2025 Phillies Thread

MrTailgate

Well-known member
Oct 19, 2021
895
1,679
93
I can’t say that I have seen a guy pitch like Ranger in some time. With all the emphasis on velo and spin, I just shake my head. There have been many players who have talked about having the most comfortable 0-4 day against certain pitchers as they make a turn back to the dugout. Some will say a guy like Moyer, Ranger reminds me more of a Maddux than a Moyer.

I hate to say this but I am not confident that Dombrowski pulls a lot of strings at the deadline. The cost of relievers is going to be astronomical and Dombrowski has said before that you can add to the pen post season by stashing starters in there like Abel and possibly Painter which I’m starting to feel less and less comfortable with. I think he makes a run more at a right hand bat and I pray it’s not Luis Robert. They need another doughnut bat like a hole in the head.

But for today, I am more convinced that the Phillies have to play it straight at the end of the year and figure out who gives them the best chance between Nola and Ranger to deliver the best results during the best portion of the Harper/Turner and hopefully Schwarber window. If it’s Ranger, deal Nola and eat what you have to. If they aren’t going to do that and just hope Nola bounces back and let Ranger walk for nothing, then trade him.
 

WestSideLion

Well-known member
May 29, 2001
3,825
4,206
113
I can’t say that I have seen a guy pitch like Ranger in some time. With all the emphasis on velo and spin, I just shake my head. There have been many players who have talked about having the most comfortable 0-4 day against certain pitchers as they make a turn back to the dugout. Some will say a guy like Moyer, Ranger reminds me more of a Maddux than a Moyer.

I hate to say this but I am not confident that Dombrowski pulls a lot of strings at the deadline. The cost of relievers is going to be astronomical and Dombrowski has said before that you can add to the pen post season by stashing starters in there like Abel and possibly Painter which I’m starting to feel less and less comfortable with. I think he makes a run more at a right hand bat and I pray it’s not Luis Robert. They need another doughnut bat like a hole in the head.

But for today, I am more convinced that the Phillies have to play it straight at the end of the year and figure out who gives them the best chance between Nola and Ranger to deliver the best results during the best portion of the Harper/Turner and hopefully Schwarber window. If it’s Ranger, deal Nola and eat what you have to. If they aren’t going to do that and just hope Nola bounces back and let Ranger walk for nothing, then trade him.
This season is over if Dombrowski expects to bolster the pen with surplus starters. First, using rookies in high leverage postseason situations is suicide. Second, these guys hearts won’t be in it. They’ve spent their careers as starters and it’s not easy to flip the switch to the pen in-season.

It feels like Dombrowski will leave after this season. Let’s hope he doesn’t do something dumb at the deadline and eff the franchise.
 

MrTailgate

Well-known member
Oct 19, 2021
895
1,679
93
This season is over if Dombrowski expects to bolster the pen with surplus starters. First, using rookies in high leverage postseason situations is suicide. Second, these guys hearts won’t be in it. They’ve spent their careers as starters and it’s not easy to flip the switch to the pen in-season.

It feels like Dombrowski will leave after this season. Let’s hope he doesn’t do something dumb at the deadline and eff the franchise.
I don’t disagree unless you have the right kind of starter you want to do that with. The thing that concerns me is that he has two big arm guys in the young kids and could think he’s got swing and miss potential in those arms.

I’d shoot my shot now figuring you can always go back if you don’t do a deal sooner than later. They need a lefty guy who is better than Strahm. Chapman has been lights out and will cost a fortune but I’d step up now and swing.

The biggest problem is that I don’t see farm assets that will blow people‘s lids off other than Painter who I don’t think they trade. Crawford is a good player but his lack of power will push some teams off him. Miller, who knows. I think the catcher is interesting given his age and overall game right out of the gate. So, in a way this helps to clip Dombrowski’s wings a bit.

Its going to be fascinating.
 
  • Like
Reactions: WestSideLion

NittPicker

Well-known member
Jun 30, 2001
4,817
9,815
113

Interesting. Both their current contracts end after this season so maybe the price tag would be too bad. If a deal is made, I hope it includes Rojas. Of course, it's likely the Buccos won't give up two pitchers without getting an arm or two in return.
 

Grant Green

Well-known member
Jan 21, 2004
3,078
4,223
113
Some really strange run to hit ratios lately. Third game in the past week where a team has at least 7 hits and no runs.
 

Tom McAndrew

BWI Staff
Staff member
Oct 27, 2021
62,561
47,258
113
Abel is not “it”. I don’t need to see him anymore.
I’d rather Taijuan Walker back in that role.

that eval seems a tad hasty.

Abel had given up 4 walks in his previous 5 starts. He gives up 5 in less than 2 innings today. Control issues have plagued him during his minor league career. Until today, control was not an issue. He seemed to have no idea where his pitches were going. He had a chance to get out of the situation he created with all the walks, as he had Machado on a 1-2 count, which after a few fouls and a ball was 2-2, then he hung a breaking ball which Manny hit for a base-clearing double.

Walker has had a few stretches (innings) of dominance, but for the most part has been a disaster as a starter and as a reliever this season. I'd give Abel several more opportunities before I'd even contemplate moving Walker back into a starting role. And perhaps by then Nola will be back so even if Abel's control issues continues, Walker would not have to be used as a starter.
 

Grant Green

Well-known member
Jan 21, 2004
3,078
4,223
113
More anomalous hit/run ratios. Phils out hit SD 12 to 5 and lost 6 to 4. Won't see that too often.