Phillies Hot Stove, Winter 2023-24

[bkeich]

That would make sense, but I did think they had to. Maybe I am thinking of the process for a different sport.

[zambonir]

Does one's time on the 40-man roster not count towards "minor league free agency"? Or do you have to spend "X" number of days in the minors for the year to count? If you're only including Kingery's time prior to his signing of the MLB contract (and then his time after being DFA'ed) he certainly doesn't get there.

You have to "elect" free agency in MLB when you get DFA'ed, if you have the right to do so. Kingery did not have that right under his contract (or in terms of his major league service time I wouldn't think). But his contract was up. This is something else.

[Patchmk88]

Rumors that the Phillies have signed Joc Pederson. Supposedly he posted #ringthebell on his instagram. Trying to track it down.

[Patchmk88]

Actually looks like he posted a picture of him and the phanatic and with the caption - "It's always sunny in Philadelphia"

Joc Pederson on Instagram: "It’s always sunny in Philadelphia"

[phillychuck]

Isn't Pederson another DH-only defender at this point in his career?

[Patchmk88]

It is a bit of a weird signing if it comes to fruition. I think he played some 1B last year and probably plays the corner better than Schwarber but not by much. Haven't looked at his defensive stats. I know his advanced hitting metric are good though (baseball savant).

[andyb]

Isn't Pederson another DH-only defender at this point in his career?

Pretty much. Maybe they have a Castellanos deal in mind if this is true. One can get away with a sub-par LF I guess.

Not sure I would pay more than $8 million or so for him at this point though. He is at least a patient hitter.

[andyb]

And it does not appear true:

Joc Pederson posted a cool/funny photo of him and the Phanatic on IG, but it doesn't mean he's signing with the Phillies. They haven't even talked this offseason.

What a job!

— Todd Zolecki ( @ToddZolecki ) December 6, 2023

[Patchmk88]

Phillies beat reporters are saying that the Phillies haven't even talked to him. I'm guessing he was just trolling fans with his Instagram post.

[zambonir]

Pederson serving as his own PR guy/fake rumor source to drum up interest, smart!

[David_Criss]

Looking a the list of available right handed bullpen arms - my top 4 are retreads:
Kimbrel, take the last two games of the NLCS out and most of us would be asking why he isn't being signed to a 2 or 4-year deal.
Neris has seen his velocity drop, but still misses bats.
Robertson - third time is the charm maybe?
and then the other Maton.

After that.......

[andyb]

Robert Stephenson is the hot second tier name. Might be a little expensive for what the Phillies were looking for.

Robert Stephenson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More |...

[zambonir]

Kimbrel is too old for a two-year deal. And it wasn't just the last two games. I agree he was better than popular opinion but he wasn't as good down the stretch, and his loss of velocity is real.

I don't think the Phillies want another run at Robertson. Stephenson and Hicks, agree, might be too $$$. Ottavino or Maton are good predictions I think. Stanek a good buy low too.

[zambonir]

Phils' Harper eyes extension after deal is up

Boras speaks (again).

[VoteForKalas]

Harper can want that, but that is a long way down the road. That bridge will need to be crossed when we get there.

[zambonir]

I don't think it's a long way down the road at all. These drumbeats are too loud and the team has been part of it (as has the press). I'd say 10-1 odds it's done before March, 5-1 by next off-season, 100-1 it goes any longer than that.

[andyb]

Any chance he'll tack on some years at $15 million so we can lower the AAV?

[zambonir]

Ha, probably not quite that steep but I'm sure a big part of the process will be to lower the AAV, even if it's just a little bit.

Things are obviously very cordial between the Phillies and Boras, and they value Harper as much as he values himself. But Harper's camp wants this now because he's still playing at an elite level, the ballpark is full and he put the team ahead of himself by switching positions. They are not going to wait two years and risk being in a lower-leverage position (another injury, a bad year for either him or the team, a clear indication that his decline has started).

[VoteForKalas]

It will be a mistake IMO

[fish]

It will be a mistake IMO

I imagine this is more about Harper seeking a bigger piece of the pie for what he’s creating for the Phillies now than what value he expects to provide 9 years from now. For almost anyone but Ohtani and Harper that would be ….selfish? But Harper might as well have an ownership stake for what he does for the club and what he’s invested of himself.