Phillies 2025-2026 Hot Stove Discussion

[bigegypt0417]

So what is the answer...I mean...do we roll with what we have and hope that somehow the trend changes? that what was a fairly Vanilla offense just magically improves?

Bichette will be 28 years old and with the exception of the year where he missed half of the season, these are numbers that equal a big contract.

The only way you don't look to make a move like this is if you're ready to start over and rebuild the team...again...which wastes the other money you're already paying.

[zambonir]

I think the answer is they went from 95 to 96 wins last year without a big-splash addition (even if Luzardo proved to be essential given Nola's season). And if Bichette means no JT, the team gets a little worse in another area.

And it's not the same team anyway, 2/3 of the OF is already different.

Bichette makes them better and I'm all for keeping up with the Dodgers money-wise. It would almost be more exciting that they don't GAF about eating Nick's $20 million than they are willing to spend another $60M (with the tax) on Bichette. If that's the case, no point in worrying about the payroll in 2030 either.

The problem is the Dodgers also manage to draft, sign and develop talent, so they an afford to give up the draft picks and trade away younger mid-priced players. The Phillies are still in a bit of a vicious cycle in that regard. They only had one second-round pick from 2018 to 2023, never mind whether they would have used them well.

[bigegypt0417]

The window is closing and nothing they've done makes them anything better than a playoff team.

If the issue is really a lack of 2nd round picks and such...I don't even know how to address that.

they certainly swing big in the international signing period.

[Dirk41]

Ok, then.....

Bichette to the Mets

[zambonir]

If the issue is really a lack of 2nd round picks and such...I don't even know how to address that.

I don't think that should just be blithely dismissed. Being a free agent-only team while also not being willing to spend like the Mets or Dodgers, and also not having enough tradeable system depth, is part of what's held the Phillies back. But only part. The truth is they are still a very good team, and Bichette to the Phillies (or, lol, Bichette to the Mets) doesn't guarantee anything any more than Soto did for the Mets.

They don't swing big internationally, that number is fixed. Historically they have actually failed to swing big when it wasn't. In any case, they just decided to swing at one player this year.

If they were serious about Bichette, find something else to do with the money. Really, they should have traded for Tucker (but again, no system depth) or moved on from Nick (and signed someone better than Kepler) last year. But budget held them back.

[bigegypt0417]

Good for them.

[zambonir]

Three years, $126M. That is smart for him given his age. But Phillies were presumably offering more like seven years, $210, which is $12M less AAV.

Bob Nightengale remains often wrong!

[bigegypt0417]

[quote="bigegypt0417, post:1055, topic:54677"]
If they were serious about Bichette, find something else to do with the money. Really, they should have traded for Tucker (but again, no system depth) or moved on from Nick (and signed someone better than Kepler) last year. But budget held them back.

I'm really unable to process budget when they were about to sign someone that would have put them in the top 2 or 3 in payroll.

On top of it...your solution literally flies in the face with the actual issue you planted a flag on.

Spend assets to pick up a player who would gut your system.

I'm still kind of stuck on not signing players because of second round picks.

[andyb]

It is almost as if the Phillies saw the Nightingale post and decided he was not worth it. Now we just need a catcher as it is clear they have the money for JT.

[bigegypt0417]

it's going to be fun when at this point next year we're discussing who we have traded since the team got knocked out of the playoffs again.

[Dirk41]

Really hope JT and Bohm don't feel alienated after this.

[julio]

it's going to be fun when at this point next year we're discussing who we have traded since the team got knocked out of the playoffs again.

... as opposed to discussing why signing (fill in the blank: Tucker, Bichette) was a bad idea since the team got knocked out of the playoffs again.

[zambonir]

I was referring to last year's budget. And every year before that. Last year they showed no willingness to spend more money until the deadline. They ran it back with Nick and Marsh in CF and signed a cheap LF and cheap closer. Only after all those moves failed did they take on salary (and lose prospects) at the deadline. In previous years they settled for Austin Hays or, in 2023, no OF rather than add salary.

Maybe the lesson has been learned. This year at least they've already changed two of the three OF spots (including the likely eating of Nick's contract). But they still don't have an open position on the roster (besides catcher). They were ready to trade Bohm or Stott, do you try and poach Bellinger now and trade Marsh?

If the Phillies hadn't given away so many picks signing FAs, they would be able to make more trades without gutting the system, I don't see any contradiction there. They still might need to trade for a catcher which won't be easy. If they had a lot of depth, they could also make an offer for Skubal. Or Nico Hoerner if Cubs move him (and then you still trade Bohm).

If ownership was ready to sign off on spending $60 million this year on Bichette (including tax) that's great, but who knows if they really made an offer. And why didn't they get more serious about Tucker or Belllinger before signing Garcia, or about bringing back Ranger, if the money's there?

[zambonir]

I think that ship has sailed on Bohm. But it will only take a check to un-alienate JT.

[Dirk41]

True. We really need them both this year.

Any interest in Eugenio Suarez??

[zambonir]

In the end the money always wins.

3 years, $126M, no deferrals, can opt-out after both first and second year. Will play 3B.

Reports: Phillies lose out on Bo Bichette, who agrees to three-year, $126...

Which is the other thing about the Phillies - until they actually do a deferral deal like the Dodgers we know they are not considering all possible avenues of spending, and until they actually agree to give an opt-out we know they are not on a completely level playing field with the other top spending teams.

They could have had Bregman last year too. Maybe he even would have stayed.

[andyb]

That was quick. 3/45 for JT.

Phillies to re-sign J.T. Realmuto to 3-year deal after missing out on Bo...

[zambonir]

Nice. Pretty much what was expected, save for the presumed over term. It's never personal (mostly).

Keep Bohm, save that theoretical Bichette money for a deadline add, especially since there aren't many FA bats next year.

[David_Criss]

So we are running it back
Garcia will cost $30 million and replace Casty
Keller replaces Strahm
Painter replaces Ranger
Rojas and Crawford will battle it out for Centerfield

But I am glad to see JT back, just disappointed that this team hasn't improved.
Bichette at $42 per; Tucker at $60 per = craziness.

[VoteForKalas]

3 years for JT, do not like that, but he had them over a barrel due to their continued inability to draft & develop talent.

I do not see any measurable improvement in the team so far unfortunately. Like last off-season, it feels like DD re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic and hoping we will not sink. As Roseman famously said, hope is not a strategy.

Without Wheeler due to injury, Nola's performance in 2026 uncertain and losing Ranger to FA makes the inaction even more alarming. And again the only pool we can compete in is FA. We have a mediocre farm system. We ignore the international market.

And before Garcia replaces Casty, we have to actually move Casty off the roster. It seems like the rest of the league is not interested in Casty even if the Phillies agree to put $$ in. Great asset management, DD. If Casty is still on this roster and riding the bench during games, that will be a huge hassle for Topper and distraction for the team.