Phillies News and Discussion 2025 Season

[EDmuch]

Point taken Julio. Could not find the laughing emoji or I would add it here.

[zambonir]

Of course we have no idea if the Twins do this deal, whether because they are still alive for the wild card (we'll see what it looks like in three weeks) or because they aren't ready to give up on/rebuild next year and neither player is a financial albatross.

If they could get Marsh into the deal instead of Crawford I think that's almost the same as getting a younger player (well, except for the young part). Phillies would actually control Buxton longer than Twins would control Marsh.

I'd still say the Phillies won the Marsh trade by a lot. He's still playing well after his awful start, and O'Hoppe's career has gotten bumpy too.

[EDmuch]

I would start with an offer of Able, Marchan and Marsh. Then add Escobar if needed.

[EDmuch]

If Crawford is ready next year, then move Buxton to left field.

[zambonir]

andy's theoretical trade seemed high (if also easy to walk away from) but yours barely starts a conversation IMO. Marchan doesn't have much prospect value at this point. He'd be your 4th piece not your 2nd or 3rd, in a blockbuster. Maybe he's the second piece in a trade for a reliever.

It would be pretty funny to me if they did move him, brought back JT and then didn't sign another back-up, Stubbs would presumably get called up this year and is still controlled next year.

According to the Twins blogs Buxton has often said he wants to retire as a Twin. Seems more likely we could get Duran and Harrison Bader which is probably not a bad idea really. If the Twins did go into full sell they'd probably be looking for someone to take Correa in order to get someone better (Correa also has NTC of course).

[Austinfan]

I'm getting 2012 vibes.

[zambonir]

you mean for 2026?

[jimbomill]

Pick up Buxton ane the Twins' closer and I think we are set for a deep playoff run.

The cost would be steep for them ...

[tom81]

Buxton i

Everyone is thinking like of fans of a small market team. We have a surplus of starting pitching; use that to acquire what we need and use our $ to resign Ranger. Include Cristopher Sánchez in a trade for hitting and relief pitching as we have several ML pitchers to replace Sánchez. Sánchez has the same BWAR as Buxton and his salary going forward is a steal. Use that to try to win it all this year.

[zambonir]

I consider that, but too many questions about Nola in the short term and Ranger in the long-term to just toss away that affordable contract for a P of Sanchez's quality. He would still just be a starting point in the deal as proposed anyway.

[xogfog]

Ranger and Crawford for Buxton and Duran.

[phillychuck]

Puke.

[Lucky_Beagle]

Why should the Phillies consider trading a quality starting pitcher? By my count the team currently has 4 quality starters who are in the rotation plus Nola who may or may not return healthy and effective, Painter who is still in the minor leagues and may or may not be effective as a starter, and Abel who may or may not be above average the rest of the season. I am glad to know the team has a chance to win almost every game because they are likely to get a good to great game from the starter.
I will take my chances in the post season with these starters holding the others team offense down and hoping the offense can scratch up a couple of runs. If one or two of these starters have to go to the pen for the playoffs to help the bullpen I am as confident in their chances as I am of most other middle relievers the team can acquire.

[zambonir]

At this point, they shouldn't/it's moot. If Nola wasn't hurt you might at least consider it. This team's success is built on the rotation, but last year's team managed to win 95 games with much lesser depth. Obviously you still want that depth because you don't know what Nola is going to be or whether Luzardo and Suarez (or anyone, but they're the ones with the history) will make it through the entire season. But in the off-season it would be perfectly reasonable to trade a strength (pitching) to address a weakness (hitting). Especially if they want to keep Ranger. But even so, if the only thing keeping a good player who can help you for several years from falling into your lap on July 31 was keeping a 4th or 5th starter who will only pitch 7 innings (and only that if the team goes far) in October, that shouldn't stop you.

But it's unlikely. Probably Abel is still the one who might be gone if they can acquire a non-rental relief pitcher. The Buxton thing is largely fantasy. If the Twins actually shop him and he's willing to go Phillies would be crazy not to make a pitch but I doubt that will come to pass.

Twins wouldn't take Ranger.

[Callison]

IMHO, the Phils might get by with the streaky hitters they've got. Not with the existing pen though.

During rain delay, there's often some good Phils nostalgia. The '93 Phils never miss with the observation that were such a bunch of characters that fans found really likeable on a personal level. One sportscaster said, "... everybody who ever ate a hot dog loved John Kruk..." Too good.

[xogfog]

You can trade Ranger because he is going to be a free agent, and I don't think the Phillies can afford to keep him. So would you rather get significant value back for him that could help this year, or would you rather get a supplemental 1st round pick when he walks.

[zambonir]

4th round pick.

The problem is Ranger actually is our #2 starter. It was a much easier thing to kick around when he was 4 or 5 or even 6 (if Painter could truly step right in). And you can't get value back for him that would help now, only prospects that could give you more depth to get something else. No team that wants Ranger in-season has a spare closer or #5 hitter to give up in-season.

If somehow Ranger could get you Buxton whereas Abel could only get you Harrison Bader that's certainly a consideration. But I'm not sure the gulf is actually that big. And if you keep Ranger but give up prospects at the deadline you can also re-sign Ranger and replenish those prospects in November with Luzardo. If they are ready to spend.

[zambonir]

Bryce Harper is active. Buddy Kennedy DFA.

— Matt Gelb ( @mattgelb.bsky.social ) June 30, 2025 at 2:36 PM

[jimbomill]

Ranger actually is our #2 starter.

Indeed, rather than trade, you look to acquire the talent of a number 2 starter, unless you're the Cardinals and don't want to pay Steve Carlton

[andyb]

Time to get the bats going tonight with Bryce in the lineup. Probably time for Kepler to show he is better than Kemp too.

First game is the best matchup with Zack against Matt Waldron in his first game of the year. Tomorrow we get old friend Nick Pivetta for the Padres who is having a fairly decent year.