17 Los Angeles Dodgers (K Maeda) @ Philadelphia Phillies (M Leiter Jr.)

bkox 2017-09-21 22:48:02 UTC #121

Franco has sucked more outs this year then Galvis. And, compared to Galvis, lacks speed (well compared to almost everyone he lacks speed) and lacks in defense big time. With a young pitching staff, I would much rather see Crawford/Galvis then Galvis/Franco at this point.

At this point it really isnt Crawford or Galvis. With Crawford showing he can be very good defensively at 3rd, its Galvis or Franco. And Galvis has Franco beat this year in BA, OBP, OPS, OPS+ and is close in doubles and XBH (50 to 46).

And in GIDP, which is what brought this up. Franco 21, Galvis 10

zambonir 2017-09-21 23:10:26 UTC #122

The difference is, we know what Galvis is. He's at his actuarial peak, he's about to be better-compensated (and then a free agent) and there's no alternate version of Freddy Galvis that he's likely to grow into. Nor is keeping him until the end of 2018 or extending him likely to improve the Phillies short or long-term.

Franco may have hit his ceiling too, but since he's 24 years old and has an .840 season on his resume you might still wanna find out for sure.

andyb 2017-09-21 23:46:52 UTC #123

Next year I just don't want them to be tempted to think that Machado was fine at 3B, why not Crawford. They need to realize that Galvis does not give them what JJ Hardy gave the O's (both offense and defense at SS). If Galvis can help the team by being better defensively than Franco at 3B that will be great. I just don't want to see Crawford in that role even if he looked like a gold glove 3B today.

LoneStarPhan 2017-09-21 23:57:42 UTC #124

The Galvis DP really messed up the game story today. I had Hoskins penciled in for a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth. Alas, he only got to the on-deck circle.

donaldorc 2017-09-22 01:09:45 UTC #125

My thinking exactly.

donaldorc 2017-09-22 01:11:18 UTC #126

I think that if it comes to choosing between Galvis and Franco, I have to go with Galvis. His leadership on the team is invaluable, so with all else being equal, this makes him my choice.

phillychuck 2017-09-22 01:48:55 UTC #127

I agree. I don't think anyone else could have led them to 63 wins this year. It's an epic achievement.

donaldorc 2017-09-22 01:54:31 UTC #128

snark, snark, snark.

phillychuck 2017-09-22 01:58:41 UTC #129

I'm sorry, I don't think leadership is a big deal, especially on a club that's challenging 100 losses. What exactly did he lead them to? The only leadership I saw him doing was being a jerk about wanting to play every game and not wanting to play anything but SS. Scott Rolen thought Kevin Sefcik was the most important player on the Phils (other than himself) when he was playing, so I give players very little credit in evaluating the role of leadership in the culubhouse or other players' talents.

Show me where his leadership helped us score or prevent runs and I'll buy it.

donaldorc 2017-09-22 02:02:40 UTC #130

I understand your point, you've made it quite clear. My original post said that if I had to pick between Franco or Galvis, it would be Galvis. Do you think we can keep both of these out makers, double-play makers?

phillychuck 2017-09-22 02:53:37 UTC #131

Nope, but I'd opt for one more year of Franco based on his demonstrated skills and age. Or try to trade them both to BAL for Machado...

DurhamBull 2017-09-22 03:18:56 UTC #132

Oy, good luck with that one.

I agree with zambonir's point that Galvis is pretty much a known quantity, good points and bad, and that despite Franco’s terrible season he’s shown alluring talent in the past. Do you prefer Galvis’ known mediocrity, or the lottery ticket of Franco?

BTW I think Galvis for a while had much better offensive stats hitting #2 than elsewhere in the lineup, maybe that’s why he’s often hitting there. But with a new lineup populated with better bats, yes, he probably belongs at #8.

LA made the point today that Jansen is too good to rely on getting 2-3 hits to try to score a run and that the team needed to make something happen (i.e. Hernández needed to steal a bag). That would have taken that double play out of consideration.

In any case, it’s easy to forget that the Phils took 3 of 4 from the team with the best record in baseball, and put up a good fight in game #4. It’s amazing that we’re even kvetching about Galvis’ DP in the 9th, that it was even relevant. It’s a nice problem to have.

Austinfan 2017-09-22 03:40:37 UTC #133

Leiter pitched a nice game, he is what he is, he tops out at 92, and his command is shaky.
But he battles, and does a solid job for a spot starter/long reliever/#6 guy.
Appreciate him for what he is, not what he isn't.

Pinto will be back in AAA, the talent is there, but he's a year away.
Araon hasn't regained all his velocity yet, but is a more poilshed pitcher right now.

Williams is struggling, a good AB (the HR) then too many where he quickly gets himself into a 0-2 hole. Learning curve, we'll see if he climbs it.

LoneStarPhan 2017-10-01 20:53:03 UTC #134

Failed in meeting goals. Pick 1.1.