Phillies Off-Season 2024-2025 (Hot Stove)

[xogfog]

The need for an outfielder would have to come by trade and the most attractive options are Tucker and Bellinger, and the problem with both of them is that they hit left handed. We really need a better right handed hitting OF that can slot between Harper and Schwarber, a better hitter than JT, Casty or Bohm. I don't know anyone who fits that bill that could be available.

[zambonir]

I think if we had Kyle Tucker or 2023 Bellinger it really wouldn't matter. Any of the three guys you mention would actually be fine. Harper-Schwarber 3-4 would also be fine (with Tucker or Bellinger second I guess). Production matters more than protection or batting order. Yeah, it becomes more of an issue in post-season games against relievers but Harper and Schwarber hit lefty's and JT and Casty and Bohm keep relievers honest. If they are going good.

Of course they also have actually move Schwarber out of the lead-off spot for it to matter.

[EDmuch]

I agree we need a RH batting outfielder to slot between Schwarber and Harper. That is why I suggested Taylor Ward.

[andyb]

Either Turner or Bohm can be that right-handed bat between Schwarber and Harper.

We just need a better offensive bat in the OF. Does not need to be better than Turner or Bohm necessarily. They are replacing Rojas in the lineup essentially.

[zambonir]

But Taylor Ward hasn't been better than Castellanos the last two years. Nothing special in the field either. I don't get the appeal unless you can make him 28 again (in which case we should just do that for Nick).

If Schwarber does move down I also don't think it's a great idea to hit him fifth, lowering his PAs. Which means either he bats after Harper or Harper hits second. I think Bohm and Nick would both do just fine hitting third in the latter scenario, if you believe in protection. They've never hit in front of anyone great (including each other, and Stott and JT).

[bkeich]

DD has been a good GM, but he really does not seem to understand that Castellanos has negative value. This offer is frankly a joke.

Phillies Reportedly Offered Nick Castellanos, Alec Bohm For Astros' Kyle Tucker

[andyb]

Another insightful si.com article. Are they just an AI bot scanning Twitter for rumors and generating an article?

If the Phillies ever made that offer without prospects it would not have been taken seriously.

[saycheese]

File this one in the category of don't believe it. DD is one of the best GMs in baseball. He is not going to waste time with offers that don't fit for what either team is trying to do. Did they talk about one of those guys maybe. But I doubt they offered both and were flat out rejected. There is a reason Jim Bowden is not a GM in MLB anymore.

[Austinfan]

No harm in fishing.
It's a starting point, see if they make a reasonable counter-offer.

Reporters tend to jump on these reports, I'm sure GMs BS back and forth all the the time.
Then comes the moment of truth: "Are you seriously interested? I"ll take Castellanos but you'll have to retain half his contract and throw in Crawford."

[fish]

Starting to feel like DD is playing scrabble with all consonants.

[xyzabc25]

How about a trade proposition for Jake McCarthy LF ARZ age 27, wRC+ 110, above average fielder. He's a L/L guy who has good splits vs R or L, upside over Taylor Ward. Would complement the suggestions about Schwarber moving down and Turner or Bohn being the in-between Harper/Schwarber tandem.

[allentown]

I think if we had Kyle Tucker or 2023 Bellinger

And if we had 2022 Bellinger for what he's likely to be paid, it would be a mini-disaster as his 1.1 WAR would make him worse than in-house and cheaper alternatives. His 2024 wasn't that good. Tucker is far better: 4.7 WAR last season and better than 5 each of the prior 3 seasons. He is a definite upgrade a year younger than Bellinger, so less likely to be in decline phase next season.

[UnsaltySailor]

Phillies Reportedly Offered Nick Castellanos, Alec Bohm For Astros' Kyle Tucker

Jim Bowden was a terrible GM. Maybe this trade idea came to him in a dream - something he would do. Then he confused his dream with reality and reported it as fact.

[flyers19rw]

I'd be for trying for Mike Trout.He's a RHB and an OF. Possible candidate for DH if Schwarber were to become difficult to re-sign. Both Trout and the Angels have to face facts and realize that it's' not ever going to happen for them together. On top of the injuries, he'll be 34 in August. If They Trout stays in Anaheim, he'll go down as one of the great players who never really had a chance to play in a WS.
The times when Trout was a terror in the order and could drive the lineup are over. For a team like the Phillies, he could be squeezed into the order and have a decent year or two but nothing like he's had in the past. An offer of Castellanos and Abel with financial accommodations would be as good of an offer that Anaheim could hope to get. If necessary add in a player such as Rojas or Wilson. Trout should push for it. It makes too much sense not to happen.

[Dirk41]

Was just thinking this, as well. This is the time for Trout on for both sides.

[EDmuch]

Why would you include Casty ? Then u would still be one outfielder short.

[phillychuck]

fish wrote, "Starting to feel like DD is playing scrabble with all consonants."

Tell DD to try cwtch or rhythms if he has a y....

[flyers19rw]

Trout/Rojas/Marsh/Wilson for the OF with Crawford waiting in the wings for a spot. There probably will be a veteran OF that pops loose between now and the start of ST.
Unlike some on this board, I like Crawford and think that he might make the club out of ST and definitely will be up by the AS game. Fielding wise, he's ready. No problem with his speed. He might not have power but he makes contact. His detractors point out a high ground ball rate. There are worse things if the ball gets through the IF. When he's on base he can take a bag or two.

[EDmuch]

Winston who?

[andyb]

The real issue to grapple with is that Rojas at the moment is the weak spot in the lineup. We can't really keep penciling in lineups with him in it while also trading Castellanos because he does not have much value (though I guess it could be a part of picking up salary for Trout).

The Phillies really want a LF because CFs are too expensive and we have hopes that between Rojas and the prospects (Crawford, Nori, Burkholder) we already have our future CF.

I would love to take a shot on Trout like others here. Just not sure he can hold up to playing the field and the money is an issue if we don't want to give up top prospects. It just is not the best fit at the moment for the club. Maybe if Schwarber leaves.