Phillies Hot Stove, Winter 2023-24

[zambonir]

Back to the future!

And Ort seems to have an option.

The Phillies announce a couple moves and updates

- Andrew Bellatti & Simon Muzziotti were outrighted to AAA and will attend camp as non-roster invitees

-RHP David Buchanan has signed a minor league deal & non-roster invitee

-Claimed RHP Kaleb Ort, DFA INF Diego Castillo

— The Good Phight ( @TheGoodPhight ) February 13, 2024

[zambonir]

For those that are not sickos. David Buchanan was a 7th round pick in 2010, had a good 2014 season in the majors, a terrible 2015, spent 2016 in AAA. He then went to Japan and Korea where in 7 seasons he went
76-61 3.50 ERA 1169.2 IP
Last 4 years in KBO - 54-28 3.02 ERA 699.2 IP

— Matt Winkelman ( @Matt_Winkelman ) February 13, 2024

[bkox]

David Buchanan

Hes definitely stretched out as a starter. Seems a great depth move assuming there is no out clause where he has to be called up by a certain date or can ask for release.

[andyb]

I was thinking the reason they got Castillo was they preferred him to Castro. Supposedly better defensively. I guess Castro does have the higher offensive upside.

[bkox]

Kaleb Ort

Ort seems to have had a very unique career path. Didnt play professionally until he was 24. And that was in indy ball. Put up a 6.20 ERA in indy ball but the Yanks saw something they liked and grabbed him. Has been great in the minors. 2.89 ERA in 229IP 12.4K per 9.

Made his MLB debut at age 29 and has stunk in the MLB. 6.27 ERA over 51.1 innings over 3 seasons with Boston. 1.703 WHIP

Maybe the Phillies feel they can turn his minors success into something.

[zambonir]

well it's still a great depth move even if there is one. what's the downside?

[andyb]

what's the downside?

Losing Castillo potentially. Clearly DD or the Tampa guy are 40-man roster tinkerers that are looking for cheap depth with options. Ort does throw pretty hard. He has just rarely been good.

I get the feeling that all these marginal waiver claims are 50-50 to be with the organization after the season starts. Now is a period of great roster churn and we'll have one more as rosters are finalized.

[zambonir]

That was replying to bkox about Buchanan.

[allentown]

Anything can happen, as the Phillies dispatching the Braves two years in a row, but... our odds of getting past both the Braves and the Dodgers this season seem really slim and spending $ on better bench bats seems unlikely to make the difference. I'm ok with DD's winter, thus far. The Nola signing was big. He's building out the bullpen in the way we've suggested for years: a casting call of at least a half dozen guys who have a chance of contributing. The season to season predictability of most relievers is slim. I take the same approach to the bench and save $ for later in the season, when the true needs are apparent. In the meantime, I don't think the guys we will have parked at Allentown will be significantly worse than somebody they would have to pay million to sit on the bench and play little.,

[bkox]

DId I imply there was a downside? I like the move. I just meant that if he has an opt out that is like end of April, its not much of a depth move versus being someone we can keep at AAA all year

[andyb]

I am fine with all this tinkering. Not sure anybody is that good (Mercado back in the fall was the most important of these 40-man moves). Buchanan never really had great stuff. Imagine he is more 88-90 with good control and some smoke and mirrors these days. But he is nice depth to have that might fool a few teams in an emergency callup.

[zambonir]

Yeah it seemed like you considered an opt-out to be the downside. which, sure, as far as long-term depth it would be. But I kind of doubt he has an opt-out. Anyway, if he's good enough to get on the 40 it won't matter, and if he isn't it also really doesn't matter. Like, for a spot start, is he an upgrade on Nick Nelson? Who knows.

[zambonir]

A few notes from Gelb...

Phillies thought they had Junis signed for a Strahm-like role but then Burnes got traded and the Brewers promised him a rotation spot (as well as a bit more guaranteed money). They also offered Hicks, but same situation obviously. Stephenson was offered as well but he wanted to be out west.

And they bid more than $300M (but less than LA) for Yamamoto. Of course he never even came to Philadelphia.

This offseason presented new challenges for Phillies, who can't throw money at...

And, happy spring training! Time for a new thread? (I mean, the hot stove does continue, but there will also be news about spring training itself now).

[Philsmania]

That Muzziotti went unclaimed probably confirms his nonprospect status.

[zambonir]

Still ranks higher than I would have guessed over in the other thread!

I guess the Red Sox scouts were just really wrong on that one

[allentown]

And Marchan ranks lower than I thought he should.

[zambonir]

I'm assuming that is a product of his health and lack of playing time (in terms of both lack of data and projectability).

[zambonir]

And so ends Adam Haseley's value

Phillies Designate McKinley Moore For Assignment

[BostonRoss]

Outlasted Haseley’s tenure with the White Sox

[bkeich]

Really surprised Muzzioti didn’t get claimed. I know 40 man spots are always tight this time of year, but above average defense and solid AAA hitting numbers usually gets you a shot on a bad team.

Lucky we snuck him through, although I don’t think he is part of the plan for the future.