2K24: Philadelphia Phillies

[Controller Jacobs]

Baseball Reference Page
mlb depth charts
cot's contracts - team page
cot's contracts - 2014 spreadsheet
mlbtraderumors - team page
fangraphs - team page
fangraphs - park factors

prospects - rhd, with team highlighted

[Don Quixote]

I'd heard rumors about this for a while, but not lately. From Rotoworld--

"FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Phillies are trying to trade Jonathan Papelbon.

Papelbon has two years and $26 million left on his contract that also contains a vesting option for a third year. He also had a career-low 8.3 K/9 ratio in 2013 and saw his velocity dip for the second straight season. It's possible the Phillies will be able to convince someone to take him off their hands, but they might have to eat some money in the process. Another issue is that Papelbon has a limited no-trade clause that allows him to stipulate 12 teams to which he will accept a trade."

If they trade Papelbon, who is the favorite for saves in Philly?

[Erik]

DQ: Mike Adams or Antonio Bastardo.

We astute Phillies fans wanted them to trade Papelbon LAST year, specifically to the Tigers, who might have overpaid. I don't think they will deal him in the offseason. Signing veterans instead of blowing up the team indicates they're not in the mood to deal their top players yet. Maybe in midseason if their first half is poor.

[Don Quixote]

DQ: Mike Adams or Antonio Bastardo.

We astute Phillies fans wanted them to trade Papelbon LAST year, specifically to the Tigers, who might have overpaid. I don't think they will deal him in the offseason. Signing veterans instead of blowing up the team indicates they're not in the mood to deal their top players yet. Maybe in midseason if their first half is poor.

Thanks. I thought about Adams, but for some reason Bastardo slipped my so-called mind. Or they could sign someone after trading Papelbon.

As for "Maybe in midseason if their first half is poor", didn't we hear that last year?

[Erik]

You heard that from me and other observers, not the front office.

[scottw]

Don't overlook Jake Dieckman when thinking about potential closers should Pap be dealt. He has all the pitches he needs, a quirky delivery designed to confuse hitters, and, as of the second half last year, pretty good control. His makeup is said to be perfect for the job, too. His only question is whether or not the control is corrected.

[heyelander]

and I like DeFratus to get it... hmm....

[Erik]

Lets throw Jeremy Horst into the ring while we're at it. The team has no shortage of guys with heat who haven't put it together yet.

[Don Quixote]

Philadelphia signs Chad Gaudin to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training.

This isn't a bad move at all. If he pitches like he did last year, he can be valuable in a swingman role. I thought he could have done better than a minor league deal, though.

[Erik]

There are tons of question marks at the back of the rotation and in the pen, so a low-risk deal for Gaudin makes perfect sense.

[Don Quixote]

There are tons of question marks at the back of the rotation and in the pen, so a low-risk deal for Gaudin makes perfect sense.

So much sense that for a lot of Phillies fans, there must be a question as to why Amaro did it.

[Erik]

It is an outlier amongst his recent moves, yes.

[willthethrill]

Phillies signed Bobby Abreu to a minor league deal today. Don't see why-He can't play the outfield and the DH when they play at an AL park should be Ruf or Howard. Phils don't have the luxury to carry a left-handed pinch hitter-Since they have so many old guys, they need roster space for guys who can fill in for a few days here and there or longer when the inevitable DL stints crop up.

[scottw]

Phillies signed Bobby Abreu to a minor league deal today. Don't see why-He can't play the outfield and the DH when they play at an AL park should be Ruf or Howard. Phils don't have the luxury to carry a left-handed pinch hitter-Since they have so many old guys, they need roster space for guys who can fill in for a few days here and there or longer when the inevitable DL stints crop up.

I certainly agree with your premise. The problem is that the team has such a dearth of position talent that bench spots are better filled with someone who can actually hit, as opposed to someone they HOPE can hit someday. Franco may find a way to throw a wrench into the plan--we hope!

[Erik]

Phillies signed Bobby Abreu to a minor league deal today. Don't see why-He can't play the outfield and the DH when they play at an AL park should be Ruf or Howard. Phils don't have the luxury to carry a left-handed pinch hitter-Since they have so many old guys, they need roster space for guys who can fill in for a few days here and there or longer when the inevitable DL stints crop up.

They recently did this exact same thing with Jim Thome.

There's no guarantee Abreu even makes the team.