Phillies 2026 News and Discussion

[zambonir]

Brian Keller DFAed to make room for Nestor Cortes on the 40. He probably won't even be the first September 1 pitcher, starting his work in Clearwater.

[biggsphils]

I wouldn't be so sure of that one .They are going to need someone to play 3rd or 2nd depending on where they decide to play Stott. There is a good possibility of no better options, He could come back on a 1 year deal to try to improve his stock for free agency in 2028 and that would give the phillies another year to see what they have in Miller. I think Bohm has a better chance of being here next year then Arraez,

[zambonir]

You're not wrong that there are holes, especially given Miller's purgatory. But I think someone not named Bohm or Arraez is most likely to fill them. I just think the Phillies are done with Bohm and he's ready for a fresh start. If he wasn't a FA he'd be a non-tender candidate.

Granted, if he keeps hitting like this and leads the Phillies to some October success things might change. Or if his market is so dry that he comes back for even less money than he makes now. But at the end of the day, he's an easily-replaced player (literally below replacement level) even with his seeming knack for RBIs. Even after this hot streak he is stll one of the worst regulars in all of MLB offensively (126 out of 140 qualifed hitters; I believe at one point he was dead last) and was also among the worst 3B in the field (and he's not staying at 1B). It's not just the Phillies' asking for too much that has made him untradeable three times.

And win or lose, the roster needs some changes next year. A new IF and a new OF, and they'll have the $. Turner may also yet play 2B (if not 3B).

[andyb]

Interesting that they see Cortes as potentially the long reliever they need in addition to injury insurance. Of course if he does not make it back until mid-September it may not mean too much. And a specific long reliever is less needed in the playoffs if the 4th and 5th starters (more likely Painter) could fill that role. Season ends September 27th and figure he'll need 6-8 outings to ramp up and we are already in late August.

Cortes came up as a reliever in the majors though that was because he was not good enough for the rotation at that time. Really has not pitched in relief since the pandemic. It helps that he is left-handed though and our starters least likely to go 5 are all right--handed.

[zambonir]

These kind of moves are always worth doing and also have yet to really bear fruit (Lorenzen, Buehler, even Kolby Allard was on the 2024 NLDS roster). More of a break glass in case of emergency situation I'd think. Ideally he makes a couple of meaningless starts or takes some bulkl bullpen innings in the last 10 days.

[Callison]

Zero on the judgment meter for the sports scribes chatting up Cora for next season. A one sentence notification would be plenty. What if Mattingly wins a WS, btw?

Watching Alvarado get the nod in the 7th a second time to hold a lead shows the Phils are not concerned about his lack of control. I wish Alvarado well, but he's looked lost on the mound lately. This time, the first batter gets a 1B, so Bohm is holding him on and able to snag a low liner for a DP, and Alvarado eventually looks OK for an inning. Requires careful watching every outing, IMHO, to be ready when he shows he has no control again. When you're protecting a lead, you need a pitcher with more of a plan than "I hope I get lucky this time."

IMHO, Raley does not look like an answer. Phils talent scouts need assistance.

Phils are big on finding players with previous success and hoping they catch their second wind with the Phils. Incredible streak of misses, but why not play the inexpensive long shots, like Cortes?

Nola pitches like an ACE! Where have you BEEN???

[Philsmania]

Alvarado had a good run for us but it's probably best for both sides to turn the page.

[zambonir]

What Alvarado and Raley are is better than Mayza (and Backhus. And Banks who can't pitch anyway). Until the pen includes a starter or two they got what they got. The RHPs better but still not deep.

[andyb]

McFarlane is going to be very inconsistent and probably won't be trusted in big spots this year, but I like what I see so far. Kerkering has been a disappointment but he always needed to add to his sweeper to have long term success. We probably need to add a mid--priced left handed reliever in the offseason.

[Austinfan]

Wood will probably be up next season, that'll add depth on the right side.
Not sure there are any credible LH RP candidates in the system.

Nola needs his two seamer with movement and his changeup, and to pitch ahead in the count to have any success.
His 4 seamer is nothing more than a "show me" pitch.

[EDmuch]

You guys are overlooking Rincon as a ss for 2028 with Turner moving to LF.

[zambonir]

Sure, just like Miller was going to be the 3B this year. One can hope.

I don't really understand the people who see Turner going to LF though. He hasn't ever played there, and while I hope he bounces back offensively, his bat at 35 years old is not going to scream "corner OF." Nor will his defense necessarily.

[zambonir]

The Phillies claimed right-handed pitcher Andrew Hoffmann off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks and optioned him to triple-A Lehigh Valley. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, Felix Reyes was recalled and placed on the 60-day injured list with a right wrist fracture. In eight major league games this season as a reliever, Hoffmann, 26, had a 7.71 ERA.

The Phillies’ defense has improved with their shuffled infield. And it starts...

[andyb]

Well Turner did go and play 45 pretty solid games in CF when he came up (with Ian Desmond and then Danny Espinosa playing SS). And he did that with near zero minor league time because the Nats needed to put his bat in the lineup and OF was where he had space. His tools also suggest he would be a decent OF with his speed and his arm would be at least average out there. His hands are the problem at SS lately and that would not be an issue in the OF.

Before his contract ends Turner will likely move somewhere. 3B, 2B, LF, and CF are all potentially in play. At the moment though we just don't have a better alternative at SS and with Miller and Rincon question marks it is unclear if we have an internal solution.

But LF or CF is certainly in play for Turner's future. We just don't know when that will be.

[andyb]

Are we getting a younger Jeff Hoffman or a younger Nolan Hoffman. How many AAA Hoffmans are there?

[julio]

But LF or CF is certainly in play for Turner's future.

In play, but not certain. I'm thinking this depends on how long he stays at SS, and how rapidly his skills decline. He's under contract through his age 38 season - and depending on rate of decline, his position by 2032 might be "Bobby Bonilla." (Or "Nick Castellanos"?)

[andyb]

They probably would replace him now if they had a SS alternative and they don't see Stott as that alternative.

Bobby Bonilla could mostly hit until his last couple of years and the one other thing you could say about him is that he would play anywhere to help the team. He should not have been at 3B in his later years but he volunteered to go there to help the team. Hopefully Turner has a similar attitude though, again, we need a better alternative and ideally one that does not cost free agent prices.

[EDmuch]

It would seem between Miller, Rincon, Spangler and Parra, the Phils have quite a few potential successors for Turner at SS. Tuner is not going to be playing SS in 2030 or probably 2029.

[zambonir]

I just don't figure Turner can play CF at 35 just becuase he did at 23. Most career CFs can't do it at 35!

Obviously he can stand out in LF just as well as many others have, for better and (mostly) worse. I still see 2B as the most likely landing spot. He's played it before, it's still the middle IF, and it could happen as soon as next season if Stott doesn't go back (though then they still need a SS). For the moment, so long as it's possible they bring back Arraez, hard to say. And Marsh and Stott are also free agents after 2027.

It's also hard to imagine how they go four more years with Schwarber locked into DH, instead of having the spot available to Harper and Turner and perhaps, a bigger LF/1B type FA bat. Or Arraez, for that matter, who I don't think can be counted on to be a great defensive 2B any more than Turner was able to repeat his 2025 at SS.

[andyb]

I just don't figure Turner can play CF at 35 just becuase he did at 23. Most career CFs can't do it at 35!

Robin Yount did and Turner is an even better athlete whose sprint speed is not diminishing yet. Tools matter.