The Phillies announced that they have acquired left-hander Kyle Backhus from the Diamondbacks. Minor league outfielder Avery Owusu-Asiedu goes in the other direction. The move opens a 40-man spot for Arizona, which should allow them to make their agreement with Merrill Kelly official. Philly’s 40-man count goes from 37 to 38.
More to come.
They traded a Strahm but added a Backhus…
Might as well call him DD Dipoto at this point
Pinching pennies apparently now.
This basically fills the last 40 man spot less one catcher. Anyone know why Crawford does not have to be on the 40 man yet?
Don’t have to add him until he makes the club. Good chance somebody hits the 60 IL to make room then.
wheeler will be going on the 60 IL to start the season.
If you’re under 19 when drafted you don’t become rule 5 eligible for 4.5 years – so the Phillies can keep him off the 40-man till November technically, if they weren’t already planning to call him up to start the season.
Players can be removed from the 40-man and placed on the IL once pitchers and catchers report, which will make room for Crawford, so they’re likely keeping the extra spots open for now for free agent acquisitions.
And Wheeler will start the season on the IL so that scenario fits your explanation perfectly.
Teams have 4 seasons to put drafted players on the 40 man roster (5 years if they’re under 18 when signed).
Crawford was signed in 2022 at 18, so he won’t be Rule 5 eligible until after the 2026 season.
Smart moves by Phillies. Getting 12years of 2 cost controlled RP for a minor leaguer and a RP who’s on a 1 year deal. Phillies need cost controlled players
Maybe the Mets should go ahead and trade Soto for 6 players.
Trade skubal for 6 players.
Musical chairs in Philly to save a few bucks…to bring back JT perhaps?
Backhus going to be 28 next month and last year was his first taste of big-league ball and he didn’t impress. Nothing to see here – he is no Strahm
If he grows his hair out more and starts a card collecting show I could see it.
God of Wine
Love the name
At least Dombrowski has learned from his past and is trying to re-tool a little bit. Could lead to some middling years, but long-term sustainability is the goal.
I have yet to see a single soul on here that is even close to qualified to hold firm opinions on prospects and minor moves, and yet we are chock-full of bluster and bull***t on the subject.
The Phils went into the winter meetings with 32 spots taken on the 40 man, and were clearly geared up to chip away at making a number of depth moves. How smart (and how lucky) they will be, only time will tell. But they have a top-heavy roster and payroll and everyone was kvetching about “running it back”.
This is one of the ways to slowly change the dynamic – making informed decisions at the roster edges. They have room to make more as well, as there are a few guys on the 40 man that have a rather tenuous hold and could be an upgrade if the league-wide shuffle leaves other options that they like better.
I have no idea if Backhus or Bowlan or Leon or McCambley or Curet will work out, but I am sure that DD & Co. are not just throwing darts at the waiver wire flow charts either. Most probably won’t have much impact, but if they can find something in a couple of the moves along these lines then it will be worth it.
Backhus in this move, Phillies fans.