POLL: Will the Phillies do something big in January?

[zambonir]

One more week left in January. Will the Phillies sign any of these players (or type of player) by February 1?

• JT Realmuto
• Didi Gregorius
• Semien or Simmons instead of Didi
• A clear #4 starter
• A proven late-inning reliever
• No

Vote now!Show results

(Adding a lesser reliever, #5-6 caliber starter or non-JT catcher strikes me as less interesting.)

[Philsmania]

I just don't know how to vote. The Phillies are moving very, very slowly this winter. I have a feeling Realmuto won't be resolved until after ST starts. The Phillies are clearly his leading landing spot at this point but I think the two sides are basically trying to see which one blinks first.

More likely, they sign a middle-inning-type reliever before 2021's first calendar flip.

[andyb]

Only thing tricky here is the date. I think they do sign JT and a shortstop. They probably go cheaper with the starting pitching but bring somebody in with some upside or inning-eating history. There are still lots of arms out there and some decent ones might be below $5 million. Not as sure about a closer unless Alex Colome falls to a low price. I expect at least one more reliever. Just not sure it will be an expensive one.

[Taudawg]

It's a little "Twilight Zone" how many decent players are still unsigned.

[zambonir]

Yeah, things seem to be accelerating, but it's probably not as late as it feels. First ST game isn't until February 27 and even that is not a given (see today's headline out of Arizona).

I feel like one of the shortstops will break first, but they have to really be hoping for 2-3 year deals given how many others will be on the market next year. And we know the Phillies probably won't be doing that unless it's at a very low price.

Probably makes sense to get your pitchers squared away first, as far as getting them to work. Of course you could say the same thing about their eventual starting catcher.

[andyb]

I also would not be shocked to see Spring Training delayed 2 weeks. It is 2 weeks too long anyway and they could always use the mandatory reporting date rather than the suggested one. Lots of February signings this year unfortunately.

Right now the voluntary reporting dates are 2/17 and 2/22 with the mandatory date 2/27. A 2/27 date buys them an extra 10 days of COVID vaccines in FL and AZ. Rosenthal is pushing for a 1-month delay. Just not sure there is support for that among the players.

Rosenthal: Starting spring training in three weeks makes little sense

[Taudawg]

Salisbury story today - https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/phillies/are-phillies-ready-make-some-more-noise-free-agent-market

Update (sort of) on JT and SS situation. All 8 Arizona mayors signed the letter to MLB, that should mean something.

[zambonir]

Definitely a bit of news there. Probably means Didi is still holding out for a multi-year deal, or a one-year deal that would actually be a raise (if not quite to the QO level). This could also be a message to his camp of course.

The Phillies have monitored the market for free agent shortstops all winter, checking in with the agents who represent Didi Gregorius, Andrelton Simmons, Marcus Semien and Freddy Galvis. The Phils had appeared to be moving toward a reunion with Gregorius, but lately, according to multiple sources have ramped up interest in Simmons, a top defender.

[flyers19rw]

It may be that the Phillies are pointing out to Didi that there are other options out there for them. He probably wants a multi year deal which supposedly the Phillies are reluctant to give. Personally I would go two years plus option possibilities for Didi. He’s a very good glove; perhaps not as good as Simmons. His left handed bat with power makes him a better fit. I get it that the Phillies have penciled in Stott for SS in’22 but we’ve seen expectations miss the target before. Having Didi around is a great way to cover if Stott needs more time to break into the game.

[zambonir]

I don't think they've pencilled in Stott, per se (and he seems far more likely for late 2022 or even 2023 in any case). I think they want the option to sign one of the superior SSs next year, when Cutch and Herrera will be off the books and Segura's contract won't be a burden for much longer. Probably even more so now that Dombrowski is here.

It's also possible Semien would be the best choice but he's more certain to get a three-year deal at his age, and is not without question marks himself.

The consensus is, one of these SSs will sign, and the other three will quickly follow. But who's it going to be, and by which team? I don't imagine the Reds, for instance, are going to help Didi or any of the others set the market any more than the Phillies will.

[zambonir]

The voters were right!

[el-pietro]

I voted JT. I think having signed him they will not go after Didier at tge very least.

[Philsmania]

I guess I got to eat my words about Realmuto lingering into spring!