Sweeney

zambonir 2016-11-12 20:52:34 UTC #21

julio:

zambonir:

donaldorc:

I'm glad for Ruf to get a new start with a new organization, since he wasn't in our plans. Do you think he will get any playing time for LA?
The LA Times reported that the Dodgers wanted him at the trade deadline but the Phillies didn't want to move him, which is curious. But they really need to hit LHP better, so he definitely has a shot.
Personally, I find this report really suspect. The Phillies didn't want to move Ruf - who they had shipped to the minors, and who obviously, even then, did not figure in their future planning (they knew then that he's out of options this winter, that he's 30 years old, that he's not part of the future of the organization). It's simply not a believable report.

It may be that the Dodgers inquired, and offered nothing of any value, and Klentak told them it wasn't enough - and somebody in LaLaLand decided to spin that as "the Phillies didn't want to move him," when the reality was that the Phillies wanted something in return.

I agree, but at this point what's notable about the report, even in your scenario, is the suggestion that the Dodgers had at least some regard (and need) for him. Who knows, maybe it was even in the context of the Ruiz deal, but they weren't willing to include him for nothing.

David_Criss 2016-11-12 22:08:19 UTC #22

Altherr was still out. Asche was not hitting well at AAA or the major league level. Perhaps the Phillies didn't want to trade him away in hopes he'd replace Bourjous on the roster at trade deadline time. Ruf was also doing fairly well at AAA and the combination of the two, made them value him a bit more at that time.

Ruf, Goeddel, Lough, C. Hunter, Asche, Altherr, Bourjos - not an exciting 2016 outfield save Herrera.

andyb 2016-11-12 22:10:34 UTC #23

What is odd about the acquisition for the Dodgers is that they have the exact same player in Scott Van Slyke. Same age. Same skills. Same bad defense. The 2nd most similar player through age 29 according to Baseball Reference is Scott Van Slyke. Van Slyke is a little better in the outfield than Ruf, but in a non-DH league it does not make sense to have both of them on your roster. They both had down years so maybe they want to let them compete for one job. I can't imagine the Dodgers love him though. I think they were just moving Kendrick's salary because the $10 million for them is $10 million further over the luxury tax line. Whatever the line is in the new agreement they will be over it.

julio 2016-11-12 22:39:14 UTC #24

So maybe this was just a salary dump - and the Phillies moved Ruf and Sweeney to the Dodgers simply to avoid outrighting Ruf and/or just releasing them?

Austinfan 2016-11-12 22:45:17 UTC #25

Don't you have to trade something in a salary dump?

zambonir 2016-11-13 00:01:44 UTC #26

Oh, it was definitely a salary dump. For all we know Ruf won't be on the Dodgers' 40-man in seven days, especially since he's also going to be due for a raise. But if they have room for him and can afford him, no reason not to take the depth (same for Sweeney since he can just be stashed in the minors). I have to assume they did like him because otherwise why not insist on at least one lower-level prospect instead.

VoteForKalas 2016-11-13 13:23:12 UTC #27

Ah, thanks julio

Lawman 2016-11-13 17:04:11 UTC #28

There's some upside here and no long term downside.....I'm ok with it.

LoneStarPhan 2016-11-13 22:32:00 UTC #29

I pretty much expected Ruf would be removed from the 40 man roster before the date to set for the rule 5 draft. I anticipated that both Ruf and Sweeney would be lost from the organization this off season and didn't really expect that the Phillies would get any return for either.

As to roster space, since Kendrick will be on the 40 man roster, and I anticipated that neither of Ruf or Sweeney would be, the Phillies actually have one less space than I anticipated by the set date.

Still, Kendrick can provide a veteran starter for at least the first half of this season. Then, depending on how he is doing, how the team is doing, and the readiness of one or more outfielders in AAA to come up and play in the majors, the Phillies might be able to trade Kendrick at the deadline. If not, he will be a free agent after this coming season and will not be blocking any prospect long term.

Having Kendrick on the team also makes it easier to listen to offers on Hernandez.

BostonRoss 2016-11-13 23:15:06 UTC #30

LoneStarPhan:

Vote for Kalas:

julio:

Vote for Kalas:

Good luck to Ruf & Sweeney. Like the fact they cleared a roster spot with the 2 for 1.
Actually, they didn't. Darnell Sweeney was outrighted in early September, so the roster is unchanged (32 players); Kendrick replaces Ruf.

Ah, thanks julio

I pretty much expected Ruf would be removed from the 40 man roster before the date to set for the rule 5 draft. I anticipated that both Ruf and Sweeney would be lost from the organization this off season and didn't really expect that the Phillies would get any return for either.

As to roster space, since Kendrick will be on the 40 man roster, and I anticipated that neither of Ruf or Sweeney would be, the Phillies actually have one less space than I anticipated by the set date.

Still, Kendrick can provide a veteran starter for at least the first half of this season. Then, depending on how he is doing, how the team is doing, and the readiness of one or more outfielders in AAA to come up and play in the majors, the Phillies might be able to trade Kendrick at the deadline. If not, he will be a free agent after this coming season and will not be blocking any prospect long term.

Having Kendrick on the team also makes it easier to listen to offers on Hernandez.

Maybe. By mid season, Crawford might be ready, and Galvis could move to 2B.

Slinging_Southpaw 2016-11-15 00:16:32 UTC #31

It wouldn't surprise me if Kendrick never gets an AB with the Phillies. No doubt the Phillies see more value in Kendrick than Ruf/Sweeney. He's a good insurance policy if they move Hernandez, if they don't, Kendrick may be someone another team looks to add before Spring Training. One thing I don't see, is settling on Kendrick as your Left Fielder in early November.

baseballoldie 2016-11-15 01:25:19 UTC #32

I find this comment to be really interesting and the statement that they might flip Kendrick before the season starts is thought provoking. But I think Kendrick is exactly the kind of experienced bat/veteran presence the Phillies want in their lineup as they rebuild this team. Being on the Phillies is going to be a totally different dynamic for Kendrick than being on the Dodgers and I think he is going to flourish. At least I hope so!

zambonir 2016-11-15 06:31:24 UTC #33

I disagree, I think Klentak likes Kendrick from their time in Anaheim and truly believes he can bounce back (and possibly flash more power, he's already okay in the OBP department). If Hernandez isn't traded, Kendrick is your opening day LF. And he's worth more in July so long as he hasn't completely cratered, especially because the Phillies will pay his salary. I'll be shocked if they add another OF of any note (more like a Bourjos or Francoeur type) because they'd like to see Williams and Quinn by July too. And they've got Galvis to play 2B when Crawford comes up.

Squire 2016-11-15 15:50:00 UTC #34

I'm oddly optimistic about the Kendrick acquisition. Guy was consistently a .745 OPS guys for the last 5 seasons. And last year's dip was significantly caused by a home/away split. That being said, I would like him at 2B, Hernandez traded for some young fliers and an OF of Herrera, Quinn, Altherr to start the season with Cozens and Williams in the wings.

zambonir 2016-11-15 16:55:15 UTC #35

I can't see Quinn starting the season in the majors. Not only would he have to really tear it up in ST, he'd have to get through it without going on the DL. And service time manipulation remains an issue. Sending him to AAA is not just about development; it's about seeing if he can make it to August 1. If he does (whether in Allentown or Philly), he'll have played more games in 2017 than he ever has.