Phillies Spring Training Discussion 2024

[Austinfan]

Actually, exhibition games are more meaningful in other sports, 6 NHL games, 3 NFL games, means marginal players are going full speed to win jobs. NBA not so much, too much like the G-league (defense, we don't play no stinkin' defense!).

Once starters get 3 starts or so, they start stretching out to 4-5 innings and are throwing more like game conditions. Then you can see if they've got ML stuff. Same with RPs, if you don't start showing good secondary pitches and command, time to look for a rental apartment in Allentown.

[zambonir]

Even the most marginal NFL player is probably not going full speed. The non-marginal players wouldn't have it.

But whatever, all the games are meaningless in that the results don't count, but any inning of baseball is still an inning of baseball and you're watching invidual hitters and pitchers in a way that's entertaining. Watching someone trying to make the Eagles practice squad or be the second-string tackle is not something you can actually watch in and of itself separate from the overall action.

Gallagher is clearly for depth but if he's still strong defensively would he really be a downgrade from the current back-up, except on Tik Tok?

[andyb]

That is a shame about Marchan. 982 OPS in large sample of winter league action so there was some hope he could legitimately compete with Stubbs this year. Both have an option.

Now I wonder if he is a 60-day IL candidate to give them roster flexibility....

[allentown]

a chance to see some fringe guys you never will again (unless you're in Allentown)

I don't expect these guys to make the 26-man roster, but when the inevitable injuries occur, many of these guys will be 26-man replacement guys. I hope the Phillies are able to

still a chance to see some fringe guys you never will again (unless you're in Allentown)

I don't expect them to earn a 26-man spot, and I will see them in Allentown, but when the inevitable injuries (even short-term) occur, we will see at least a few of these guys on the 26-man roster.

For me, the key point for this ST is for the Phillies to do a much better job of managing Abel's expectations than they did with Painter last year. Last year, it seemed to me that Painter went down because he tried to do too much too early to earn a spot out of ST, after learning that was doable. Better to tell Abel he's starting in Allentown and surprise him if his ST performance warrants. Control pitch count scrupulously and also take him out if he is over-throwing.

[andyb]

But it may be fun to see an AB or two from Aidan Miller and/or Starlyn Caba.

[donaldorc]

Phillies beat the Yankees today 4-0 with great pitching. 13 strikeouts.

[andyb]

Clearly the pitchers who are supposed to make the team (today's pitching) are better than the ones who aren't (yesterday).

[zambonir]

Yeah I'm not even talking about the actual prospects. I am saying it is fun to see Weston Wilson hit like Babe Ruth again even if it is meaningless. It's fun to dream on guys like that, or Pache and Cave for that matter.

And Nola still showed up and looked like an ace. Also meaningless but at least he seemed crisper than Stroman, and our bats quicker to jump on the hittable stuff.

[LoneStarPhan]

Yes, the winning or losing is not really a big deal in these spring games, especially during the first couple weeks. But it is always fun to win.

I find baseball spring training games far superior in enjoyment to NFL preseason games. The NFL preseason is a joke with many teams not playing the starting lineup for more than a part of a quarter or even, not at all. In baseball, at least you are likely to see some players who will be playing when the regular season starts.

[Austinfan]

The difference is most of the marginal players in baseball and ice hockey will play full seasons in AAA or the AHL, in football, they end up on the practice squad or waiver wire and disappear.

[Patchmk88]

Abel with a nice inning yesterday. 2 Ks and no BBs.

[Callison]

There goes my favorite daydream, Bellinger. That deal may make sense for the Cubs. Easy to accept that the Phils aren't that needy. Ah, well...

ST is auditions. Future stars and fading starts trying to recapture the past. For the Phils, though, this is mostly a slow motion answer to the Rojas question - can he get consistent? Was really glad to see him nail one against Toronto, cause he looked weak the previous 2 abs. Bellatti had a good inning! Felt sorry for the Phils pitcher that came in at 14 - 9 and walked the first hitter on 5 pitches. Be nice to see Merrifield have a great ST, too.

Got to Clearwater once. Great experience.

[Jazzhead]

There goes my favorite daydream, Bellinger.

Would it make sense for the Phils to offer a similar short term deal for Snell or Montgomery, especially given the uncertainty whether they can lock up Wheeler beyond this year? With an opt out after the first year, if either pitcher performs well he'll be gone, unless the short-term deal is replaced by a better one. And at that point, we'll know whether Wheeler will stay. That gives us the potential for a monster rotation this year, with hopefully the ability to choose which pitcher to retain after this year (if not both). The downside will be if Snell or Montgomery were to tank - then we'd be saddled with the contract, but at least it wouldn't be for more than 3 years. .

[andyb]

Would it make sense for the Phils to offer a similar short term deal for Snell or Montgomery, especially given the uncertainty whether they can lock up Wheeler beyond this year?

I really don't think so. Strong possibility those guys will sign deals with 1-year opt outs. Plus the rotation is healthy and reasonably deep at the moment. I'd rather wait till midseason to see if it is needed (injury, Abel's progress, etc.).

[Austinfan]

Plus you don't even use 5 starters on a regular basis in April and even into May.
By the Allstar break you'll know if Abel is ML ready and whether one of the long shot veterans has recaptured their mojo.

[zambonir]

Snell still has the QO (as did Bellinger) so no-go there. I also really don't think they want to go into the next tax threshold (probably not at all but certainly not before the deadline).

The good news is if Wheeler doesn't re-sign (and I still think he will) Snell and Montgomery may well be available next year. Ditto Bellinger.

[xogfog]

Merrifield homers, Brogdon with an awful 3 BB over .2 innings.

[phillychuck]

Leading 6-3 in the middle of the 8th in what is actually a horrible game in terms of players that matter (with the exception of Merrifield).

[xogfog]

Hall homered as well, I would like to see him have a good spring, maybe he can establish some trade value.

[Lucky_Beagle]

BoSox run it off with a 2 spot in the 9th ending the game on a wild pitch.