MLB (Non-Phils) News and Notes 2016

[julio]

And to this point, nothing has been done that indicates a change in philosophy.

What - specifically - do you think should have been done? Please, no bunch of platitudes here.

Your point appears to be "they haven't gone out and spent like drunken sailors." No, they haven't. But you're arguing that they should have?

Are you disagreeing with the Phils' current rebuilding strategy? If so, in what specific ways? What specifically would you do differently? Why? You haven't seen a "change in philosophy"? What would a "change in philosophy" entail? Wholesale spending for its own sake?

Now, you're not the only poster here who has complained in the past few months that the Phils "haven't spent enough." But I have to say, I have not seen any serious arguments about how they should have spent more - and especially spent a lot more, which some seem to think they should have - in a way that would have benefited the club long-term.

"Spending money" is not a formula for success. It can contribute - but only if it's spent in furtherance of a real plan. Moaning about "lack of spending" in a vacuum is pointless. IMHO, it's just complaining because somebody wants to complain.

[andyb]

I still say you are all missing the point. Missing it completely. Its not whether we lose one minute of sleep about Tomas or not, I certainly haven't. But there was an opportunity to bring in a talented hitter for nothing but money and the Phils declined the opportunity.

To me, this was not a talent evaluation but a money one. And to this point, nothing has been done that indicates a change in philosophy. And yes, I was an advocate of bringing a hitter or two to give the young hurlers a better chance to win. And still am.

I believe when the story of the 2016 Phillies is written there is likely to be lots of positives. But there will be serious and concerning negatives and the less than obvious improvements of the young starters is likely to be the biggest. In my mind, Nola, Velasquez, Appel and Eflin are not better now than they were earlier, Eickhoff's status is yet to be finalized and Thompson's score is incomplete.

I think a few more hitters might have helped with the youngster's development. And having one as young as Tomas would have been a bonus. We are all excited about what the young outfielders might do someday. I see it as getting excited about hoping they end up doing as well as Tomas is doing right now.

For nothing but money, something the Phils are swimming in.

I am not saying money had nothing to do with it. I think it was both money and talent. The team clearly thought he lacked a defensive position and wanted to move away from putting guys like Ruf in the OF. It was also not necessarily the time to spend money and we did see the team put plenty of money to make the 2015 deals happen. We were always going to have a smaller budget with the low attendance of a losing team.

This offseason will be a more significant test with money. It is time to start spending again. Most likely on the pitching staff. Would also like to see us use the rest of our international allocation and hear rumors that they have deals for players next year (more than a dozen players are already committed to teams according to credible rumors).

I think the team was divided on Tomas as a prospect because of the defense - and then the opt out meant they would not have control when the team expected to contend. FWIW I do think the team is smarter about analytics even back when they decided not to get Tomas. If we had advanced defensive metrics back in Greg Luzinski's day we would have thought of him more as a Mark Trumbo type than a perennial all star. And of course Mike Schmidt would have deserved twice as much money as he actually got paid.

[zambonir]

zambonir....I am assuming you are referring to the fact that the Phils can bid on him after 2018? Well, yes, they can. I hope that is what you mean because if you are still commenting on the fact that he is a free agent after 2018 and might have left the Phillies, my answer is, "I would have taken that chance because everyone gets to be a free agent eventually and that can't be the deterrent that keeps you from bidding on a player. It simply can't."

My comment referred to both things.

But this is a pretty simple one to me: Amaro wanted to sign Tomas because he was still trying to win games, in 2015 and beyond. By crunch time, the front office had other plans. The team that signs Tomas makes other moves, and doesn't pick #1 this past June, or in the Top 10 next year. Some obviously would have preferred that approach. But it's not the approach the Phillies' took. Had he not had the opt-out he would have been more attractive, plain and simple. For the same reason the Phillies haven't called up J.P. Crawford.

[Slinging_Southpaw]

I still say you are all missing the point. Missing it completely. Its not whether we lose one minute of sleep about Tomas or not, I certainly haven't. But there was an opportunity to bring in a talented hitter for nothing but money and the Phils declined the opportunity.

To me, this was not a talent evaluation but a money one. And to this point, nothing has been done that indicates a change in philosophy. And yes, I was an advocate of bringing a hitter or two to give the young hurlers a better chance to win. And still am.

I believe when the story of the 2016 Phillies is written there is likely to be lots of positives. But there will be serious and concerning negatives and the less than obvious improvements of the young starters is likely to be the biggest. In my mind, Nola, Velasquez, Appel and Eflin are not better now than they were earlier, Eickhoff's status is yet to be finalized and Thompson's score is incomplete.

I think a few more hitters might have helped with the youngster's development. And having one as young as Tomas would have been a bonus. We are all excited about what the young outfielders might do someday. I see it as getting excited about hoping they end up doing as well as Tomas is doing right now.

For nothing but money, something the Phils are swimming in.

You also don't know how far Arizona was willing to go either. The Red Sox went "it's only money" on Rusney Castillo(the guy that was ML ready) and blew everyone away to get their guy. There's a limit anyone is going to go risk/reward. Pat Gillick said "No" on Tomas. Amaro said "yes", maybe more than anything on the hope of saving his job, we all know how it turned out. 28 other teams also backed away from a player who is a future DH.

[mdougherty12]

Timely article from Fangraphs on Tomas & his recent improvement:

fangraphs.com/blogs/yasmany- ... n-the-air/

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[zambonir]

Interesting situation in Toronto with the Jays and Aaron Sanchez collaborating to demote him during a period when he wasn't gonna pitch.

sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/bl ... call-loup/

[Austinfan]

In other words, as pitchers adjust, he'll come back to earth.
I don't think it would have hurt to have added Tomas, but he's not a difference maker, and if he opted out, does anything think the Phillies would have coughed up big money to resign him when they'll have lots of OFs who have more upside (they can field) arriving around that time?

A tempest in a teapot argument.

As far as spending money this winter, outside of a QO for Hellickson, picking up Morton's option and signing a 1-2 year deal with a LH 1B/OF type, who would you sign? If Hernandez keeps it up, 2B isn't an issue, with Crawford breathing down the necik of Galvis, SS isn't an issue. A long-term deal with an 30+ OF with Cozens, Quinn, Pullin, Williams all with a 2018 ETA? Hoskins and Joseph at 1B, Rupp, Knapp and Alfaro at C. Hellickson is the best pitcher out there. Other than throwing money at Chapman, is there anyone even worth kicking the tires?

Maybe if someone is available on the International front, but I haven't read anything about a top Japanese pitcher, etc.

[bigegypt0417]

So to try and go in a little bit of a different direction...

Alec Hanson is striking out a lot of Short Season hitters...

milb.com/player/index.jsp?si ... g/2016/ALL

[phillychuck]

They're starting him at a pretty low level for an accomplished college junior. Still, 70K in 43 IP is pretty special.

[bigegypt0417]

They're starting him at a pretty low level for an accomplished college junior. Still, 70K in 43 IP is pretty special.

For sure...probably working on the mechanics that made him fall so much.

That is still pretty awesome.

[andyb]

White Sox are one of the handful or organizations without a short season A ball affiliate (Northwest/NY Penn). I am guessing they did not want to start a pitcher with questions in the South Atlantic League, no matter what his ceiling is.

[mdougherty12]

Stephen Strasburg is back on the DL with elbow soreness:

cbssports.com/fantasy/baseba ... -soreness/

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[zambonir]

As far as spending money this winter, outside of a QO for Hellickson, picking up Morton's option and signing a 1-2 year deal with a LH 1B/OF type, who would you sign? If Hernandez keeps it up, 2B isn't an issue, with Crawford breathing down the necik of Galvis, SS isn't an issue. A long-term deal with an 30+ OF with Cozens, Quinn, Pullin, Williams all with a 2018 ETA? Hoskins and Joseph at 1B, Rupp, Knapp and Alfaro at C. Hellickson is the best pitcher out there. Other than throwing money at Chapman, is there anyone even worth kicking the tires?

Maybe if someone is available on the International front, but I haven't read anything about a top Japanese pitcher, etc.

Non-Phils thread.

[andyb]

Tim Tebow workout today. Already offered a contract from Zulia, the Venezuelan team with the strongest Phillies ties. Of course Ruben is with the Red Sox now so hopefully this distraction signs there...

sports.yahoo.com/news/sources-ti ... 23231.html

[LoneStarPhan]

Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout was not hurt after being involved in a car crash following a game Wednesday night.

[julio]

Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout was not hurt after being involved in a car crash following a game Wednesday night.

The questions are "Who was drinking, if anyone?" and "How much?"

Memories of Dykstra and Daulton crashing into a tree come to mind...

[mdougherty12]

Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout was not hurt after being involved in a car crash following a game Wednesday night.

The questions are "Who was drinking, if anyone?" and "How much?"

Memories of Dykstra and Daulton crashing into a tree come to mind...

Given the Angels connection, Nick Adenhart comes to mind.

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[EastFallowfield]

Angel outfielder Mike Trout swerved but still hit another vehicle that had slowed to a stop on the southbound 55 freeway Wednesday night, and that Chevrolet Sonic was pushed into a GMC Suburban, says a California Highway Patrol report released Thursday.

Both the Sonic and Suburban were stopped because of a backup caused by an earlier collision near McFadden Avenue, the report says.

[Philsmania]

Seriously, why the rush to judgment that Trout was under the influence? Thousands of automobile accidents happen every day. Percentagewise, precious few involve a driver under the influence.

[LoneStarPhan]

All accounts I read said that there was no indication of any drug or alcohol involved in the crash. Looks like he just didn't see the stopping traffic in time to stop, but we should be very careful in drawing any conclusions from news reports.