General Discussion

Lucky_Beagle 2017-06-11 20:30:49 UTC #741

How can they give a double to a batter if the runner on first gets thrown out going to 3rd? I understand it would easily have been a double, but if the runner on base didn't advance the necessary bases as well it seems labeling it a single and going to 2nd on the throw would make as much sense.

BostonRoss 2017-06-11 23:24:36 UTC #742

I thought the same thing. On the radio broadcast, Franzke cited a rule that seems to indicate it can't be a double.

EastFallowfield 2017-06-13 17:01:25 UTC #743

andyb 2017-06-13 17:32:18 UTC #744

No surgery for Quinn at least. In Clearwater to rehab according to phuturephilles.

California_Dreamin 2017-06-13 17:40:56 UTC #745

I am going to try and stay out of the conversations today because I am feeling quite frustrated [depressed??] by the state of the Phillie organization right now [can't stand Peter Mac, think far too many of the Phillie youngsters are regressing, which is a terrible indictment of the coaching staff, am not impressed with the progress of far too many minor leaguers and am completely underwhelmed by the draft to this point] but I am prepared to say one thing....can this team NOT continue to move players for cash considerations? I find this absolutely disgusting and it causes me to wonder just how deep the pockets of Middleton actually are.

As someone who was the biggest booster of Johnny M and couldn't wait for him to take over, up to this point he has appeared to be quite cheap in far too many areas for me to not at least postulate the theory that his sister's lawsuit has caused him to backtrack on all his visions of spending grandeur.

I find this to be quite sad. I have no problem with moving players. But count me as one who finds moving from Antonio Bastardo to Joely Rodriguez to cash considerations as a pathetic AND cheap way of operating a major league franchise. Right now, it feels to me like the Giles ERA all over again.

julio 2017-06-13 17:45:38 UTC #746

Joely Rodriguez was DFA. A player to be named (if that happens) may be worth more than the claiming price - and that's apparently what the market thinks Joely is worth. Based on his performance this season, I can understand that. But I don't think this has anything to do with "saving money." Rodriguez was DFA on the merits, not as a money-saving move - and the guy who replaced him (Fien) is earning twice as much money as Rodriguez. No saving there.

zambonir 2017-06-13 17:47:37 UTC #747

Right, any time you move a player for cash considerations it should be applauded - it's nice for the player to not get waived and it is two GMs helping each other out. The cash could be the proverbial bag of balls, or it could be enough to pay for some future Rule V picks. The Phillies don't need the money obviously, but it's not about that.

Lucky_Beagle 2017-06-13 17:49:30 UTC #748

I am not sure exactly what else you were hoping to get for a player who was DFA'ed by the worst team in baseball. If a player can't make this team it is surprising many other teams would be interested in him. I guess another team could hope their coaching staff is better and try to fix some flaw in his game?

zambonir 2017-06-13 18:02:51 UTC #749

It is definitely disappointing Joely didn't work out, but Bastardo was a good but erratic PED violator who was close to free agency at the time. It was a reasonably fair trade then, and they could also probably be traded for each other now (ok not really but Bastardo's probably having a lost season due to injury).

allentown 2017-06-13 18:04:37 UTC #750

That has been my theory. His whole approach seemed to change after that lawsuit was filed. The rebuild seems to have moved back into neutral. We just aren't doing anything extra/aggressive to rebuild beyond normal business as usual.

allentown 2017-06-13 18:09:15 UTC #751

And it seemed at the time to be a quick bail on a cheap, 25-year old who was good across multiple levels last season.

bkeich 2017-06-13 18:09:33 UTC #752

This franchise does seem to not spend money, whether that is just because the team isnt very good or because they don't want to open up the checkbook is not really clear yet.

We did blow money on an extra roster spot by releasing Harrison, but honestly that roster spot has been open most of the year. It allowed us to not expose one player to the Rule 5 draft. The money was spent anyway so the credit for this is small.

They are making only minor attempts to spend money in LA and in the world. Middle of the road, sticking with the shell out small amounts to many prospects. Not the best method in my opinion, but when you look at our current roster you do see a fair number of players from this method (Franco, Hernanadez, Galvis, etc.)

Honestly, I think it is too early to give up on Middleton, but their are certainly signs that he was blowing smoke up our... The first clue was when they said they werent going to spend on players because they were spending money on analytics. That explains a few million, not the $50M+/year they have added to profit lately.

David_Criss 2017-06-13 18:27:24 UTC #753

Joely was designated to make room for Casey Fien. I know there aren't any real pitching prospects knocking on the door for a promotion, but this was curious. Joely is only 25 and last year he put up decent numbers between AA and AAA in his first year pitching out of the pen. He had options and could have been sent back to Allentown for more seasoning coming out of the pen. Was Fien needed/wanted that badly?

zambonir 2017-06-13 18:33:25 UTC #754

The management of the 40-man has definitely not been covered in glory. I think they were hoping Rodriguez would clear.

Austinfan 2017-06-13 19:02:15 UTC #755

There's something screwy with Rodriquez, he wasn't just bad, he was awful, don't know if it's mental but I think they gave up on him.

Whereas Fien was the suprise promotion that having seen him pitch.
Fien is downright strange, his velocity is peaking at 93+ at age 33, problem has been a below average slider.

teabag259 2017-06-13 20:41:00 UTC #756

I'll give them another month and a half. Then They need to have a poor mans version of a fire sale (as there aren't many desirable assets for other teams) and finish the season with at least some of our young prospects playing everyday.

julio 2017-06-13 20:43:56 UTC #757

This means no Cesar until just about the trade deadline. So, Kendrick every day for six weeks, then (assuming he doesn't fall apart) move him at the deadline and activate Hernandez?

Austinfan 2017-06-13 21:33:46 UTC #758

It seems to be working with pitching, A good chunk of the pitching below AAA is low cost LA signings with more to come.
Most of the LA misses have been substantial bonuses to hitters (Encarnacion, Pujols, etc)
Lehigh: Pinto
Reading: Elniery Garcia, Rios, Nunez, Rivero,
Clearwater: Kilome, Tavares, Edgar Garcia, Dominquez
Lakewood: Sanchez, Medina, Suarez, Llovera
And in a few weeks we'll see who is pitching for the rookie teams.

It seems like they've figured out something the last few years.

allentown 2017-06-13 22:12:50 UTC #759

Can't deny that Sal and his crew seem on to something wrt LA pitching. We're not doing nearly as well on position players. We need to find a guy for Sal's crew who is adept at identifying young hitters.

Philsmania 2017-06-13 23:38:33 UTC #760

Sal doesn't know anything. He can't hold a candle to Arbuckle.