Phillies Off-Season 2024-2025 (Hot Stove)

[donaldorc]

I have to confess that until I watched some video on Tait the other day, whenever I read his name I was mentally pronouncing it “Tate”. Found out that it is “Tah-eet”, with the accent on the second syllable.

Spanish pronunciation.

[zambonir]

Panama was a Scottish colony. And apparently it's not even his full surname (Tait Velasco)!

[phillychuck]

Makes sense, since he is of Spanish/Hispanic heritage. I was also pronouncing it "Tate" until I heard a video at the end of last season.

I Think we continually undersell Crawford. I see no reason he can't be an above average to all-star regular. His fielding problems in CF have all involved poor routes, and routes improve with practice and coaching. He made AA midway through his age 20 season, which is 2 to 3 years ahead of typical prospects. His RC+ in the minors is 125, 25% above the average hitter at his level where he was always a couple of years younger than the competition. He put up a 140 RC+ in AA in 1/2 season. He seems to have a pretty tough mindset (maybe since he's seen the big leagues up close). I think whatever corrections he needs to his offense are pretty minor--he'll figure out how to turn some of those ground balls into line drives: I'd honestly forget about correcting the swing plane and focus on pitch selection. If he can maintain an 8% walk rate he's an all-star.

[phillychuck]

Panama was a Scottish colony.

I thought that was the "Darien Scheme," which failed to establish a colony.

[julio]

Let us note that andyb and Austinfan have agreed.

Not completely....

We'll take whatever we can get, andyb!

[zambonir]

Oh, sure, you're right, but I'm guessing the name still comes from the Scots who stuck around. Tait is not a Spanish name in any way (and if it was there'd be an accent mark presumably).

[fish]

There is also no reason to think it will take 5 years for him to be a starter assuming we are right about that talent level.

I think where he’ll be as a hitter will be very different than where he’ll be as a catcher by 2027. It takes time and experience that he won’t have had yet. Even JT was pretty bad at calling pitches when he first got here.

[phillychuck]

Catcher doesn't have to call pitches anymore. Never did, really, they could signal from the dugout, and the pitcher could shake him off.

[zambonir]

also the new CBA will start in 2027, likely with at least partial automated umping (or at least the challenge system) and the beginning of the end of pitch framing.

But that's not to say the catcher's role in scouting opposing hitters and planning and executing a game plan is not important, and one of JT's strengths. Stubbs too really, as part of the team.

[Callison]

Marchan is now 25. Injuries have slowed him. However his last two seasons are interesting. Played really well in the minors in 2023, not so good in the majors. 2024 played really good in the majors and not so good in the minors. He should be the backup to JT this year. He is a better defensive catcher and hitter than Stubbs.

One of my biggest hopes for the coming season is that Marchan arrives. The announcers have all been told to say he's already a ML catcher. Last season ,294 average, ,345 OBP, ,894 OPS. That looks like a player you want to get plenty of PT. If he plays like that, JT gets plenty of rest and maybe improves at the plate, too. JT catches the big games. Marchan catches a lot of the rest. Stubbs needs to learn to hit and the learning can't continue in the Phils' lineup as it did all last season.

[bkox]

Stubbs needs to learn to hit

Stubbs is almost 32 years. Think the learning part is done.

[Austinfan]

At this point, Stubbs may end up mentoring pitchers in Lehigh and "learn" how to be an assistant pitching coach.
I think he can see the end of his career looming and may be interested in preparing for the next phase.

[andyb]

One of my biggest hopes for the coming season is that Marchan arrives. The announcers have all been told to say he's already a ML catcher. Last season ,294 average, ,345 OBP, ,894 OPS.

Small sample size caution there. He has much more volume on the minor league side to suggest he will be in the 650-700 OPS range in the majors. Of course that is better than Stubbs with the possible exception of handling the pitching staff which is hard to quantify. His Fangraphs/Steamer projection is for a 672 OPS.
https://www.fangraphs.com/players/rafael-marchan/21646/stats?position=C

[zambonir]

Last season ,294 average, ,345 OBP, ,894 OPS. That looks like a player you want to get plenty of PT

Garrett Stubbs in in 2022: .350 OBP, .812 OPS, 1.1 WAR. (Marchán 0.7 this year).

Beware the romance of the small sample size/back-up. Marchán should absolutely be the guy, but he has to hold up health-wise (and so does JT).

Stubb is not going to "learn" or improve anything at this point, he's a typical journeyman veteran back-up who has been in a very unique situation due to the fact that nobody wanted to play for the Phillies (at the appropriate salary) with JT playing so much, and because his rapport with both JT and the pitching staff is obviously part of their success. Otherwise, he'd have been on three or four different teams by now (but still employed). For the Phillies, it's fantastic he has an option if Marchán comes out of Clearwater healthy.

[bkox]

has been in a very unique situation due to the fact that nobody wanted to play for the Phillies (at the appropriate salary) with JT playing so much, and because his rapport with both JT and the pitching staff is obviously part of their success.

You forgot to mention his position as the team's lockeroom DJ.

[zambonir]

I know that's what people would like to believe, that he's only around for the vibes. And I suppose plenty of players have held onto jobs for just that reason (without music or overalls or beer being involved).

Marchan might have had a shot at the job last year had he actually been healthy in the spring.

[zambonir]

White Sox Acquire Tyler Gilbert

For Aaron Combs, an 8th round draft pick off the CWS winner just last year.

[andyb]

Got a slightly above slot bonus last year. Made this list of honorable mentions after the White Sox top 30.

2024 Mid-Season Top 30 White Sox Prospects: Honorable Mentions

Not a big arm but surprised we got something decent for Gilbert.

[Austinfan]

Looks like a LR prospect at best, 91-94, could fill out a little more and add 1-2 MPH, but that's probably it.
Supposedly good curve, what else?
Probably organizational depth.

[David_Criss]

A decent lottery ticket is not a bad return for someone designated for assignment.