Phillies Hot Stove Discussion 2021-22

[EDmuch]

I would go Marte and Suzuki to fill gaps in OF and leave Did playing SS to start the season. If by 4th of July Did is not cutting it, then look at bringing Stott up. That way we address all 3 positions, LF, CF and SS without having to dumpster dive.

[zambonir]

I guess I'd just look to add a better defensive SS to augment Didi, who can (and will) also DH if his bat returns to some extent.

It remains too bad that Kingery can't be in the mix but I don't think he will be physically ready, regardless of whether he's capable of producing/performing in the long run. Much like Didi himself in 2019, he probably needs a few months to even be ready to play after the surgery (he won't even be on the 40 until that point) and will likely need a half-season of getting back into shape/rhythm - likely at AAA since he can't do that as bench player in MLB.

Matt Gelb is on vacation but it would be nice if someone could clarify what Muzziotti's status was and is.

[BostonRoss]

It looks to me as if the best chance to improve the defense is at SS since all of the free agents are way better than Gregorius defensively, especially Correa and Story. Upgrading CF defensively would require a trade since Marte and Taylor are not really better defensively than Herrera was. The LF candidates are really just as bad defensively as McCutchen, and some (Schwarber) would probably be worse. Another possibility is signing Bryant since he is way better than Bohm (who could move to LF and be the bad defender out there).

[Matt_Winkelman]

Muzziotti is on the 40 man roster currently. As far as I can tell an ABS test in April messed up his status online. He was added back about the time he started playing in the FCL, and since then the Phillies have been making 60 day IL moves (which can only be done when the 40 is at 40) as if he was on the roster. The Phillies also would have been obligated to return him from the restricted list 30 days after he returned to the team.

[andyb]

I think I recall some quiet 40-man move to create room for Muzziotti when his 30 days were up.

Curious what your protection list is. I think Garcia is a given to be added and I would add Ortiz (though it is probably not helping him that he is sitting on the bench in the Dominican this winter. If that was going to happen they should have gotten him to Arizona). Not sure I am in love with McArthur as a 40-man candidate though I can see the case.

[fish]

I just don't recall the Phillies ever being seriously involved in a Japanese free agent's initial posting.

More importantly, neither has Dave Dombrowski, except for expressing interest in Otani at the time.

[Taudawg]

This is a (somewhat expected) interesting development to watch -

Will Athletics trade their highest paid players?

Sadly, the Phillies are a very unlikely trade partner. Oakland's farm system is not great. I would expect them to want several top prospects in deals for Chapman or Olson.

[bkox]

Dave Dombrowski said he has a 2022 budget from John Middleton, even with a potential labor disruption ahead. What is the number? "I wouldn't tip my hand," Dombrowski said. "It's easy to tip my hand one way or the other. But I don't find it restrictive. Put it that way."

— Matt Gelb ( @MattGelb ) November 10, 2021

[bkox]

Dave Dombrowski told Bryson Stott to come to spring training "with the mindset of trying to win a spot with the big-league club."

Phillies will give Stott a chance to start '22 in MLB & that could impact how they approach the free-agent shortstop market. https://t.co/cALgM7enOj

— Matt Breen ( @matt_breen ) November 10, 2021

[EDmuch]

That is great to hear.

[zambonir]

Well it would certainly help Dombrowski make that budget.

I can't help but be cynical, or least see it all as just talk for now. If he's serious that means the Phillies won't be on the SS market at all, leaving Didi and Stott and a marginal veteran to compete for the job. If the by-product of that is going big on LF and CF, that could be okay. But when the rubber meets the road will Stott's service time become an issue?

All of this subject to new CBA and when the season actually starts too, of course.

[zambonir]

More notes

Although the Phillies haven’t ruled out a reunion with backup catcher Andrew Knapp, who became a free agent last week after being outrighted from the 40-man roster, Dombrowski said they are looking to upgrade the position. The Phillies are bullish on catching prospects Rafael Marchan and Logan O’Hoppe but want both to play everyday rather than back up workhorse catcher J.T. Realmuto. ... Dombrowski on former first-round picks Mickey Moniak and Adam Haseley as potential outfield solutions: “I’m not counting on either one of them to be on our club next year to start off.”

The Phillies are looking for a closer. Craig Kimbrel looms as a trade candidate.

[EDmuch]

Didi for Kimbrell seems to be a rather obvious exchange.

[andyb]

. If he's serious that means the Phillies won't be on the SS market at all, leaving Didi and Stott and a marginal veteran to compete for the job.

I imagine he is serious. Stott has shown he is probably close to ready with the bat (though everyone needs to relax about offensive numbers in Arizona where everybody hits).

I think this telegraphs they go for a defensive backup like Galvis and then have a competition between him and Didi and Stott. None of this means that Stott is a good defensive shortstop. Just they are going to spend their money elsewhere and hope for the best (like Bohm at 3B!!!!).

[andyb]

Didi for Kimbrell seems to be a rather obvious exchange.

Why would the White Sox have much interest in that? They need a closer. They have an all star SS. They might want to save money and move Kimbrell, but if that move is going to save money they can't bring any significant salary back.

The best solution for Didi is likely to hope for some recovery as the paragout could have contributed to the defensive decline. If Didi does not bounce back I think he just gets released at some point.

[bkox]

They need a closer.

Liam Hendricks is upset with your comment

[andyb]

My bad. I guess they know that Kimbrel has value as a closer off of what was on balance a good season for him.

Nothing changes the fact that Didi has negative value at the moment. Which means his best potential value to the Phillies is a bounce back season. If we trade him we will not get anything of value and likely have to pick up 90% of his contract. That is what negative WAR gets you. Kimbrel just delivered 2.5 WAR which is worth at least $16 million of actual value (or they would not have picked up his option).

[andyb]

Gelb is back from paternity leave with this Eflin update. Looks pretty clear that we cannot count on him at the beginning of the season if they can't even estimate his recovery now.

Matt Gelb: Zach Eflin had knee surgery almost two months... - The Athletic

[bigegypt0417]

I agree on the premise on them wanting Didi.

No way you get kimbrel for Didi. Teams will offer more than that.

[Philsmania]

This blogger suggests that the Phillies nontendering Torreyes may have been Dombrowski's way of sending a message to Girardi.

https://thatballsouttahere.com/2021/11/08/was-this-phillies-roster-move-attempt-force-joe-girardis-hand-ronald-torreyes/