2017 Season Phillies Discussion (News/Notes, etc.), continued

schillingfan 2017-08-31 22:29:37 UTC #723

I'm not sure there is such a thing as a "good to very good" relief pitcher. They are so subject to overuse that they become "sore-armed" the next year. I'd be looking for a previously good relief pitcher coming off a bad year who isn't old.

phillychuck 2017-08-31 22:39:31 UTC #724

Nicasio has a lifetime 3.91 ERA with a 3.58 FIP, so he's been a bit unlucky career-wise.

This is his first full season as a reliever and his ERA went down by more than a run, so it looks like his stuff ticked up. He's also used to pitching more innings than he has this season as a former starter. Throws 94+.

I completely understand your point, but he would be a guy I'd take a chance on. But it's a long shot with his impending Free Agency.

Austinfan 2017-08-31 23:17:08 UTC #725

I'd rather overpay RPs on 1-2 year deals than SPs on 5 year deals.
Build a deep bullpen that's reliable and you can go with 3 young starters at the back of your rotation who can make it twice through a lineup.
It's just a lot cheaper to build and maintain a bullpen, now that it doesn't cost comp picks.

allentown 2017-08-31 23:29:55 UTC #726

That may be your preference, but that dooms you to be no more than half satisfied, because if we want to win, we are going to have to do both of these things. The good news is that, at least for the next 4-5 years we have ample $$$ and salary cap space to do both of these things. Most times our options will be more constrained. This, and the 1.1, are about the only advantages of having a very young, last place team in a large market.

bkeich 2017-08-31 23:48:34 UTC #727

Nicasio is probably a little upset, the Pirates were maneuvering to get him to an AL contending team and the Phils stepped in and claimed him. He might be a little bummed.

Velasquez is having surgery so I assume his season is over, he could certainly be moved to the 60 day DL.

Odubel and Altherr are going on rehab assignments and will be back soon I assume.

Of all things, Appel pitched an inning in the GCL. He is not a prospect anymore (he never really was, at least not during his time with the Phils) but might still be claimed if moved off the 40 man. All reports are that he is a good guy, but he just isnt a particularly good pitcher (see his records not his draft position).

bkox 2017-09-01 00:34:44 UTC #728

Hes already there. Was placed on the 60 day right from the start

bkeich 2017-09-01 00:52:39 UTC #729

Ahh, yea, that was a bad sign. Thanks, you must be the smarter BK

bkox 2017-09-01 00:54:40 UTC #730

Naw. Just have to much useless knowledge in my head lol

zambonir 2017-09-01 01:43:14 UTC #731

I can't really wrap my head around what the Pirates did here, I'm assuming Nicasio did not clear revocable waivers and they failed to trade him before pulling him back. So then he had to clear regular waivers to be traded. Seems awfully optimistic of them to think that would happen, and especially that they would think he'd drop to an AL team.

California_Dreamin 2017-09-01 01:59:45 UTC #732

Apparently he was placed on revocable waivers and selected by a team that had no interest in acquiring him but wanted to block another team from getting him. So Pirates pulled him back and then placed him on irrevocable waivers with hopes that an AL contender would get him.

Not so, as the Phils, courtesy of the worst record in baseball, had first pick and nabbed him. He will cost them $600,000 to play 1 month of ball so anyone who suggests the Phils have reverted to their previous tight fisted ways will have to explain this one satisfactorily.

zambonir 2017-09-01 04:34:03 UTC #733

Well, they can certainly afford it, it's not quite as impressive as taking one of the Detroit Justins (Verlander to the Astros btw).

I just don't see why the Pirates thought 15 teams would pass on him, including all the NL contenders. I guess they figured some teams would in fact be scared away by the $ (either because they are cheap, or capped out).

jimbomill 2017-09-01 11:03:52 UTC #734

It is a nice story coming from the brass in Pittsburg, but there's no way he was going to get to a contender via irrevocable waivers.

phillychuck 2017-09-01 13:29:39 UTC #735

This is just bizarre:

EDmuch 2017-09-01 15:07:16 UTC #736

I am somewhat surprised at how much the Astros had to give up to get Verlander & his large contract. One of theri top[ prospects ??? Really surprised me.

andyb 2017-09-01 15:15:50 UTC #737

Surprised me too. I thought the money owed was close to value and they would have to take more B-level prospects. At this price I would not have been interested for the Phillies for instance.

I think we saw here the price of scarcity. Houston was willing to pay a lot because Verlander is pitching well now. And now is all that is important to them. They probably have the money too because their own players will not make huge money for the most part till after the Verlander deal is done.

Philsmania 2017-09-01 15:16:24 UTC #738

Have they said who the recalls are going to be?

Crawford is regarded to be fait accompli.
Thompson, I'm guessing
Anderson but he has his innings limit so possibly not
Perkins (it would be tough to get him at-bats with the outfielder glut once Herrera and Altherr return)?
Beato?
Eshelman?
Liebrandt?

Most of our roster expansion will probably be guys returning from the DL...Knapp, Herrera, Altherr and maybe Efflin.

Some more guys will need to be DFA'd.

Austinfan 2017-09-01 15:34:11 UTC #739

They might want to look at Leibrandt.
They picked up Henderson Alvarez, he was a good ML pitcher before he blew out his shoulder, still only 27.
They could even give Tavares a shot.
Problem is all three are not on the 40 man roster.

zambonir 2017-09-01 15:37:29 UTC #740

They probably won't do it until the LV season is over, unless they need an arm anyway. Also the Pigs aren't out of it.

Philsmania 2017-09-01 16:00:51 UTC #741

True, though the Pigs face an elimination number of 2. They have to either win out and hope Rochester loses a couple or, at worst, split their last four and hope Rochester loses out. Regardless, I imagine the Phillies will wait until after Monday.

Crawford is not on it as well. That's four spots needed to be created. I suppose DFAing Perkins is one and I would just as soon cut bait on Appel at this point. They are unlikely to protect him on the 40 man this winter anyway. Can an Eikhoff, Efflin (if he isn't going to return) or Quinn be put on the 60 day DL at this point? AF, do you think they bring up Eshelman? If so, there's another spot that's needed.

California_Dreamin 2017-09-01 16:35:54 UTC #742

I think they will give Alvarez a shot, no reason not to. He pitched well a couple of days ago, has had major league success, and would be a boom to the team if he can show in September that he is almost back to his Florida form.