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Phillies Sign Jonathan Lucroy, Greg Bird

By Connor Byrne | September 15, 2020 at 10:50pm CDT

The Phillies have signed catcher Jonathan Lucroy and first baseman Greg Bird to minor league contracts, Matt Gelb of The Athletic tweets. The two will report to the team’s alternate site, and because they’re joining the 60-man player pool on the day of the Sept. 15 postseason eligibility deadline, they will be eligible for playoff rosters if the Phillies make it.

The Phillies are banged up at catcher and first base, so this is a late effort by the club to add depth as the posteason nears. Philadelphia’s 24-23 and on track for a playoff spot, though starting catcher J.T. Realmuto hasn’t played since Sept. 12 because of hip problems, and first baseman Rhys Hoskins went to the IL on Monday as a result of a left UCL injury.

Lucroy, like Realmuto is now, was one of the majors’ best catchers in his heyday. However, the former Brewers standout has fallen on hard times offensively and defensively with a few teams over the past couple years. The Red Sox released Lucroy on Tuesday, which came after he totaled one plate appearance with the club this season.

Bird was a high-profile prospect with the Yankees not too long ago, and he made an encouraging debut in 2015, but a series of injuries have helped derail his career since then. Bird was previously with the Rangers, who designated him for assignment in August. The 27-year-old could now reunite with Joe Girardi, who managed the Yankees at the beginning of Bird’s career and is now the Phillies’ skipper.

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Philadelphia Phillies Transactions Greg Bird Jonathan Lucroy

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43 Comments

  1. jonscriff

    5 years ago

    Looks like girardi quest to build the 2017 yankees continues.

    3
    Reply
    • joeyrocafella

      5 years ago

      Lucroy didn’t play for the Yankees

      2
      Reply
      • nymetsking

        5 years ago

        Bird did.

        3
        Reply
        • johnnydubz

          5 years ago

          Bird played? I just remember Yankees fans and Francesa telling everyone how he was next Donnie baseball that DeGrom wasn’t enough for him. Boy they showed us

          3
          Reply
    • oldmansteve

      5 years ago

      Girardi is the manager. He doesn’t sign the players.

      1
      Reply
      • hiflew

        5 years ago

        You’re crazy if you don’t think Girardi doesn’t get most roster moves at least run by him. Not asking his permission or anything, but I’d say he at least has some input on these decisions. With as much as Girardi knows about players, it would be stupid not to.

        Reply
        • oldmansteve

          5 years ago

          Yes, but he isn’t running to Klentak saying, “Let’s go get this guy!” It is more like Klantak comes to him and asks, “Is it worth it to bring this guy in?” Girardi responds, “Sure, he had talent when I was with the Yankees.”

          Reply
        • hiflew

          5 years ago

          Then the reverse is also likely true. If Girardi responds, “No, I was never really a big fan of this guy when I was with the Yankees,” then Klentak will not be signing him. Either way, his input has some impact on the players the Phils sign.

          BTW, how do you know he isn’t going to Klentak asking for him to go get a certain player? It is definitely likely that Girardi knows which first basemen are available once Hoskins gets hurt and can say, “Hey let’s get this guy.”

          Reply
        • Orel Saxhiser

          5 years ago

          Girardi is a data freak. He has the same info as Klentak, no more and no less. Btw, most GM/field manager tandems tend to work closely together these days. It is one of the many ways the modern game is better than the not-so-good old days.

          Reply
    • stretch123

      5 years ago

      Dang y’all really getting worked up over minor league signings for a team that isn’t even going to make the playoffs

      Reply
      • bucketbrew35

        5 years ago

        Currently they have a 65% chance of getting in according to fangraphs.

        Reply
        • hiflew

          5 years ago

          Does anyone ever challenge those “predictions?” No, of course not because if they are wrong all they have to say is that there was a 35% chance of them missing the playoffs. Those numbers are 100% meaningless.

          1
          Reply
        • Joggin’George

          5 years ago

          50% of fans believe that 90% of these predictions are 75% useless half of the time.

          2
          Reply
  2. Rangers29

    5 years ago

    LMAO! Not only did I say earlier that I think Jonathan Lucroy’s career might be nearing it’s end, but they just went all in and signed BIRD?! LOL!

    Reply
    • VonPurpleHayes

      5 years ago

      It’s not about signing talent. Of course these guys aren’t good. The Phillies need bodies to finish games while the rest of the roster is completely banged up.

      2
      Reply
      • Joggin’George

        5 years ago

        I never understand when fans moan about these signings. They are, as you say, VonPurple, just filling out the empty spots on the team. The organization has no delusions about whom they just signed.

        2
        Reply
  3. stubby66

    5 years ago

    Why the heck didn’t the Brewers give Bird a look and yes I know Volgabach is hitting for now but at least Bird could have given them so time at first.

    Reply
  4. ArianaGrandSlam

    5 years ago

    Girardi is making the Little Yankees in the Phillies.

    Reply
  5. Tmandolfan

    5 years ago

    Phillies fans have, deservedly, been giving Klentak the Bird for years. Now it appears he’s returning the favor.

    10
    Reply
  6. mgomrjsurf

    5 years ago

    Also past date to be eligible for Playoff Roster but might bring 4o man to bubble.

    Reply
    • DarkSide830

      5 years ago

      they simply need healthy players. they need a taxi squad catcher and a dedicated 1B badly.

      1
      Reply
    • jhiphop

      5 years ago

      If they were signed before midnight last night, they’re eligible, but if that’s who they’re relying on in October, it doesn’t really matter anyway.

      1
      Reply
  7. Indianfan

    5 years ago

    Lucroy has been on a downward slide since he vetoed the trade to the Indians. lol Thank you Jonathan.

    3
    Reply
    • jahuhh

      5 years ago

      Correction, he’s been on a downward slide since he pulled a disk in his neck around the same time.

      Reply
  8. HubcapDiamondStarHalo

    5 years ago

    “If only it were 2015…”
    -The Phillies (among many more)

    Reply
  9. oscar gamble

    5 years ago

    Girardi is not the GM.

    1
    Reply
  10. looiebelongsinthehall

    5 years ago

    We’re they signed by the deadline for the playoffs? In trouble if either plays but if so, that was a nice gesture by the Sox.

    Reply
    • hiflew

      5 years ago

      The deadline can be somewhat circumvented if injuries are involved.

      Reply
  11. rudyrudnick

    5 years ago

    BIRD might do well in philly if he can stay on the field

    Reply
    • VonPurpleHayes

      5 years ago

      Hopefully he’ll never need to be on the field. These are backup players since the backups became starters when JT and Hoskins went down.

      1
      Reply
  12. HalfBaked McBride

    5 years ago

    I know people get their jollies ragging on the Phils here…I really don’t care…You do You…
    but
    This is clearly a depth thing that hurts the Phillies in NO WAY and may, possibly (or even, sadly)…help. The Phillies Player Pool clearly has some depth issues…Marchan can be a help at Catcher and I do prefer him over Lucroy for no other reason than to see if the 24 year old is MLB ready.
    Greg Bird?? Meh, we’ve all seen his minors numbers and glimpses of his power and his Mendoza Line averages…I guess he’s worth a flier BUT How About Alec Bohm at 1st Base!?!?! I know it’s only one game, but the kid showed great footwork and balance turning dp’s, stretching from first on putouts, looked comfy enough on pickoff throws.
    Lucroy and Bird are in the Player Pool…if they can help? Great…but it’d be even better if we didn’t need to use them at all.

    Reply
    • Joggin’George

      5 years ago

      Great username!

      1
      Reply
  13. Big Hurt

    5 years ago

    Amazing day for the Phils! The number 80 prospect and a returning all-star?!?! Same Day!!

    Signed – Phanatic coming out of 5 year hibernation.

    1
    Reply
  14. BPFlyers

    5 years ago

    Organizational Depth, people! We have little to nothing in the minors. Klentak messed up and gave away our best pitching prospect for the best catcher in baseball that he didn’t get signed to an extension! The GM must go!!!

    Reply
    • Brixton

      5 years ago

      If the deal being successful was contingent on an extension, we already lost.

      Reply
      • Orel Saxhiser

        5 years ago

        Realmuto will be the best catcher on the market. Why would he not test free agency? Don’t use Betts as an example, because playing for the Dodgers in Los Angeles is not comparable to playing for the Phillies in Philadelphia. Money’s important, but the best players also want to go where they can win.

        Reply
        • Joggin’George

          5 years ago

          JT is probably the best catcher in all of baseball, let alone free agency

          Reply
    • Orel Saxhiser

      5 years ago

      Klentak is fine. Fans always think then GM and/or manager should be fired if the team doesn’t win. Andrew Friedman is the best in the business, yet there are Dodger fans who call him “Fraudman” and want him gone. Thankfully, fans don’t call the shots.

      Reply
      • VonPurpleHayes

        5 years ago

        Klentak has made a series of historical bad trades. So while I don’t hate him as much as most Philly faithful, I wouldn’t call him fine. That being said, I don’t see anyone on the hotseat for a 60 game season.

        Reply
  15. driftcat28 2

    5 years ago

    Yesss love Bird joining girardi in Philly. I hope he can stay healthy and get things going

    1
    Reply
    • VonPurpleHayes

      5 years ago

      He likely won’t even play. Maybe in one of the doubleheaders.

      Reply
  16. rudyrudnick

    5 years ago

    bird could turn out to be a good pickup for the phillies if he can avoid the injured list

    Reply
  17. BubbaNJ

    5 years ago

    I hope Greg Bird can come back from all his injuries. Nice guy with some good skills and sweet swing when healthy.

    1
    Reply

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