That does seem strongly implied.
Either way, this is another good move for a team that has no other path but to trade future WAR for present WAR and they have once again done that without losing their top 3 guys. It's far more likely Luzardo bounces back and signs a $25 million AAV deal at the end of his contract (whether with the Phillies or another team) than Caba ends up being more than a Galvis or Sosa (if that).
Following the Kepler signing, Dombrowski suggested they were pretty much done and happy with the roster. That's clearly not the case. There are still lots of teams hunting for upgrades.
Recent news suggests Luzardo is 100% - https://www.mlb.com/news/jesus-luzardo-on-returning-to-full-health-being-ready-for-2025-opening-day16
That is certainly quite possible, which is why this trade is a gamble. If he is healthy, he is much more than a #6/7 pitcher on a good team. Last year was a bad year for him, probably health related. If we look at his two prior years, he is a 3.5 FIP guy with very high FB velocity for a LH SP. That's at least a #3 SP. Thus, the gamble: Luzardo could be a total steal for us or he could crash and burn with a repeat, or worse, of last season. This is the sort of gamble that the presently-constructed Phillies needed to make to be strong WS, or even NL East champion, contenders in 2025.
He's entering age 31 season and hasn't pitched well. They had many choices of guys to remove from 40-man and chose Tyler.
I think you are making that gamble on every pitcher, always, with both injuries and fluctuating performance. Ranger could just as easily have a 2024 like Luzardo's 2023, though obviously the Phillies didn't have to trade anything for him. Walker actually earned his salary in 2023 and then his 2024 happened. Something could go wrong with Sanchez and non-tendering him wouldn't be an option.
Gilbert might well get traded off the waiver wire, albeit for cash. He too can refuse his assignment, not due to service time like Taijuan, and also he has no guaranteed $, but he's been outrighted before.
I just wish he showed more for the price. Even when he was good (2 seasons), he missed time. If we are aiming to get 20 starts of 3.50-4.00 era than I think we MAY have gotten it. The problem is, that isn’t really worth Caba.
Ranger had a 5.62 ERA in eight second-half starts last year while providing only 36.2 innings. Luzardo had a 5.00 in 12 first-half starts and 66.2 innings. The only difference is Ranger was great and healthy in the first half whereas Luzardo was already hurt in April and shut down by June. But they were comparable guys in '22 and '23.
I think 20 starts of 3.50-4.00 ERA is still worth a heck of lot. Especially if you think a 5th starter (or 4th playoff starter) is important. I still don't know that I do, but we saw what the worse-case could be with that last year.
The question really is the chance of that (signs that he can do it, signs he can’t) worth our #6 prospect. Especially since he won’t be cheap in those 2 arbitration years after this.
I just see too much bad in his history, equal numbers of bad and good seasons. Seems like if this is what we wanted it must have been available in free agency.
Only one arbitration year after this one. If he pitches well for us he'll get $10 million and be an insane bargain. If he's just okay he'll still be worth the $8 million.
It clearly wasn't available in free agency. You'd be paying someone Taijuan money.
IMHO, Ranger to the pen makes some sense because the Phis' pen needs improvement. Ranger was dominant the first half then never the same last season. Suggests he's not strong enough to last the whole season as a starter. So if he's dominant pitching less, put him in the pen. He could close after 6. Might be really good for Ranger and the team.
So Ranger to the pen and Walker back to the rotation?
Ranger's either gonna start or get traded, and no, neither he nor Scott Boras would be on board with a bullpen move even if it was a good idea.
They'll still add another arm for the pen, no reason not to now that the threshold is pretty much a done deal. Just a question of whether it's a $4 million type guy or if they are willing to pay double (plus 10%) for something bigger. Won't be anyone worthy of a multi-year deal though IMO.
Which makes sense given that their remaining needs on offense are minor and can be filled internally (Marchan, Wilson). As for the pitching, it may be in for a penny, in for a pound. If the opportunity presents itself to sign a short-term deal with a quality reliever, I think they'll pull the trigger and pay the luxury tax,
There's no reason they have to trade Ranger now. Neither of them is a lock to be healthy all season given their histories. Painter is waiting in the wings, but will likely have a short leash with IP and isn't a lock for '25. They can wait for the right deal if it materializes and trade from the cat bird's seat.
I wonder if Hoffman would take 2/24. I would rather do that then give up Caba for a guy with a worst track record the last couple years.
He has a bad track record for one year. Heck he has a longer track record than Sanchez (and Crochet. And Hoffman for that matter, since it's still possible he's going to start again).
Giving up Caba for him was also the final confirmation that Ranger won't be here next year.
Well, 2021 was also terrible. So 2 above average and 2 terrible years, and injuries in 3 of the 4 years enough that he missed 1/3 to 1/2 of the seasons. That isn’t awful, but it isn’t good either.
He is at 103 ERA+, that doesn’t sound good to me, that is slightly better than average. When you factor in that the most recent year was terrible, well, I would just want more for a top prospect.
I would rather have Hoffman, keep Caba, have a guy with 2 very good seasons the last two (bad before) and a guy that you greatly suspect can succeed in the bullpen if nothing else. But I don’t know that Hoffman would take 2/24, but he very well might with a promise that he can at least start the season in the rotation.
Either way, it is funny dealing with the Marlins. They don’t EVER seem to be interested in doing anything except being good in 5 years.
Just odd that this was the Expos that constantly sold their good players for prospects. The Marlins are no doubt looking at another 100 loss season after briefly going up in the standings 2 years ago.
I like Caba, but I'm not sure he's a sure thing.His fielding is, but his hitting could keep him as a defensive substitute if it doesn't dramatically improve the next few years.
Caba has speed, has very good plate discipline, but is really weak. How much strength he can add (see some other scrawny LA IFs we've had) probably determines his upside. .479 OPS in Clearwater due to low BABIP, "normal" BABIP would have results in more like .660 OPS - but how much was BABIP due to complete lack of power?
Whereas with Tait, the plate discipline could be improved, but he held his own in low A at 17, posting a .780 OPS.
Overall .842 OPS his first season stateside.
