Phillies News and Discussion 2025 Season

[zambonir]

I was actually thinking about this earlier today. In the end, as Bryce goes, the Phillies goes. When he's average, as in April, they are average. When he's himself, as in May, they are good. When he's out completely or bad, they teeter below average. The concern about the overall offense and the bullpen is noise, short of rebuilding the offense to be less dependent on him [which would mean both adding another big bat and shuffling some of the current ones].

Romano's done as a "closer" though. But even that problem is as much the Alvarado problem.

caveat emptor this is a Hayes column, haven't actually read it.

Who’s hurting the Phillies more, Bryce Harper or Jordan Romano? | Marcus Hayes

[EDmuch]

I.think that the dirty little secret the Phils are trying to keep in house is that, as far as 2025 goes, Harper is semi-cooked and will not return to a power bat status this year. So I think they are trying to line up a trade for a power bat replacement while still acting as if they are counting on Bryce to be an every day power bat at 3 or 4 in the lineup.=

[zambonir]

That feels like wishful thinking to me. I think if Bryce is cooked they won't do much of anything to the line-up, but we won't be able to to tell the difference because they weren't going to do much of anything anyway.

More worrisome is the possibility that he might be cooked forever. This is a chronic and so far apparently untreatable - undiagnosed, even - condition. But I think it's just as likely he will still turn around and put up a 1.000 OPS in August.

[allentown]

Frankly, if Harper is not expected to be normal Harper in time for playoffs, I think DD will (and should) do the minimum at trade deadline. The minimum is an improvement to the relievers available for the 8th/9th inning. Perhaps a token RH platoon bat for bench/4th OF. If Harper isn't Harper, then our offense is beyond fixing at the trade deadline. At this point in time, Harper sure isn't Harper. My worry is th at this may be a career impacting wrist injury. It's already a severe hit to 2024, We can only hope that DD made sure Harper was physically right before bringing him back. As his injury time stretches longer, also questions about the future of Nola.

It may just be rust, but Harper has played 7 games since returning from injury. He has no extra base hits and an OPS of .500. He has an OBP of .333, but that is due to walks. His BA for those games is only .167. Extreme SSS, but if this is Harper for the rest of season, then the team is cooked.

[Philsmania]

More worrisome is the possibility that he might be cooked forever. This is a chronic and so far apparently untreatable - undiagnosed, even - condition. But I think it's just as likely he will still turn around and put up a 1.000 OPS in August.

I have wondered in the past if it was possible that the majority of of Harper's salary ends up getting paid by Lloyds of London during the last couple of years or so but, I suspected that it would be his back that ultimately does him in.

[andyb]

Harper looking more normal today at least.

[Philsmania]

Harper looking more normal today at least.

I was going to say that at least today, it looks like reports of the demise or Harper's wrist were greatly exaggerated.

[zambonir]

I'm not even sure those insurance policies get issued anymore. But I really don't care if he's cooked in Years 11-13 and I doubt the Phillies do either [never mind the idea that he wants to play even longer]. It's the next 2-3 we've got to worry about!

[Philsmania]

I'm not even sure those insurance policies get issued anymore. But I really don't care if he's cooked in Years 11-13 and I doubt the Phillies do either [never mind the idea that he wants to play even longer]. It's the next 2-3 we've got to worry about!

Though it may have ruffled Harper's feathers, the Phillies were wise to not give in his request for a contract extension last summer.

[zambonir]

I don't think he ever actually requested one. It was just a thing that got said in the press by Boras which Harper and Middleton then had to talk about too.

I still think it will probably happen too, even if it's a bad idea in a vaccuum. MIddleton has said he never wants to see Harper play in another uniform. If he wants to spend money to lower Harper's AAV and pay him not to play in the early 2030s, it's not necessarily bad management so long as he is still spending the money elsewhere too. I could also see deferrals or personal service contract coming in to play eventually.

[andyb]

MIddleton has said he never wants to see Harper play in another uniform. If he wants to spend money to lower Harper's AAV and pay him not to play in the early 2030s,

Does adding lower cost years to a long contract lower the AAV or does it kick in afterwards. Also am not sure the speculation was about tacking on a couple of $10 million years. When someone does this type of extension while playing well it is rarely for a big paycut. Bryce's AAV is not too bad anyway in the broader scheme of things.

[zambonir]

Yeah, I think you are right, in MLB there is no tearing up the old contract to start a new one. And of course it wouldn't have been for $10 million but if they could actually rework the whole deal with bonuses or deferrals there could be a way to lower the AAV.

Personally I always figured he and Boras wouldn't be able to live with him not being the highest-paid position player on the team - Turner has a higher AAV but a lower total $ contract - so it will be interesting to see if Schwarber or a UFA gets more.

[zambonir]

Posted this in the trade thread for the trade part, but interesting bit of observation/backstage drama re: Castellanos in the notes. Also, Phillies signed reliever Phil Bickford to minor league deal.

> There might not be a bigger right field in baseball than Oracle Park, which prompted a natural question this week: Would manager Rob Thomson lift Nick Castellanos for defense with a late lead?

> “Probably not,” Thomson said. “I think he’s played pretty well.”

> The manager has reversed course from last month when he removed Castellanos for defense in Miami. The two had an encounter that resulted in Castellanos’ benching for a day. Every defensive measurement — including the eye test — suggests that Castellanos is a well-below-average defender. Even if someone were to quibble with that assessment, there is no disputing that Castellanos, at best, is the club’s fourth-best outfield defender. The optimal defensive lineup has three of his teammates out there.

> But, much to the confusion of some Phillies personnel, Thomson will keep Castellanos in games. For now.

> “Even if you’re going to defend for a guy, it all depends on where his spot is in the lineup, too,” Thomson said. “Especially in a close game, you still want to keep that bat in. And I don’t think the defensive replacement comes into play all that much.”

Story goes on to note Kemp didn't get the same slack since he has so little OF experience.

What we’re hearing about the Phillies’ trade deadline plans: Will they take a...

[zambonir]

I wonder if the Phillies decided Ranger wouldn't be able to pitch [he's eligible but would only be on three days rest]. The only stat Peterson has over Ranger is 30 more innings pitched, since Ranger was out until May 4.

Mets' Peterson gets 1st ASG nod as sub for Ray

[EastFallowfield]

And Sanchez has better stats too, it's all about who is available to pitch, I suppose. Peterson pitched yesterday so the ASG is his fifth day. And Phils had a limit on Ranger's last outing trying to keep him healthy, it's good to only have one of the starters pitch in the exhibition game.

[zambonir]

Yeah Sanchez is officially unavailable though to me that's all the more reason to have named him in the first place.

[andyb]

I assume the player's association wants unavailable pitchers to be named so more players can have a chance at All Star bonus clauses.

[zambonir]

Heh, good point. I'd like to think the Phillies would be fine giving Sanchez his bonus but they are probably happy to not give Boras another talking point for Ranger's next contract.

[zambonir]

Team player

Zack Wheeler has been dropped from the NL All-Star roster. He's decided to prioritize rest and prepare for the second half, the Phillies said.

— Matt Gelb ( @mattgelb.bsky.social ) July 11, 2025 at 5:39 PM

[dicemen99]

Damn, this guy needs a WS ring. The epitome of "competitor."