Phillies Hot Stove 2022-23

[miker]

Kevin Pillar still available. Righthanded bat with some experience in centerfield and could spell Marsh against tough lefties.

[Aquapong]

I guess they believed in guys below Maton and Vierling on the depth chart to provide at least as much production.

[allentown]

I don't think the Philies were as high on Vierling as many fans were. He did not have a good 2022 with an OBA below .300 and an OPS not all that much above .600.

[zambonir]

I mean, he did lose the starting CF job twice (including a demotion to AAA the first time). But he still wound up being a useful spare part and platoon player (.333 OBP, 113 OPS+). The Phillies just have the luxury of being able to say that even if he hits his highest possible ceiling, they still don't really have a place for him to do that, and especially not this season.

And Clemens still might be just as good (as Maton too).

[schillingfan]

I don't think the Philies were as high on Vierling as many fans were. He did not have a good 2022 with an OBA below .300 and an OPS not all that much above .600.

But he was IMO the best eye-candy on the team. But, who knows what Marsh looks like without all that hair?

[zambonir]

Heh, Maton was pretty cute too no?

Marsh:

[Austinfan]

Clemons - Maton was a wash, Maton has more upside but Clemons a better skill set for a bench player (LH power off the bench).

Sands can probably play in the majors, a Coste type who probably doesn't field well enough to start at catcher and doesn't hit enough to start at 1B or DH, but who'd be a useful bench piece.

Even if Vierling turns out to be a 20 HR, starting RF with plus defense, which would be a pretty valuable player, Phillies will be starting 4 OFs in LHV, two with similar skills sets (De La Cruz, Ortiz), two who are true CFs (Rojas, Muzzioti). Since there's no spot open for Vierling at the corner until one of Castellanos, Schwarber, Harper and Hoskins moves on, he'd be a part-time player this year. And next year he'd be competing with one of those kids for a starting job - and if the Phillies drafted right, Crawford/Boyd and a couple others would finish next season in Reading.

[zambonir]

Kody Clemens Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More |...

[julio]

Clemons - Maton was a wash, Maton has more upside but Clemons a better skill set for a bench player (LH power off the bench).

Clemens - his father was pretty famous, spelling is well-known!

I wonder how often I'm going to be tempted to do this...

[zambonir]

yeah I felt like I was channeling you a little bit there (but i thought maybe seeing it on his BBRef page might help people get used to it).

I used to spell Ryan Madson "Madsen," a brain lock that I think came from the NBA player Mark. So I guess some people are thinking Clarence, which I can respect. But not Samuel.

[julio]

So I guess some people are thinking Clarence, which I can respect. But not Samuel.

... and never the twain shall meet?

[phillychuck]

Channelling your Rudyard Kipling again, j?

[zambonir]

The Phillies announce a small trade: Giants RHP Yunior Marte in exchange for LHP Erik Miller.

— Alex Coffey ( @byalexcoffey ) January 9, 2023

[andyb]

Another guy that touches 99. Control became much better in the minors last year though he struggled in the majors. Nice AAA depth I guess and much more likely than Miller to contribute in 2023. There goes the last 40-man spot. Still need to see where Morales ends up.

This pitch from Marte is kind of Alvarado-like:

Yunior Marte.

In. pic.twitter.com/PLtYijPQNn

— Jack Fritz ( @JackFritzWIP ) January 9, 2023

[fish]

Man, adding Uelmen, Duplantier, and Marte- those are the kinds of moves good teams make to buffer a bullpen with depth. Dombrowski is on fire.

A lot to like about Marte- he seems to have a very busy delivery to get that kind of movement, but a little tweak or two to lock in some improved command and he could really be something. Of course, he also looks like he could rip his shoulder and/or elbow to shreds on every pitch- but well worth the lottery ticket. Is it me, or does he look like Marvin Freeman in his delivery? Geez I've gotten old.

[phillychuck]

Fish, his delivery is similar, but Starvin' Marvin seemed much taller and skinnier and I don't remember him as having the kind of stuff Marte seems to have.

Miller is a good prospect, so this might work out for both teams. Miller is pretty consensus "second-half of our top-ten prospect" who is now duplicative as a LHRP. Great K-rates and astronomical BB rates.

[andyb]

Fangraphs is pretty balanced on the Soto deal. This definitely has the potential to work for both sides since there is more playing time opportunity on the Tigers end for Vierling and Maton.

Hard-Throwing Reliever Gregory Soto Is Headed to Philly

[zambonir]

I will be so curious to see A) what they get for Morales and B) if they really do trade someone else from the bullpen. Coonrod and Nelson both still have options (as does Ortiz).

[andyb]

I worry a little bit that all these hard throwers are 1-inning pitchers. The upside of lots of late inning options is balanced by the downside of fewer middle inning options. I would really love to see Nelson and/or Sanchez win a job even though they may not have the most pure talent.

[zambonir]

I gotta think they are still holding a spot for one of those guys. Strahm and Brogdon (if all his issues are resolved) could also give you four or five outs. Certainly Nick Nelson might still make the team.