Phillies Off-Season 2024-2025 (Part 2 including Spring Training)

[zambonir]

I think they are still viewing Banks as the 7th man/multi-inning guy. The fact that Ross can go multiple innings and might be our 5th best reliever (or 6th behind Ruiz) is a plus. Hoffman and Strahm both were more likely to get four outs if not six back before they moved up the pecking order.

In the end it is about the top more than the bottom. They need Kerkering to take another step. They need Alvarado to be back. Last year, it was Seranthony and Soto who held forced them to overuse the other guys, not the 7th or 8th reliever (until Ruiz basically passed both of them and then they were gone).

I would hope nobody touches 70 outings. They seem pretty proactive about bullpen management (off-days, no repeat days etc) even if they do ride the best ones hard. They want to put more on Kerkering in that regard for sure.

[andyb]

Wheeler giving up 6 runs in 2 IP today against the Yanks. Kepler HR the lone bright spot.

[rkeden]

Two more bright spots... Suarez had a strong outing and importantly, the game came to a merciful conclusion.

[zambonir]

The Inquirer knew how to keep it positive

Phillies’ Ranger Suárez pitches two scoreless innings in sharp spring training...

Also...

Phillies send top position prospects Aidan Miller and Justin Crawford to minor...

I'm sure they'll be back for a game or two but actually does seem kind of early, at least for Crawford.

[andyb]

Minor league camp started this week. They had nowhere to go until now.

The last few innings of games are always made up of non major league camp players anyway so this really means nothing for Crawford and Miller. They'll get 3 or 4 more cameos but were never going to make the team anyway.

[Austinfan]

Plus, they probably get better instruction in minor league camp, in the main camp, the priority is going to be to get ML players ready for the season and to audition potential call-ups and send downs (i.e. the final roster decisions).

[zambonir]

I know all that, but I still think it taps the brake a little on any idea some might have had that Crawford could see the majors any sooner than September (barring injury or Kepler being a bust). Ditto Miller but his performance probably did that.

Last year they weren't even NRIs (they just got called over to major league camp later on) so I guess it's still progress.

[Austinfan]

Crawford and Miller, will dictate how fast they arrive by their performance, not just raw stats, but their approach at the plate.
If Crawford show he's successfully adjusted his swing and tears up AAA ball, he'll be up sooner, if he struggles, they'll wait.

[zambonir]

it's not a big deal, it just struck me as a little early. But not for NRI players I guess (like, in 2023 Rojas, Ortiz and Muzziotti all stuck until March 12, but they were all on the 40 at the time - though not for long in the case of the latter two).

[andyb]

Season start is among the earliest ever dates this year too. 3/27 opening day.

We'll see both of them in the prospect showcase game next week also. 3/14 against the Pirates prospects.

[Jazzhead]

If Walker appears to have returned to form, one idea may be to install him as the fifth starter and put Ranger in the mix for high leverage innings out of the pen. Seems like a win-win - Ranger can be superb out of the bullpen and Walker can be showcased for a deadline deal when Painter is ready

[zambonir]

Ranger is talking about winning the Cy Young as a starter this year. They're not going to do that to him (or Boras). Maybe once Painter comes up or in October things will change.

If everyone is healthy and you could really that be sure about Walker he's actually the one you keep, you trade Ranger at the deadline (though he also says he hopes he gets to re-sign, whether the team or Boras feels that way, who knows).. But you don't depress his trade value by putting him in the pen in the first half of the season either.

Let's see Walker pitch 15 great innings before it's even a topic.

[donaldorc]

Luzardo, who some call an ace, got lit up with 3 consecutive home runs, the first being a grand salami. All after two outs. The latest score is 15-4 in the second blow out in two games. At least Kennedy showed up with two home runs.

[Austinfan]

Meh. Wheeler got lite up, no worries. Luzardo was throwing 95-96, it's ST, guys are building arm strength, working on command and secondary stuff. Worry two weeks from now.

[LoneStarPhan]

As always, I tell myself it is spring training. As always, I hate seeing these results.

[Philsmania]

Like I say, only pay attention to the last ten games.

[flyers19rw]

Rojas had a dinger. He’s showing a better bat this spring. Maybe winter ball paid off for him?

[phillychuck]

Rojas' HR is a good sign. I gotta find some video...

On the phils' home page! https://www.mlb.com/phillies

[Callison]

Too bad the Phils have to contend with Boras when it comes time to decide how to use Suarez. They don't want to see him burn out after half a season again. Moving him to the pen would ease the wear and tear on his arm. He could close some games after 5 innings. Would be and exciting move. But apparently neither Suarez nor Boras will stand for it so everybody is gonna hope that Suarez can last a whole season as a starter. Maybe they'll get lucky. The Phils plan to bring Painter up mid season seems to anticipate a problem.

Wheeler needs his rhythm so he doesn't want any part of the 6-man rotation but IMHO, more rest for all the other starters could make the rotation stronger. Work around him with the 6-man.

[Austinfan]

They have Walker and Ross, and Painter probably in July.
So no reason to "baby" Suarez, either he can start or he can't, even with dings, started 27 games last year.
Proven post-season pitcher, so no reason to give up on him, though doubtful he'll be resigned.

With Wheeler, Nola, Sanchez signed for 3 more years, Painter low cost, Luzardo through next season, buying time to develop young pitching before having to hit the FA market or extend an older pitcher.