Phillies 2025-2026 Hot Stove Discussion

[zambonir]

It's an argument, but one the Phillies don't seem swayed by. Of course they have a lot of question marks in their current six-deep rotation. But that doesn't change the fact that it is six-deep, and you'd either have to trade someone (besides Walker) or option Painter.

I also think they'd be hard-pressed to keep both Ranger and Luzardo long-term.

It goes back to the same thing really - if they had the Dodgers' largesse, they'd do it all. The Dodgers wouldn't have to choose between Ranger and JT or Bichette and JT.

But you can't play Stubbs and Marchan 162 games. You don't even know if Marchan will make it through 60.

Not really too concerned that JT isn't going to be back. But if that does happen certainly you consider other upgrades besides just finding another C. Similarly if Boras misreads Ranger's market and he hasn't landed anywhere in a month, you talk. Purely as a fan I wish Ranger could stay.

[allentown]

Yes, it does mean it isn't really 6-deep. And... how many teams can make it through a season with just 6 MLB starters? Doubtful Wheeler starts the season. Painter is a huge talent, but how wiell will he do for how many IP in his rookie season? I've loved Nola, but he needs to rebound. We can't have a rerun of 2025. Sanchez and Luzardo were solid and young last year, with Sanchez pitching like an ace. Walker ok as a #4/5 SP. That's a bare 5 SP to start the season, including question marks. They need Ranger. Badly.

[tom81]

I remain of the view that our best course is to resign Ranger. The path to success, IMO, in both the regular season and the playoffs, is elite starting pitching, including depth to survive the inevitable injuries as the season grinds on.

I agree the path of success is an elite starting pitching however, I don’t think signing Ranger is the best way to achieve this. Not that I don’t think Ranger is among the best available, but there’s a second consideration. You also want to increase the value of the franchise and the best way to do that would be to increase the marketing appeal of the franchise. The best approach would be spending the extra money and get. Tatsuya Imai. Besides one criticism of our rotation last year that it was two left-handed and adding Ranger continues that.

[flyers19rw]

Tatsuya Imani may be the best way to go. I love Ranger when he’s on. However last season’s drop in velocity is a concern as are his periodic health issues. No organization knows his physical problems better than the Phillies. If they feel that his injuries are manageable then resigning him makes sense. If not, then look elsewhere.

[Jazzhead]

Imai would be a great addition, but for an east coast club like the Phillies that has never signed a Japanese player, I'll believe it when I see it.

[LegoDoom]

So Taguchi!

Not what you meant, but they have tried at times. Also, you've got to start somewhere. IMO, you make a big signing and open some avenues that you haven't previously had.

[zambonir]

The 2024 team still won 95 games with Walker making the 4th most starts with 15, followed by Turnbull and Phillips making 7 each. A situation they wisely addressed by adding Luzardo. But having even four high-paid high-caliber starters is an incredible luxury. Five is mostly unheard of (though I guess Sanchez still isn't highly paid. But Ranger and Luzardo weren't last year either).

And of course our most successful playoff teams got by with Gibson/Falter ('22) and Walker/Sanchez ('23) though they certainly didn't do anything to help in the playoffs (and they had to get Thor in '22).

I think it is probably true that they are willing to exceed their current budget for the younger and more pivotal Imai than Ranger. Certainly I would like them to just spend more money. But I don't pick Ranger over JT if they stick to the budget that their moves so far (i.e. Garcia and dumping Strahm) suggest they have.

[allentown]

I'd be thrilled if the Phillies signed Imani, but think that unlikely. The Phillies have yet to crash into the Japanese market for top talent. I would add extra credit ti an Imani signing, simply for being a wedge into a locked door. I think they can sign Ranger and he may well be better than Imai. We may have an expensive pitching staff, but not as many ancients as in the lineup and in another year Wheeler is gone. They need some good, young, home-grown guys added to the lineup. Another costly, too-long contract to an older hitter is not what the team should be spending big $ on.

[LegoDoom]

Is there some kind of Imani joke that I am not getting? Maybe the Phillies aren't signing Japanese players because of this.

[phillychuck]

Spell check sometimes changes Imai to Imami. Seems random, not consistent from person to person.

[zambonir]

Given the cheap and out-of-nownere signing of by the White Sox or Murakami and the interview Imai gave about being open to forging his own path (and not playing the Dodgers), it seems more possible than it's ever been. Especially if Imai's perceived alternative choice to LA, SF, isn't gonna pay, which is also rumored.

Still think it was correct to sign Schwarber and is correct to sign JT. Just not another big $ FA on top of that. If they've got the money, definitely get a pitcher. But it could also be another Luzardo-type move, or someone better than Turnbull but not as dramatic as Ranger (essentially, Walker when they first signed him, but hopefully for fewer years and better results).

[fish]

Mike Rodriguez twitter says they signed Genesis Cabrera to a minor league deal. Always had great stuff and poor command. Fingers crossed he can mature into a more serviceable Gregory Soto-like guy.

[andyb]

One less fastball for Bryce to duck away from.

[zambonir]

More post-Strahm depth. No options, unlike Backhus. Probably has a major league opt-out date if he doesn't crack the 26 out of ST.

Will be good competition for those last slots (assuming Walker is in rotation): RHPs Bowlan, Curet, Johnson, Lazar, McCambley, McFarlane. LHPs Backhus and Cabrera.

[zambonir]

Phillies Sign Mark Kolozsvary To Minor League Deal

[phillychuck]

In ’24 and especially in 2025 he was a good to great offensive presence in the high minors and MLB after being basically an automatic out for years. Did he discover something or is it just SSS variance? 30 years old with pretty low mileage.

[LegoDoom]

Spell check sometimes changes Imai to Imami. Seems random, not consistent from person to person.

That makes sense, but it was happening enough that I was searching for Imani player stats .

[zambonir]

PC had a whole different typo (Imami, which sounds like a player high in MSG).

New AAA catcher has options. Can't imagine that's the last move if JT doesn't re-sign but give them a call-up alternative to Stubbs in various scenarios.

[fish]

In ’24 and especially in 2025 he was a good to great offensive presence in the high minors and MLB after being basically an automatic out for years.

His “good” the last 2 years consisted of 7 games in AAA. Granted, he was a backup even in the minors with no more than 30 games played the last 2 years.

[andyb]

I would bet more on the offense being low usage and SSS. That being said, we probably need to bring in a couple of catchers in AAA and AA to be backups that could also be emergency catchers in the majors. Doubt Kolozsvary is seen as a competitor for a backup slot (they would just give Stubbs the job backing up Marchan. Still think it will be JT or another catcher more in a 50-50 role with Marchan.