Phillies 2026 News and Discussion

[Patchmk88]

Of course I post that and he then makes a really nice catch.

[julio]

Of course I post that and he then makes a really nice catch.

Keep posting!

[EastFallowfield]

Which one?

[phillychuck]

Two great catches and cut off a ball in the gap keeping it to a single. Good night with the glove, unlike Turner, but we can live with the glove if the bat stays hot...

[zambonir]

De La Cruz called up, Stubbs to IL with very suspicious wrist inflammation

[andyb]

Those High 5s with Marsh and other big guys are dangerous.

[flyers19rw]

I think that BDLC can help them. He’s probably as good as any RH bat that they can get on the market today at a reasonable price. Decent defense but so far in his career, he’s been inconsistent on offense. He did do well this winter.

[zambonir]

I think he can help even if he only had one good arm!

Seriously, it makes sense to look at him, and while I'm sure Stubbs is really hurt because there probably isn't one over-30 player on the roster who doesn't have pain of inflammation somewhere, he get to keep drawing a major league salary and probably not be exposed to waivers until deadline time.

[Deadgmwalking]

Not being unkind, are we seriously concerned about Stubbs being claimed on waivers? Worst case he can hang around until they're in FL next week and get the ol' Dave Hollins brown recluse treatment.

[zambonir]

I mean, we're not, and he's cleared before, but if that's not been at least a partial concern that means the Phillies actually think he was the best use of the last bench spot for all this time.

And maybe it was, as a pitcher.

[Philsmania]

If they DFA Marchan, is there any serious reason for them to fear him getting claimed? Stubbs is no great shakes but he's a better backup catcher.

[zambonir]

Could also throw him into a trade. Lack of options limits his value but he's still young enough that he could have 4-5 good seasons as a viable back-up in MLB. Catching is just that thin/weak around the league (though you sure wouldn't know it watching the Dodgers).

Even the Braves, despite having last year's ROTY and three more years of Sean Murphy (who's making JT look good right now) have rostered Jonah Heim, Austin Wynns, Sandy Leon, Joey Bart, Chadwick Tromp and Jair Camargo this year. Several of those guys could have been Phllies (and one was a few years ago).

[andyb]

The reality is both Stubbs and Marchan are subpar backups. Might as well keep the younger one for now. An upgrade is probably needed next year but I think they just ride JT this year. Maybe we should get Tait back. Minnesota just drafted a kid who is better than Tait.

[allentown]

That's true but the overarching truth is they shouldn't want to trade for a replacement backup C with all the other holes on the team.

[andyb]

Not a trade now - but we really have no catcher of the future in our system and JT is slipping. It is an area we could address in the offseason with a modest free agent ($3-$5 million) or we could trade for somebody that might be the backup in JT's last year and the starter after that.

[Philsmania]

The reality is both Stubbs and Marchan are subpar backups. Might as well keep the younger one for now. An upgrade is probably needed next year but I think they just ride JT this year. Maybe we should get Tait back. Minnesota just drafted a kid who is better than Tait.

I recall that there were questions regarding whether or not Tait would stick at catcher (good arm but questions about his blocking and receiving abilities).

And, in the "time flies" category, O'Hoppe will be a FA after 2028.

[andyb]

I recall that there were questions regarding whether or not Tait would stick at catcher (good arm but questions about his blocking and receiving abilities).

Those are also questions about Ferrebus unfortunately and he is a couple of years behind Tait in the age vs level analysis. I only mentioned Tait because of who the Twins drafted this year which suggests they don't really believe in Tait as much any more also.

[allentown]

Not a trade now - but we really have no catcher of the future in our system

True, but I was answering Philsmania's question if we had anything to fear if Marchan was DFA and another team claimed him. Then we don't have a back-up catcher for an undetermined time, depending ujpon how long it takes for Stubbs' wrist to recover, and have to trade for one.

[andyb]

Well we would never DFA either when one was on the IL, so that is a silly question.

As to whether either would get claimed I suspect both would get through. But I (and the Phillies) believe that Marchan is better defensively so why are we considering this? Carrying both on the roster is just bad roster management along with a small realization in that we rarely pinch hit.

We absolutely cannot have no backup catcher for a period of time even if we put in a placeholder like Ricketts or Henry or McIntosh. We just are not going to do that and frankly the scary scenario is still JT getting hurt.

[zambonir]

Yeah the premise of Philsmania's question was dependent on Stubbs coming off the IL and Marchan being DFAed as a result. Though if they really just want three catchers forever both De La Cruz and Rincones Jr. have options. Obviously by August 3 there's probably gonna be another person in the mix anyway.