Here’s the latest from the City Of Brotherly Love…
- The Phillies have interest in Royals utilityman Whit Merrifield, MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi reports. Merrifield has mostly played second base in K.C. this season, though he has also seen time at first base, center field, and right field, plus he’s seen time in left field and third base in past seasons. As Morosi notes, this makes him an ideal fit on a Phillies team that values multi-position players. The Royals have already begun trading veterans prior to the deadline, though Merrifield would command a noteworthy price tag since he’s under team control through the 2022 season.
- Jerad Eickhoff experienced more numbness in his fingers during a throwing session, NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jim Salisbury reports (Twitter link), and is undergo more tests to try and determine the problem. Eickhoff’s last set of examinations “ruled out a lot of bad stuff” in the words of Phillies GM Matt Klentak, though it obviously isn’t a good sign that Eickhoff’s problems are continuing after another month. Eickhoff has yet to pitch this season, initially beginning the DL due to a lat strain before his rehab was shut down by the numbness issues.
- The Phillies have put a lot of focus on expanding their international scouting operations, including going beyond the usual set of countries to find players, The Athletic’s Meghan Montemurro writes (subscription required). The piece includes a look at some of the international names in Philadelphia’s farm system, including Russian left-hander Anton Kuznetsov, New Zealander right-hander Kyle Glogoski, and Australian lefty Josh Tols.
Does this mean the Phillies have moved on from Machado and Moustakas and now they’re on to Merrifield? I doubt the Phillies are in on both Moustakas and Merrifield, that would seem to be overkill.
They need a bullpen arm imo, possibly another starter if Eickhoff is gonna be out more.
They’re about 23rd in defensive efficiency… Going into the series against Baltimore, they had only outscored opponents by six runs..
Playing with fire or bound to improve in those areas?? They must be looking to at least relegate Kingery to more of a bench role.
” possibly another starter if Eickhoff is gonna be out”
Are the Phillies planning to go to a six man rotation?
I would add somebody like tyson ross or lance lynn, cole hamels was bad again today.
All five Phillies starters have been better than both of those guys this year.
They have clear weak spots in the lineup and bullpen; upgrading those should be a bigger.priority than trying to upgrade what has been one of the better rotations in baseball.
Not true
For example
Tyson Ross has had 3 really bad games all year he was on a roll for like 8 starts of really good ball
They haven’t permanently moved on from Machado the Orioles asking price is to high. I would be will to bet they are the team to sign him this offseason
kcbbfan, They could theoretically be after both. Moose could play 3rd while Merrifield would shift to RF moving Nick Williams to the bench (where he has thrived this season). I’m guessing you would know how good Whit’s arm is being a KC fan. I wonder if this is what the Phillies are thinking? Merrifield for Williams would significantly improve the offense that the team is currently receiving from RF so in essence it makes sense.
Merrifield doesn’t have any Significant weaknesses in his game. He literally can do it all. He is at his best at second base and centerfield., but he is good in left field, right field and first base. He can run, throw, hit, and catch the ball. It’s a shame the Royals waited till he was 27 years old to bring him to Kansas City. They obviously didn’t know what they had, but neither did other teams, he was available in the rule five draft only about three years ago.
Williams should be playing everyday…his numbers last season, extrapolated, he’s Nomar Mazara….20-25 HR, 95-105 rbi…He can’t get consistent AB’s, even against RHP….I salute the fact he has stood down, and not complained (okay, mildly earlier in the season he did)…but he could pop off more and he’d be right…for a young guy to show that restraint, I’m impressed!!…color me his fan!!
Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to acquire Merrifield, but not at the expense of Williams
Do you watch Williams play defense though or his plate disclipine?
Williams hasn’t shown he deserves an everyday job.
Whit doesn’t have a cannon by any means, but he can play RF or 3B. Probably average at best arm for either of those spots, but not bad enough to hurt you. Still probably better suited for 2B or CF.
I’m wondering how well Whit would grade out at third base.