Phillies Hot Stove Discussion 2021-22

[BostonRoss]

Another Phillies pitcher will bat, as soon as they get Ohtani!

[xogfog]

I dreamt that the Phillies came out of the lock out and signed Correa, Bryant and Diekman, traded Kingory, Stott and Painter for Chapman, Laureano and Puk and offloaded Gregorious and rolled out a lineup of:

CF Laureano
SS Correa
RF Harper
C Realmuto
1B Hoskins
LF Bryant
3B Chapman
2B Segura
DH Bohm

[EDmuch]

Man !!!!! What did you have before you went to sleep ?????

[xogfog]

Spaghetti & Meatballs

[EDmuch]

That must have been a heck of a spaghetti sauce !!!

[xogfog]

Classico Spicy Red Pepper

[andyb]

It does look like they are getting close to settling (I am more annoyed than optimistic but it seems likely to happen.) Eventual deal probably has a CBT threshold in the $225 to $230 million range. Cot's contracts currently has us at $179 million. Cot's already uses a $700K estimate for the roster spots on the 26-man roster not filled, so that will not change the $179 million.

That means we have about $45 million to spend assuming no subtractions. So assuming we are unable to move Didi and decide to keep Segura, how do we spend $45 million? One big bat seems certain. Bryant would use up over half that flexibility. Imagine we are reserving $15-$20 million to help the bullpen also. Schwarber or someone like that provides a bit more flexibility. It does seem likely that we just go with defense in CF at this point.

Thoughts on what we should do?

MLB Philadelphia 22

[zambonir]

That means we have about $45 million to spend assuming no subtractions. So assuming we are unable to move Didi and decide to keep Segura, how do we spend $45 million? One big bat seems certain. Bryant would use up over half that flexibility. Imagine we are reserving $15-$20 million to help the bullpen also. Schwarber or someone like that provides a bit more flexibility. It does seem likely that we just go with defense in CF at this point.

I think that's probably way high on the bullpen. Maybe one more $5 million arm, a couple of $2 million fliers (or less if they can find another young option instead of a minor league FA). Also there will just be a glut of players available.

There aren't really that many spots open even:

Alvarado
Brogdon
Coonrod
Dominguez (admittedly an unknown quantity)
Knebel

Figure one of the other guys currently on the 40 makes it, if not two (the likes of Emanuel, Sheriff etc.). Then 1-2 free agents (one guaranteed, one minor league). And one spot will no doubt be used for the options merry-go-round.

Plus you've got Falter as a possible lefty (though more likely to depth start) and Romero.

[Aquapong]

With momentum towards a CBA really building now…who should we go after? The lowest it looks like the first luxury tax threshold will be is $230 mil now. That allows is $20 mil more if ownership is willing to spend it.

[Austinfan]

But everyone else gets $20M more to play with, so beware of overpriced FAs the first few days.

[andyb]

Maybe we can start talking actual baseball in a few days. Though I am guessing that hoping Kevin Long will fix Alec Bohm immediately is too much to ask for.

Where Is Alec Bohm’s Power?

[bkeich]

Ok.

CF. LF. Starting Pitcher. DH?

Bohm pretty much has to be penciled in at 3B. Gregorius at SS. Maybe, maybe not for both, but those are my assumptions. Marchan as backup C?

Go

[andyb]

What’s next for Phillies with MLB lockout over? How they could approach filling...

Next 3 days till mandatory reporting on Sunday should be fun.

[andyb]

Now on to the visa issues....

Matt Gelb: The mandatory report date for players is Sunday... - The Athletic

[bkeich]

Well, at least we dont have any players from Russia or Ukraine, that would be a little worse.

Maybe someone in the government will act to clear these 100s of work visa's for high paying (and taxable) jobs. Probably not.

[zambonir]

Already down to three starting pitchers if Eflin isn't also ready.

I don't think Marchan was ever pencilled in as back-up C. They will try one of the two new guys, and/or possibly bring in a more proven/older vet. They want Marchan to play every day and continue building his trade value (assuming he's not traded in the spring of course). Can't imagine they keep 4 on the 40 regardless.

[Squire]

Does Conforto still cost us a 2nd rounder if we sign him?

[andyb]

There should not be compensation for anyone now.

[julio]

MLB Trade Rumors is reporting that the old compensation rules remain in effect for QO'ed players:

Old qualifying offer rules remain in place for this group of free agents, meaning that if new teams sign Correa, Freeman, Story, Castellanos, and Conforto, they’ll be subject to draft pick forfeiture.

MLB Owners Expected To Ratify CBA At 6pm; Transactions Unfrozen Immediately...

[zambonir]

Could be totally wrong - and we'll find out soon enough - but I'm wondering if it isn't just the opposite. That the old CBA QO rules remain in place this year, pending the July 25th agreement. After that they will either go away or stay in place. That would also keep the teams who signed guys early from being punished.

(Ah, just cross-posted with julio's which is more explicit).

Major League Baseball secured a provisional agreement to discuss the implementation of an international draft, setting a July 25 deadline for the two parties to come to terms on a format that would go into effect in 2024. If an agreement is reached, the qualifying offer system pertaining to free agency will be eliminated. Absent an agreement on the international draft, the two sides agreed that both the qualifying offer system and the current international free-agent system will remain in place.

MLB, MLBPA Reach New Collective Bargaining Agreement