As Andrew McCutchen celebrates his 34th birthday today, let’s check out some Phillies-related items…
- Though owner John Middleton recently gave a strong public endorsement to team president Andy MacPhail, multiple sources tell the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Scott Lauber that Middleton would prefer MacPhail either retires from his post a year early, or at least steps away from baseball operations duties. Such a move would allow for a smoother transition for a front office that is searching for a new GM after Matt Klentak stepped down from the post, as a new president of baseball operations and GM could both be hired in tandem, as opposed to hiring a general manager now and then a new president next offseason. Staying with the combo of MacPhail as president and interim GM Ned Rice through 2021 “would seem anathema to Middleton” considering that he clearly feels changes are needed for the Phils.
- Of the 20 Phillies players who are free agents, arbitration-eligible, or controlled by club options for 2021, The Athletic’s Matt Gelb figures only three (arb-eligibles Rhys Hoskins, Zach Eflin, and Andrew Knapp) “are locks to return” next season. Any of the other 17 could conceivably be non-tendered or let walk depending on what kind of budgetary cuts are coming to the Philadelphia payroll, or how the Phils might need to reallocate funds to pursue other needed roster upgrades. J.T. Realmuto and Didi Gregorius are among that group of 17 players, so others could be let go to free up the funds necessary to re-sign at least one of that duo.
This is a BOLD prediction, but I think the Yankees might non-tender Gary Sanchez and sign Realmuto as his replacement.
there’s no way they non-tender him. he still has enough value to at least get you something in a trade.
Maybe Sánchez to San Diego or some spot where there is no pressure to succeed. Maybe the Yankees get IFA signing money
I think there is now pressure in San Fiego to succeed
With the arrival of Nola, SD doesn’t need to add another C to their mix, but do see teams like the Mets, Boston or even Phi, if they loose Realmuto to the NNY…
If the phillies do not resign Realmuto , my fear is that he will go to the mets. Then do the phillies make a trade for Sanchez? A change of scenery for him. But like Bryce harper said, he needs to be there. Nola wants him back, since he’s been there he has thrown to a different catcher each season, Sign him Middleton,
The Mets don’t want him trust me
If you’re a angels fan. Why does it matter if he goes to the Mets lol?
Im a phillies fan as well
Oh ok. Yeah. Great player. I’m worried about giving him a long contract. Are you?
My max would be 6 years 150 , maybe they can add incentives like the dodgers did with Betts.
Yeah. I could see him getting that.
Trading IFA space is no longer an option on October 15th, and is being eliminated next cycle.
Padres have more catchers than Baskins has flavors. If Sanchez is moved, I could see the Pirates or Reds being interested. Certainly no pressure in Pittsburgh, and Sanchez wouldn’t miss Yankee Stadium that much. GABP is about as hitter friendly a stadium as you’ll find.
But, yeah, I could see the Yankees pursuing Realmuto. The Mets, as well.
Realmuto is a yes for the Yankees. I wish we would re-sign him, but we won’t. However, Sanchez will be a Yankee in 2021.
i mean Gelb says “hard choices,” but most of the borderline guys are replaceable. for example, id let go of VV in a heartbeat and replace him with a cheaper swing option that can actually throw a scoreless outing.
Maybe VV can play left field he looked good out there that one time lol. No but seriously, Chatwood could probably be an okay swingman for cheep
Will be interesting to see how the arbitration formulas play out for this class from the abbreviated season. Can’t wait for Jason Schwartz’s arbitration predictions post.
I wonder if Middleton could pry Erik Neander away from tampa bay
Neander is lot leaving Tampa for a moderate positional increase id bet.
If Neander took Mcphails job I bet he would leave
oh maybe. though you meant Klentak’s
if the report is true it makes sense. Middleton got screwed by McPhail retiring in 2021 because now he looks bad firing the guy but is forced to keep him for a year. i dont envy the position he is in.
Middleton wants mac failed to step down but mcphail said he’s staying till after 2021 I wonder if that’s the case Middleton doesn’t want to fire him and have to pay him for the whole year maybe that’s why Middleton said that it may take a year to find a GM because maybe he doesn’t want mcphail to have any part of finding a new GM so Middleton just won’t let him hire a new GM until mcphail actually retires at the end of twenty twenty one maybe that’s the reason Middleton’s saying it could take over a year to hire a GM read between the lines
Could they wait till after the 2021 season and get Theo Epstein to come if he’s not picked back up by the cubs?
The same Theo Epstein who gave out big bucks to Jason Heyward and Craig Kimbrel? The same Theo Epstein who can’t find a reliable CF or 2B who can both hit and play defense? The same Theo Epstein who wants to send Kris Bryant packing?
No thank you.
Andy seems to be the Jeb Bush of MLB Front Office Execs. He is a low energy, slow-moving fellow. Think that Middleton wants someone who is going to shake this up and get the team moving in the right direction.
Klentak was a bad hire and it probably time for Andy to finally retire.
Why don’t they just pay MaFail for next year and tell him enjoy the free year go away.
he’s worried about the money that he’s going to have to pay him to walk away for that year. he’s worried about possibly no fans next year so he’s talking about laying some employees off as it is I’m sure he don’t want to take a big hit just to tell him it fail to go and then to turn around and have to pay another you know high quality person to come in place that’s why he’s thinking he’ll just let me fail go if need be for this year not hire a GM and then when 2021 ends you can sit there and start from scratch with a new GM and president of baseball operations
Realmuto will be wearing a Mets uniform next year.
Someone should probably remind Mr Middleton that he’s allowed to fire McFail
Realmuto will be a MET
THATS WHY BVW gave Ramos a 2 year deal
& knowing the CESPEDES, would be off the books.
Philly will try everything in their power to keep him, he’s a must to keep for them. Will the mets be the ones to give him an 8 year deal? Max I will go is 6 years for 150
Not sure “everything in their power” is gonna show up when negotiating with Realmuto. I love the guy, but I have a feeling one of the NY teams will snatch him up for big bucks. And don’t forget the Cardinals. They might not tender Molina.
It’s not rocket science.. Resign JT and Didi, bite the media bullet and play Odubel, sign an SP and non injured RPs. Relying on guys that are continually injured really isn’t a smart plan. If you go I ok the lux 1 year so be it.
The Phils have about 2+ weeks to get contract offers in the hands of JT and Didi before they have to make qualifying offers. Pay up and sign them both. Give JT at least 4-5 years with an option year or two. Seems long for a catcher, but in 2-3 years you can put him at first and keep his bat. Hoskins has 3 years of arbitration now. He is a .250 power hitter who can barely run and plays horrible defense. He can be traded before his contract time comes up and then JT can move to first base. Sign Didi to two years with an option or give him the qualifying offer if a deal can’t be worked out. Phils are two years away from Martin or Stott coming in to play short.. Sign Knapp. The rest of them? Take your chances as a lot of other teams will be in the same boat and the market will be flooded with players who will be looking for a home.