ST GDT 3/7/17: Phillies (Nola) @ Tigers (Verlander)

[zambonir]

Well, I think they signed Kendrick to play LF.

it's worth noting that the Phils didn't "sign" Howie Kendrick. They traded for him (Darin Ruf/Darnell Sweeney). Because they didn't sign him as a free agent, they made no commitments to him about playing time, positions, etc.

I have to agree with tom81 here. If Roman Quinn is ready to hit major-league pitching, then he's a better LF candidate than Howie Kendrick - if he's ready, he'll give you a better OBP, better base-running ability, and better outfield defense as well - out of the same spot in the batting order as Kendrick (2nd).

I don't disagree. But I don't think the Phillies believe he's ready (to play every day). Needs a few months of AAA ABs, needs to show he can stay healthy.

And yes, true, they traded for Kendrick and didn't have to woo him or make any binding promises, but all indications are that they told him he would be an everyday player, and also not a utility player, as the whole reason he was traded is he did not want to continue moving around the diamond in LA. These things matter, when a GM talks to agents going forward. Yes, the best players should be able to win a job but if the Phillies were actually prepared to let Altherr or Quinn compete for a starting position on Opening Day they wouldn't have added two veteran OFs, not matter how much money they have or how much it's a sunk cost.

If, on Memorial Day, Kendrick is OPSing .620 and Quinn is tearing up AAA (or Altherr is doing great), things will start to change.

Don't forget the Phillies are still service time conscious too. The reality is even if Quinn finishes ST with a 1.000 OPS they'd probably hold him back for a while (which would also be true of Crawford even if he hadn't slowed last August).

[julio]

..needs to show he can stay healthy.

Why do you keep throwing this in as a "need?" We don't know that Aaron Nola can stay healthy, but nobody is consigning him to AAA. We don't know that Tommy Joseph can stay healthy... etc.

If you want to say, "I/they don't think Quinn's demonstrated he's ready for the majors; he hasn't played in AAA," well, fine. That's a plausible argument. But the "needs to show he can stay healthy" thing? For how long? I mean, Quinn could play a full season at AAA without a problem, then suffer a hamstring injury next March.

Besides, if he's ready to contribute at the major-league level, and he's going to blow out a hamstring on June 15th, I'd much rather have him contribute for a couple of months in the majors than at AAA. If he's ready, obviously. But the "he needs to show he can stay on the field" stuff? That sounds more to me like an excuse - a rationalization for a decision based on something else - than a serious argument.

[andyb]

I think the team legitimately thinks Quinn could use a few months of time in AAA because he has not played there yet (largely because injuries took a year of playing time away from him).

It is a different question as to whether Quinn could help the major league roster now. With his speed and defense I do think he could. It is a little to early though to slot him in more as a 4th OF because he could be more than that. So I am fine with him starting in AAA. I also could see him earning a pretty quick promotion though, especially if Kendrick falters or there is an injury (Saunders is different because he is the team's only LH power).

I think the Phillies are less concerned about delaying arbitration with him (compared to Crawford). If we are concerned with him making it through one season healthy then thinking about 3-6 years is really less important.

[zambonir]

I am just stating what I believe the Phillies believe, based on their actions and the media coverage thus far. If the Phillies didn't think Quinn needed to prove he was healthy they wouldn't have signed two starting OFs with large guaranteed salaries, especially since he's already on the 40. There's just no indication they are seriously considering Quinn for a major league roster spot, bench or starter (including today's story which points out that Goedell won't be able to crack the AAA starting OF line-up). We can debate whether they should have traded for Kendrick or whether they should be willing to bench or release Kendrick, but they did, and I don't believe they are. Klentak is a fan of the guy. He may be fooling himself, but he values Kendrick's experience and intends to give him the 2-3 months to show he can bounce back. Just like he did with Bourjos (i.e, he could also be wrong again).

I do think there is no comparison between Quinn and Nola or Joseph. Nola has one injury and more of a major league track record when healthy. Joseph has one chronic injury that was inherent to catching (or, if he is aggressive baserunning, or played another collison-prone position) and a track record that is still longer than Quinn's. Quinn has a history of frequent and repeated injuries and less than 60 ABs, between the majors and AAA.