Phillies Hot Stove Discussion 2021-22

[Taudawg]

I’m not overly optimistic on Phillies chances in SS market even if they are in on big names. I believe Correa signs with the Yankees. Seager signs back with the Dodgers. Baez back with the Mets (thanks, not interested anyway). Phillies left to compete for Semien and Story. Semien is going to get too much and too many years for 31 year old who was trending downward defensively before playing 2021 at 2B. I want nothing to do with Story unless the price is considerably less and shorter than the others. I don’t believe he is a star outside Colorado.

[EDmuch]

I had read an article that the Yanks were focused upon getting Marte to play center and bat leadoff, a first base upgrade from Voit and at least 2 more starting pitchers.

[Taudawg]

Yesterday Cashman indicated SS was a top priority - https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/10/cashman-discusses-yankees-offseason-provides-injury-updates.html

[zambonir]

You forgot Andrelton Simmons!

Can't actually disagree with your analysis though.

[Taudawg]

You forgot Andrelton Simmons!

I did. He's actually the guy I want the Phillies to sign - One year deal. Still elite defense.

[zambonir]

Is he still elite though? And if so, will he take a one-year deal? If his bat doesn't bounce back at all and his defense is in age-related decline I'm not sure he's that much better than Galvis.

And if they do go modest at SS (including keeping Didi at least part-time) really changes what they have to do in the OF.

[Taudawg]

4th highest DWAR in 2021 (all positions) 3rd at SS. 5th in Total Zone Runs. 2nd in SS Range (or 4th depending on measurement). Hugh improvement on defense, and much better than Galvis. He hits 9th with DH.

I would look to move Didi for another bad or risky contract, that also somewhat solves another hole (LF, CF). Of course, Didi would have to solve something for the other team as well. Harder than it sounds of course.

[zambonir]

Well, that's interesting, but Galvis did put up 1.0 WAR in 394 PAs. Simmons 1.4 in 451. And he was not a good offensive player in 2019 (or half of 2020) either. Even if Simmons' bat returns to - what, .650-.680 OPS? - I don't know if he's that much of an upgrade; and may even be just as much of a prayer as thinking Didi will find his bat and give you 1.5 WAR.

If you do it, you really have to fill CF well (assuming LF is a big bat no matter what).

[andyb]

Getting a SS on a 1-year deal for me is all about whether the Phillies think Stott can play SS. If not, they should get a longer term SS.

[bkox]

Why bringing back Freddy Galvis in 2022 makes sense for the Phillies

[julio]

Why bringing back Freddy Galvis in 2022 makes sense for the Phillies

Nothing like hyperbole by the media: re-signing Freddy Galvis is “vital” to the Phillies!

[andyb]

How much difference is there in Torreyes at SS compared to Galvis? Our problem with Torreyes last year was that he had nowhere near the offense one would want for 3B. If Torreyes gets only 200 AB and is primarily a SS rather than a 3B, is it really that important who fills that role? If you want a starter at SS Galvis is a little better (and SImmons might be a little better than Galvis if his offense bounces back a bit).

These just don't seem like decisions that are that important compared to who plays CF, LF, 3B, and closer.

[Austinfan]

Unless of course they think Garcia is the SS of the future, his ETA is 2023-2024.
Given his plus defense, anything over .700 OPS makes him a 3-4 WAR SS.
It's sort of the Crawford argument all over again.Who had a .714 OPS and 3.1 WAR (FG) last season.

[andyb]

Stott is just about ready. Garcia is much more uncertain even if he is much more likely to stick at SS. Stott's bat is what can play now (or by midseason) with some certainty. Garcia is just not good enough to plan around yet even if there is a pretty good chance that he can be the long term SS (say a 30% chance at the moment).

[Taudawg]

How much difference is there in Torreyes at SS compared to Galvis?

I would say not much. Both hit lefties pretty well and as bad as Didi's was, he was much worse against lefties than righties. Freddy is a switch hitter, which could be handy when 3B and 2B need a rest. Freddy's number off righties are better than Torreyes. If they are going to run it back with Didi, I think I'd rather have Freddy instead of Torreyes. Not by a wide margin though.

These just don't seem like decisions that are that important compared to who plays CF, LF, 3B, and closer.

Agreed.

[Taudawg]

Given his plus defense,

I'm not sold on Stott's defense at SS, but less so with Garcia's. Just basing this on minor league numbers, neither seem to have great range at SS.

[zambonir]

What's funny about this is not only are they redundant skill sets/positions, they are also redundant intangibles. Freddy the veteran who wants to stay with his original team; Torreyes the manager's favorite. But they're also not the same money.

[andyb]

Given a choice I probably prefer Freddy. Main point is we don't need them both. We need a real 3B (maybe Bohm) and then the choice is between getting a better SS, hoping on Didi rebounding a bit, or using one as a defensive stopgap until Stott is ready relatively early next season.

[zambonir]

I forgot Freddy was so cheap. Technically Torreyes could cost more if tendered (which he won't be).

“I had heard when Freddy was here how important he was to the culture,” Girardi said.

Ah yes, the storied culture of the Freddy Galvis/Ryne Sandberg/Pete Mackanin era.

[DurhamBull]

Once Galvis returned to the Phils, I often heard the radio guys mention how well-liked he is, and that he's a positive presence in the clubhouse. He's lost a step defensively and is now probably just good rather than exceptional, and his offense has never been very good. But he can competently cover 2B, SS, and 3B, is a clubhouse positive, and doesn't cost too much. He knows the team and they know him. For more or less the same $, I doubt the Phils can do better than Galvis in the backup IF role.

He might end up starting a number of games (as did Miller and Torreyes this season) and these backup players always get overexposed in that situation, but I think that's just life when your starters aren't starting.