Phillies Spring Training Discussion 2024

[BostonRoss]

Because he would seldom play the field, and he is likely to be better than Cave.

[zambonir]

Well, that's the paradox isn't it? The Phillies clearly value defensive ability and at least some versatility at all three bench spots. I do want someone better than Cave but that person needs to be able to play the OF better than Grossman, or be able to play 3B. And if Merrifield is still the first PH choice against a RHP he'll just stay in the game.

Grossman needs to be on a team that can give him ABs at DH too.

I certainly see them PHing for Marsh and Rojas occasionally but never Bohm. They won't even defensively replace him much I reckon. You gotta continue to let him sink or swim, or you actually do need to get a LH 3B to pair with him.

[BostonRoss]

Bohm will get plenty of at bats against RHP even if he’s pinch-hit for occasionally.

[andyb]

Did we ever pinch hit for Bohm last year in a non blowout game? I can't recall any time. Short of a left handed 3B option I don't think he ever gets pinch hit for assuming he still has a 700-ish OPS against RHP.

Bohm's development is an important factor to this team becoming good. His defense has improved a bit. He just needs to show more power. The manager is old school and just won't substitute him and Merrifield really offers no advantage anyway offensively against RHP.

[zambonir]

Video if you click

JT Realmuto hits a home run in his first at-bat of the spring.

Bryce Harper follows with a single in his first at-bat of the spring.

Alec Bohm hits a bomb in his first at-bat of the spring.

Phillies lead the Braves, 3-0.pic.twitter.com/mDhb2godNZ

— PHLY Phillies ( @PHLY_Phillies ) February 28, 2024

[phillychuck]

JT's new swing looks good so far.

[bkox]

World Series here we come

[BostonRoss]

I don't remember pinch-hitting for Bohm in a meaningful game. But there weren't any good options last year. Merrifield might be one, or a LHB better than Cave.

[bkox]

INF Edmundo Sosa was scratched from today’s game with a left foot contusion, he is day to day.

[phillychuck]

Aren't we all?

[zambonir]

Game still going, Brice attempting to be today's three-run save-blower

[phillychuck]

I think Rob Thompson is trolling the fans by pitching less than capable pitchers in the 9th inning. It's working.

[zambonir]

it would be impolite not to give the other team at least one inning of competitive BP

[andyb]

But there weren't any good options last year. Merrifield might be one, or a LHB better than Cave.

Merrifield is not better than Bohm though. And he is a year older and Bohm is young enough to improve. Just don't see that happening.

And this whole discussion of the roster spot is really whether they can get a better LH bat than Cave. Dahl is probably not it. The bench also works better with a left-handed option since they have 2 right-handed bats and a catcher that should not pinch hit unless he is the last man left.

[zambonir]

Yeah, Ross's idea is great if you have 30 year-old Whit Merrifield (even against RHP) or Robbie Grossman. But 2023 Merrifield is no better than Bohm (at the plate against RHP or at 3B if he had to stay in the game there).

Cave and Dahl and Pache were all waiver claims (or waiver trades) to begin with. There will be others. For me it's less better player than better fit (i.e a LH 3B or an OF bat with more power).

Take the best part of five of the guys the Phillies currently have and you'd get one or two good bench players. We need Cave to be a 3B or Pache to be a LHB or Wilson to be a LHB or Hall to be able to field or Clemens to hit better.

[BaseballCat]

We complain about our beach (bench ) a lot, but do other reams have it much better? I am sure there are some, but I have to think most are the same boat? Does anyone have an example from last year?

[BostonRoss]

We complain about our beach a lot, but do other reams have it much better? I am sure there are some, but I have to think most are the same boat? Does anyone have an example from last year?

You must really be anxious for summer to get here!

[zambonir]

There are probably examples, but doesn't mean they are that meaningful. The Braves top bench guys were D'Arnaud (not very good and the portions were also too large!) and Pillar (could still hit a few HRs but also not very good). Nobody else topped 100 ABs. And they pinch-hit 78 times. Phillies pinch-hit 98 times. Phillies had to use their bench a lot more with the Hoskins and Harper injuries. That surely had a lot more to do with the gap between Atlanta and them than the bench.

Incremental upgrades are always welcome of course. They would also best come from the farm, but that's not an option (for position players) this year (we don't think).

[BaseballCat]

I really am and I love the beach. And baseball. And the Phillies. And cats. And my family. In varying order on any day

[LoneStarPhan]

Yes, the ninth inning blown save returns yet again.

I am really glad these games actually are meaningless and that these pitchers are not going to see the Phillies active roster this season and probably any future season.

But really, it is time to knock this nonsense off.