The Phillies are expected to add depth this offseason in the hopes that increased rest will help the production of Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Carlos Ruiz, and Marlon Byrd, writes Matt Gelb of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Both manager Ryne Sandberg and interim team president Pat Gillick have hinted that more rest could help the performance of their elder statesmen. The team has received almost no production this month from it’s aging core. The club is also eager to add younger players.
- Utley is disappointed with his year, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. He also seems to imply that the daily grind of the season is to blame for the club’s disappointing finish. He points to full seasons from Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, and an elite bullpen as reasons for optimism in 2015. On the subject of a Hamels trade, he’s firmly against the idea.
- Today might be Evan Gattis’ last game with the Atlanta Braves, says David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Christian Bethancourt is viewed as the catcher of the future in Atlanta and appears ready for regular work. Since Gattis is not yet arbitration eligible, the Braves could keep him to split time with Bethancourt and serve as a cheap outfielder. Any outfield with Gattis would be a defensive liability since either Justin Upton or Jason Heyward would need to man center field. Gattis is thought to fit best with AL clubs.
- The Marlins have added two experienced scouts in Dominic Viola and David Keller, writes Joe Frisaro of MLB.com. Since the front office was reorganized following the 2013 season, the club has focused on adding experience to its scouting department. Those moves helped to shape two midseason trades which netted Bryan Morris, Jarred Cosart, and Enrique Hernandez.
You mean traded away Colin Moran and Jake Marisnick…. as both belong to the Astros now. That trade “netted” them Jared Cosart, Enrique Hernandez, and Austin Wates.
Moran was the Marlins 1st rounder in 2013. Marisnick was acquired in the big blockbuster trade with Toronto prior to the 2013 season.
Yes, post has been updated.
The daily grind is to blame? I’m sorry Mr. Utley, I wasn’t aware the Phillies were the only team that had to go through this grind.
No, but they’re one of the few that is so heavily dependent on past-30 veterans. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that the Phillies are going to wear down over a long season a lot more than the Marlins or Astros would.
Somebody should play “Don’t Dream it’s Over” in the Phillies’ clubhouse and maybe the vets will realize that 2008 was a long time ago.
Agreed. There window has closed and is painted shut.
Struggling offense trades Gattis, keeps Bethancourt.
Makes perfect sense.
Never mind that Bethancourt hasn’t even made a very good defensive showing this month…
Gattis’s offensive value relies on him being in the lineup and healthy, and DHing gives him the best opportunity. If he has to catch a lot, he’s guaranteed to miss some games due to injuries and needed days off. I would only be in favor of trading Gattis if he brings back a young stud OF or 2B bat.
Rays and Braves match up perfectly for a deal. Rays need a backup catcher/DH and have excess pitching in Hellickson as well as excess OF such as Jennings or Joyce.
yeah that makes most sense to me if they do trade him which i think they will
That does make some sense especially because the Rays have a DH. I wonder if the Rays would be comfortable with Gattis behind the plate with his defensive shortcomings. The Rays have placed a lot of value in catcher defense and pitches framing the last couple years.
Royals and Braves would match up well for a deal. Gattis could serve as a DH about 130 games per season for the power-starved Royals and second-string catcher about 30 games a year, as well as an emergency 5th OF. The money they’d save by declining Butler’s option could go towards all the raises in 2015 contracts.
Who goes to the Braves? He would make an interesting addition to the Royals but I’m not sure they have the cost controlled talent the Braves would likely desire.