.

[flyers19rw]

A tweet from Salisbury:
"According to a person with knowledge of the situation, Bryce Harper had Tommy John surgery today and it went "very well." Could be back hitting competitively by mid-May."
Gelb reported that Harper should be back as DH by the AS game.

[zambonir]

I predict they still sign or trade for a corner OF type, and move on from Hall or Vierling (though both can remain in the organization of course). Either someone who is actually good enough to play RF regularly or a Matt Stairs, Ross Gload type who can still go out and stand there - unlike Hoskins or Hall, apparently - on days Nick is either the DH or in LF (with Schwarber as DH).

They weathered Harper's absence beautifully last year but that also came during a time of modest expectations and many weak opponents. Neither thing will be the case this April and May.

[Taudawg]

4:50pm: The Phillies announced the surgery and provided this update about his timeline: “The prognosis is for Bryce to be returning as the designated hitter by the All-Star break of 2023 with a possible return to play right field towards the end of the regular season.”

[Taudawg]

I think Harper, once back, DHs all of 2023

[andyb]

If he can't play OF until late (like September) I imagine you are right. DH all year. I guess the Japanese guy is a little more interesting now. Could play LF the first half of the year and fit into a rotation when Harper is back assuming nobody else is hurt then.

[phillychuck]

There is a big difference between mid-May and after the all-star game. The mid-May report seems a bit more optimistic in terms of returning to DH with the MLB club, maybe by early to mid June.

[zambonir]

At some point you have to wonder if Bryce should ever play RF again. He'll want to, of course, but come spring training 2024 you're looking at a 31 year-old who hasn't played the position regularly for two years and was already no longer that good a fielder (he just happened to be better than most of his teammates). And there will also be an opening at 1B.

I reckon they'll turn up someone we haven't thought of. A mid-level trade or free agent. There are still a few teams out there with extra OFs or blocked prospects.

The Phillies probably don't want to be that optimistic on the record, but they are obviously still Salisbury's source. And Bryce's history says he'll push the timeline.

It's easy to forget this injury isn't even the reason he was out of the line-up this past season, just the reason he DH'ed.

[Aquapong]

Kind of disappointing they don’t have livestreamed surgeries for big name players by this point. There’s probably a market for a paid website for that stuff.

[zambonir]

Amazing there's never been a Dr. Andrews or Dr. Jobe reality show (though Jobe's been gone a while). But I guess that's how you lose cred as an actual doctor. And then next thing you know you're running for Senate.

[julio]

Kind of disappointing they don’t have livestreamed surgeries for big name players by this point. There’s probably a market for a paid website for that stuff.

HIPAA.

[zambonir]

In such a scenario the player would obviously be waiving his rights (and cashing a nice check for it).

[Aquapong]

Onlyfans MLB.

[EDmuch]

In teh current situation, perhaps Cody Bellinger is the right call. From what I have heard he wants a one year deal so he can reestablish his value. And one year is exactly what the Phils would need from him.

[zambonir]

It's true, the Harper situation makes him more intriguing. But I also think the bigger you go on an OF (assuming you still get a SS and 4th starter) the more likely you are to just move on from Hoskins. Bellinger is still probably a $15 million player on the open market (yeah, he wants to reestablish his value, but that value is supposed to be a $20-30 million AAV multi-year deal)... and still a risk. You can't presume Cody Bellinger will return to form and give you what you want any more than you might presume a cheap young player or modestly priced declining vet would.

Doing nothing (besides a SS) and going bigger on pitching while sticking with last year's RF/DH situation is also a strategy, of course.

[Aquapong]

Bellinger would be a luxury to me. SS, SP, and RP first.