A few notes from around the game:
- Soon-to-be free agent ace/outfielder Shohei Ohtani spoke with the Associated Press and other media on Saturday about his desire to leave Japan for the major leagues this winter. “The other day I met with team officials and stated my intentions,” Ohtani said, referring to the Nippon Ham Fighters. “My request was met with warm words of support, so I hope to do my best in America from next year on.” The 23-year-old is renowned for both his pitching and hitting skills, but he noted that he’s “not a complete player yet,” which is his “strongest reason for wanting to go now.” While Ohtani does have “a strong desire” to continue as a two-way player in the majors, he admitted that he’s unsure if it’ll be possible.
- Astros catcher Brian McCann told Gabriel Burns of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Friday that he’d like to end his career as a member of the Braves, with whom he thrived from 2005-13. “One hundred percent,” said the 33-year-old McCann. “One hundred percent. This is my home. I played close to 10 years here. This organization is really, really, really close to my heart. I love this organization.” McCann, a Georgia native who still lives there, will be a free agent next offseason if the Astros decline his $15MM option. Braves backstops Tyler Flowers and Kurt Suzuki are also slated to hit the open market, which could pave the way for a McCann-Atlanta reunion in 2019 if the club’s interested in making it happen.
- The team that makes a surprise splash in free agency is most likely to be the Phillies, according to a group of executives and agents who spoke with Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. “They say they aren’t doing anything, but I have a feeling they will go after someone big,” an exec told Feinsand, who points to right-handers Lance Lynn and Alex Cobb as potential targets for the team. On paper, either would improve a Phillies rotation that ranked 19th in fWAR and 21st in ERA in 2017, when Aaron Nola was their only starter who turned in a particularly strong performance.
Im just wondering, does Otani spell his name with an h. I know its common in foreign players to have multiple spellings Raciel vs Rasiel (Iglesias) Yasmani vs Yasmany (Tomas). Im just wondering.
I think it’s always been with the H on his jerseys.
The “h” comes from translation
Based on his Japanese name (大谷 翔平), it should be Ōtani.
This. Its basically Ootani.
Common spelling
Translating from kanji to english characters is a phonetic exercise without any rules that I’ve ever heard about, so the results are bound to be somewhat arbitrary. Most Japanese-Americans with that family name seem to drop the silent letter but it’s entirely a matter of personal preference.
The link to baseball-reference shows Otani, why does MLBTR insist on adding that extra h? Stop it.
Because baseball-reference is wrong. He spells his name Ohtani.
link to cdn.riveraveblues.com
@Justin…Should the Ham Fighters stop it too…it’s spelled Ohtani on his uniform right above the #11
Correct, but the photo I linked above shows him wearing #16. That was his Team Japan number anyway.
Sorry…I didn’t look…my bad. I was going by pictures in the Japan Times. He wears #11 with the Ham fighters because that was Yu’s number.
I envision McCann having the same roll with the Braves that David Ross had when he signed a couple of two year deals with us.
Someone “has a feeling” about the Phils?. Sounds like a news flash to me.
I cannot really see the Phillies making a splash this offseason since their rebuild has not gone anywhere near as smooth as the Astros or the Cubs of the last 2 yrs.,…….I think the Phillies need at least another yr of rebuild before they are ready to do anything major…….
Agreed. No sense in pushing it and adding money when the rebuild isn’t going super well.
Phillies should only take on a big contract if a player falls in their lap. Otherwise, too soon.
“their rebuild has not gone anywhere near as smooth as the Astros or the Cubs of the last 2 yrs”……… Do you realize you just compare the Phillies 2nd year of full rebuild under Matt Klentek to the last WS winners, right?
Epstein was brought aboard in 2011. So was Luhnow. Just like them it’s time to start making more moves in year 3. I’m not saying throw $100M+ at Arrieta but Cobb and/or Lynn are both reasonable targets then go after hitters next year or if all goes well at the trade deadline.
Why not go after Arrieta? He’s better than Lynn or Cobb, and likely will come cheaper than Darvish. Also, I think he can be had on a contract that won’t hurt the Phillies long-term, especially if they structure it right—significantly frontloading the deal, making the second half of the contract less expensive (I know that it doesn’t matter in terms of luxury tax, because they are based on AAV).
The Phillies are going into Year Seven of their rebuild.
John Middleton gave up after Game Five vs the Cardinals in October of 2011.
On July 31, 2012 Shane Victorino and Hunter Pence where traded for absolutely nothing and replaced with even less the following year.
Pence went on to help the Giants win two World Series while Shane Victorino made a strong contribution to power the Red Sox to another trophy.
#FACTS
Things that aren’t facts in that statement:
1. This is year 7 of the rebuild
2. The team gave up after 2011
3. The team intentionally traded their good players for nothing
Google: John Middleton Kevin Maitan
If they officially gave up in 2011, why then did they sign A.J. Burnett in 2014, and refuse to trade Cliff Lee several times? Because they thought that 2012/2013 were aberrations, and they’d be back on top in no time. They really didn’t embrace a rebuild until following the 2014 season.
“If they officially gave up in 2011, why then did they””
Google: John Middleton Kevin Maitan
Answers all your questions with authority and unimpeachable evidence.
@eilexx….Because Arrieta will be 32 next year and cost twice as much. If you sign him to a 4-5 year contract he will most likely be in rapid to full decline by the time the Phils build a consistent winner. Sign one or two good to very good pitchers to stabilize the rotation now at half the price. Target a very good SP and bats next year or at the deadline.
@Cat….Where is the Philies George Springer, Kris Bryant, Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve, Aaron Judge or Francisco Lindor?
And the Philadelphia Phillies have won 81, 73, 73, 63, 71 and 66 games the last SIX YEARS and yet you think their rebuild has only been going on for TWO YEARS….
the Phillies spent AT LEAST two years in DENIAL….. before they were even ready to admit they were “rebuilding”………
“And the Philadelphia Phillies have won 81, 73, 73, 63, 71 and 66 games the last SIX YEARS and yet you think their rebuild has only been going on for TWO YEARS….””
⬆︎THIS⬆︎
One of the Phillies “beatoff” writers actually wrote that the Phillies rebuild did not begin until Matt Klentak took over.
True Story
And people wonder why I have such venomous contempt for the MLB corporate media and the Philly beat writers.
So a losing record means rebuild? Really? That is the standard? How about when a team starts finally trading players for prospects and tearing down the old team (like they did in 2015)…what is that called? Phase 2, or should we give it and fancier name. Just SMH
@Cat…you can spin it or look at it anyway you want but smart teams rebuild when they are losing and the other teams sometimes try to get the old band back together again and pretend that they are not “rebuilding”……It took Pat Gillick coming in a few years back to finally say the dreaded word “rebuild” if you will remember….
There is lots of different ways to view and see MLB, and that is what makes it such a great game in my opinion……
Oh please…explain how that is spin. Please? Teams rebuild when they tear down the old…the Phils did that starting in 2015 when the brought Klentak aboard and they started the serious tear down. Saying that a losing record is the beginning of a rebuild is the spin. A rebuild requires action…..they took none until 2015.
@caseys….I am not really debating when the Phillies started publicly admitting that they were “rebuilding” but I would argue that the rebuild actually began a bit earlier than Klentak, when Pat Gillick was brought in to oversee the front office and Ryan Howard started being phased out almost immediately……
“How about when a team starts finally trading players for prospects “”
You mean like the Phillies did on July 31, 2012 when they unloaded Hunter Pence and Shane Victorino for prospects?
Google: John Middleton Kevin Maitan
It’s all there. Unimpeachable evidence of who John Middleton is and what his motives were all along.
No the rebuild began under Ruben Amaro.
It’s impossible to argue that the Phillies rebuild did not begin under Ruben Amaro.
If you think otherwise then start typing in your little box here.
Google: John Middleton Kevin Maitan
It’s all there. Everything like it’s never been done before for any MLB team.
“Ryan Howard started being phased out almost immediately”
Ryan Howard was never phased out, he played out the whole five year option torturing Phillies fans until the last day of his final season. Howard’s career WAR is a little more than one Mike Trout season.
Also, the Phillies tried to unload Cliff Lee for a prospect haul, but, like with Hamels, John Middleton refused to eat significant money and Lee blew out his elbow before the Phillies could deal him.
@Casey’s…..The only point I have ever really been trying to make is that the Phillies did not just begin their “rebuild” in 2015 when they hired their current Gm, Klentek and you just made it for me when you mention the Hunter Pence and Victorino trades……The Phillies are among about 8-10 teams I watch each year so I am going from memory on exactly when various things happened and I do not spend my time googling specifics ….
Are you the author of this free aec blog? I’ve seen you peddling this site in form of Google searches before. It follows your anti Middleton narrative to the T.
Thank you…I have been trying to remember the name “free aec ” since the fist time I saw his posts here. “Free” used to post on MLB boards and had a FB page that was nothing but blather bashing Middleton and the Phils.
pretty silly arguments here from everybody but since you seem to be one of the commenters on how long a rebuild should and should not take, as if there is an actual formula.
I’ll reply here but the critique isn’t entirely about you.
The Astros last winning record before their years of losses was 2008 86 wins. the wins the following years were
74,76,56,55,57,71 before 2016 when they won 93
The Phillies last no losing season was 2012 81-81
since the their wins 66, 73, 63, 71, 66
Stros. 74 76 56 55 57 71
Phils. 66 73. 63. 71 66
If you want to measure “rebuild” based on the record ,By this reckoning the Phils should get another losing season ( can’t believe I just said that!) ‘Stros had 6 straight losing seasons.
If you drop Houston’s worst season to make the years even. then the Astros’ total wins are 334 . Phils total wins. 339
If you want to count the Phils 2012 record 81-81 as a lost season the total win record for both teams in a 6 year stretch is
Astros 389. Phils 420
They gave up after 2011? I can practically see your Pout.
Well at one point they were 10 games under .500 but managed to end up 81-81 Their team BA was .255. in 2012 it was .253
In 2011
Their top 3 SP averaged and ERA of 2.51. The following year the same 3’s average was 3.56
Gave Up? stuff happens dude but saying stuff like that just skews anything else you say as doubtful . So after a 81-81 season and after 5 straight division championships, you Tear it All Down ??? By any measure at the time it was seen as an anomaly .
in 2013 they should have got the message but as everyone knows , they were loyal to a fault to their core players. But. alot of us fans who had watched them for a longtime (me 50 years) were as well.
The Howard’s extension was wrong from the beginning but in context it was done because Puljos’ contract was up the next year. In part it was meant to preempt the need to negotiate based on the new perceived value of what . Jose was going to get.
Howard had averaged 50 Hrs and 143 RBIs over theist 4 seasons,!!
Twice Hr champ and 3 time RBI leader.. Howard was hurt in 2010 and of course would never justify the $$ and that was a big catalyst in the times to come.
They missed a chance in 2013 to start a “rebuild”. For me in 2014 it began at the trade deadline when the voice of the team, “we’re the team to beat in ’07” was traded to LA.
Actually trying to compare a concept like rebuild with numbers is really hardly possible and also needs to be taken in context. No doubt the Cubs and the Astros and a lot of other teams learned by the Phillies mistakes. And when the Phillies are once again a threat no doubt other teams will pay attention to that as well.
Everyone expected to see a pretty competitive team in 2016 and it kinda sucked. I’ll bet the Giants’ fans were a little disappointed too. And some of the other teams in the other league that I don’t care about.
And Think about how the Mets’ fans are feeling ??? Yeah, isn’t it Great!!!
Just 89 Days ’til Pitchers and Catchers Report…
Phillies were 37-38 in the 2nd half, and the implication was a Lynn/Cobb type signing. I would agree the Phillies are unlikely to sign a head liner such as Darvish or Arrieta, but the likes of Lynn and Cobb are very much believable.
I’d hope they’d be active after Odorizzi and DSalazar as well
Not Ohtani though.
See, Steve from Tampa is a real Philly guy. None of those people on “his” Phillies.
“42””
Download and watch.
I only commented on the likelihood of them signing head liners – not to be confused as my personal preference. I would seriously consider a run at all of Ohtani, Darvish and Martinez (plenty of PAs to go around), and trade for Odorizzi – then start printing tickets
Ohtani is THEE headliner.
Ohtani is a perfect fit for the Phillies.
Rhys Hoskins 24 years old
Shohei Ohtani 23 years old
The Phillies could primarily play Ohtani in the field next season getting him 550+ PA and use him sparingly on the mound while they lock down the first pick of the 2019 MLB Draft.
Otani is not going to come to the Phillies. It’s not about money…teams can only pay him so much. He’s going to play where he wants, which is likely an AL team, making him capable of DHing. A team is not going to sign him to pitch and let him play the field, it’s just too risky. If he truly wants to hit too, he’ll be a DH.
Get over it. And get over Kevin Maitan. It’s redundant, and boring.
Unless the Phillies move to the AL or the NL gets the DH, they are NOT getting Otani.
He hasn’t played the field since 2014. He’s a P/DH, facts.
you gotta be trolling…there’s no way you can actually be this stupid…pick another sport, bro, as this one clearly goes over your head…
yea, the fact that Rhys Hoskins is one year older than Ohtani will be the reason why he chooses the Phillies over every other team.
not sure why i’m feeding this troll…pretty sure this is what he wants…
“Get over it. And get over Kevin Maitan.””
Google: John Middleton Kevin Maitan
My goodness! This S..T is getting old fast ! Get another narrative. PLEASE!
I agree ! It’s getting really old fast!
@caseys…I almost expected to see confetti and glitter rain down after that comment, until I realized that you may actually be serious about the Phillies signing Otani…….There are TOO MANY reasons for them NOT to sign Otani for me to get into in only one post….
Ohtani fits in perfectly with the Phillies rebuild.
Every single post made about the Phillies in the past year about what they should do this winter points toward top of the rotation pitching talent.
The Phillies – unlike most MLB teams – can give Ohtani 550 plate appearances in 2018 to get his feet on the ground in MLB as a hitter and fielder.
The Phillies can experiment with pitching Ohtani in the rotation on five or six days rest, or out of the pen.
The Phillies and Shohei Ohtani were made for each other.
@ eilexx….redundantandboring would be a better screen name for him.
How has the Phillies rebuild not gone as smoothly as the Cubs or Astros? Houston took 6 years of absolutely terrible baseball—many of those years WORSE than the Phillies ever produced—before turning it around. The Cubs turnaround is basically on par with the Phillies in terms of time.
The problem with the Phillies is not where they are today in terms of their rebuild, it’s the stubbornness that prevented them from taking the steps in the first place, and trying to hang on too long.
But it’s easy to look at finished products (the Astros/Cubs) and say…”Hey, they’re doing it better”. But no one would have praised their efforts in 2013.
Where is the Phillies Carlos Correa? Kris Bryant?
If a big market team like the Phillies – and the Phillies are bigger than the Cubs – comes away from this and their big player is a poor fielding first baseman than they have failed miserably
Yes, I just wrote it: Rhys Hoskins fielding is different than Ryan Howard, but it’s no better..
Good point, but it will be hard for the Phillies and Braves to repeat what the Cubs and Astros did the last few years. If it was that easy the Padres and Brewers would have done it. They both need some pieces.
If Hoskins gives the Phillies 30+ hrs in the middle of the lineup, his defense is good enough. And he’s young enough to get better.
And they also have other position players all over the diamond reaching the majors.
Any complaints should be towards pitchers, since the prospects they were hoping to develop haven’t the way they hoped.Sometimes it takes pitchers a little extra time though to.
It sucks we had to rebuild, and it’s easy to find reasons to complain during a rebuild, but they’ve done a pretty good job rebuilding a really bad farm system.
“If Hoskins gives the Phillies 30+ hrs”
Chris Carter hit 41 HR for the Brewers in 2016 and the Brewers non-tendered him.
Kris Bryant didn’t just appear out of nowhere once the Cubs admitted they were rebuilding. It was a couple of years into the rebuild before they drafted him, and a couple of years after that that he began making an impact. Based on each club’s timing of their rebuilds (when they officially began the task, not when the clubs became bad) the Phillies still have time to find their Kris Bryant.
As for Carlos Correa…he was an absolute lucky find. He was over-drafted because the Astros felt they could sign him cheaper and use that money toward players in later rounds. They felt he was a high ceiling guy who might blossom, but no one expected him to blast through the minors and become a mega prospect or MLB star so quickly.
If you’re going to base your rebuild on getting lucky, you shouldn’t be in charge of an MLB organization.
It’s not easy. It will be difficult, but the Phillies have resources (money!!) that the Padres, Brewers, and Braves lack. Their rebuild is coming along slowly, but should accelerate soon. They seem to have a strengthening nucleus, and assets to add to it. They need pitching, which will be the most difficult to find and acquire.
My biggest complaint with the rebuild is their last two drafts…why draft the same player essentially in the first round two years in a row? Draft Moniak, fine, but if you’re going to draft Halsey there were better options on the mound—Puk, Groome, etc.
Carter also produced a .222/.321//499 slash line, struck out 206 times, and was terrible defensively. Over the course of the entire year he produced 0.9 WAR.
Hoskins slashed .259/.396/.618, walked almost as much as he struck out, and in just two months time produced 2.0 WAR. A far better player, and a poor comparision.
right, as HRs are the only indicator of a hitter’s performance and potential. excellent argument, bro.
Something tells me that you would still find something moronic to say even if the Phillies did have a Correa or Bryant in the system, so what difference does it really make to you?
Yup!
Houston’s rebuild took 6 years in part because they wasted 2 #1 overall picks in 2013 and 2014 on Appel and Aiken.. I believe they would have been going deep into the playoffs sooner if they had taken the Cubs picks of Bryant and Schwarber.. Having those 2 in 2015 alone probably would have been enough for them to get past the Royals and possibly into the World Series against the Mets..
Passing on Bryant was a foolish attempt to save bonus money to be used on later picks.. He was clearly the better choice over Appell.. In 2014 their picks from prior years were starting to break through to the show.. Using the #1 pick on a HS pitcher when they were starting to come out of the rebuild was equally as foolish.. Aiken was a solid pick at the time but he should have gone to a team like the Phillies who were just starting to rebuild.. The Astros should have taken a polished college player with that pick like Rodon, Schwarber, Nola, or Freeland..
The Aiken pick is a moot point since not signing him landed them Bregman the next year.. Luhnow’s seeming fascination with taking HS players early in the 1st round amazes me, though.. After selecting Bregman in 2015 he used their next pick (5th overall) on another one in Tucker.. Seeing as how they made the playoffs the year before I can’t help but wonder why he didn’t take a solid college player like Happ Jay (injuries are wrecking him) or Benintendi instead.
@Ellex…..trying to keep the old band together by resigning Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins near the end of their careers set their rebuild back a couple of years, no doubt about it…..
Trading them along with Hamels was the beginning of the rebuild, not a set back.
@ eilexx…You are making too much sense. The little veins in his forehead will start popping soon.
Lunhow takes the best player. Appel was a terrible bust, but all the other top picks look great. If Tucker is the next guy, then great!
Appel was taken because the Astros owner did not want to pay pitchers.
The Pittsburgh Pirates took twenty years to get back into the playoffs using their top of the first round pick on safe college pitchers like Mark Appel.
Yea,but Hoskins will hit 270 while hitting those hrs, not 220 or less. Carter was a scrub who had a good year with hrs,thats it. Hoskins games a little more rounded out.
“Phillies are bigger than the Cubs.” hahahaha
And next year is THE year to make a splash anyways. Makes no sense to jump the gun now.
Cubs were coming off a 73 win season when they signed Lester…in 2014, just 3 years ago. Making that splash was part of the rebuild.
The Cubs won 73 games in 2014 and signed Jon Lester. They won 97 the next year.. The Astros went from 70 wins to 86. Andy MacPhail and Matt Klentak have repeatedly said that teams in rebuilds often make a big jump in one year. If they feel this could be the year the Phillies do that, then they do something.
Keep in mind that if the Phillies don’t sign some players they will have a payroll in the $32-$38 million range. Last year every team was over $60 million. They could add awful expensive players but that strategy hasn’t worked for them.
The Astros will trade McCann for Matt Kemp., and may a few bucks.
?
The Braves don’t need three catchers under contract. The article was referring to sometime after 2018 (if the Astros don’t pick up McCann’s option) when he becomes a free agent. There wouldn’t be the need for a trade.
Matt Kemp sure would fill the Astros opening at 1B/DH. Replacing Carlos Beltran.
Does Matt Kemp play 1B? Did Carlos Beltran?
Matt Kemp didn’t play LF until last year. How hard could 1B be? All you have to do is catch a ball.
Not sure what that was a reference to, so just believe I️ was referencing a quote and understand this post was a lame joke. Thank you
After this year sign McCann to mentor Alex Jackson.
Looking over the teams and there should def be a market for Kemp if the Braves are willing to eat some of the contract and there should be a market for Matt Adams as well. I think Markakis back to Orioles is a perfect fit. Gonna be an interesting couple months. Wonder who the GM will be.
Hope they sign Addison Reed & bring back Brandon Phillips to bridge 3rd until Riley is ready.
I agree with signing MAC to mentor the next generation of catchers and with sending Markakis the O’s. Not sure if the second one would ever happen but it does fit. No way they ditch Kemp’s contract this offseason IMO. I also think they hang on to Adams. He would get a low return and has value for them this season. Phillips would never re-sign just to play third. I hope they can bolster the bullpen but I’d prefer Tommy Hunter on a cheaper contract.
“I have a feeling they will go after someone big”
Then they name: Lance Lynn and Alex Cobb
ROFLOL!
I want the FIRST pick in the 2019 MLB draft not that garbage. Sign Sean O’Sullivan, give him $5 million and he agrees to give the Phillies 30+ starts and 20+ losses carrying an ERA above ten.
Sign a couple more like him.
Aaron Nola pitches around 100 innings and behind him are relievers paid to give up the game. Nola goes on the DL frequently or on to the 60 day DL.
13 months from today the Phillies sign Bryce Harper __and__ Manny Machado.
Lol
You are the most dilusional person on this planet. Can you just stop the trolling?
“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.”
You know if the Phillies sign Darvish, Cobb, and Ohtani. Trade for Stanton does that make it worth it?
That would be an historic fail.
If Franco has a down season, I think the phillies trade him and then sign Machado next season, then this year they could sign arrieta or darvish, They still have one of the top farm systems in baseball, have plenty of payroll space to sign players, the phillies are coming back soon.
MacPhail believes that pitchers in their mid-30’s fall off dramatically and he has a point. If they made an offer they wouldn’t offer either Arrieta or Darvish more than 3 years and neither will take that.
The Phillies will win the NL Least in 2019 with Harper and Machado and they will pick first in the MLB Draft in June 2019.
When the Phillies accept their WS trophy a fresh copy of Baseball America will be raised next to the trophy proclaiming the Phillies’ farm as the best in MLB.
None of the Phillies best prospects will be traded for anyone, they will all play for the Phillies who will never rebuild again.
But the Yankees are 100% getting Machado. Try again.
100% huh? Thats alot
@angelsfan…..the Phillies need to figure a way to DRAFT or trade for a good young , athletic core of players and then decide whether to sign any free agents……until they draft or trade for that young core of players, there is almost no point in signing any big free agents since that will probably just keep them in the middle of medocrity for a few more years…..MLB is set up so that you CANNOT sign your WHOLE TEAM thru free agency….
The Yankees have tried in the past and now even they understand that you have to draft or trade for your core young players….
kind of agree with ya here…would love to see Machado on the Phillies but I think the Yankees will outbid for him
…unless they get Harper to come to the Bronx, then maybe the Phils can offer Machado the 2nd or 3rd best offer…
Harper and Machado are not young core players? Ohtani can’t be a young core player?
The talent is staring right at Phillies fans. There is nothing but corruption, outright thievery standing in the way of Phillies fans getting those core talents.
@casey…”Harper and Machado are not young core players”……Harper and Machado were both acquired by DRAFT by their present teams and that essentially is my point……….it is not realistic to think one team could sign 3 or 4 Springer/Correa/Altuve type players thru free agency and you will need 3-5 core young players, OR MORE, to compete successfully in MLB…………
You took the words right out of my head!
I find your posts amusing. You repeatedly bash the front office and then say they’ll sign Harper and Machado. Getting either would an enormous coup. If the front office stinks as much as you say they aren’t going to successfully sign either.
Also: no team is spending $800M in one offseason on 2 players.
You do know that Harper and Machado might get that over multiple years, not a single season? The Phillies figure to have a payroll under $50 million in 2019 with their current players. They’ve expressed they’d like to have a payroll in the $160-$170 million range that season. While I doubt they’ll sign Harper or Machado, let alone both, they’ll likely find some good players to give huge contracts to.
He must have meant $80 million. A lot of people have speculated that Harper and Machado would get around $40 million per year though some think Machado will get less.
“The Phillies figure to have a payroll under $50 million in 2019″”
Hmmmmm
$50 million
+ $80 million
————-
$130 million.
Payroll taxes start?
Looks like the Phillies have enough left for Kershaw too.
“Looks like the Phillies have enough left for Kershaw too”…..
you are clearly a very talented guy, Casey, and if this MLB commentary thing doesn’t work out for you I feel confident that you have a career in comedy ahead of you because you are simply hysterical…..
You are the most annoying troll ever, Paulie! Please start following some other team! You make all Philly fans look bad!
Sure McCann loves the Braves organization. That’s why he left for the $$$.
He loved giving money to the less fortunate and the Braves weren’t going to give enough. Am completely fine with this path and wish more players would do it instead of being drawn out and then leaving after their usefulness like Smoltz or Glavine
I think the Phils will and should go hard after Arrieta. If 4/100m is his market, I think they put together their best sales pitch to bring him to Philly. A year too early to make a $100 million splash? I don’t think so. Lock him up now and give him a chance to gel with a very young team, and go after a slugger next year when Philly will be a more attractive destination for FA hitters. Arrieta would significantly improve a rotation that relied on inexperienced pitchers all year, with Nola being the only bright spot. Lance Lynn won’t have this kind of impact.
@ raltongo….I see your point and line of thinking and can’t fault it. I also agree with certain players making Philly attractive as it has worked before. I’m just skeptical that Arrieta will be a TOR guy in 2019-21.
yes, I agree…I think the general feeling of Arietta as a TOR guy might be fading a bit, which is why it might be difficult for him to get that 5th year. Will be interesting to see how many teams are in on him for around 4 years/100mil. On many teams he woulnd’t be TOR but on the Phillies, yea, he would be right there with Nola and would add a veteran presence to the young group of arms. I’m not super excited about signing him or anything, but I do think the Phillies pursue him if his market is around 4/100.
Who was the “veteran presence”that propelled the Royals, Cubs and Astros to win the World Series?
Bryce Harper and Manny Machado are veterans. You do understand that right?
@Casey………….”Who was the “veteran presence”that propelled the Royals, Cubs and Astros to win the World Series”…
for people that subscribe to the “veteran presence” theory one could argue that Ben Zobrist was that for both the Royals and the Cubs in their recent respective world series wins, and one could argue that Brian McCann/Carlos Beltran were just that for this years winners, the Houston Astros…….
Alex Bregman was far more impressive than those non-entities you named.
How old is Bregman?
Too bad for Red Sox fans they didn’t get Bregman signed when they drafted him out of high school.
If the Braves spoke openly about wanting McCann to finish his career in Atlanta, they would be penalized for tampering. So why is it that the player who is under contract to Houston can make a comment about wanting to finish his career in Atlanta and not be subject to some form of league discipline?
It’s possible he may receive a warning just as Ortiz did. The rules states “there shall be no negotiations or dealings respecting employment, either present or prospective, between any player, coach or manager and any major or minor league club other than the club with which the player is under contract, or acceptance of terms, or by which the player is reserved or which has the player on its negotiation list.”
I think the Phillies could make a splash or 2,because of Wentz and the Eagles success,and the excitement surrounding Embiid and Simmons with the 6ers.
Gotta keep up with the competition inside the market.
AA SHOULD TRADE WITH ASTROS Kemp,Wisler,Wentz AND Cumberland FOR McCann,Gustave, and M.Fiers. Then trade with Jays—-Markakis,Swanson, Ruiz,Sims, and Muller FOR Tulo,A.Sanchez,Osuna and C.Greene. Camargo is a better SS and Tulo could hold 3B forRiley 1 yr. Sign FA K.Makita(Japan) and FA J.Pablo Martinez(Cuba).
Trade Suzuki and Tarnok to Rox for M.Dunn andY.Almonte.
Braves could trade with Rays. Adams,Wisler and Teheran for Archer and Stanek. Trade with Astros. Kemp,Sims and Muller for McCann and Gustave.
Trade with Astros. Kemp for McCann. Trade with Rox. Suzuki and Muller for M.Dunn and Y.Almonte