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.
Looks like girardi quest to build the 2017 yankees continues.
Lucroy didn’t play for the Yankees
Bird did.
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
Girardi is the manager. He doesn’t sign the players.
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.
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.”
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.”
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.
Dang y’all really getting worked up over minor league signings for a team that isn’t even going to make the playoffs
Currently they have a 65% chance of getting in according to fangraphs.
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.
50% of fans believe that 90% of these predictions are 75% useless half of the time.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Girardi is making the Little Yankees in the Phillies.
Phillies fans have, deservedly, been giving Klentak the Bird for years. Now it appears he’s returning the favor.
Also past date to be eligible for Playoff Roster but might bring 4o man to bubble.
they simply need healthy players. they need a taxi squad catcher and a dedicated 1B badly.
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.
Lucroy has been on a downward slide since he vetoed the trade to the Indians. lol Thank you Jonathan.
Correction, he’s been on a downward slide since he pulled a disk in his neck around the same time.
“If only it were 2015…”
-The Phillies (among many more)
Girardi is not the GM.
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.
The deadline can be somewhat circumvented if injuries are involved.
BIRD might do well in philly if he can stay on the field
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.
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.
Great username!
Amazing day for the Phils! The number 80 prospect and a returning all-star?!?! Same Day!!
Signed – Phanatic coming out of 5 year hibernation.
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!!!
If the deal being successful was contingent on an extension, we already lost.
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.
JT is probably the best catcher in all of baseball, let alone free agency
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.
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.
Yesss love Bird joining girardi in Philly. I hope he can stay healthy and get things going
He likely won’t even play. Maybe in one of the doubleheaders.
bird could turn out to be a good pickup for the phillies if he can avoid the injured list
I hope Greg Bird can come back from all his injuries. Nice guy with some good skills and sweet swing when healthy.