High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Andrew Painter Has Been Sent Down... Now What?

Episode Date: June 18, 2026

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to Andrew Painter being sent down to AAA and discuss what the young pitcher has to figure out after struggling during his first stint in the majors. The guys also react to the series win over the Marlins and take a look at who the Phillies could target before next month's trade deadline. Presented by Miller Lite.To purchase Ring The Bell by Jack Fritz and Kevin Reavy go to RingTheBellBook.comTo buy tickets for the High Hopes Night in Reading CLICK HERE.

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I feel a little less alone. another edition of the Ios podcast, sponsored by Miller-Ly, official partner of the Philadelphia affiliates. Like Miller-Dime Philadelphia's Celebrate Responsibly. Look, two or three, the third one really, really sucked. Yes.

Things are fine. Our future's cook. And your painter is in the minor leagues again. The experiment is over for the time being. We're going to Reading on Saturday. Yeah. I'm getting to that. How you doing?

I wish Painter is going to Redding. Yeah, baby. That would have been fun. That could have been a fun little development for the trip. So, yeah, so the game is on Saturday. I'm wearing my baseball town shirt. Strong. You can get that at the team store.

They have fireworks after the game, which is great. Looks like it's going to be awesome weather. Beautiful weather. Last year, it was rainy and gross. This year it's going to be beautiful. Fireworks, to your point. I have a kid. You have kids?

Guess what? You know what kids love fireworks? My kids won't be there. Zero percent chance that were there surviving until. Oh, yeah. My kids will be there. Zoe will be there. fireworks are one of the main reasons.

Oh, yeah. He's always there for the whole game. Let's go, buddy. Yeah, my boys would be probably heading around. He's sixth inning if I had to guess. So, no, it'd be great. Fireworks. We're doing like a meet and greet at 5 o'clock on Saturday, and then we're throwing out the first pitch again. So if you want to see us fail, that would be great. Having to work on the mechanics a little bit. Oh, yeah. I've done nowhere. I'm just going to go up and...

No, well, I always work on my mechanics because it's something I do for no reason. Yes. Just like my golf swing. It's good. But if I touch 80, maybe there's another, you know, maybe there's a contract. So, so, yeah. We need it. We need starting bitching in the major level right now. So the link is pinned to my Twitter.

Mine too. Bang. First time I've ever pinned something on my Twitter. I did it for this event. That was like the oldest you've ever sounded. I know. That was really, really old. I've sound pretty old before.

And the, I should have said like first time I've tweeted more or less. but yeah, same idea. Your link is also in the description on the podcast, and if that's not good enough, then you can email the high hopes pod at gmail.com, and I will send you the link for the tickets. So we got you covered. It would be a great night at baseball town as,

you know, Sandy Leon is is rehabbing there. He's had a good little start. So, but running games are always fun. Name you know. Sure. Great catch. Casual Leon, my bad.

Oh, so not Sandy Leon. No, Sandy. I was watching, I was watching the Braves game. He's still in the big leagues? I was surprised you. I was like, I didn't even know he was still around. He's on the Braves, which is crazy.

I did not know that. Clearly by the fact that I thought he was in the minor somewhere. I had no idea. In Hartford, I guess I thought, you know. Pedro Leon. So we are getting a, we are lucky that they are playing the yard goods. I mean, one of the great names in sports. Yeah, who could forget the draft.

It was the painter draft. I was a painter draft is when I wanted Benny Montgomery. And he is on the yard go. And Hartford having a moment, obviously, because the hurricanes won the cup. Hartford Whalers, formerly of the hurricanes. Everyone in Hartford's really excited about it from what I hear. So who cares? Like, seriously, who cares?

I did love the Hartford Whalers growing up, but no one cares. Well, you're all mixed up, too. I appreciated what they did. Look, I was rude against him. Listen, I know you lived in New York. I was rooting against him. I was rooting against him. But when they won, it was like, there was a cultural.

moment. I mean, it was like a, you know, I am a, I'm a fan of moments in life, of marriage. I'm a story. I'm a story. What a story. Can we talk about Panor? Thank you. Thank you. So, uh, the four home runs that were allowed. The four home runs that were allowed yesterday were four of the most no doubters bleeped on baseball. Yeah. Like it was like right off the bat was like, wow, that guy smoked that baseball. Like they were hit so hard. Actually, it was five because Marcy smoked one out of sugar. Yeah. But they were, they hit those baseballs hard. And here's the thing.

Kyle Backus is dominating in Lehigh Valley right now. You went an inning in a third. Why did you pitch him last night? We're going to need him up here for old Banksy. Banksy's optionable. You can still send him down if you want. So that irks me. Obviously the painter thing, but like also Bank should be sent down.

Turns out the I didn't lie. Yeah, your original Banks take has come all the way back around. Couldn't get out on the piece sack. I mean, you were, you were not a fan when they traded for him. And then you kept having to be like, I don't know how he's doing it. Yeah, I guess I got to admit. I guess he's okay. Sure.

Happy to be back. Yeah, yeah, we're back. So the painter thing, obviously really sucks. I always think the conversation around painter really sucks. It's the worst. Like, basically like, Jack, I don't know if you've gotten a lot of these calls. I did this morning and I've gotten a lot of text from. So Painter's done, huh?

Yeah, his career is over. I guess he's toast. Yep. The 23-year-old kid's over. it's what a shame he's got a shot the major didn't work that's the way it works he can never pitch there again no no no all that should have traded him should have traded him should have traded him i have heard that phrase great a bit it's it's been the most it's been a really annoying 24 hours it might be the most annoying story so far this other than you know them sucking

and having to fire the manager like in terms of just like a story related to this season this moment right now might be the most annoying yeah like also i don't know you can't go back and change history and also he was a great pitching prospect that has not bounced back from post Tommy John. I don't I don't blame the Phillies for holding on to him and trying he was going to be the guy

and right now he certainly doesn't look like that. But I just I cannot take I cannot take the definitive it's over he sucks. He's going to be a bust forever. Unbelievable. Should have traded him. They can't develop anyone.

It's always I love prospect conversation drives me crazy because it's either trade them all or why are they not up here. Yeah, totally. You're right. You're right. There's no in between with these things. I just name me, whatever. I don't know. Well, and it's annoying too because it's influenced the way we talk about the trade deadline, all these things. Like even I find myself and I'm like, listen, first and foremost, and, you know, Salisbury's talked about this. Rosenthal's talking about like they might just not have enough to go get all that they need. They probably don't can't afford.

But like everyone, there is a real like narrative shaping of well, painter sucks, Crawford sucks, Miller's hurt, should have traded, trade everyone because prospects don't work and like taking this small little sample size of something and saying, well, because that happened, we should just trade everyone. And it's like I fully disagree with that philosophically and in my soul. But I also, what am I supposed to say to that? It's like, yeah, you're right. it didn't.

If they had traded Andrew Painter, you know what? It probably would have been a smart thing at this moment, seeing where we're at. And I'm not out on moving forward, but like, I find it hard to argue against people who say it because it's like, yeah,

you know, you're probably right. You're probably right. Like Crawford, you know, relax all that. But like in terms of, you know, when they say, well,

why wouldn't you trade guys now because this didn't work? It's like, well, just because that didn't work doesn't mean you trade guys, but it's also like, it didn't work.

And I'm hard to argue with it. You know, so it's like a real conflicting and annoying situation. But also at the same time, we act like every single prospect sucks. But then people are like, but like,

so then you would, you should have traded out late. Yeah, you should trade them all. You should never keep out. That's the thing. There's always going to be examples on both sides. Of course there is. Of course there is. He's at the hope you get the right guys.

So again, prospect discourse and conversation. It drives me up. It's the worst. It's the worst discourse right now. Well, it's just, it's everything so, black or white. Well, just,

everyone's just so definitive and angry all the time and it's just you gotta let things play out. So first of all I'm glad they finally did it. I'm also annoyed that we spent I don't know three straight podcasts in the off season begging for another starting pitcher and now we're left here and there's like the report I think from Gelb yesterday

about how they're going to look and trade for a back end starter that trying to do that like right now. Well you know Walker Bueller was there and for pennies comparatively so and I know he didn't look great at the end of last year, but this year he's been really good.

I know it's a bit of revisionist history. I wasn't a huge popular fan last year. He's clearly found it. It's interesting. He said, I think he said before the season or maybe first week that he just now has felt like himself for the first time since Tommy John. And he got his Tommy John in 2022. That's pretty crazy.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. So it took him three years. Chad Durbin was on the, was on the Philly show. And he said that he couldn't find his command. three years until three years after with Tommy John. We've gotten so used to that 18 months to two years window is like, all right, they get the velocity back,

then it's a control and they're kind of good. And it feels like there are so many of these positive stories with this that like, I think that's people are like, it's making it even harder for people to stomach or, or rationalize the painter one. And then you're painter talk and like, that's like when he's saying, you know,

he feels it. He feels that the fastball isn't as good out of his hand when he's throwing it. It's like, man. If you say that, then you're going to get shelled. I know. I know.

So it's, so he, unfortunately at this current time, he looks like someone that is not bouncing back from Tommy John where we've seen a lot of people bounce back from Tommy John. Now at the same time. Like,

Strider is really struggling. Strider's hurt again. Yeah. Coming back from TJ. Alconra hasn't really been the same guy. He's never been the guy again. The same guy. Yeah.

So that's the, that's the concern here is that. But also it does give me hope that the velocity has come back, which is good. It's just now it's honing in on the command and obviously getting a feel for the and getting the life back. And getting a life back. So speaking of that, what I find interesting when he goes down in AAA. And by the way, like he might not come back up this year.

And I don't really want him to come back up. I don't know that I want him to. That's right. That was going to be a question I asked him for. It's like should we even think about bringing it back? If he's dominating, I'm okay with it. Like if he is pitching to a 1-5 and and he's got to the part, I'm okay with bringing him back up.

But like this needs to be, we talked about two or three podcasts ago, how this I felt like was a off-season thing, off-season reconstruction. Well, now it's all hands on deck and reconstruct immediately, try to figure out the new path forward. In the minors. In the mines.

Because you can do that. Yes. Because there's no reason to send him down. There's no pressure of winning. there's no pressure to come back up because they're going to they'll bring up up Allen Ron Hell or maybe Chuck King and that's just holding you over

until you got a month and a half to the deadline and if they can make a trade sooner they will but you know and maybe they trade like a really low end like back at the end like a step below a Michael Lorenzen when you traded for him like Michael Lawrence and now or whatever you know what I mean like someone who-

Lorenzen now is worse than paying her that's what I'm saying that type of pitcher like that level of pitcher yes not specifically Michael Lorenz but my point being is like maybe they make a trade for a body now where it's like you don't have to use Alan Ra now you can use this guy who is a fifth starter but I don't think they're making any sort of real trade till closer than deadline. No. So, so what do they do with him in the minor leagues I find to be very, very interesting?

Because I important because I wonder it. I wonder if there's a tweak here towards like the fast before Seamer might just not be coming back. And what's the new plan here? Like, what's the new path forward for Andrew Painter? And if they determine the four seamers not coming back and they're trying to find a way to make him a capable major league pitcher, then they should really study Corbyn Burns and they should study Sonny Gris. And there's more pitchers than that, but there's the first two that kind of jump out of guys who ditched the foreseamer and started throwing their cutter all the time. Like their main fastball was a fastball that cut.

obviously I'm not going back to Mariana Rivera also he was just a closer so Corbyn Burns in 2019 had a 8.82 ERA and basically just they ditched the four seamer went to the cutter all the time now Painter does not currently throw a cutter but his ball has natural

cut to it now because he can't get behind the baseball and backspin it and get the rise that he used to get so if he can get on the side of it hone in on just throwing a cutter anything to get off the barrel and and give the pitcher or give the hitters a different look, that might be something they can,

they can use to salvage, you know, his, I don't know if that's career. No, but in a way, yes. And if something else, salvage the high end of his career. Yeah. So if he can still throw that at 96,

but it's a cut and he can, he can commit to the cut, maybe this is, this could be his new path forward if they feel like, and then, like, by the way, a lot of pitching development, the Phillies pitching development team, I feel like, is more sweeper-based. They want everyone throwing a sweeper.

Like, that's super important for them. A lot of pitching development teams like the Mets, Red Sox, teams like that, maybe I think the Brewers, they want every one of their pitchers throwing three fastballs. They want the four-seamer. They want the cutter. And they want the two-seamer. And if Painter can do that with the fours, with the cutter being his primary pitch, and then the four-seemar off of it where, like, if he can,

get on top of it. It can still, like there was a time yesterday where he, a lot of the bombs, you know, and he's getting smoked. And he had like, 98 down in the zone. And it was like, well, there it is. Do that. Do that. But maybe if the cutter is the primary pitch and then they can do the sink off of it and then

the sometimes four seamer, it gives him three fastballs. And then a slider sweeper off of a cutter, I think is a hard tunnel. And then the splitter, which is actually one of his better pitches. So like, that's the plan forward, I think. If they determined that he can't throw the four seamer anymore. more. I wonder if they switch it to make it a primary cutter. And that could be something that that saves this season and saves maybe his career. Do you think he'll ever be able to throw the foursamer again?

I don't know. To give you a definitive answer. I didn't expect you to know, but I figured it was worth asking. It's something where, like, for example, like Walker Bueller was 93 last year. He's back up to the 97. How often have you heard of this type of thing happening where they kind of lose the life on the fastball? Like because it doesn't sound super familiar to me, you know. I know.

I know. I know. Because I mean, even like Alconra is back up to 100. That's what I mean. Like I don't, I don't remember this specific issue that often. I know. That's why I'm like what,

it feels harder to. I know. And it's also like, why can you still throw 97? Yeah. Yeah. Why is it still so fast? That's a great point.

And then why does the life not, I don't, I don't legitimately have a good answer for you. And I don't want to. Yeah, BS. Say whatever. I don't know. I don't know why he can't get the life anymore.

I assume it's like, I assume like the arm just doesn't move as fast as you. So I know the velocity is the same, but there had to be a different kind of whipping motion to it. Yeah, there must be. Yeah. But yeah, I just maybe that they have to find some way to get him to use his six,

seven frame more, you know, like Mizoroski's six seven and the difference in how explosive they are through the zone. So finding that. I just, this has to be a, in overhaul.

And it has to be a top priority, too. Like, this guy is so important. Well, he's massive. He's massive. And it also does, it makes Gage Wood that much more important too. Because, like,

next year in spring training might be a gauge and painter battle for, you know, that last spot. And does that affect how much you, like, I think Gage,

personally, I think Gage Wood has a better chance of being in the major leagues this year than being traded. Now, as a reliever, you would think. I don't know. Oh, I mean, it's like if they,

or like an open, three inning opener or something. Yeah, you pay, you pray before five. Not like a seven. No, no,

no, I'm just trying to get a gauge for a gauge wood. That was no. Nice. No one in 10. Nice. Nice. That's going to be fun.

Good work by you. Yeah. That's hard. That's hard. But. But. But, no, so, so like, unless Buxon is really available, maybe then Gage is available. But I do think that they, like, protect them here because of the painter situation where you don't feel like you can, you can.

And the lack of other guys in the high miners of any side kind, you know. Yeah. Now, the, the Gage thing, I do, I do wonder how, like, if they feel like they can't, if they hit into the deadline. And we all know by now that they need a starter. and a right-handed bad if they want to actually go win the World Series. And by the way, like, probably you can't get all of them,

but like could use another bullpen arm too. I think that. Honestly, might use two, but we'll just say a lefty. I don't know. The Red Sox fill a lot of needs. They do. They do if they wanted to.

But let's say, let's say they can't go get a starter or they can't go get a reliever, you know. And it's just a bat. That's where you can see the aggressiveness with the gauge would start to pick up a little bit. He has,

so I think his, I think his first cap is 80 innings. He's at 40. And then if he feels good at 80, I think that they would stretch it beyond. I think 100 is like the hard, hard cap for his innings. So, you know, does this turn into, like, do they give him a couple starts more at Redding? And then let him see what he can do at AAA. He has to pitch a AAA just because I need to see what the ball.

Like, for some reason, there's not uniform baseballs out throughout the minor leagues with the major leagues. So the triple. A balls or major league balls. That's crazy. Guys go there and they struggle. And look, there is, while there is a higher, like I think you'll see more like star prospects in double A right now. I do think like you're just going to see a better quality hitter.

You got a lot of quad A guys. Yeah. My point being that it's a much, it's a much closer amalgamation of what they're going to see in the majors from a, from a hitter person. Like every team in AAA has. They get guys who can hit. Like guys who can like, particularly for that level can hit.

Well, they'll have, they'll have like a real prospect. like two real prospects and then a bunch of ex-major leakers. Yep, exactly, exactly. Or guys who are back and forth, you know, that's the type of guys you were. Like this team, this Iron Fakes team has like Dylan Carlson on it. Exactly. It's exactly right. Dylan Moore.

Yeah. You know, so yeah, I just, it's, it's really, really fascinating. I find that it sucks. I know. It blows. Yeah. It does. But now I'm really intrigued as to what their plan is now and how they can try to

salvage them. All right. So I don't want to get to the series, even though there's not that much reaction, but I do want to get to a series, but I want to quickly just because you mentioned the trade potential. I do think that is something that people are waking up thinking about in addition to the pain or thing is like the whole situation,

you know, the Adolesan injury, that the fact that Brad Keller's on the I.L, the fact that the lefties haven't gotten done it and starting to feel the needs more. Look, also the reporters are doing it because the, like we're seeing the Byron Buckson reports. We're seeing the Sayas Suzuki and we're seeing the Joe Adele and all these things like,

oh, they might trade for. picture like we're starting to hear that stuff from rosendahl and all these people um where are you at with that because i think we both agree most most likely we're waiting a month and a half till the deadline or close to it for things to happen yeah and again i think that month and a half helps inform what i'm about to ask you so you feel free to change what you said now don't think this something like it but like what do you think their approach is going to be because i do think it's a fascinating spot that they are in from you could totally argue hey you have to go all in on this group. If you're ever going to win with these guys, this, you know, I was going to say,

you know, four or five year run. It's really six, seven years. It's really 2019 from the moment Harper got here. You're as an organization going for it in a sense. Like this whole thing, if you want to win with these guys, like now is the time. But we just talked about like outside of Gage Wood and, you know, they're not trading renteria, you know, outside of that. Like it's, I mean, they don't have a ton of guys who are ready, who are either to help on the major officer or to trade for these projects. Like, you can make some. trade, but in terms of getting like the high end time guys, like they are

weaker than other teams. I mean, like the Dodgers can just offer more much as having a better roster. A month and a half out with the, you know, potential to change your mind. How do you think they, they approach this deadline? Do they half it? Do they go all in? Do they go

all out? Kind of where do you think they go? Yeah, it's one of those things where you think about what Theo said in 2016 when they traded Glabritores for, for Rolls-Chabman and how you have to be comfortable, like, losing a trade because, and what he said was if not now, when. And the Phillies have never really done that. Like, last year was the closest one with Duran.

With this group, Maro, Ruben, Ruben was pretty aggressive with moves. Oh, yeah, I'm talking about this current iteration. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yeah. Rube by now. Shouts to Rube, man. What a trade. The guy went for it. All the time.

All the time. So, so, I mean, in my. my gut, it's a Austin Hayes, Lorenzen. I actually would bet some substantial money that it'll be something like that. Now, here's the thing that I think could

throw a fly in the ointment on that is Dumbraowski loves making big time. What, you know, what am I going to say? Big trades. No, no, no, no. Putting people over the top. No, see, see, take it down a nash. I got it. I'm excited now. I know. I know. I know. So here's what I was going to say. is that DeMbrowski loves making trades with the same team.

Yeah, he made two with the twins last last two of the ones last year, Rangers. And we got Kyle Gibson. Angels in 2022 when we got Mard. Now those two separate trades. Two separate trades. Well, yeah, he made two separate trades with the same team in the trade deadline multiple different years. It's a weird thing.

I don't remember a GM doing that that. Yeah. I mean, he, for some reason, he just locks in on one team and they make the move. The good part for Dumbowski's mental state with that one at this deadline is I think both the Red Sox and the Giants fill a lot of their needs if they want to make one of those big boy all in splash type moves.

Like, they could be in the mix for a Roller's Chapman with the Red Sox and then pair him with Jaron Duran or Wilson Contreras if they want to get crazy. Like, I would die for Wilson Contreras to be on his team. Duran has had a really good like 15 games maybe figuring it out a little bit. And then Sunny Gray's on them too.

So Sunny Gray is someone obviously who helped to start. He could start a game. game four. The thing that sucks about this deadline is I think that my gut would say they're going to get all the Renzhen type. The problem is, is they need someone who can start game four. Yeah, Nola. You can't trust Aaron Nola. And you certainly can't trust Painter, obviously, he's in AAA. So he might probably won't be the roster for it. Yeah. You can't go get the, the, the Renzons six starter bullpen, you know, eat up innings guy because you need someone that could

possibly have to start a playoff game, which is puts them in a different, you know, predicament. So the Red Sox have Sunny Gray, Chapman, Duran, and Wilson Contrars. So like if two of those four could help the team. And then the Giants, this would take some maneuvering. It would take trading bone. But I could just feel on my bones. He wants Matt Chapman. Well, it keeps getting reported.

It makes no sense. Matt Chapman, like unless you can get some, they've tried to trade bone for years. They haven't gotten nothing for him. Now, the fact that's an expiring contract to use an NBA term. and maybe that helps move him. But I just, there's so many needs. Like, that doesn't make any sense to me.

Like, I know Matt Chapman's been really good. You know, he's played well. I think that would like trading him, treating him, Tring Baum and do it. Like, it just doesn't make any sense. Like, go fill the needs you have. Alec Booms fine. Like, look, it's funny that I'm saying this.

I couldn't wait to get rid of Alec Bone for a long time. Like at this point, like, I think training for Matt Chaplin makes no sense. Zero. Did you just say they should extend Baum? Is that what you said? I thought I heard that out of your mouth. They're going to extend him. He's going to be here until Walker's in college.

Yeah. So, but Chapman, they could say he's got four years 100 after this at this year. Crazy town. Like don't treat for Matt Chapman. He's 33 years old. Don't do it. Don't. Dave.

Dave. Dave. Dave. I have always thought he's very overrated. Don't do it. But he's sick to Benzley. Anyway, they also have a rise if they want to get crazy and move stock. Love rise.

I would take a rise right now. And it's had a good. About to win his like 8,000th batting title. I don't know about that. Well, he's got. guy's batting like 350 or whatever. He's at like 32. Did he drop that much?

I look like a week ago. He dropped days. I'm pretty sure he's down like, well, he might have, he had a good day the last few days. He's been like 359 a week ago or whatever. Dude, this is a good little phone off. I love it. Who's having a phone off?

You're going to beat me. Mine's moving real slow right now. Oh, where's he at? 321. 321. You've been, bent at 326. Oh, now it's 326. Get it right.

We're going to do it. Cripes. Anyway. 326. So I win. because I got it right. Well, yeah,

but he said $350. Yeah. Well, he was batting $350 a week ago. I can't help it. He's at a bad week. What do you want me to do? This is a way.

I need to pull up his game log and see how bad a week he's at. Guess why I'm going to have to do that. This is a what have you done for me lately? That's all we do here. So, but like a rise that they want to crazy moves out. And then Robbie Ray,

oh, can't she feel that in your bones? I feel like Rob Ray has been a Philly my whole life. Well, he was a, he was a famed member. Rise actually had a, has been hitting well.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like on your face. Nan and Abu was the kid and dude. So he, oh, oh, I'm, I'm an idiot. Okay. I was looking at his OBP what I liked. Nice. 350, 360 OBP right now.

So, yeah. And it was 350. So, okay, that's a bad job. You're okay. Forgive me for that, everyone. I hope he. You didn't know Luis Ariseball. It's a bad job.

But he bent 326. I know. Guy hits. I know. So, but, but Robbie Ray, of course, a famed member of the 2014 Tigers. Yes. That's the Cy Young winning crew.

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. So, and then, like, there's Heliot Ramos. If you wanted to work him in, I know he's hurt right now. They wouldn't do it because he's another lefty, but I am a, I'm a John Hulie guy. Sure. I love John Hulay. He's got a lot of money coming his way too, though, right? He's saying 350.

Was he got like six years left or something? That feels high. I haven't looked it up. To be completely honest. He's got some money, though, coming in his way. Maybe five years something else. What about a Devers trade? Yeah, bring another left in Nevada.

Yeah, dude. You can only play first base. This is great. You can stand at third base. I'm just kidding. I'm just kidding. So there could be some options, you know, if they want to get crazy.

Maybe, like, in my bones, it feels like a half-end deadline. But then there is the question of, if not now, when? I do think they would make a move for, I think they would make a move for Buxon.

If Bucson actually is available, I think they would put some real prospects on the table. Terrifies me. What? The injury. He's a great player. Gets hit, Skiffielder,

but like play a full season for once ever. I played 130 games last year. Play a full season for once ever. He put up 36 home runs. I know. He's got like 20 something now. He's been awesome. Trust me.

I get it. He's awesome. And he's over like 15 million. He's a great deal. I would be excited, but I'm just, I'm always nervous about buying bucks. And I think it would cost a lot.

Yeah. And he probably, I don't think he's going to put his no trade clause on the table. And then obviously, the guy really loves Minnesota, I guess, one that's always been the baby boy. It's your baby.

Multiple perfect off seasons. He's multiple. He's finally like, he's right there. He's right there. He'd be a bit of really the anti Adolesk Garcia in terms of like, not the best outfield.

Everybody can come in and get some minutes for you. Defense of the metrics say is that a good, his best outfield year. Really? Yeah. He's got a host. But when I've watched the Cubs play, I've been pretty disappointed.

He seems to always hurt himself playing. Yes. It just feels like he's like there's something wrong out there. Right. Yeah. But it does seem that there's a. good amount, there are a good amount of baths that seem like they're going to be available. More than ever. I feel like we're always talking about the real drags. And we still are.

I mean, Taylor Ward and Joe Adela and all these guys, Taylor Ward probably won't get traded because he's on a better team now. But even then, they've been struggling. Yeah. I mean, they're, yeah, they're going to trade Taylor Ward. Yeah, I think so too, right? He's an expiring. Yeah, he's an expiring. He's an expiring deal. So, uh, there's guys. Yeah. It's interesting. And look, they need a right-hand bat. They need a Game four starter. And they need a reliever. They might have to not do the reliever.

I think it's Alex McFarlane, you know, those kind of guys. Like we got to hope that someone comes up and steps up because they need someone like that. Seth tonight? I think it's going to be Seth Johnson tonight. Oh, what a win. He's been disgusting for the last nine,

his last nine appearances for the old piggies. All right. Let's get to the bag. You can cover anything else from the series in the bag. But first, shout out to the black powder tavern. Today's show is sponsored by Miller Light and screw balls sports bar and grill in King of Prussia. So that's interesting.

So it says the black powder tavern jack. But then when I do the read, it says screwballs. Are they the same place? No. We're going to come back to this one. Go to both. We're going to shout out to check out both. But here's what we're going to do.

Instead, we're going to shout out the borough. Today's show is sponsored by Miller Light and the borough in Downingtown. Check out the borough for every Phillies game and enjoy three miles. $3 million lights, along with their massive 100 inch projection screen. This is awesome. Go to the borough. Miller Lids and Phil's Winn celebrate. Responsibly,

we'll talk to our people. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. We'll circle back on that one. Yeah, borough brought good food the other day. But a great name. Yeah. Great name. Yeah.

Although it's down. I guess down the town has to be a borough. But I always think that Westchester is the only borough. I don't know that down has to be a borough. It could just be a city. So it's likely the borough seat. It's probably a borough if I had to get. I guess.

I guess I just never thought of downtown as a borough. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I was under the assumption of Westchester was the only borough in, in Pennsylvania, but I might.

Only borough, but that's not true. Maybe I got mixed up because I think Bloomsburg is technically the only town in Pennsylvania. Could also be wrong. I'm very, I'm just going to say,

you got to learn Central P. I doubt. That's all I'm going to say. I doubt. I'm going to look at one. Central BA, you know, come to Reading,

not quite central. We're coming out of this. I guess it's not. It's more central than we are. right now. Yeah, that's done on my point. It's not hard to argue. Full, full great points. Saturday night, June 20, it's going to be awesome. Five o'clock being great. I think it's why do that. I think you think we're on the radio. I do like it's different audience. Oh, I know, I know. Same audience. We already did it.

You're right. I don't need to do it again. You're so right. That is a radio thing that I do. You got to keep hitting it. Two and five, five. And I'll do that like, coming up after the read. Don't go anywhere. Yeah. My bad. You're right. It's funny. Hey, everyone. In case you're wondering, we're still doing the thing we said at the beginning of the fun. Exactly. Still happening. You're right. Yeah.

It's because I'm in for Joe. So I'm like particularly in radio hosting. Is he ever going to work for you anything? Apparently not. He's taking, taking weeks off. Yeah. Well, I mean, just a true charity case having to host the morning show. Like it's just, oh my God.

It was not complaining. There was not meant to be a complaint. It's not you. Oh, okay. Oh, yeah. Oh, I know. I know. Wow, it's so tough.

Oh, my gosh. A little, you know, this is funny. If you don't know, Joe, which you might not, probably don't. Jack and I have talked about this many times. There is no one that we have met in our careers doing this who looks more physically like washed after four hours of talking to Joe to camera. Like he walks out like a boxer with the towel over his head. Like you just gave everything that he has.

And he's like slumps down. He's like, I know. I know. That's so hard. It is, it is a wild thing to say. It's like he gives everything that he has, which clearly is not much.

Not much. He certainly has to eat healthier. Yeah. Oh my God. Get some sleep. Take care. He's on a good track with the working out thing. He was.

He was. He was back to that. So, um, no. Uh, so good. It was a positive,

finally, Lazardo home start. You know, he was really good. You know, is he already having that game at home is 7.5. I did not. I did know that his last 10 starts.

He's been much better than the, a six or whatever prior. And I did know that the Sixers ruined is no hitter. So you know those are the only things I know. Right, right. That was obviously, I do not believe that Mike Gansy is the reason he lost in the matter. One of the funniest things that is having in a Phillies game in a long time.

Well, it was the quickest mush have ever seen. It was the immediate. Like he literally says, oh, and the no hitter and Crug just goes, oh boy. Yeah. And then it's boob hit.

It was so funny. It was sometimes lifewards out perfectly. And that was one of those, everything works perfectly. Yeah. Really enjoyed it. So he allowed the one home run in the seventh. And I thought I was impressed how he bounced back immediately after that.

But he needs to figure out the home thing, 1.55 on the road. That is crazy. That is surprising. He was better at home last year, right? He was good in general, I feel like. I know. There was no signs of this, you know, last year.

So that was important. Wheeler just shoved city again. We're king, dude. 2.01.01. We have probably not talked enough about because it is, Zach Wheeler has just become like a metronome for us. It's just like every, it's always right. The guy's always on time.

I, um, it's really one of the more miraculous things I remember in Philly sports is the injury itself, the mystery with it, us being like, what does this mean for this guy's life, much less his career?

And he comes back earlier than expected and it's just Zach Wheeler. Yeah. All the stuff in the miners, you're down there like analyzing all his starts. None of that mattered. What a ways of time? What a way? Seriously, like that was an actual waste of your time.

He came up and he's just like Zach Wheeler. Dude, that I will never forget. They got blasted. The Phillies got blasted that Sunday as I was watching him get blasted in Somerset. Beautiful spring day. And I'm inside freaking out about Zach Wheeler. Yeah. What a waste of energy.

I know. And then the first pitch in Atlanta was 96 and it was like, well, that's not what it was. No. And it's a life. I mean, that's the thing with the painter life. It's like the Wheeler life is there. And you just see it. It's just like it hasn't gone to anything.

anywhere. He's the best. And I will say, Don Manley does deserve a lot of credit. I do think there, there is, it's not coincidence that the team also turned around when Wheeler came back. Like, those things lined up pretty well as well, too. 100%. Probably should give Zach a little bit more credit for the Turner. In my head, Zach Wheeler walked in the clubhouse and was like, what are you what are you doing? What is happening right here? Man up. I'm here. Yeah, let's go. You're to save the day. So yeah, Wheeler is, uh, special. He, I hope he, I hope. the Hall of Fame. So we were all,

I love when you and I are thinking the exact same thing at the exact same time. Because I had that exact thought I just said. You finally got one after three years. And I didn't interrupt you. Yeah. I, I, that guy's a hall of fame.

Yes. Like, and I know that resume wise, all thing, they're questioning wherever, but like we've watched a lot of sports. I'm a big, we both are like,

you kind of know a hall of favor when you're watching. Sometimes you can go back in the numbers and reevaluate. But like sometimes you just watch them and you're like, that guy's a hall of famer. and what he's done in the playoffs, what he's done as a Philly, like I really don't care what anyone else says. Zach,

there's a Hall of Fame player, in my opinion. He has two Siyang runner-ups, and if he went back, I think they would retroactively give him the 2021 one to make up for. For the Corp, yeah,

they absolutely should. They should go back and give it to him, because now he's competing against like, Mizoroski and teams, and he's still pitching to a two. He might finish top five again, he probably will. He probably will.

He probably will. So it's one of those, it's one of those, like if Utley's a Hall of Fame or off of seven years. I agree. Yeah, Zach Willer is better. I don't think Zach Wheeler's better. Might be. Might be better.

I should have said Zach Wheeler might be better. The point is like you could talk, you could discuss it. You're right. I mean, I'll leave it was great. Like that's like a lot's warm baseball behind. Yeah, you're right. I don't know if it's better or not,

but the Wheeler might be better. The point is like there's a discussion about it over this six years versus all these best six years. Like they're close at least. Yeah. So I just. When you watch them, you feel like you're watching a Hall of Famer. I hope that they don't hold the injuries and the Mets thing against them and what not.

And then just evaluate this run. It's pretty dang special. So, yeah, Wheeler's unbelievable. The other big development of the Marlin series is old Bolin. Dude, I love him. I'm full, I even sound in the air today. I'm like Kirkering, Duran, and Bolin. Those are the guys I trust.

Yeah. And I was actually, you know, I'm glad Brad Keller went on the, the I. And hopefully it's not turning into something worse than just ten and Ius. But I want to see Bolin and high leverage spots. I agree. You see what it's like. See what's like. I like calling him Big John Bowling too.

He just jyes. His walking song is Big John. Yeah. It just works. It's perfect. And again, like the fastball's taken a step up by Stuff Plus models is fastball is one of the better ones out of bullpens in baseball. I'm a big stuff plus models. I know you are.

And to the, Dombrovsky's gotten crushed a lot. And I don't even know if it was really Dumbraski, but dude, like, Strom for Boland's a huge win. Like he's had,

he's had some wins on these small deals. And Strom is in any good. I haven't paid any attention when you're in Kansas. I do not believe so. Someone tweeted me the other day this fifth was seven, but I don't know. Let me look up old Stromy real quick. Either way,

like he, he's under team control. And I was not optionable. But he's under team control. until 2032. Bolin is? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like, really?

He's not optional. So they used up all those options already? So he's got, this drama's a 5.7. So yeah, Bolin clearly winning the trade. So wait, hold up, hold up,

hold up. So Bolin, it has that many years of team control, they just went through all those options that quickly? Yeah. Wow.

So he was going up and down, up and down, up and down, up and down, yeah. I believe I remember that from the, from the trade was like, he's not optional, but he has a ton

yeah, through 2031. Okay. Sorry. Yeah. Still. Still, man. That's a lot of years of down in Boland. Yeah.

That's a lot. I'm sorry. No, it's six more seasons after this. Jeez, Louise. 2031? Yeah.

Yeah. We're in six or seven, eight, nine, ten, 11. Oh, yeah. Five more seasons after this. Yeah.

What? I know. What a trade. It's a good. He's got to stay good and bol in a ballad all year to year. But, man. I like it. That is strange.

You very, I like I not that I pay like we don't always pay attention to options unless you know you want to send a guy down you already think about it but I I don't know enough I wonder how it feels weird to have that much team control and that and that and no option I know yeah it's a weird one it's a really weird one yeah but good news for us if he's really and if he's really and if he's good and then the options thing doesn't matter right it was good saying max Lazar back to I like who you're talking to you know he's my dude I know big max Lazare guy and he's been good in the minors so yeah yeah yeah So we're fans of that. I can't, I sadly can't tell you that I'll be that much more concerned if Max Lazzar is coming a new game than Brad Keller right now. Right now. I know. Big news in the home run derby that they got rid of the clock and they're going back to the outs.

That's when the home, no, no, no, hold up. I'm standing. Yeah, we're back. That's a standing avation. Because that sucked. Oh, it sucked. Like, dude, when I was growing up, I love pulling the hours growing up card now that I'm 32. Welcome.

Back when I was growing up. I used to watch all the old ones on ESPN classic. Dude, I used to love. The All Star game was one of my favorite things when I was young. Everything about it. It used to be the A-L versus the NL for the only time. If you want to see Greg Maddox versus Ken Griffey Jr., guess what? Watch the freaking All-Star game.

That's crazy. It's so crazy to think about, but that's the way it was. And those matchups mattered. Do you like this way more or that way? Oh, that way it was way better. So you mean for the baseball season? I think Interleague plays good. Like, I'm okay with it.

Like I loved it, but I think it's, I think it's probably silly to like not have us ever see the Yankees or not have us ever see the Red Sox or whatever. So I'm fine with it. But I do think that the things, it killed the All Star game. It was one of the biggest reasons. And there are other reasons. But I think it's the biggest reason the All Star game isn't what it was. And it did suck some of the juice of the World Series because the World Series used to be special when you didn't see any teams play against each other.

You used to have like D.H and one, some games, not the other. All those things. Like it was pretty cool. Did it? So that it's like a foreign cons. I know. I can imagine. I can imagine.

So, so, but when I was growing up, you know, and seeing, you know, Abreu in Detroit have like 50 some home runs.

Like Howard and 06 and the backwards hat, Sosa in Milwaukee with like Richie Sexson. And it was, I love seeing how many home runs these guys can hit in Hamilton in 2008. It was all time. 2008 at the Yankee Stadium. It's like one of the craziest homerunner performances of all time. So I am glad we're back to the outs.

Me too. The outs is when the home run derby was king. I love the idea of let's just see how long this dude could just keep launching these things. And get Berman back. It's the whole key. It's not the same. Made a difference. It did.

It did. God. I'm so happy. I can't wait for that. I'm so excited to here. We've talked about it. But like I, I'm really trying to live in the moment of this thing and like really appreciate and not take for granted.

It's here. because like I'm not flying to another city to ever go to an all-star game. I'm just not like, but I've always wanted to go to one. I'll probably be dead by the next time it's in Philly. I'm really going to try and take advantage of it. She soaked this one in, Belle. Yeah, hey, I'm trying to keep it real, man. You soak it in.

Yeah, I'm soaking in it. So if Maddie Fisher bumped day down in Clearwater, that's exciting. Thank God. You missed the caller on the morning show saying they should elevate just some guys from Clearwater right to the major. pitch wise. It's like, hold on. Hold on.

Those are my favorite. Oh, it's brilliant. It's good pitchers down at Clearwater. Bring them up. Yeah, just get them all up here. And then I got like annoyed. And I was like, and they were like,

no, no, no, I just mean, bring them up in the minors. Yeah. I'm like, okay, sure, that's what you're talking about. They did bring up,

they did promote three guys from Clearwater in Jersey shorts. So Marquez, Balker. Marquez. And then, we're the patron saints of the pod now. I know. I know.

I know. Gabe got brought up. I love when people who I had never heard of like a month ago become like incredibly important and constant in my life like Ramon Marquez. Yes, really nice. Maddie Fisher's going to be a part of that. Yeah. So I'll give the full minorly minute on Monday's podcast. Oh, I got it.

Yeah, it's once a week, once a week. We don't need the poor people. But yeah, you know, there's. We want to feel special. Exactly. Yeah, it's got to be, you know, have that, you know, kind of like. I am starting to get. I am starting to get stressed about the draft.

I'm sure. We're getting close, man. Very stressed. I was so watching you, MLB the beginning, this, that they'll show some of the previews. They'll show those commercials. Yeah. Commercials.

Oh, draft coming up. I think of you, I think of you every time. Combines next week. Do you feel the like the draft used to be now of it and you're like, it feels like a little weird that you're not drafting, you know, getting drafted on the moment, you know, not literally. I mean, you're not doing draft stuff now. She used to be in June, right? Yeah. I know.

To feel weird because it's only been a couple years. Yeah. I just accepted to move on. Okay. I don't know. Yeah, I know. I wish it was fast. Physically, if you're like in June, you're like, where is it?

No, it's just like, I really, like last year, there's a lot of positive developments with that class. I need another class. Got it. And I need a high school bat more than life itself at 36. It's all I care about. Yeah, like Francisco Renteria might be the most important person in my life. It's possible. Francisco Rentzeria, Aiden's back, and Gage Wood.

That's what we got. That's what we got. And painter learning a gutter. Great. So we'll see. Hey. Sounds exciting. Go, Phil's.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. All right. So Mets, actually pretty fun, series, Mets have not been much better. I think they're like 12 games under, but I think the Phillies are only six-knap bag of the Braves. They've kind of moved up. I think the Mets are 33 and 41.

Yeah. Oh, it's eight games under. Okay. So either way, the Mets have been played a little better. So they're the one who got the 41-33 out of it. We're supposed to win yesterday. So we could be 41-33,

the best record you could possibly have. Just shame. that they were going to be able to catalyze that. So it's a weird series because they're off for Friday for Juneteen. So it's Thursday, Saturday, Sunday. For the World Cup mostly. Oh, yeah, because the game's here. Is that, yeah, die.

I assume because I'm off for Juneteenth. I was like, oh, the Phillies are off for Juneteenth. Also, not so much off the World Cup game. That makes sense. Either way, what do you make of the Met series and the three out of four days? Well, I really don't want the Phillies to wake up the Mets. Now, the Mets have not been very good. We've done that before.

Now they are like the lineup outside of like Bichette's scorching hot right now and Soda's hitting really, really well. I did have an idea, but unfortunately I still would take Boba Bichette, but I did have an idea when he was like really terrible if they were playing here. Instead, I wanted fans to, instead of boo, I wanted them to give him a standing O and say thank you. That would have been really funny. You know, but unfortunately he started to hit really, really well. That would have been a good bit. and certainly would like him on this team. So I'm not pushing for it anymore.

There was a moment I was pushing for it. So Manaya is going to show up tonight. There's no doubt about it. He's been good as last couple outings. Nola versus Mania feels that we're going to get off to a painful start. But then we go, what, Wheeler Sanchez? That's the good part. Quick question.

I forgot to mention before we get out of here. I should have brought up Trey. We didn't really get in. We've talked a ton about him lately. But obviously day off because of the thing. Back in the lead off spot. Any, do you make anything? at all.

I thought it was nonsense. Ridiculous. I know you got three hits. They were 20, 25 tray hits. Well, the one was. The one was a real.

Yeah, but it's 124. Yeah, the first two were bloop, the bloopiest of bloop hits you could possibly get. Yeah, I thought it was a,

yesterday it was a disappointing Maddenly day going back to Tray and lead off spot after the blitzing the writing thing worked in. Worked. And you would call Jack Fritz on this pod call. You're the only person I heard say it too. You know, give that idea.

and he went for it and it worked. They played the three runs and the other first inning. Like it worked. I know. So that was annoying. And they ended up doing the three trade lefties thing anyway

because he was saying, yeah, they just went one. Yeah, exactly one back. They just, yeah, they flop Martian, tray,

the tray wasn't hit, but they moved him out, but it was it. Yeah. So that was annoying. I was glad to get three hits, obviously. And the other thing that irked me,

and no one was watching at this point. It's two outs in the ninth. Oh, I was out. by then, yeah. They pull Chase Shugert to get the position player in after we came 12-4. The bastardization of baseball, just let Shugert get the last out as a pit. I hate position players pitching.

I just, I would rather the game out. I would rather the game out. I don't care that much, but it is, it is annoying. It sucks. It's, it's no one likes it. Hitters don't like it. It's the paying fan doesn't like it. I hate position player.

And the stats shouldn't count when they come. come in. It's all BS. I would rather the game just end. Like, just call the game, let everyone go home. You're wasting everyone's time. Except it would have been hilarious if Shorebird hit the fifth homer in that game. I'm glad he didn't. It would have been so funny. It shouldn't account it. It wouldn't account it. In my head, it wouldn't account it. But it's just like, it's two outs in the night. Yeah, I got it. I get it. Like, let him get it. Whatever. So I had that drive.

I fully agree with that. I think it's good. Yeah. So, but yeah, now, Trey will, well, I'm glad they put Schwerber back in the two spot just because of the idea of harbour heading behind. I'm happy to. I agree. I just don't want to train in the Lido spot. Of course not. Of course not. All right. We'll see. Hopefully everyone's Saturday night, reading. It's going to be awesome. Monday will be back to react to Sunday night, I believe. Yeah. So good, nice late night. It'll be fun. We got a lot to react to. So please come hang and ready. We're going to have a blast. Can't wait to see everyone there. Until that, you've heard some seltzer.