Phillies News and Discussion 2025 Season

[zambonir]

Of course that article also says they already have a day off Tuesday (that weird Labor Day interruption) and the rotation set up for the Mets, so they might only want a spot starter in the KC series. Do you carry Buehler as the long reliever between now and then.

Article also says Painter doesn't seem to be in the mix but I sort of like the idea of letting him have that spot start. Just make it clear that's all it is and keep it in perspective They do apparently intend to let him complete the AAA season, innings-wise.

[Lucky_Beagle]

Does Painter need to be added to the 40 man roster this winter? I don't believe so, it would make no sense to me to use him as a spot starter for 1 start then have to use a space to carry him on the 40 man roster, plus I would assume use up one of his option years to send him back down after said start.

[zambonir]

Pretty sure he does, but even if he didn't, he's surely written onto next year's roster in ink.

I don't think his option would be burned either, he has to spend a minimum of 20 days in the minors after being sent back down, which they can easily work around.

But I'll let Matt or Julio confirm this stuff for sure.

[julio]

Per my records, Andrew Painter is Rule 5-eligible this winter. Drafted 2021, signed 7/17/21, at age 18. 2025 will be the fifth Rule 5 Draft since he signed; that means he's eligible, as I understand the Rule.

So yeah, he'll be on the winter 40-man roster. (Or gone, but that's not happening!)

That said... IMHO, he's not ready for a major-league start. There's no reason to rush him; not simply because impatient fans want to see him (without going to Allentown). And they don't need him now.

If the rules hadn't changed - if the roster could expand to 40 after September 1st - there might be an argument for bringing Painter up after the AAA season ends, just to get him past the "Oh wow, I'm in a major-league ballpark!" stuff. But under the current rules... not a good idea, IMHO.

Moreover... Yes, he'll be on the winter 40-man roster. But come February, he'll have to earn a spot in the rotation. Arguably, he should open 2026 in AAA. No longer "working on things," but pitching as he would in the Show, making sure he's fully past the surgery. When he shows that, then promote him. But don't just award him a spot in the rotation because of his pedigree, or because of the hype. Performance, period.

[LegoDoom]

My response to this is that if there are better options. Are there?

Didn't a lot of people think Ranger should be traded? Assuming Wheeler is done changes a lot of things.

[andyb]

I still think the only chance for Painter would be in long relief. See what he can do in 50 pitches for 3 innings. For all the alarmists out there Bubba Chandler is thriving in that role for Pittsburgh after an uneven AAA year and he does not have the innings limit that Painter might have. And it is also how starters were introduced into the big leagues for decades before they claimed a regular rotation spot. The Earl Weaver way.

As for Buehler, it is virtually no cost. I might choose the extra bullpen arm in September. Maybe he will agree to a minor league start or two to see if he can tweak his stuff a bit in a new organization. Why wouldn't the Phillies try that if he wanted to be here. We are vulnerable to a starting injury now already.

[andyb]

It is an interesting world when one could now say that our best MVP candidate might be Trea Turner (through no fault of Kyle Schwarber) and our best Cy Young candidate is now Cristopher Sanchez. Turner has now passed Schwarber in both WAR calculations and is 2nd overall in the NL in Fangraphs WAR. Just outside the top 10 in bWAR.

[Callison]

Admiring Turner's hitting, also notice his improved fielding - no longer missing the occasional routine play nearly as much. Turner fixed a problem - real professional like - a star earning his keep. Agree with Turner about the Braves - their record stinks, but the Phils know how good they are from many more-competitive previous years - rivals worth beating any day and every day.

Looks like Painter has just earned his stay at AAA. There was hope that he'd be up after the AS game, then that got delayed and now it looks like he won't play for the Phils this season. Would have been nice to add a solid starter after losing Wheeler.

Acquire Buehler, lose Quick-loss Ross. Great move, even if Buehler flames out. Be especially nice if he had some success and dusted off the LAD a few innings.

It's Sunday and we're entitled to day baseball, but nooooooooooo. TV still calling the shots. No pro football to kill the time yet either.

[Lucky_Beagle]

The Phillies have claimed left-hander Tim Mayza off waivers from the Pirates, as noted by Alex Stumpf of MLB.com. Philadelphia will need to clear a 40-man roster spot before the transaction becomes official, although this can easily be done by transferring Zack Wheeler to the 60-day injured list.

per mlbtraderumors

[andyb]

Older lefty reliever. Mostly used as a LOOGY. Sinker mostly. Looks like Tanner Banks lite. More insurance against a reliever getting hurt though maybe they want an extra lefty in the bullpen for a few of the September series.

[Austinfan]

Probably fungible depth for a few games to limit the work load of Banks and Strahm.

[zambonir]

Ross is already gone. Anyone called up today would replace Robert or Trivino. Or can just be added tomorrow instead of Lazar.

Mayza is from Allentown and is on a AAA rehab assignment assignment since August 19 (got to AAA on the 26) but needs to be on the 28-man eventually (no options).

Painter obviously hasn't forced his way into the bigs but if the stuff is there and they don't think they moment is too big for him and they did need an arm, I don't think there would be any harm to him, or the Phillies season for him, to get the cup of coffee over another Rangel start. But it's probably unlikely.

[Pat_Burrell]

Breaking: Phillies Sign Walker Buehler After Red Sox Release

Phills sign Buehler…Buehler………..Buehler

[andyb]

Looking at his pitch data he has clearly moved away from being a fastball/curve/slider guy. Fastball sits around 94 these days, down from 96. But the usage of the fastball has plunged. I wonder if the Phillies want to get him back to using his fastball more. He clearly mixes 3 types of fastball these days.

Only a couple hundred K ventured, so really no cost. And I bet he does a AAA start to get his feet wet (last pitched 7 days ago so he is now rested unless he just threw for other teams (which I don't think they allow on the waiver process which was not done till yesterday at some point).. If we can get one start out of him in the middle of a stretch without off days it is probably worth it.

https://www.brooksbaseball.net/velo.php?player=621111&time=&startDate=03/30/2007&endDate=08/31/2025&s_type=2

[VoteForKalas]

Up here in New England, Buehler is not popular due to his struggles, but friends of mine who are Red Sox fans think the Phillies are smart to sign him. There is no downside and he may surprise.

[andyb]

Listening to the ESPN broadcast last night the Phillies are targeting Buehler for the Kansas City series after one minor league start. This tells me they are really only doing this as an emergency hedge. They are using the off day tomorrow to give the current rotation an extra day but not messing with the Mets series where Buehler could theoretically pitch during the next stretch of no off days.

Bottom line I think this is for only 2 starts, maybe 3 if they clinch in the last week. The TV guys talked a lot about the playoffs but at this point I don't think he even supplants Walker on the playoff roster in a long series unless he pitches better than he has been pitching so far.

[zambonir]

Sounds about right. The lottery ticket would be that he is suddenly brilliant enough to beat out Nola or push Luzardo to the bullpen 100%.But that seems rather unlikely. Walker does have a shot at being #4 starter too. But they must have at least promise him he has a chance to be on the playoff roster. Proven World Series closer!

[zambonir]

Mayza is the extra pitcher and Stubbs the extra bat. They'll presumably option Robert (or cut bait with Trivino) when Buehler joins the team for his first start on 9/12.

Phillies sign Walker Buehler, who will be postseason-eligible

[Austinfan]

They know Luzardo is the only "horse" (still throwing 97 at 100 pitches) among their starters.
So it makes sense to give them as much rest as possible going into the playoffs so they have fresh arms.
We've seen "tired" Ranger (89-90 with erratic control) and "tired" Nola.
Sanchez at 169 IP is approach last season's career high (181).

Same with the bullpen.
Straham 58g, 66g last season (games may matter more than IP for one inning pitchers)
Kerkering 59g, 64g last season
Banks 60g, 63g last season

[andyb]

Luzardo is no "horse". He has thrown 178 innings once (Sanchez got to 181 last year).

I think the Phillies are slotting Sanchez and Suarez into the postseason rotation and the rest is up in the air. Moving Luzardo to the bullpen still might make sense if Nola has a good September. Not sure why you lead with Luzardo who has the worst durability track record of all their starters. Ranger may wear down a bit at times, but he is also their most playoff tested (and he passed the tests) arm so they are certainly going to ride him and hope Buehler can take his start the last week so he is fresh for the playoffs.