High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Bryce Harper Trade Rumors? Nope, Don't Like Them

Episode Date: October 23, 2025

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to the last week of MLB playoffs and wonder if there really is any chance that Bryce Harper could be traded by the Phillies this offseason. 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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This is the High Hopes podcast. High Hope! On the Odyssey app and Sports Radio 94 WIP. Oh, I feel a little less alone. Oh, hi-ho, I feel a little less alone. Yo, it is another edition of the Iops podcast, sponsored by Miller-Light official partner in Philadelphia. Phillies taste like Miller Time Philadelphia,

celebrate responsibly. That was the most, I have no idea what to do with this. You, I started doing normal yo, and then I'm like, but I doesn't feel like normal you time. Then it was like sad yo and then I was like, ah, that was just bad. How you doing? You know, yeah, that's what I feel. I'm very much like, just going about the days.

Yeah, going about the days. Very jealous of, uh, spring your home run. Dude, I, that was honestly, probably since like 22, 23 when citizen bank was like, that was like the coolest fan baseball fan stadium moment since us. Well, but even like the, the, the sweras grand slam and what was that? game five. Yeah, it was big. Yeah. It was awesome. It was a really, there were moments.

For two teams, they're going to probably get blasted by the Dodgers. It was a really fun ALCS. Well, yeah, and not just that was a fun ALDS with the Mariners going five and that game, the 15 inning game was thrilling. Yeah, you stayed up for that. I stayed up for all, but I watched all 15 innings. I know, it's Saturday night or Friday night. It was like, I started it.

And then I just got committed. And I was like, it's still going. And I was like, well, I guess I can't say, I can't leave now. Yeah. And whenever you have a game like that and you go through, If you watch the, if you watch the MLB playoffs from afar and you're not invested in one of the teams, I just can't believe it's not the most popular sport in the world. It's so much fun.

It's the best. It's the best. That game, there's the inability for other sports to be able to create something like the Springer home run is what separates baseball from every other sport. And like football is popular mostly because it's once a week. And like, I just, I don't know. I watch a game like that. I watch these postseason games.

I understand the regular season, mostly monotonous. But man, the MLB playoffs are ridiculous. Wish I was still a part of it. I know, man. I know. I know.

World Series starting on Friday. Yes. Yes. And I finally came to my senses on. Room for the Blue Jays. Yeah. Thank you. So.

Because they're actually an incredibly likable team and fun team to watch too. Oh, yeah. They never strike out. I know. It's really fun to watch. They fake fine, man. They put the ball and play. play and then they got like all these like guys who I thought were cooked like Bieber and

Scher Springer. It's like they're just a kind of a Springer. Yeah. It's just like it's a fun team to root for a guy and obviously Vladdy is you know. Yeah he's been on it's it's it's it's up there at the Beltron run of oh four. Yeah. Oh yeah. It's insane. Well, the cool thing about it too is is you know it felt like with Bryce with the Phillies early on and stuff of these but like when when like the true greats get their like like Halliday when he first got you know is like like Vlad is a truly great player and it's his first time. When they, like, get the first opportunity and just grab it and run with it, it's such a cool thing to see. Yeah.

No, it's, uh, I so, yeah, and the thing about rooting for the Dodgers was like, you're watching them. And then you say, well, first off, you don't get an award for being the second best team in baseball. And then you have to think about, well, they got to build a team better than the Dodgers. And that's going to be the, that's going to be the really tough part for this team. So I'm off the Dodgers bandwagon. Good. Go Blue Jays. It was sickening to me.

Happy anniversary of the. Joe Carter home run. Which is tough. Like, let me tell you. Now I told you this. Joe Carter home run being on the same day as Betham at the bank is pretty fun. I didn't know.

I was the same day. Wow. That's good, I suppose. Yeah. It started a week late that year. Yes. Well,

you know that, that because Zoe got a ball from a Blue Jays player in spring training. The Blue Jays are her second favorite team. Oh, nice. So we've got real Blue Jays again. I was like, she said to me,

she said, can the Blue Jays be my second favorite team? And I was like, oh, okay. Sure. Sure. They'll get past the Joe Carter. thing the worst moment of my life is a play's sports man it's pretty crazy how long ago the

joe carter thing was you know you know there's a whole general i have no idea about it which is crazy yeah and it was 12 you always joke about how old i haven't i was 12 years old like that was my first i mean that was the moment for me i was the first time any of my teams did anything special my whole life yeah and then you think about how there's a whole generation who does not remember 08 which is really tough to that's welcome welcome aboard big No, I am given some of the, the Gen X takes out there, you see, very glad to be a more, uh, more mature sports fan. I like, I like currently where I'm at. I can't take the Gen Z stuff you die. I can't take the little, is Gen X or Gen Z. Gen X is the one before me.

No, no, no. As I get older, I, I, I'm more aligned. You were always a boomer at heart. I mean, yeah. Come on, man. We all know that. It's like, oh. And Jalen, they clapped hands on their best friends. Everything's fine. Everything's great. Everything's terrible. Everything's fine. No worries.

So, yeah, I like my current elder statesman of being a sports man as a cook 31-year-old. As a cook 31-year-old. Oh, to be 31. Oh, to be 31. So, no, but yeah, the. I bet you Bryce wish he was 31. Yeah, well, so do I. So he, no, but yeah, we'll get to Bryce.

Yeah. I want to talk about happy things for a little bit longer. Okay. What else you got, Big Dog? Just about the Blue Jays and about the World Series and about and about, that's the biggest takeaway is just watching. And the Mariners are the same way. Totally. That was a great round man.

They both have grinders, though. Like, they both have grinders in the lineup. And can we say it called, you know, their stars showed up too. I mean, yeah, but Raleigh have, what, five, six homers in the playoffs. You know, Vlad obviously showed up. Like their biggest dogs showed up. And big home runs by rally. That's what I mean.

Like they were winning 3-1 because of him in that game before Springer, you know? Julio was great. I know he struck out. Yeah, but Julio had moments too. Like the stars showed up for these teams and there you go. Yeah, yeah. I mean, it's a mix of both. It's both.

But also just, I was so jealous of like these guys in the bottom of the lineup don't strike out. Ernie Clement. What are he was like 17 for 38 in the freaking ALCS or something insane like that in the playoffs? Like he's been insane. He scored like 12 runs. Ernie Clement is the most. like would have been 90s icon modern day player unbelievable this is he's got a funky little right-handed swing that people would have emulated in the in the with the wiffle ball totally so yeah

they uh they're fun then i'm glad they won this me too i felt really bad i wanted it was it was the hardest i've had i for zoie i rooted for the blue jays but personally because they had never been there and you know me with my whole like fan base suffering fan bases i really wanted the mariners to get there so i'm a jets fan yeah my buddy my buddy Jesse is a Jets fan and he just told like our group threat or whatever his son Jackson is like 11 or 12 he's bailed

he's like love it but the funny thing is he went to be a Giants fan and my buddy Jesse was like pal it ain't going to be much better over there imagine that conversation sit down son sit down how this son but he's also he's also like I can't tell him to be a Jets fan like I have no ground there

like I can't keep him like he doesn't blame him it's sad my advice my advice would be embrace the pain yeah so that's yeah embrace the pain embrace the pain embrace the pain and then one day when they win it'll be the most gratifying moment of your of your sports fan it definitely means more when you go through all the suffering there's no doubt so and i think i saw uh dk she quote tweeted this thing the other day about baseball right and it really is so true where i just feel like baseball loss is hit so much different than any other sport. So it's because I understand your games. We talk about it.

It's because you commit so much of your time in your life to. They're the longest games. It's the longest season. It's twice as long as any other season like this. Well, in football. That's what I'm saying. Even hockey and basketball,

which are long seasons, it's twice as long. It's like such a commitment of your time every night where it's, I think that's why because it's something you put so much time to it and ends like that. And it's like, what do I do now? Like, different thing each night like it's not like it's so it becomes such a part of your life and such a part of your team and I think that and I think baseball more than any other sport

it has the it has the clear defining moment right like basketball sure there can be a game winning shot that you're never going to forget but like in every single baseball game there usually is a singular moment there's the spring or home run where the blue jays fans are never going to forget and the Seattle Mariners fans are never going to forget it there's kirk throwing the ball into the stands on a on a on a ground ball back to the pitcher you know like these are singular these are singular photo kind of moments that i feel like every other sport has trouble replicating you know football it kind of feels like a march to a slow death when you're losing a football game it's very rare that it's comes down to like the end

and like at the deep throw and whatever i feel like just with baseball it lends itself to such singular great moments that i think that that also aids in the oh my gosh it's over like It's just the finality of a baseball season is crazy. You know what's better than the one big thing? Two big things. Exactly. The new iPhone 17 Pro on TELUS' five-year rate plan price lock. Yep, it's the most powerful iPhone ever, plus more peace of mind with your bill over five years.

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Football is fun. Why shouldn't your football podcast be the same? Follow and listen to Heed the Call, NFL podcast, wherever you get your podcast. podcast. And then I think obviously for us this year, it's as like because of it ending on that specific play, you feel that even more pronounced. Does this feel like, because I keep going back and forth on this. Does this feel like the end of an era and that we're entering into what could be a transition year into what could be the next core of this team? No. Or does this feel like a continuation? I feel like it's a continuation. Don't you? I mean, it depends.

though, like, we'll get into it. If they trade Bryce Harper, then, yeah, it's going to feel like the end of, you know what I mean. So I think it depends on what happens this off season. I think it depends on what the team looks like, obviously coming back. I think there's a chance, even if they don't trade Bryce, I think there's a chance where it feels like the end of that. Well, like if Swarber and J.T. That's my point. So I think it's all dependent on how this off season put out.

Yeah. All right. So the Bryce thing. Yeah, let's just get to it. So what do you make of it? I don't like it. I don't either. So for quickly, just off the top, for those who miss it.

Don't like it. Because I, I thought it was all nonsense. Can that be the title of the podcast? Yes. Price ever trade discussions. I don't like it. Yeah. That's the title.

Done. Write it down, Tucker. We're good. The Joel Sherman coming out and saying he could get trade was really, did that hit me? Because Joel Sherman's connected and I've been connected for a really long time in the sport. And we can make the Nebraska comments what we were.

We know they were calculated, pointed, whatever. We can make what Harper is said and the contract stuff, whatever. But for Joel Sherman to come out and be like, the contract thing was an issue. And he could get traded. it's like well we're not just like theorizing stuff anymore like there are big time baseball people talking about the potential like i thought it was nonsense the idea of trading harper nonsense and i still lean towards they're not going to trade bryce harper but when like actual insiders tell me they could trade brys harper i don't you know what i mean i'm like almost like stunned by i'm

like what what what is actually happening here jack yeah so so i think the thing is is i don't view it as nonsense i view it as unlikely but there's clear something. And that's the point. And that's what's concerning. And that's what made the, and by the way, Debrosey doesn't make those comments, I don't believe, at least without some talking with Middleton. So there's not. Oh, I agree. He didn't, he didn't go rogue on that one. Yeah. And if he went rogue, by the way, he could have easily in the last week and a half. Oh my God. There would have been a statement immediately. Hey, listen, that's got blown out of proportion. We love Bryce Harper,

but whatever. Yes. There's nothing. By the way, he is going on a foul territory today. 145. I'll be interesting. So tune in. Very much looking forward to hearing what he has to say. So I think it's unlikely. It feels more like they are challenging him in a way. And it does.

I guess I'm just surprised that it really does seem like the contract is a sticking point here. Oh, if you ask me what this is, if I had to guess, my guess is that behind the scenes, Bryce and Boris pushed for the contract and the Phillies are like absolutely not and that's the shot. If I had to get, I think that's the most simple explanation for what is happening. I totally agree.

And the Phillies are like, you want the contract extension? Then go play like an elite player again. And that's why Dembrowski did what he did. I think this has, you don't just willy-nilly come out and say that your face your franchise, not an elite player anymore when you expect him to carry the torch of your franchise. When he signed for six more years.

Of course. Forgetting what happens after that. Like he is signed for six more years. You don't say that type of stuff. Right. And it does put, it does put pressure now on Bryce with the idea of it being contracting of, okay, what's your next chess move? Are you going to really demand a trade? Yeah. Are you really going to ask out? And you pointed out on Twitter, Scott Boris came out and could have thrown gasoline on the fire and absolutely did not. Almost kind of like downplayed it a little. Like stood up for his guy, but did not go after the Phillies for what they said in any way. No. He said that there's, in his communication with the Phillies that they do not. They wanted to be a Philly for life. And he just said, oh. but in these stats, he's looking good. It was basically just like, oh,

we still think Bryce's great, but like there was no, like that could have a thing where Boris had come out and been like, say what? Yeah. You know what I mean?

And it wasn't. And Boris, by the way, he's kept talking. He talked as a leaky yesterday. And all he did was continue to defend Bryce and say that the heart, now he always has little isms.

I know. So the harperari. Is that the one that he went with? Was that what he went with? Wow. The harpirari instead of a Ferrari. How many people got in a room to come up with that one? I mean, come on.

brainstorming sash guy. I need a harperism. Give me one. Scott. What about harperari? Like a Ferrari. Boom. Nailed there.

We're going with harperari. Get selected on the phone. We got it. We got it. So, so, so, yeah,

like, it's interesting that it is playing out on the public. Fascinating. I think the Phillies are doing, I think the Phillies are trying to put it out there that, hey, like,

if you really, because, and here's the truth, is that if, for some reason, that he asked for a trade. And by the way, I think that Boris would have made that a little bit more clear

or would have been hinting more at it if they were feeling that way. He wouldn't have thrown in the line about we expect Price to be a Philly for the rest of his life. That's unnecessary if you think you might get paid. So it does put pressure on Bryce because the Phillies also know that Bryce has talked a lot about how much he loves Philadelphia,

how he wants to stay here forever, how he is it's like his second home and he would look it would look it would look it would look all like it was all fraudulent if he yeah so it would totally tarnished his legacy and he would go from hero to villain i mean that's if brys arper asks asks out right now yeah and if two years from now teams gone 75 and 75 it's like i want to go win a title it's like go ahead buddy way more way more understanding right now coming up a 96 win season there's it would not end well you having a bad playoffs well yeah exactly yeah and i think i think i think both sides know that so where do you go from here where do you go from here is it you have a great year next year will extend you or is it

play out the contract like maybe that could be the the kind of handshake it's in it's really it's really annoying to be here it's really it's really because he it's not what i want to talk about because he hasn't looked the same firewise now so i mean you know what else is annoying too is because i hate this and I don't want them to dream wherever, but then I, the fact that he's gotten to the point where, like, I do step back and say, like, I mean, like getting rid of the contract, like, it might not be the worst. Like, you know what I mean? Like, that I actually have to have that conversation sucks. Well, it sucks. And I don't want to do it at all because I want Bryce Harper to hit 500 home runs in a Phillies uniform, going to the Hall of Fame and win a World Series here. And hopefully win a World Series here. Like, that's, I think it's a perfect cherry on stop for what's been a really, really good start to his career here, like a great start to his career. but then it's like you know i get mad when i see these yankees fans being like i wouldn't trade him for ben rice and it's it's just like i don't want to live in a world where i got to see yankees edits of price harper and the yankees jersey or these redsox fans talking about we got to get price like i da da da da da da da so hopefully when nebrowski goes on with with cratsy

and the boys it's a like just a more tone down just lock in like do not do not not just knock this nonsense off because guess what it's the first thing Bryce to me ask about it's spring training now of course like it's going to oh of course they got to all come together figure out some kind of solution here and whatever gets Bryce to get get get back to being Bryce is is is number one on the whole he looks like he's lacking fire on the field I can't and first off people act like it was just last year this is the year before we talked about yeah we talked about the year before I can't tell

If it is, I don't think that is contract related. It'd be weird if the whole season he's moping because of contract. I feel like that'd be like, like, it'd be really strange. If like these like just in a bad mood all season, seeing his contract extension, that'd be strange. I, I really do think it's trying to to be more. Business like in a way, like trying to focus on the job. Yeah, like take the job. A lot of it too is the weight of the world on the shoulders.

We've talked about this. but I think, like, he wants to win so bad. And I think, look, I think part of it, too, especially if you look at just the last few years, like those are the last two years where it seems like his body is broken down more. And he's had his worst two years here. And he started to kind of not have the ability to rise up all the time when he wants to and all that.

And who knows that better than anyone? Frickin Bryce Harper, like he knows his body better than anyone. He knows that he doesn't have the same power, that he has him to seem ability to feel the same way all the time. Like, who knows me, nicks and knacks and the wrist in the back and this and that he's got like. Knicks and knacks and the wrist in the back wow

We really are professional wordsmith Wow wow like maybe it's just That weighs on him too and every day feels it And every day he's like man like I got a win and it's harder for me to win And who knows how that plays with someone like that Especially someone who has been so great Like I always like you like the analogy of like

Because it's something we can all remember I think we all remember the first time you lose a race Do you remember like where you're like The first time you feel like oh my God Someone's faster than me like someone's because we all think we're the fastest kid in the world right when you're a kid you're like oh I'm so fast and then you run someone who's faster than you and they pull away from me and you're like what's happening I'm going as fast as I can and and they are running away

for me I think Bryce is starting to feel that type of like I used to be the best and I'm not anymore and I can't replicate that anymore and I'm trying to do everything I can to do it and I can't like it would make sense that would weigh I'm yeah I mean I think I mean you kind of saw it with them beat you know both of sure both of these guys are in similar positions in their in their career i think a beat is definitely more close the end yes of course yes and beat might be done done yes you know so but i think both of them have have had the realization that oh my gosh like i don't i don't know if i have the the ability to put on the superman cape anymore so yeah i i don't i find it hard to believe that because a lot of people hypothesize he's been moping because of the

contract i just don't believe that i would be shot maybe it's part of it maybe it's all part and parcel of like putting everything together and like the way he feels the not being able to finish it off and win the kind like it's like one day it's a different thing that gets who knows but i i agree with you i think the idea that the contract is the reason he's been such a bad move for the last couple years is i think crazy so yeah i would like this whole thing to be oh and it would be not i wonder if at some point middleton talks of one of the reporters you know and there's a price isn't going anywhere don't want to get an article on me To your point, though, that is, like, they might need to do something if the,

the ball starts to roll downhill in terms of a noise perspective. If it becomes a real thing and there are other, you know, Haymans and this, and that come out and being like, hey, you're, right, he's actually making a tree. Like, yeah, like, that's a guy's spot where if he's not, like, the point is if they don't come out and shoot it down either Middleton and Nebraska, if it starts rolling, that makes me think he might actually get true. Right. Yeah.

Well, because what was it? What was this? what was a scenario in was it 21 after the 21 season where there was an idea of trading Zach Wheeler and didn't Middleton come out and say I wanted to trade oh yeah yeah yeah for Babe Ruth yes yes you're exactly right yeah because it was the contract thing was he get the new contract or trade him maybe it was because they signed him in 20 20 was his first year 21 and then they signed him in 19 or 20 20 was his first year was it COVID year I believe I can't remember if it was 19 or 20.

You're probably right. You're better at that than I'm. I think it's probably 20. Because it was a, yeah, December 6th, 20, if they offered me, Babe Ruth,

I would not trade them. So it was already, so when did they sign? Was he your 19 or just 20? No, it was 20. No, it was 20. He was 20.

Yeah. So, Middleton came out and, and shot that one down. Yes. If this thing continues to, to percolate, I named Middleton.

And, and again, I'd be surprised at Middleton wants to trade him. He is the face of the franchise. They've both been joined at the hip and also ballparks filled every single night.

The all-star games here next year. Well, that's a big one, yeah. You obviously want Bryce Harper to be a part of the festivities. You probably want sure to be a part of the festivities, but you know, who knows how that contract kind of the Scotchlands go. It might be out of your hands.

So, yeah. It's a, it's, it's, it's one worth monitoring. We're not just pouring water on it saying there's, there's something feels fishy here. We want to pour water on is what we're saying. Dying to pour water on it. Douse it.

Yeah. Tying to pour water. Yeah, but we haven't yet. Could use it. Could use it. What else you got? What else you got? You know, what else you got?

What else he got? I said, looked at your face. I said, he's going to ask me right now. You knew it. What else do you got? You knew it. What else do you got? So I do have some

Just some thoughts on Schwerver Please So I think the way that I would handle The Schwerber negotiations this offseason Is I'm sure the other teams are going to call first and whatever And I would be surprised if Schwerver's agent Signs anywhere else without at least checking back I would be shocked, yes

Kyle Schwerber has to prove me That he can go get $30 plus million dollars elsewhere Before I'm like jumping out in front to pay Kyle Schwerber like I would like Kyle Shulber back but if you're asking me would I rather pay Schwerber the same contract or Bregman the same contract I think I'd rather pay Bregman wow like I like the position obviously playing third base he move on from Bome I appreciate what Kyle Schwerber is done for this team but also not like jumping out there to pay a 33 year old D.H. 35 million dollars a year so if he's

can go prove to me they're like the reds you know who gave them the city are like here's 35 million dollars over five years come be a red i can't do five years i don't want to do five years like i'm pretty much out at five years to be 100 percent yeah like i just i can't do it at that number and i do think you're right i think the number is going to be 30 or more i think it's somewhere in that range it's going to be expensive and you might not be wrong like that it's like man i here's my here's my here's my thing Here's my thing. And again, we did just talk about a Blue Jays team that, you know, puts them on play and doesn't pronounce it. There is it.

Without Kyle Schwerber, we are talking about one of the worst sitting power teams in baseball argument. I know. Arguably. I know. You know, a team that just does not hit home runs. I know. Well aware. Okay.

Well, I want to get that out. Not very fun. Not very fun. And not what wins the vast majority of time in baseball these days. There was a lot. So it's funny because you watch postseason. It's like, man, all these grinders love them. And they still have tons of home runs.

You need a home runs. Yeah. I mean, like Cal Raleigh is a grinder. You know what he else? It's 66 home runs this year or whatever, you know? Vladgaro Griner, you know what he gets? Six home runs this playoff. You know what I mean?

George Springer's big moment, a home run. Like, yeah. No, there's guys on base before them and by being grinders and stuff like that. Totally. But like Ernie Clement scoring tons of runs. Bernie funny. Dude, Nathan Luke's batting like, too. The Addison Barger guy.

I never even hurt. I'm watching the. smokes the baseball. Dude, he had, what was it, game 60? He homernered or whatever. I'm watching. I'm like, like, I knew him because here's, but I'm like, how is this guy up in like, if he was being six or whatever, seven? Like,

like, how's this guy in the ALCS? If he had a big hit, then he gets a home run. I'm like, where do these people come from? And why don't we ever have an Addison barter? Why? Yeah, well, because we pay for all of our players, you know? I know. So, yeah, and that's the one thing is that the Phillies just have to become, the Phillies have to become an efficient franchise, you know?

Yeah, they have to, we need young, talented, players to come up and supplement all the money spent all these older guys because these guys are going to get old. And it's how you, it's how you have to beat the Dodgers. It's how you build teams. That's the thing with the Dodgers. The Dodgers have gone out and spent a bunch of money, but they also grow guys as well.

They grow guys. They trade guys that they grow come top prospect. It's they are a high functioning organization. They are a high functioning organization that also has an unlimited wallet, which is. Yeah, well, they went and got the guy who was the best at functioning organizations with any amount of money. And then they're like, here's all the money. And everyone's like, wow, that's sweet.

No problem. Let's be dominant for the next 15 years. Yeah. And it just feels like it's never going to end. I know. It feels like it's not going anywhere. I mean, they've got more money than God.

Like they got that Guggenheims and all these people. I know. Like you look down the list of like Dodgers owners. If you ever go like the Wikipedia, it's crazy. These people are part of the Dodgers. It's all right off. Yeah.

It's a point. They have so much more money. Yeah. So that's where it's like, you know, people are saying, well, your owners have to spend like the Dodgers.

It's impossible. It's not possible. It's not possible. Dodgers spent twice as much more than twice as much. It's crazy. Yeah. It's physically not possible for the, and that's where you have to get better.

The Dodgers won the World Series and then went out and signed all the big free agents. They went on Blake Snell and Tyler Glass now. They won the World Series. They went out of all these guys. It's crazy. Tanner Scott. Yes. Sasaki.

Now, Sasaki didn't cost much money. He didn't, but he chose him, you know? And the year before they signed Yamamoto and they signed Joe at the year. Like, it's like, I know. I know. I know. I know. No, it's, they.

And it's probably going to end in having to, there's going to be labor strife in 2027 so yeah and that's that's a really fascinating part of this discussion i told you about the book lords of the realm i said did i do that on this pod people should read the book lords this is the pot i did this is the final thought on the other pod but like this is the people i like they call it the other pod you can name the other pod go bird's pot check it out great pot we're saying under the same umbrella you never know a jack jacket's a little you know just don't do the yo on the podcast you go well that was one time it was a huge mistake it would never happen okay um i did move the eagle helmet you know the lords of the realm it's a book about the

history of the business of baseball. It's all about like the owners originally and the way they treat the players and then the players is just. So it's not a fake book they usually read? No, no, no. It's a, I read my nonfiction book. Yeah. Oh, wow. Yeah. I thought he's not like no. No, it's all about Marvin Miller and the establishment of the union and, and, and, and it's about the, you know, Kurt Flood and Andy Messerschmith and free agency and how that is a fascinating, a great book. I thought it was like Lord of the Flies or something. No, Lord's of the Realm, the Lords of the Owners. They were called the Lords of the Rome because they're the Lord's Baseball.

Great book, though. Really, really fascinating book. I don't remember why I brought it up, though. Why did you bring it up? Oh, the labor strike. Yes. I've been reading a lot about the history of labor strife and strikes and all. So I'm very educated on this.

That's great, because you know who has no interest talking about it? Me. Guess what? I'll carry the torch, buddy. Yeah, yeah. I will say, just a quick take, Andy Messerschman should be as famous as Kerr. Have you ever heard of Andy Mastersman? No, I don't know Andy Mausser.

Different guy. Yes. So Kurt Flub was the guy. who originally tried to get free agency, but he didn't get it. Kurt Flood basically lost his career and became, he took it to the room court and lost. Right.

Like, Kurt Flood did not actually win free agency. Andy Messerschmith, this guy won free agency. Any Messerschmith is a guy who pitched the 1976 season, they needed a guy to play the full season without a contract and be a test case for Marvin Miller to actually get free agency to win free agency. And he mess with the guy, every start,

the whole, like he felt like he had the whole union on his back. He had an unbelievable year. He pitched like 300 innings, like a two-something year. It was unbelievable. Annie Mastersmith should be as famous as Kurt Flood. Okay.

Good take. So what does that do with 27? Just that a lot of these issues have been around forever and, you know, that they've been trying to get a salary gap in baseball for 50 years. It's never going to happen. They, you know, like, it's, it's a problem heading into what, but it's more interesting from a Phillies perspective in terms of this off season and how will it affect what teams are willing to spend on players?

Like, do you want to give Kyle Schwer, 5150 or 5-170 or whatever that is? and a year of it just go away. You know what I mean? Like it's a, who knows what's going to have? I know. No, it's crazy.

It's crazy. And every time you see the highlights, the Schwerber hitting the bombs, you're like, ah, God, man. God, I love him.

Yeah. So I do love Schwerver. You know what I love Schwerver. I just, is it the best use of resources, or would you rather spend similar money, but on a position? Well,

and it's not even that. Like, it's also just the concept of, like we talked about last pop, where the Phillies are in this, and this is why drafting and developing moving forward is so friggin important, but they are in a really tough spot from just the core they have now, the guys who are available out there to add,

the guys they have contract. Like we're talking about, are you leading in to the mid 30s into their late 30s crew? Or are you trying to change on the fly and kind of have it? Yeah, well, and that's the thing. It does seem like that they're laying the groundwork for a little bit of a youth movement here. And Crawford's going to me the everyday left fielder.

I can't wait to unleash my. Painter will be in the rotation to start, you would think. My right field platoon is going to be a problem for everyone involved. Oh, buddy, can't wait. I can't do the righty options to pair with Marsh. Yeah, man, I talk about exciting. Talk about exciting. And then it does seem like that there is a realistic possibility of a Kemp,

Sosa, third base platoon until, until Aiden's ready, which is crazy. You are smiling. By the way, we didn't talk about. Otto Kemp playing since June with a freaking broken kneecap. I know. Like what? Are you serious?

Yeah. Dude. Yeah. Come on, man. That's like football. That's a hockey player. That's a hockey player tough right there. Yeah.

This guy gets us. Yay. Yay. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. So we love you. Yeah. Maybe Kemp could be the right hand of the platoon option in the outfield. Who knows? Well, you still just signed someone else and then have him if Crawford, you know, a breaking case of an emergency, you know, out there.

Like, can't. hit both sides or whatever. Like all of something can't hit left hand of pitching in the major league level. Then you have Kemp for left field. Listen, we're going to figure it all out and everything's fine. Just on trade Bryce,

you know? On trade Bryce. I want to see him. I want everything to be harmonious here with the baseball team. I want to win too, though. That's not. Which is more important. 500 home runs for winning.

Winning, winning. Interesting. You sure? Yeah, I feel good about it. All right. Good. All right, good. Paramoa.

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This balance is not working. And the naked gun. That was awesome. Now that's a mountain of entertainment. Paramount. Tim's new Cravable Raps are made for the times your boss said the what now or your teacher mentions that thing I'mabob need to pick me up snack back to reality with Tim's new Cravable Raps available in Chipotle or Ranch plus tax at participating restaurants in Canada for a limited time. All right. What do you have to take back? Nothing really. I mean like mostly mostly when I already said.

Most of the stuff we already did. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Anniversary of Bedlam at the bank, which is now kind of a sad memory. Well, now that you told me it's the same day as Joe Carter, it's like, thanks for that. 12-year-old James crying his freaking eyes out. But 41-year-old James also was crying his eyes out. Not quite, but he was excited. You were excited? Yeah. And people forget, you rolled your ankle that game.

Almost. Almost. It's a better story. I'm going to go with it. You're right. You're right. You and David Robertson. Me and James right.

We both heard yourself celebrating. It's my guy. It's my avatar and the Phillies. That's right. He really is. You know what about it? You know, it would have been nice of Topperad and brought him back out for another. Yeah.

Oh, what did you think about, uh, Hoffman closing out the ALCS? Did I not think I had Sir Anthony Hoffman. Yeah, could use that a year, a year before, two years before. Yeah, it's like now you're just mowing guys striking out the side. And 95, by the way, rather than 98 like he used to have did hurt my soul. We had like a Philly statue, something Philly related on the arm. I will say as far as like, again, Tux, he's not doing it here. but as far as like just like individual athlete story stories go.

Oh yeah. I mean, that's up there, man. That's up there. Yeah. Me too. Like that,

that guy was out of the sport for all intents of purposes. You know, he was getting ready to go to Japan. I know. I know. Um, that's really, I'm really happy. Yeah.

Yeah. And did Bryce Harper save his career. Yeah. You guys are putting bad at Brack's Bryce Arbor and now he's closing out of the LCS. I mean, that's sick. That's awesome. Yeah.

Bryce was like, oh, this guy. He's like, who is this guy? He got shelled in Lehigh Valley. picking the draft back in the day. I know.

hashtag people forget. Can you imagine being a pitcher and getting drafted by the Rockies? It just must be the worst feeling. Yeah. Which is like, well, they're doing it to chase to land right now. Remember what you bald,

though was, remember the you balled out of Jeff Francis, Francisco Morales? Yeah, like that, yeah, that he was, do you want to sign on there?

No, right? He went on some ridiculous. Yeah. That was the only time anyone's ever been like truly great as a Rocky's picture. Mike Anton? Mike Anthony,

got shelled there? Yeah. trying to think of the Jeff Francis was good for a little bit. They were good. They guys were good. But like that was, I mean,

Aaron Cook was good for us. But like that was the only time they had a truly, truly great pitcher for a period of time. And I went to the World Series with that. There you go. Oh. I'm very curious to how the Tony of the Pitella thing works out. So you're pretty jealous.

I know. I'm pretty jealous. Yeah. I have no idea if it's going to work or not. But the guy's super, super sharp. He's like, ultra-competitive. There's a video of him like bumping an umpire.

Come on, man. Him here. Him here would have been a dream. So my, my, it's a bold move. That's a total bold move. My, my, uh, tinfoil theory with, with Tony Vee slash minor concern is, so two things. Is that a reason why Bryce is annoyed the organization? Because he's wanted him for a year or two.

That's interesting. And he could have moved on from Rob Thompson for him and they're saying no. and so that's just a theory and then the fear is that he wants to go play for Tony Vee and they train him to the Giants and the Giants are Yankees it feels like if they did well those are the two teams that everyone thought

I was going to decide I went to begin with you know or the Dodgers but they're right yeah well yeah not to bring the mood of the pod really uplifting body yes yes yes yes just say the right thing today did yeah but that was my my tinfoil theory on Vitella, my concern with that.

So I'm very, very interested in how he's going to do. So I can't, uh, you know, from afar. Also, uh, quick shout out. Don Mattingly. How about that? Did you see his first world series in 40 years in baseball as a coach as a player, our guy, Preston, we love press. I'm sure we'll have him on this off season soon.

You know, we'll get pressed on some point. But, but shout out to Preston's dad. I mean, that's like 40 years in baseball. Donnie baseball and he's finally going to a world. series, that's pretty cool. Well, yeah, he's a Hall of Fame-ish player, you know. Well, I mean, yeah, but his seven-year run is as good as, I mean, he's the best player in baseball for seven-year-s and no world series appearances, manager of the Dodgers, no world

series appearances. It's a good one. Man, yeah, good for the Maddx. Yeah, I'm happy for that. I'm happy for our guy. Are you got anything else? No. I'll be back next week.

We'll watch the World Series. We'll see. Hopefully Bryce is still here. Blue Jays, I guess. Yeah, well, maybe we'll have an emergency pod. Let's hope there's not an emergency pod. Please, Dave, enough. All right, until then, he's frits himself.