Phillies 2026 News and Discussion

[EDmuch]

I think the article was a worthwhile review of what is out there. The answer is "not much". The article does suggest a few role players that I had not thought of. But they are just role players. Seems the only significant move, besides Trout, would be with Houston.

[EDmuch]

I am beginning to wonder when they decide they have seen enough of Painter to realize he is not MLB ready. Probably when they pick up a 5th arm type at the trade deadline.

[zambonir]

The Phillies might need a starting pitching but could just as easily be for Nola or an injury as Painter. I think you can rule them out on Skubal as a rental. Question is will they be on him in the off-season? Of course the off-season isn't going to end until May probably.

A lot of baseball left but as the team currently stands I think we are looking at a 2023 type trade deadline. They're not good enough, and don't have the system depth, to make a big splash. I suppose some teams will go a little crazy to try and make one last series of moves before the possible CBA changes; but protecting your prospects in anticipation of that might also be important.

[andyb]

I am beginning to wonder when they decide they have seen enough of Painter to realize he is not MLB ready. Probably when they pick up a 5th arm type at the trade deadline.

I am less worried about his readiness. Remember he was facing the Dodgers. I think the baby steps they are using with him now are appropriate. Shorter outings and pushing him back occasionally when there are off days.

Now I AM worried about the complete lack of depth in the upper minors. We are very vulnerable to injury.

[Patchmk88]

I think Painter has good stuff still. Not sure he needs any more development on his pitches. He really needs to develop his command. He's around the zone a lot but too far off it with some pitches to entice MLB hitters. Also leaves a lot of pitches in the middle of the plate. I think that is something he's going to have to develop in the majors because you can get away with command issues a lot more in AAA then you can in the MLB.

[Jazzhead]

I think Painter is going to be fine, same with Crawford. It's unrealistic to expect instant stardom, but both show the grit and resilience to be productive big leaguers. The problem is that the team is competing for a playoff spot, with a pitching staff that can win a short series. That goal, that opportunity, can't be compromised.

It's a shame that Garcia can't seem to hit, because he's one hell of an athlete and one of the best right fielders I've ever seen on the Phillies. He should be our Wilyer Abreu. But he's likely the least productive at his position in the majors.

I think our best outfield now is Sosa, Marsh and Crawford. Sosa deserves an everyday position and I think that until further notice left field should be it.
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[zambonir]

On a Phillies team with a normal offense Crawford as the worst hitter and Painter as the 5th starter would be fine. But that's not what they've got, plus the 4th starter is still shaky too.

I don't know that Sosa deserves an everyday position in any way shape or form. He's a classic bench guy who thrills with the occasional big hit, he always goes in the toilet if he plays too much and even his usual strong hitting against LHP hasn't come around this year. That being the case it's still possible sticking with Garcia's defense is better than Sosa playing LF. Certainly Sosa's offensive glimmers and competent defense make him better then Reyes or Kemp, but neither of them are even on the roster now. Berroa is the guy they'd need to give time too, and he's a switch-hitter too.

[andyb]

Crawford up to 7th in the lineup tonight. Not that he has done much to merit that, but that is what happens without JT in the lineup.

[bkox]

but that is what happens without JT in the lineup.

Not that JT is doing much. Crawford has the higher OPS

[LoneStarPhan]

Crawford started tonight with a higher BA and OPS than Turner.

[zambonir]

The real impact was moving Garcia down, which was both deserved and allowed him to split up Crawford and Stubbs. At one point I forgot Crawford was hitting 7th and though Schwarber was going to come up with him on first. That Garcia AB was awful.

[VoteForKalas]

The trend with Painter and Nola appears to be to limit their starts to 4-6 IP or roughly 90 pitches in hopes they can build off success and, as time goes on, be more efficient and thus extend their outings.

Not sure if this is analytics driven or Mattingly or Cotham or all the above, but it is an interesting approach that may be beginning to bear fruit for Nola and could in time with Painter too.

That is in contrast of course to how they are managing Sanchez, Wheeler and Luzardo. I think Luzardo might benefit from the Nola/Painter treatment, but that may be the tipping point for taxing the pen too much.

[zambonir]

And who can say if the manager actually had anything to do with that. Also, Wheeler instead of Taijuan Walker and an easier schedule

Consider: Since the managerial change on April 28, Phillies starters have a 2.86 ERA, second to only the Brewers. The relievers have a 3.43 mark, 13th in the majors. It helps, too, that the starters have worked 185⅔ innings, second-most in the majors, to keep the relievers from burning out.

1 game out of the WC now.

Pitching continues to carry Phillies’ just-enough offense in win over the Padres

[Philsmania]

I presume Wheeler is a big part of the pitching difference (if not the biggest part) and a I imagine that settled-down rotation has a positive effect on the bullpen. Keller seems to be settling down and while Banks has been a flop, Mayza has risen to replace him and Shugart has been a surprise who has been able to handle late-inning situations.

While the schedule has improved, the Phillies have also held their own against tougher competition, particularly the road sweeps of the Pirates and Padres. Having said that, this upcoming weekend series against a White Sox team which just might be for real--32-29, +3 RD--concerns me.

[zambonir]

Phillies match up well against the Padres, a good team with an equally pathetic offense that is getting far less from its two stars than the Phillies are.

Luzardo was also a huge difference, 5.50 ERA in March/April, 3.03 in May.

[Philsmania]

Also, it's unfortunate that all of the Phillies-Cubs games came when the Cubs were on a blistering 20-3 run. If those games came a month later, it's possible that the Phillies would have went 6-1 against them instead of the other way around.

And yes, we are 1 game out of the WC but we are tied with one other team (the Reds) and have two other teams .5 game ahead of us (Cardinals and Cubs) so we are effectively tied for 6th place in the race for three spots. But, at the same time, we are only 1.5 games behind the Padres and Pirates who are tied for first. It's a traffic jam. It would be nice to see this team go on a hot streak and break out of the pack a bit.

[zambonir]

Rojas has been working out in Clearwater and is expected to start his minor league rehab assignment soon. He can return to MLB on June 25.

Next up for Cristopher Sánchez: A chance at major league history vs. the Padres

[andyb]

Rojas has been working out in Clearwater and is expected to start his minor league rehab assignment soon. He can return to MLB on June 25.

I guess this is the only move if you want to retain value in Rojas. I assume he is possible to replace Berroa/Stubbs immediately if he is playing well - or in the alternate scenario they want to just get him playing so he can be traded for something rather than released for nothing. A roster with Rojas and either Kemp/Reyes is definitely more flexible as we might need to start playing Garcia less.

[zambonir]

Or he just finishes out the year in AAA - wouldn't that actually preserve his option for next year, even? I guess not, but they could still keep him until the DFA moment comes next season, especially with the lockout. He's certainly fine as the 26th man/last bench guy. He and Berroa would be duplicative in the long run but obvious the team on June 26 is not going to be the same as the one on August 1 (unless they crash out badly).

[andyb]

If he never goes to the minors his option for next year would be preserved. The rehab stint does not count as an option. He still has one option left though I guess it would be unrealistic to think he would be on the team the rest of the year just to preserve an option (from a player that has disappointed you).

His trade value is slightly greater if the option is preserved. Either way he won't have much value and certainly his greatest value would be on the Phillies themselves as his defense is still better than any other CF they have and he did show some offensive gains in the winter in the Dominican.