High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Bo Bichette: It's Time To Accept That You're A Phillie

Episode Date: January 15, 2026

The Philadelphia Phillies and Bo Bichette continue to be linked to one another. James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to the latest rumors and the team's signing of international free agent Francisco Renteria. Presented by Miller Lite. To purchase Ring The Bell by Jack Fritz and Kevin Reavy go to RingTheBellBook.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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I hope. On the Odyssey app and Sports Radio 94 WIP. The crowd is singing high, and yelling through a bro. I feel a little less alone. Y'all. Another edition of that I was talking. Not much since he last talked.

I'm waiting for the sponsor by Miller Light, official part of the Philadelphia Phillies. Tastes like Miller's time, Philadelphia celebrate responsibility. I'm waiting for the bow. I know. I want the buzz so bad. I was like,

yeah, a little baby. Yeah. A little yo. I mean, we talked on Friday. There's nothing new since. And we know the meeting went very well.

Cool. Love it. Love it. I mean, Ranger, we'll get there. We'll get there. We know that every single day,

there's a new report saying the Phillies, I think they're going to get them. Yeah. We're getting the like, oh, they're those front runner and it's like can we can we just do this thing already what the hell are we doing here's the message here is the message bo-bichette drop the charade i will drop the act and get ready to learn clear water we all know what's going on here buddy what are you waiting for

do you really want to go the blue jays don't even want you well yeah that's obvious they're trying to like Kyle Tucker they they turned their back on you and you want to go back there come on drop the act Getting sick and tired of it. I know it's only in two weeks of us really think we're going to get them. I'm already sick of it. Oh, it's, I'm tired of it. It just feels like it's been two years at this point. How did we survive the Harper office?

Unbelievable. March, February 27th or whatever, yeah. Was it the last day of February 28th? Seven, it's unbelievable. They didn't make it that long.

I don't know. What did we talk about? Don't go that long. All right? Seriously, like enough of this. Yes. So where you out with it? Like,

in terms of like, so I do think like, we obviously have talked a lot about the fork in the road in the past they could take and there's excitement and their sadness the whole thing and all that. Those would become more defined by the way. It's so defined. Like that's, that's where I'm at with it. It's like

I think it is absolutely very real because I just don't think the Phillies would like taught us with this. I don't think they would like chop in our baby. Ha ha ha. Oh, we got JT. Gratz. I can't imagine they would do that. He's a Philly. He's like, Boba Shedad is a Philly.

All he has to do is drop the act and then stop pretending like There's some, there's no magical offer coming. Unless you want to sign a three year, 100 and whatever million dollar deal with the Dodgers. Don't do that. So, that for the sport.

He's not, first of him, he's not going to do it. We know he's not going to do it. It seems like a while these guys are, unless you just only care about the money, I don't think a lot of these guys really want to do it anymore because these guys want to put roots down,

it seems. And I think that the, it seems like guys want five, six years, whatever they can get years wise. Yeah. Especially with the CBA and all this stuff coming up. I think they want security.

Yes. And I think the Phillies offer the best, the best deal from that perspective. Well, what you've heard? The year's thing is what they're using to kind of separate them. 100%. And in Boba's case, he's 20,

he's going to be 28, just got married. I'm sure he's looking to start a family. And he probably wants to, I think that he wants to be a place for six or six through eight years. And it seems like the Dodgers would be like a three year deal. And it's like, this kid's a Florida kid that is right. around Clearwater, Dan Eden.

He's going to just go to the West Coast and at the train in Arizona. He seems like he's a creature of habit from things that you read. So I don't buy the Dodgers. I don't buy. Now, if Tucker signs with the Mets, maybe, but where is he playing? So do you worry about the Mets at all if Tucker signs with the Blue Jays?

Not really. I mean, not really. No, I'm just talking about it. They haven't really been, yeah. Like Yankees,

but the Yankees, I don't even know what's going on there. I don't know what they, it doesn't seem like there's motivated as opposed. People keep linking in the Yankees, but the Yankees, you know, maybe if Tucker signs, there's all of a sudden,

well, that's kind of where I like, because it does seem like the Tucker thing is gaining more steam at the moment than the, and that's my concern is that Tucker signs and teams differ. And she's like, all right, I didn't get Kyle Tucker, let's go all in them,

but that's my biggest concern. Totally. I think that's my, the only way they don't get them now is if one of these teams panicked because they didn't get. That's my concern. Yeah.

But the Red Sox, I just, you got to, Red Sox are out. They just signed Ranger. I think they're out. I'll see that when I believe it. they pay for two guys.

They had never given out Craig Breslo's longest deal was Bregman that also had opt-outs in it. So this is not something they traditionally do. All of a sudden, they're going to hand out two of them. Well, and they wouldn't pay Bregman. I mean, they offered Bregman less than they offered Rangers. Nonsense.

I think most likely they get parades from the Astros. I think that's what the Red Sox do, and they trade some real pieces and get in. So outs, I think they're, I think Bichette's team is probably waiting for Tucker to sign so that they can,

One last one last gasp. Is anyone going to get in? But I just, I think the Phillies at this point with Dave Nebraska and with John Middleton, they're like, we're not losing them. We're not losing. I really hope so, man. Because I get so excited.

I keep not wanting to let myself get there. Like, I believe it's real. I believe they're the front run. I really do. But like, I just know how disappointed I'll be. I know. I'm Jack that I'm like, like I let myself really there to, like, go like, I caught my breath because I was so excited about the thought of this possibly

having. And then I was like, stop, stop, stop, control yourself. You keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. I understand. And I do too. Like, of course, there you're always, as a Phillies fan, you're always looking over your shoulder of like, all right, what's going to go wrong? Well, especially because I don't think we expected this coming in the off season. Like, we hoped for it. But I really, you like, we thought J.T. would be back. I thought they were going a different way with this. Like, it feels so unexpectedly exciting. I know. Well, and, I don't think even the Phillies thought they'd be here.

I think if I had to read the Phillies and the way that everything's been written about how, like everything's come out about with the Phillies side of this. I think the Phillies are even like, is this too good to be here? Are we really about to get this guy? And because,

because I bet that there's a healthy amount of skepticism from their side that are not being used. Are we being played here? Are we being played here? And people are throwing out the Mattingly thing. And so I think the Phillies are also like, are we, but, you know, they also just could have had an opportunity, absolutely, fall into their lap to where there's not some crazy market for him. And he wants long term stability. The Phillies will offer long term stability.

And it's one of these things in modern baseball, but it does hurt some of these teams. Like, sure, it's a smart idea, right? It's a smart idea doing the three-year high AAB so you don't get sunk with a long-term deal. But you also do miss out. guys. And, you know, in the Dodgers case, they probably don't care. They won two straight World Series. Whatever, yeah.

Mets case. They also don't have the same need for Bichette that these other teams, including us. And it's something that these, it's the smart front office way. It's actually one of these times where it's nice having more of an old school guy that you feel like you're going to be able to get a guy that does want to put his roots down. And I'm sure that he looks at the, again, the fills are big dad guys. Lee looks around. We got a whole dad team.

Yeah, that's what we do. Jersey. You know, just join the, join the crew. Join the crew. So I'm, I don't think I'm, I don't think I'm like pie in the sky, you know, just putting blinders on. He's going to be a Philly. I just, I think he's going to be a Philly.

There's a, a little voice in the back of my head saying, longer this goes on, the longer teams are going to be hanging around and get in. Maybe be like, well, this didn't work, that didn't work. Let's do this. But I don't think the Phillies are. I don't think. the Phillies are doing the old college tried just to say that we tried. It's real.

And it's real. And I don't think this is a whole bruise to get JT come. And I don't even know if JT said, all right, I'll sign that they would be like, what's hold up on that? JT is, yeah. And the whole thing about him getting. What do you make in the JT thing? Because the, like,

the offers aren't there. We're hearing. They're hearing the market. Isn't that great for JT? But then Hayman said yesterday that there's a three-year deal on table for him. Is there? So I think here. Really? Really. Yeah. No way. He would take it.

I don't think that's true. That's where I don't believe it. I think it's a two-year deal with a third-year option. A club option or a mutual or whatever. A fake mutual option. Which is a club option. So that's what I don't think he really has a three-year deal. If he really had a three-year deal.

I think he would be here. There's no way he's like, I need to get three years at $20 million a year. No way. In reality, like when you think about the league, like who's like the suitors and what, the teams that are contending right? Like, who's going for JT? Like, I think JT only makes sense if you're contending right now.

Like, there's no reason to bring in a 30-4. I guess the only other thing you could say, all right, we've got a really young pitching staff of potential, like, guys who we believe in and we want to develop them. I guess you could make the argument for, but even then, that seems silly for the price. You can get someone cheaper to do that.

Like, who's signings? Where is the market is what I understand. So I think, I think a team that makes a lot of sense for him is the Rangers. the Rangers non-tender Jonah Heim their only catcher right now is Kyle Higashioka

who you want to talk about I love him for a backup catcher I think he's the best but I mean JT there would make sense they got off Hime

they still probably think they can contend I mean they won the World Series a couple years ago I'm sure they're not like fully out on it they have Seeger they have

they still got some guys Nimmo I can't tell I'm more bummed that nasty native all I would never be a Philly or Alex Bregman. I really did a good job convinced myself at one point that both of them were going to be 50.

I mean, history of the party of Valdi is is pretty high level. Well, well, there's actually, I mean, Duval, Ref Snyder. Oh, no, no, I'm not saying he's the top. I'm just saying if we're comparing him and Bregman. Like, Breggman, we've talked about a long time, but not like, it's really been the last couple years of making a Breggman of Philly. Like, it's been like five years of Yvaldi. I guess it just breaks my heart that Avaldi is never going to be a Phil. That's a shame.

Yeah, because he's. He's perfect. Big game. Yeah. He shows up. Stones. I remember early of all day, it was like, this guy's got no shot. He's a Marlon.

He's a Yankee. Then he just morphed into this guy. It was pretty much, yeah. So that was the one part about the Bregman thing on the Cubs deal. By the way, pretty insane deal. I can't believe you got five or 150. I am shocked. Wasn't it 517?

Was five, that's what I meant. Sorry, I was saying the shorter deal. Five or 175. I couldn't believe it. 35 a year. I was shocked he got that. Yeah. Like absolutely.

floored. Really? I couldn't leave it. I checked the ESPN article. I saw the headline on ESPN.com. On the real website? I wasn't on Twitter. It was the morning.

I was working. I had gone to bed. I didn't see it. Wow. Sometimes I'll miss things. Sunday morning. Wasn't it Monday morning? It was announced.

Well, it broke on Saturday night during the, during the Bears game. Did it really? Yeah. So then I was on ESPN Sunday morning. They were a big night for Chicago.

Yeah. Dude, well, I think they leaked it when they were down 216 saying this is to make it. We're going to steal the headlines. And then, And then the Paris came back. Are the Phillies going to try and, you know,

Howie and Nick talking today? Maybe jump on in and grab it. Well, they know Francisco Renteria signed today. That's true. I'm sure the Eagles are very aware of the big international signing, which I don't want to get into just yet. You're going to save it. Yeah, for the end.

Good. Very excited. Good. You got to keep people, you know. Well, listen. People might turn off the pot, but if they know that we're going to talk Francisco Rendria, they ain't turn it off. Don't go anywhere.

The worry is that they jump head to the end just to listen to it, you know? Don't change that radio dial. It's called the professional teeth. So basically, I wake up every day saying it's today, Bichette. Yeah. I think he's going to, like, at this point, I just, I would be floored if he wasn't a Philly. I'd be floored. And if he's not, I'd be despondent.

I will be so sad. Like they have, again, that's the point. They've really, like, they have set it up for themselves from a fan perspective. We're like, they have to get this guy now. Bose agents have done that. Oh, yeah. that's fair. But still, just by being in publicly on him,

bringing him in for a meeting like you're setting yourselves up. But every Phillies official is, I think they're trying to. Downplay it. Yeah. Because I think they know that. They know that. And Bo's people are being smart. Oh,

trying to get more overs, of course. leaking everything to everyone that the Phillies are the favorite. And knowing that this is an emotional fan base and knowing that Middleton's an emotional owner. And so it's smart. It's genius. But it's all Boe's agents.

The Phillies, from Philly's people is they're cautiously optimistic. They still view it as a long shot. They're still moving parts because they're trying to calm everyone down. But guess what? You can't. The cat's out the bag, baby. The trains left the station, pal. You got to land the plane.

You got to land the plane because people have already gone so far to think, oh my God, if they get him, you have, I think that you have four top 30 position players in baseball. Fair? Yeah, I mean, yeah. I mean, Trey, right. Yeah, Ray Bray Sorber and I think probably.

Yeah, like top 40 at worst. By the way. The question, I mean, is Harper Lee? Yeah, so you got to ask. Well,

he's 12 on. He's 12 on MLB top 100. I was just making a joke about the not leaving. Is he really? Yeah. Ahead of Laddie. What? Wrong.

I mean, that's cool and all, but like, wrong. We just watched the playoffs, right? It was Lottie now. Yeah.

Maybe it's taken to the end of the year. Okay. Wasn't, wasn't, I'll take it. Where was, where was old, never mind. I don't want to get into the Eagles about the top 100 list. No one wants to hear it. No.

Jaylon was 19 or something like that. Anyway, so what happened? What are we? I just did an hour-class podcast at the Eagles. My bad. It's Francisco Renta Ria Day. It is. Why don't we focus on positive things?

You're a happy guy. I'm happy for you. At least someone gets joy. Yeah, I'm semi-happy. I'm semi-happy. I'm all right. If they lambish out, I'm... Well, that's all.

Yeah. I don't forget the Eagles. I can't even say Boba Chet without saying his full name. He's one of those guys. He's a Boba Shat guy. Yeah. Boba Shat. Boba Shat.

Yeah. Like, I love those guys. It's interesting to where it's like the guys like where you either it's only full name or first name but never like Tray Turner. Like Trey. No one ever calls him Turner. No. It's like, oh, look at Turner and how well he's. It's Trey.

It's Trey Turner. Yeah. Those are always interesting too. And then there's the players that are like Nola where there's a bleepin in front of us. Thank you. Hey, this is Richard Deich. the host of the sports media podcast. If you're interested in what's happening

with all the places where you consume sports, the sports media podcast has you covered. I've been turning down interviews all week. Hoda Koppi, reached out, Oprah, George Stephanopoulos. So I said no. I was booked on the Deich podcast

before the Taylor Swift phenomenon. I must live up to my responsibility. Listen, wherever you get your podcasts. Is that a good segue in the Ranger with the Nola thing? Yeah. Because I do think that, look, I think we all knew Ranger was gone. Sure.

I don't think anyone surprised us. And I think it was the right move. I think the Phillies made the right decision. If you want to get mad at the Phillies for Ranger not being on the team, it's not about them not signing now. It's about them resigning Nola instead of Ranger. Like that's where they made the mistake. It is what it is.

Yeah. I wake up almost every day and can't believe we still have five years of the Nola deal. It's unbelievable. And I also don't believe that he pitched to a six something. thing in the area last year. Unbelievable. That's crazy. It was like over six.

I know he missed two months with the longest ankle injury of all time. But yeah, I mean, obviously going back, I'm sure they would rather be. Yeah, I think they would swap those five years out right now. Yeah, I think they'd be very happy to do that. Pretty easily. And so I feel a couple things. One, I'm super, super happy for Ranger. Me too.

Love Ranger. Signed for $25,000. And it morphed into, first off, now we've had a, we've been blessed. with a lot of big game pitchers, Wheeler, Hamels, Yep, Halliday, you know, you want to go back to Schilling. Cliff. Cliff, besides game too. Yep, yep, yeah, but he had some big games besides game too.

I mean, Rangers right there. Yeah. You know, he, and of all those guys, I think he's the biggest gap between, like, like, he's the biggest elevator. Like, Zach Wheeler is great in the play, better in the past, but he's also unbelievable. Like, Ranger lifts his game more than anyone in terms of, like, he's a really good regular season pitcher and has,

stretch and stuff, but like he is nails in the pose. Yeah. I told some of my Boston friends yesterday, like huge nuts. Like he just, he's, he's got those. He's heartbeats slower. Like he's just one of those guys. His heart beats slower in Bigmo. He doesn't care what the stage is.

He's going to go out there and be Rangers. And also someone who has proven to he'll do what you ask him to. He'll come out of the bullpen. He'll do this. He'll do that. Like, he really is like, it's all you can want. You know, if the guy could say healthy for a full season, he said the home run. Now, the other side, I can't.

believe you got 5.130. That's my point for the back. With his back thing, like, I am, I am floored. And it's because of the market, like, when I really looked at the V agent market heading in, I was like, all right, Rangers is going to get more than I thought he would. Like, I didn't think he was going to get 100, you know, prior to the beginning of last year. When you look at the market and the way it played out, it's like, he's probably

going to get around there. I am Florida. You got 130. But at the same time, you know, am I at a sign for 550, or 3.54. I don't know. Scott Boris To me, Scott Boris doing Scott Borris.

To me, he's a 480, 485. That's exactly what I predicted. So, so if I was a Phillies fan and they signed him to that, I'd be like,

eh, I don't know. 5-1-30 is crazy. No matter how much I love Ranger. Love Ranger, but, so I'm happy you got that deal. The Phillies were never going to resign them. And I'm happy to go to the Mets.

And I'm happy to go to the Mets. And not just that. He went to the American League. Like he is gone. Would have liked him as an Orioleal. It would have been a little easier. But I will say I'm happy he's going somewhere

where they care. Like they care in Boston. Like it's a great sports town where they truly care about their teams. Like I'm happy Rangers is going to have that. Dude, it's going to be so weird. Oh, it's the weirdest. Well, of all the guys, like, of all the guys in a long time, like, Ranger is like, he's been here to 16. Like, he is as Philly

as it gets. It's going to be so fascinating, turning on like big inning next year. And just seems like a Red Sox cap. Rangers pitching at Fenway Park. JT's is in Arlington catching the, you know, nasty native

like what we could have had here. Yeah, it's, uh, it's in one way, in some ways it's a bummer. You always like relied on him in the postseason that he was going to show up, but. And it's also a bummer that you didn't win with him. Like, cause like, you know, and I think that's what we want this group to win.

Obviously, they're still up, you know, they're still here. But anytime you lose someone in Ranger, it was like a part of this whole thing before you actually get the job done. Hopefully they do that, like, that's a bummer. Like, I wanted to see Ranger Suarez, Swares, win a world series with the Phillies.

And that's not going to happen. He still invited back for the parade. Of course. Come on, Ranger. Give him a ring. I don't care. Yeah, I'd give him a ring. Sure.

A good career achievement. You deserved it. Ranger Suarez. Wall of Famer? Oh, I think so. Yeah, I really do. I think because he is such a Philly, you know. And look, it gets into a thing where it's, and look, the Wall of Fame, the level of

all. I mean, I think Rangers is clearly a Wall of Famer, if we're going to be honest about it. But I wonder who gets, I wonder who what the cutoff is. I know. It's what I'm wondering. It's her, you know. J.T. Wall of Famer. Yes.

Bryce Wall of Fame or Well, Bryce, hopefully number retired. Yeah, hopefully you're right. Hopefully number. Yeah, let's just, but don't you, isn't it both? Is it like, Jim Tommy's on the Wall of Fame? I guess these numbers retired, not here,

but not here. Yeah, yeah, yeah. He didn't go in as a Philly. Yeah. And is, as an, as, yeah. Reese Wall of Famer. Mm-hmm. That I know.

Sigora? Probably not. If they get low on ticket sales. Well, eventually, he'll get in it in 30 years. Yeah. It cools off. D.D. I'm just kidding.

And boom and stop. Are we remember the DD Gregorius? Oh, body. What a moment. What a half season. First year of DD was great. The second half was the extension was less good. Less good.

I mean, they got really cut him. I know. They cut him. They cut him. Get out. Oduble and familiar. Familiar. On the same day.

On the same day. Who could forget Oduble's on family business. Oduble's on Bay Street from what was that? Who could forget? 2015. Who could forget other things with O'Don. No, 2017. Anyway.

So of the. So, Bome, no, Stott, no. No, sure, ever, yes. Shwerver, yes. Wheeler, yes. Nola, yes. Nola. I mean, it knows a lot.

He's going to lead the league in team in strikeouts. Everything. He might already. Didn't he pass it now? Not yet. He has best called. And he will, though. He might.

He might. You better not. I hope not. I'm getting, he probably won't pass, Carl. Getting about sick and tired of all the Nola accomplishments to be completely honestly.

Well, he's got five more years. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You've got plenty of time to rack it up. I mean, Sanchi down the road. it's too soon. But like they got a lot of wall of famers. A lot of wall famers.

A lot of wall famers. Too run eventually, hopefully better be better be. Yeah, well, he's going to close the world series. Well, you better take down Papabon's record. Right. Yeah, big time. Should they put Pap on the Wall of Fame? Please. Let's around two more years left, right? That's unbelievable they got him with two and a half years. I know. It's really amazing. I know. Really is. Hopefully Lazardo one day. Can't here's a question. Can he pass Pabobon in two years? Like two and a half years. Probably not. Like you'd be really, you have to have 50 to take seasons. You have an insane couple of years. It's not that high. It was 1.23. Yeah, that's what I'm saying.

So it's like, it is theoretically. How many do you wrong? Like 12 or 13 at the Phillies? I think he's 100. I think he's 108 saves away. Under and 8. It is unlikely, but it's possible. I mean, he has to go. 54 and 55 you could do it. It's the main reason why you have to extend

them. The main reason why that's the number one thing. Just take down Falababon. Take down Babylon. Lazzarro is an interesting extension case, too. It's a fascinating one. He said the other day, like, he's very, very open. Of course he's open he's you got katham here you're in a city that cares and the juice that he pitched with this year was phenomenal he was great in the playoffs yeah and look he uh you know shout to him not doing the w bc said it because he's smart well he's a free agent he i will say i would have liked

that he led with the Phillies he led with the free agent thing he's like well i'm going to be free agent at the end of year so i'm not doing it he's guys care about money and they should i don't blame yeah i'm joking around yeah i'm happy he's not doing that point is as a philly's fan i'm happy he's not doing the extra. Correct. Correct. Although you see Kershaw joined the USA team? Oh, great. I mean, this guy.

Wheel him out there. You talk about just, just staying around just to collect a couple of pity rings that you don't really. He doesn't deserve it. Nothing. His real ring is 2020. Yeah, and even then, that's not like, like even 2020 was it was even on the postseason roster in 2020? I thought so. I thought he started the game.

Did he? I don't remember in this year, big outs. Oh, man. Dude, Kirshall came in and it was, let's go score some runs. I know on the bills, yeah. Didn't Dave Roberts, like, let him just die out there on the mound?

Yeah, let him die. That's unbelievable. That's how he got his ring. But he had that one big, with the World Series and was it the last game, right? Was it the last one? Or the 18 inning,

he definitely got me. He did. Yeah, he got like one out. In 2020, he got one out? No, 2020 and made five starts. Oh, okay. Through 30 innings.

So the 290 array. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. In the 20 R in 20? in the post season? Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. Really? Four and one, two-nine ERA. 37 strikeouts and 30. That's a miracle. Yeah. Good for him. You had a couple.

Bo-Bo championship. He had a couple big games. A couple big games. Shelled by the Astros in 17, although they were cheating. 23, he had an era of 162 in the postseason. Yeah. Did he start a game? Yeah.

Through one-third of an inning. There's up six runs. Not bad. So, yeah, I came. Curseals on the WBC team. For what, I don't know. Mascat. He's like the mascot.

Yeah. Just like, ah, come on. come on Clayton. Hey, come on Clay. Yeah. Yeah. So, but Lazzardo,

I probably would wait until after the year just because I want to see if you can have lost more money. I know. It's an affiliates have been 0 for two with these. Hasn't gone well when they do that. No. Waited out. Well, 0 for 3.

Well, because Wheeler didn't pay before the year. Oh, yeah. It's another. Yeah. Nola didn't. Now. Nolan and JT. are the,

and Nolan, Chorber, are the two like big, like, right in your face. And he was. And he did you. Yeah. Contract. Yeah. Now, Nola really was not looking good

until they were looking smart until the last like three starts. And then he started looking at the other dugout and made the adjustment. Mechanical dust. I got money on the line. I better start doing something. We have to give him $5.1.70. I can't believe you got $5.1.70.

It's such an insane contract now. When you look at it, it's insane. Yeah. It's the worst of all of them. I can't wait for it. By far. Yeah. Yeah.

It actually makes the Cassiano's contract. Yeah, that's reasonable. Are you kidding me? Two last years and 75 less million. Yeah, a lot, a lot more reasonable. There's five more years left on the Nolan. Yeah, $125 million or whatever. That's great.

Is there any chance he's okay? Yeah, of course. I don't think, I don't think, I don't think he's cooked. I don't think he's, that's what I'm asking you, seriously. You know, like, do you think he can you get back to being? I don't think, look, obviously 2018, no, it's never. Did that even happen? No.

Do 2018 know what happened? I don't think it actually happened. I think we like a surprise. Spiretack is still around. It's true. You're not raw. Honestly, you're not wrong. Like I don't think it's impossible.

Can you get back to me good? Like he'll never be that. Can Nola be good again? Or is the best we can hope for serves? So I think my big thing is I'm not sure he's ever going to pitch to an ERA under four again. Right? I mean, would you bet on him? I wouldn't.

I wouldn't bet on him finishing a year with an ERA in the threes. No. wouldn't like three nine three maybe i take a four just give me give me a four era real bang for the buck there ball every fifth day it's good in a good spot yeah but i don't think he's going to be what he was last year and it's an even year he's only good and even year great point even year thing is important even year no important a problem um but lizardo i think they i would very much like a i want him back for

be 28 this year, right? He's 27 now. It's 28 this year. It's interesting. I mean, look, he's what, a year and a half, two years younger than Ranger when he got on the market,

hasn't had the same. He's that injury history, though, Lozardo. Yeah, yeah. That's why I would let him play out the year. Just because I want to see him hold up again. It's actually coming off the by far career high in innings, you know?

Yeah. So it's a risk, obviously, because he could. I think we know what the Phillies are going to do. They're going to let him play out the year. They're going to let him play out the year. He's going to pitch. Let's take a shot. Let's take a shot, boys.

He's going to win the Saoyang and cost $200 million. He's a lot to finish top five at Saoyang this year. So, and then they're going to have to be in $200 million. And hopefully it all goes well. Hopefully it all goes well. All right. Let's bag. Let's take bag it.

So a lot of people have talked about the idea. A lot of people have just said it's going to be bone. It's going to be bone. It's going to be bone. In terms of, to Bashett, you're talking boom versus you're going to Stott here, aren't you? What about Stott? Well, so here's the case to trade Stott. and Sosa.

Trade both? It does free up similar money to Bome, if not more, more. Oh, you see, oh, so you're saying Bichette would play second and Bome by third. Yeah. Which is more natural for Bichet, I would think. In a perfect world, I want Bichet playing second. Yeah, I agree. So the case to trade Stott and trade Sosa,

Sosa, first off, a year away from free agency, love it Mundo Sosa, but maybe you can get something back for him. I'm sure teams are interested, would be interested in whatever. You don't have to trade him, but you could. Stott, who I think is a really good ball player. I think overall, like, I think he's a net win. I agree. He's a more valuable player than Alec Bone.

This isn't being Pro Bowm. But I was thinking he has more value. So if you trade stock with two years left, better player, elite defense second base, maybe the bat comes around. He has at least shown that he has the potential to hit in a major league. Maybe it gets you in the market for one of the, uh, a, uh, a, uh, a, uh, a, uh, a, real catcher out there, you know? Like, if somehow could get you into the Hunter Goodman, it'd be Stott plus plus for a hundred goodman.

A lot more than that for Hunter Goodman. Of course, of course. But at least it could get you on the doorstep. Sure. So. Like Jeffers, you're not going to, you need more than stop for Jeffers. It's not going to cost you. You don't think so?

Jeffers? I think it would cost you stop. One year left. Oh, it's only one year of control left. Okay, that's fair. But I think stop for Jeffers, like that would, I don't think it would call. Maybe. Yeah.

I think that's like a fair trade. Maybe. Maybe. Yeah. But either way. And then Bacheck and just play second. And then Bohn plays third for one more year. He hits free agency.

And Miller, and Aida Miller takes over third base. Rather than trying to make it all, make it all kind of work. And I do think a line of that. If you don't trade Sozo, let's take the social thing off. It would not save you as much money as trading boom.

It would not. It would be $4 million less. Yeah. Which is why you originally probably threw Zos in there, too, because about $4, $5 million, whatever. A little more than that. That'd be like six. Yeah, whatever.

The point is you're saving that extra money. And then like... You're not trading so is it just to treat so safe. Of course to save money. And you have Kemp and Wilson as the utility right-handed bats. And then... Wes Wilson. Wes.

Bring him back. Come on, man. He's the last feeling to hit for the cycle. Ripped a big double in the playoffs, didn't he? Didn't he? Did West and Wilson? In the game where we were just putting up runs, wasn't he in there and hit a double? Maybe in that game.

He had the big game against them. He had a big game against the Dodgers when they clinched the end at least. I thought he had a double in the postseason. Who could be. Who could forget the Weston Wilson double. But, you know, I do think line-up-wise, Boom, in the line. I didn't get a play in appearance.

Yeah. Well, there you go. You're thinking about the Dodgers game. I'm definitely thinking of the Dodgers. He did have a big... Yeah, he had a big double. I think of a big homer. Was it a homer?

Either way, I'm definitely thinking of that out. Yeah. This Harper hit one off Vazia. Anyway, but Bowman in the lineup does make them a better lineup. If he's batting six, you know? Oh, agree. He's a better hitter than Bryson's up. Yes.

So then you go, then you go. And especially if he's six, seven, like in that, I did not mean to do that, yes. If he's sixth or seven in the lineup, like, boom, like, that's fine. You know, I don't, we don't love boom like the, you know, the cry baby stuff and all that that happens. But like, as a hitter, like,

it's a pretty good lineup if you got bone batting seventh or whatever. You know, that, that's solid. Dude, Turner, Bichette, Harper, Schwerber, Adolas, boom. There you go. If you want to put Marshie to break up the righties there. I think you probably would, yeah. Bang. then you got something.

It could be on the table. It could be on the table. And it could make them better. It could make them better. Now, defensively, wouldn't be as good, obviously, with no stat there.

But I don't think Bichette, I think Bichette at second versus short is going to obviously increase his. He'll be better at second than he was. He's not a great short. I don't know if he's bringing up the war with Bichette. It's like, well,

the reason the war's not that high is he got shortstop. Yeah, he shouldn't be playing shortstop. So that was a thought. Also, they might sign, like, Randall Gritchick to be the platoon guy

and, left field. Just sign Miguel and DuHart if you're going to sign anyone. 389 against lefties last year. Did he really? 389. Gritchick historically hit lefties. He's all.

Historically was not great last year. And a better defensive player, which I get. I like Gritchick. I've always liked Gritching, but he doesn't have a great year last year. Yeah, he might be cooked. And DeHard is right there. Oh, man. 389 against lefties, 938 OPS.

Can he still play a little third base? I don't think so. No. I don't think you want. Not anymore. It's like Castie. It's like if you want a castie to play third base. Got it.

By the way, Cassie is still a... It was okay. When he was a Yanke, he was an okay third baseman, wasn't he? I don't think so. No, I think he was just there for the bat. No, the bat was definitely the... I thought he was okay. Yeah.

Anyway, by the way... I was joking, just for the record, about him, like the third. Four teams out there, Cassie onus is still willing to play first base. Good to know. So... Remember that guys. You got Dave's number. It's only going to cost you $10 million.

No big deal. Nothing else. You have to give up any talent. Just willing to play first. That'll help your ball club. You just haven't. That's going to make your team that much better. It's an ad when you're not subtracting from the roster at all.

Yeah. Yeah. And he can play first. So versatile. So versatile. It is wild to think about to the point you just made. And I don't even know, like there might be young listeners. It is wild to think that Nick Cassians was a third basement of major baseball.

It is a wild thing to think about. It was also wild to think about how good he used to be. Yeah, he was a freaking awesome hitter, man. I loved. I loved. Detroit, Chicago. Even since he. even since he was great and since he,

50s doubles went there. He was awesome. He always had the back breaking hit. He always did. I know. Never got, well, sometimes he got here.

Nevertheless. He was a walk-off hero. He was much like Gene. Much like Gene. Walk-up hero. Oh, he also had five home runs and two playoff games. He had real moments.

In the end of the yes, he's great. Anything. Five and three or whatever it was. Anywhere else he's not very good. It's amazing. Yeah. All right.

Francis go run. Yes, we did it. We made it. Everyone. Yeah. Signing today, signing today, Francisco Renteria, 6'3, 200 pounds. I just am letting everyone out there know. He is going to be a top 10 prospect in all of baseball within two years.

Really? He is, when you're talking about where's the Phillies next superstar, I think Aiden is going to be a star. I think Aidan's going to be like a really good player. I think he's like a three, four-time all-star guy. Like, I think that that Francisco Rancheria is a cornerstone. Whoa. Cornerstone.

Outfield Connor Griffin. Like, he is sick. He played in the major league version in Venezuela this offseason. And that's what like Salvi and like a lot of dudes, a lot of dudes. And he held his own. He hit 17 home runs. the home run derby against like salvi and and and a brayu and like uh he's he's a dude he's a real dude i don't want people freaking out thinking this is like jalen or t's or we've had these guys in the

past where even starling kaba he was a a glove first guy with some interesting tools offensively had a good afl by the way like might be figuring it out for the marlins i think starlin kob was me really good. I just think that this guy has a real chance to be a superstar. I think that's what they are getting today and Francisco Renzeria. And look, he's the third ranked prospect in, you know, this, the, um, and the Mets, but the guy, the guy, the Mets got so that's what I was about to ask, because for, for the Phillies to get the third ring, like, that never happens, you know, like, this is a, this is a real big thing and they're spending money in a way that they normally don't. How good are one and two? That was kind of where it's going. If you're talking about,

that's really what I'm wondering. Like, is he three? Should he be higher? or one and two. So I don't know who two is, but the number one kid, so he was with the Yankees, like he's going to sign, and then it flipped in the last month, but now he's,

the Mets got him. Mets guy, he's going to be a, he's going to be a problem. He's going to be a problem. But I think that, I think those two, I got to look up who two was,

but, but I think this guy and the Mets guy are, are the two best. And I'm, I'm pretty geek. Yeah. I'm excited about it too. This is,

this is, area where the Phillies have been division through their history. Like, they've never been great at this. And what I like about the change here is for years, it was, you know, basically just sign a lot of guys for not a lot of money and hopefully that's something else. It was our guy

Sal Augustinelli down there, scouting and Finding Ranger and Chuch and all these guys, friend of the pod, Sal Gus. But that's what it was. It was you needed, you need to have a great scout to find guys like Chuch and Ranger who were real wins. Like, that is such an organizational win, but you're not going to getting Ronald Cunia that way, you know?

And I think there's a I think there's obviously a shift in the org of we got to spend on some of the big guns. Thank God. Because it's how you got to win. It's imperative now. I honestly believe that if you're going to be one of the best organizations of the sport, you have to do this.

Everyone's doing it. And honestly, it took them too long. I'm so sad you did it way too long. It's crazy that this is finally happening. But it is, I'm really with you, like, I joke with you about the excitement. This is like, I'm really excited about this. I think this is a big, I think it's a big deal because of this kid in particular,

but I think it's a much bigger deal signaling a shift and now the Phillies go about things in a major way for the future. Yeah. It's real. He's real. He's real. It's like,

you know, you're going to, you start thinking about the 2030 Phil. You're going to have Jason Miller. Crawford's going to be years in the league by then. It's all-star, Perennie all-star by then. Norrie.

Crosson gauge. Well, don't trade any of them. Keep them. Keep them all. You're so bad. Keep all the prospects. You're so bad.

Keep all the prospects. But I, I can't wait to follow the kid's journey. I think he's going to be a special, special player. One more thing to throw at you, and then we'll get out of here. But we talked about Bichette, and we came in for the offseason. Our perfect off seasons were full of creative and fun trades and all this stuff. And I know that we've talked about them trading away, Bome or Stott.

Do you think there's still the potential for, like, I'm not talking like trading for, you know, but shit level, like a, but like, but we still see like a, whoa, all right, Dave. Like, it just feels like there's not. not been much talk of the market and all that. So I think the one, I think the one that I've been just kind of kicking around in my head is, is, what if Bader's market's not there? They can get back in, sign Bata, trade marsh, put Crawford and left. I think that's the one where you could flip Marsh and they bring back Bader and all of

a sudden you go Crawford left, Bader's center. It's way that. Yeah. You get super, super. Then we're all pumped. But I don't feel that at all. I don't either. I think Justin Grover's playing center and March playing love.

Yeah, I don't, I don't really feel another trade unless they strike out on Bichette. And it's a whole new ball game, yeah. And I don't even know who's out there. You know, I mean, Donovan love him. He's going to get traded. I don't think he's going to be traded to the Phillies. No. Yeah, I don't know.

I mean, obviously, we didn't know that Lazzardo was super, super available. Maybe that's it. That's why in point. Yeah, we didn't know Lazzardo was about. Now, the one thing is that they're going to have to trade one of the infielders if they do Lambichette. Right. That'll be something.

although I think that's more of a for a reliever unless it's thought where I do think you could get more. But no. And that would be one of those pleasant surprises if they're able to do it. For now? Bo! Just give us that.

All right, we will be back next week. We're going to be back tomorrow. That's what I was about to say. We could be back sooner. And Phillies, you listen, you know. You know you can get us. If you want a pod, make it happen. Exactly right.

They will. I hope so. Until many, for themselves.