Phillies Hot Stove Discussion 2021-22

zambonir 2022-01-18 18:10:14 UTC #1064

Bowden and his readers spitballing.

I do think it will be interesting to see how much 3B/trading Bohm really does come up. I think that Kimbrel trade is actually more than fair value if no money is involved (but I also doubt the Phillies are looking to add that kind of $ to the bullpen now).

A’s trade 3B Matt Chapman and OF Ramón Laureano to Phillies for 3B Alec Bohm and RHP Andrew Painter — Jim M.
This deal makes a lot of sense for both sides, Jim. What time is the news conference?

A’s trade 3B Matt Chapman and LHP Sean Manaea to Phillies for 3B Alec Bohm, RHP Francisco Morales, LHP Erik Miller and OF Mickey Moniak — Jesus G.
I love this trade from the Phillies’ perspective, but hate it from the A’s point of view, mainly because I don’t value Morales, Miller and Moniak as highly as you apparently do. I also think Oakland would do better trading Chapman and Manaea in separate deals.

Phillies trade RHP Hans Crouse and another top 20 prospect to White Sox for RHP Craig Kimbrel — Jake U.
First of all, I wouldn’t trade for Kimbrel until I saw him pitch in spring training. Teams need to ensure he’s rebounded from his disappointing second half of 2021 and can regain the form he displayed with the Cubs in the first half of 2021. But even if Kimbrel pitches well in the spring, I wouldn’t do this trade if I’m the White Sox because I’m not convinced Crouse will live up to the hype and I don’t think he’s a good enough prospect to land Kimbrel.

andyb 2022-01-18 19:11:46 UTC #1065

What do we think of the Chapman and Laureano proposed deal? Not awful if you privately determine that Bohm is never going to be an acceptable 3B. Definitely a win-now Dombrowski type move. I also think Painter has a lower ceiling than Abel so given a choice would deal him even though our starting pitching depth in the minors is really, really, really thin after Abel and Painter.

The other deal that amasses our failed prospects is a non-starter most likely.

zambonir 2022-01-18 19:29:30 UTC #1066

Yeah I'm with Bowden on that deal. It's a big move and a win-now move but it fills two big holes with two controllable players (Chapman FA 2024, Laureano 2025) and would leave a lot of money to fill LF or maybe even eat Didi's contract. Or more pitching.

And yeah you privately determine not only that Bohm won't be an above-average 3B, but that his bat might not play at 1B/LF/DH.

And of course TINSAAPP.

My preference is still either all-in or not-at-all-in, and since the latter obviously isn't happening...

zambonir 2022-01-19 23:57:06 UTC #1067

Fans listed CF as the biggest need, followed by bullpen.

I think the preference for Bryant is a combination of familiarity (he plays in the NL, he's Bryce's buddy) and figuring the Phillies won't sign a FA SS.

LoneStarPhan 2022-01-20 00:47:06 UTC #1068

I find it difficult to get excited about the current Hot Stove period. Manfred's ineptitude in getting this lock out settled is in my opinion, threatening the existence of MLB to be a major sport going forward. If this is not settled in time to start the season with time for a meaningful spring training period, I think MLB suffers significant damage. The trend already has not been kind to baseball and I would not be shocked to see a huge disaster for MLB if they let this work stoppage/lockout continue into the season.

allentown 2022-01-20 01:08:35 UTC #1069

Demographics certainly aren't in baseball's favor. They would be well advised to avoid self-inflicted wounds. Baseball simply isn't a major sport at most high schools and colleges.

zambonir 2022-01-20 02:52:51 UTC #1070

Yeah I'm not sure the lockout will have any effect on the lack of interest from people under 35 (and even more so, kids) either way. Just cost them some money from disgusted fans they already have (but who usually come back).

Problem is, to the owners Manfred is not at all inept. He gave them big wins in the last two CBAs (under Selig the first time), and ownership's hard line is consistent with how they've handled the free agent markets in recent years, as well as the minor league re-organization and COVID policies. Add in that they know the players will bear far more than their actual share of the blame, and can also less afford to go without $, and they will stay dug in.

But also, both sides know there won't be any real progress until the season is actually threatened. A lockout is the same thing as a lawsuit really, it is part of the negotiating process and nothing happens until the court date is close.

fish 2022-01-20 04:51:19 UTC #1071

It really feels like to me the culture of the day is that ownership will go to great lengths to put down this labor “uprising “ and the union knows they have to stick to their guns to endure a hardship to get leverage to level the playing field.

I’m way more pro labor on this work stoppage than the last, though I’m sure both sides will take for granted the game and the money will be there for them again when it’s all over.

zambonir 2022-01-20 17:45:43 UTC #1072

Nationals have hired away Kevin Frandsen for their TV team. I wonder if the Phillies will hire a full-time replacement (i.e. ease LA out).

DurhamBull 2022-01-21 01:02:28 UTC #1073

I didn't see that coming. Congrats to Frandsen. I wonder who will replace him?

bkox 2022-01-21 02:55:50 UTC #1074

We should demand compensation! Ill take Juan Soto! He seems like fair comp.

zambonir 2022-01-21 03:32:42 UTC #1075

It is a big promotion obviously. He seems to be the sole TV color guy, unlike what the Phillies do (of course that network is probably pretty thrifty too).

I guess the question is will they replace him or just shuffle the deck.

fish 2022-01-21 04:29:38 UTC #1076

Losing Frandsen is a shame- he had an infectious enthusiasm this team can't really afford to lose.

xogfog 2022-01-21 08:52:42 UTC #1077

Lucky_Beagle 2022-01-24 02:17:48 UTC #1078

The Brewers have hired Matt Klentak for a special assistant role, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Matt Gelb (Twitter link).

zambonir 2022-01-24 03:51:15 UTC #1079

Link didn't take but here you go.

Former Phillies GM Matt Klentak is joining the Brewers as a special assistant, sources tell me and @MattGelb . The Phillies reassigned Klentak to a position as strategy and development officer after he stepped down as GM in Oct. 2020. Had one year left on his deal with the Phils.
— Ken Rosenthal ( @Ken_Rosenthal ) January 24, 2022

I wonder what the connection is, if any? Compared to Seattle or the Mets, two GMs he previously worked for.

(Oh, now I remember that Eppler and David Stearns are really close.)

Philsmania 2022-01-24 15:14:22 UTC #1080

I wonder if the Phillies need to update the front office section of their website. Obviously, Klentak's departure just happened but McPhail is still on there as "President". I thought he was gone by now.

zambonir 2022-01-24 16:07:15 UTC #1081

But it wasn't that long ago.... and also since the lockout (not that that is an issue per se but obviously slow times at mlb.com).

At least they managed to get Kilambi on there.

And there's been no suggestion of MacPhail sticking around as an advisor, so that's good.

bigegypt0417 2022-01-24 16:15:58 UTC #1082

The Brewers are a pretty smart organization...they are able to build good teams using relatively low amounts of salary...they also don't have the greatest farm system....

zambonir 2022-01-24 17:44:59 UTC #1083

They fired their last GM and hired David Stearns away from a contending team before the Phillies even got around to officially firing Amaro (with MacPhail also sitting on the sidelines "observing" for three months).

People still think Stearns is going to go become President of the Mets, in which case Klentak could go with him, or who knows, even become Milwaukee's GM (with the current GM as his President/boss).