High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Early Spring Training Takeaways & Other Phillies Nonsense

Episode Date: February 26, 2025

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to the first week of Phillies spring training game and discuss who has stood out in the limited action. Presented by Miller Lite. 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

This is the high hopes podcast On the Odyssey app in sports radio 94 WIP Feel little less alone. Almost caught me cursing there. Almost. This close. Are we live? We're live now.

Nice. Yeah. Nice. You're born to go live. Yeah, dude. You know me. I do. Yeah, dude.

Yeah. Yeah. It's classic. Are you, do you say I have a Philly accent? You do. Have you seen universal basic guys, by the way? No It's hilarious. What is the universal basic? It's a show about Delco guys. It's a So I thought that was just like a Philly thing. No, it's like it's on after the Simpsons, which is ridiculous

Yeah, it's dude. That's my point. It's so ridiculous. It's really funny. It's it's The Kelsey show I find so funny because it's just about the eagle Yeah, dude the guy the main character's name is Mark Hogan's phenomenal Strictly that for WIP. Yeah, it's made by WIP listeners about the idea for the character was based on WIP listeners Like these guys grew up here and heard like would hear callers and be like we need to write a cartoon character You get a lot of time on your hands. Yeah, I do. No, I don't I wish I I didn't write a cartoon character. You get a lot of time on your hands. Yeah, I do.

No, I don't. I wish I had time. Because I know something about a TV show. Come on after the Simpsons. I don't. I don't find you think I stay awake to watch out of the Simpsons. There's this thing called a hulu buddy. Ever heard of it?

No, I've never found a Simpsons funny. I know. I'm not surprised. Yeah, you're just 215. Yeah, Tucker and I strong. Well, Tucker was born. Tucker's a family guy and Simpsons guy. I liked family guy in high school I thought the sentence was lame and then he learned and then I went back and watched the first 12 seasons of the Simpsons

But the Simpsons were lame when we were growing up. Yeah, like no one miss him moment I was you know, I'm older. I didn't get it and now I do Both what are you wearing? Oh Those pants are way too revealing. Well, that's what caught me on the flight. They make it look like you're like tights. Yeah, but now this is okay. This is not as good. I know. No, no. Yo, it is another edition of the high hopes podcast. Fritz is here. He's watched the spring training games 45 times already. He's ready to talk.

Hey, how fired up are you with baseball? I watched the spring training games so that you don't have to. Thank you. That's why I that is kind. My brother is down this weekend. We're hanging out, watching movies and stuff and get some spring training games. Yeah. Well, listen, I've watched zero village baseball. That sucks. I'm just letting you know. I mean, I'm Mr. Don't care about spring training. I don't, I don't understand. I hear you. I know that's who you are. I don't get it. My core. Like it's

something that I believe. Like I'll go down. I hang out. It's beautiful. I want to go to a game. So I've been like, I don't take anything seriously. It's like nonsense. Like just get ready for the season. Let's go. And that's why this podcast works because I, I take everything that happens in spring training so seriously. It's not even, like, for example, and I was going to say the floor is yours, but you didn't even need that. And for example, and I don't believe that this. Echoes the sentiment in the city, but for me, I had the same reaction when Rincones Jr. hit the home run as when Cooper DeGene had to pick six. You said that to me as I want to punch in the face.

That's like eight years similar, similar reactions. So like, I know that might not speak for a punch in the face. Like eat you similar, similar reactions. So like, I know that might not speak for a majority of the city. My keyword being Mike. But if you overlay that home run with the Matt Starris home run in 2008, they're basically the same. So it's been a lot of fun. And you are beaming. It's been a lot of fun.

You are. Yeah, because's been a lot of fun. You are. I've been like, you know, when they tell pregnant women like you're glowing, Jack's glowing right now. Yes. You are. You are glowing. You're like bouncing out of the chair.

I feel alive again. You're like me. You're like, oh, you know, well, you know, Mr. Smile, give me off. So like, I just it's been one of the best months of my life. And it's just the cap it off with Phil's spring training baseball, seeing the boys. Like, dude, I kid you not. When I started looking at these random relievers that could.

Oh, I know. Trust me. I know you're not kidding. I know you got a list. I know. I'm sure Trust me. I know you're not kidding. I know I got a list. I know. I'm sure you do. I know you tweeted about a few of them. I know. John, just say what you just say. You say you're Elliott Sherparks on the you just said to me. Say it. What do you think you might?

Oh, I think I like spring training more than I like the regular. No, it goes. Elliott in his training camp. I know. No, I know. To me. No, I know. Podcasts with people who care more about preseason than the season itself. But it's, it's just, you know, you see the springs eternal. I know it's cold. It's been a brutal winter. The best shape of their life. Oh man. Taiwan did breakout season. Listen, as someone who just went, uh, was arguing with my oil

company, apparently it was a cold winter, you know? So so so do you drive to work every day? Every day. Every day. Only because of the time. Like I used to, I love when I was in mid days, I used to walk all the time, but like I can't walk in three 30 in the morning. It's like, yeah, probably not the best move.

No, because I was wondering if it's too cold to walk to work, but it probably would be. I mean, so I mean, you'd have to go out and start. Well, so what I do is I'll sometimes like take an Uber or a lift in if, if I know it's going to be that cold. So Emily can drive Zoe in cause they walk every day. So I'll be like, all right, it's going to be in the teens tomorrow. Take the car. I'll look, they're getting good steps in. That's right. Oh my God, dude. Emily walks like so much. It's not steps guy. So it's not that I don't love the regular season. There's just something about spring training. Watching like, you know, Aiden's in the lineup.

Just a car auto. It's all people. Yeah. You know, we're going to see the thrill of maybe a reliever is good, even though there's a 0% chance they actually are like Junior Marta. There's a chance it's always about the chance always about the home And that's where that's that's why I love it. So one o'clock today. I could tell yeah this I can't wait I'm I'm disgusted that it rained on Monday because very wholesome. Well, we ripped off of Paul schemes versus Sanche

Yeah, we everyone was waiting for it. Yeah, I would I need to see they see to see those two inning outings See what I put through that deal for two innings. I need to go they see to see those two inning outings see Deal for two innings. I need to go all in on Sanchez by the way with you I like side you've tweeted the plus 5,000 that seems nonsensical to me like for Cy Young odds Like I I think Sanchez is gonna be freaking off like Wheeler will be their best pitcher But I think Sanchez will be their second best pitcher and I don't think it'll be that far off numbers wise more really Yeah, it's gonna be all. And I don't think it'll be that far off numbers wise. We're really, yeah. Tension is going to be awesome. Dude, I think, I think he, he has the command still, but he holds it at 97, 98, which is bulked up a little bit too.

Yeah. Like he is huge. He's about to enter into a different strategy. I think he's still, I think he's still underrated off throughout baseball is I think, I think if you asked the common baseball fan, they would say, yeah, we know Ranger, we know, you know, but I agree with you. I think he's their second best start. I do too.

I feel pretty confident about it. And I don't think we've been like almost giddy enough about the prospects of this rotation. I mean, there's the thing to be giddy about. There's a very, I know, there's a very realistic chance that NOLA is the fifth best starter. Oh, I think, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like,

like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like,

like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, then, yeah, all of a sudden, paint pure talent, paint, write, jump to the top. By the way, one of the baseball America writers, I believe it was J.J. Cooper.

Yeah, but not Jim Callis. He's not baseball America. Not anymore. Jim Callis is Emily pipeline. I believe he was he was he was the go to for baseball America for so long. Jim Callis. So old school. I know. I know. But I believe I'm showing my age. Yeah, I used to read it like actually flip pages on Jim Gallagher.

I miss when we'd like really read stuff like we talk. Well, no, but like a magazine like the I know those are great. Like the Athlon preview and the Street and Smith and all that stuff. They were great. I can't wait. Because, you know, as you get older, you start reminiscing about the you do. Yeah, more and more. I just find I can't wait to see like what Walker and like Zoe inside. Like what is what's going to be considered old school to them?

Oh, when they're 30 or 40, like back in my day again, childhood, I didn't have this. Yeah. You know, like it's not that I didn't. I had a CD player. I actually have I know All right, what's their thing gonna be they didn't deal with I've been to deal with going from to touchscreen Can you believe there was a time where I couldn't just see the screen in my brain and it projected out in front of me Like what craziness that was? Yeah again, I didn't I grew up with a cell phone That was not an invention that it happened yet until I was like an almost in high school By the way, the games on the cell phones used to be way better

It's a little snake snake is still the best game in cell phone history to date to now like still the best one Yeah, so I'm very curious to see what what it's gonna be but Long winning point here. Yeah, we're talking about a j. Cooper. I was him. It was he was on the he's talking about he's obviously sky of prospects for a long time. I've seen all these guys come up. And he said that like Painter is one of the three best pitching prospects he's ever seen. Oh, and he thinks he's better than Paul.

Whoa. He thinks he has the best fastball curveball and he's thinking he's the. He what he thinks he has the three best pitches in minor league. What? Listen, I hope he's the three best pitches in minor league baseball. What? Listen, I hope he's right. Me too. He's dying for him to be right.

Please, that'd be so cool. Oh yeah, like a generational pitcher. That'd be so cool. A generation. And then, you know, Painter talked about how Hamels was trying to teach him the change up. I know. The other day, which is just beautiful. Sure.

Why not? So, the, I don't know, and again, I don't know how it's gonna work I really don't you know what the plan is and all that. Yeah, I don't either because once he comes up Let's say he pops and they don't they don't want to put him in the bullpen because they don't want to Mess around with him. Yeah Deeper range in the bullpen. I mean, yeah, I think it has to be right I mean, I think it'll be dependent upon how everyone's pitching and what the city injuries we know But if everyone pitches up to their

Potential or like close to it or whatever. I think Ranger is the obvious one But that is a super complicated thing considering Rangers playing literally playing for a contract this year. He's in a contract year Like you get into real issues there. I mean, we know that we know Wheeler hates the six man rotation Yeah, so like it's a fact my guess is that they will find you're not factoring in Taiwan. Yeah. Well, true. Best shape of his life. Rob's Rob's Rob Prado.

He's proud of him. It's like Rob, stop talking about him like that. Like he has to understand how these codes play. So proud of him. I, um, I think they'll find ways to get guys. Rest. I think they'll be like, Oh, no, let's get a lot strain or whatever. I'll see him in three weeks.

And you know, I think that's the plot. What they'll end up they'll go. I think they'll go six man for like, again, where this is a perfect world where all five of these guys stay perfectly healthy till they bring painter up and all this stuff. You know, I I'm I'm getting more and more excited about the big just watching the kids come up and and and Develop well, we're gonna need them. Well, they of course are mean because the plan now is to Those guys are like a real part of the future. They're not being trained I would be surprised if painter Crawford and Miller don't it doesn't seem like those guys are going in and I think I think

Monk onus is playing his way into that that conversation Yeah, you already are putting him up it we're talking about top 50 guys and you're like guys there Maybe maybe auto comes on turning into an I'm just kidding. What's so are you? What's so funny what's interesting about about Rincones is like I don't know what his He he almost needs an injury this year to come up and like prove himself So they've been doing one year. They've been doing the one year kind of stopgap thing That's why Kepler is here, you know, and obviously Cassianos is another year after this year the biggest thing that's gonna be for him is is

Proving trustworthy enough to where they don't feel like that to go sign an outfielder Maybe they can sign a right fielder or a right-handed hitting left fielder and like give him the position, you know and make it like a platoon but like I I wonder if he's Hitting his way into if they like Cassian's what when they left Cassian I was walking through years Is he good enough to be the everyday right fielder? I mean, we'll see but it's like it's such a big leap I mean are we are you talking about like having a youthful team and a bunch of kids? We're either gonna have super old guys It's gonna be the super old guys with the super young guys give me like Miller Crawford and Connors Harper Turner

30s don't worry the JT extensions But then and then maybe Kyle Tucker maybe Kyle's hey do that I'm in on Kyle Tucker. Yeah um I would just like to see that the like Kyle Tucker's not one Soto like can we go back to like 400 people I'm asking like go back to 400 million instead of No, keep going up right? We're done with this. Like there's not a one Soto showy. Oh tiny guy like right I wonder who the next

I think I mean Tucker could get 500 million Yeah, he could that's what i'm saying But like the next like leap up laddy I don't think it's gotta be someone who comes up when they're 18 or 19 and and crushes like that's the only way you're Going to get someone who is valuable enough at that age like vlad'll get more I don't know if i'll get more than Tucker actually. No, I think Tucker gets more you think so I think I think vlad going to turn to a DH. Yeah. So I just think it, you know, he seems more sturdy.

Well, listen, but I would die for either one or both, please. But it's like, obviously, schemes won't get like schemes won't get 800 million. He'll know he might get like, you know, the power is going to pay him. Oh, yeah, I'm sure. He's going to be the first 400 million dollars. Oh, yeah, I'm sure he's gonna be the first 400 million dollar did you know that the pie was that I just saw a wild It was something like they have not signed it like the it's something wild I wish I don't know if I took a picture of it or not. That's what I usually do with the good stuff Usually anyway to repeat a rip Bob nutting. Is that his Bob? Not egg Just a disastrous owner Bob not a loser loner. Oh, I think this might be a hold on. Is this it? Yes

How about this? Right for this? Listen to this. This is insane The Pirates haven't given a multi-year contract to a free agent in almost 10 years in multi-year 2016 was the last time they gave a multi-year deal to a free agent In multi-year 2016 was the last time they gave a multi-year deal to our free agent And it's about that dude because they played at a playoff pace for a good amount of the year last year And they and they had playoff years over that time They have schemes Jared Jones and Mitch Keller at the top of their right now they have you know Ben Norris down last year, but like they did sign Outfielder guy Reynolds they did give him 100 million which was shocking shocking. It was under market or whatever, but like they did sign a outfielder guy, Reynolds, they did give him 100 million,

which was shocking, shocking. It was under market or whatever. But anyway, right. Why are we talking about? I don't know what I'm talking about. I don't know why we're talking about because I don't know who the next I don't know who the next big, big, big contract is. I'm trying to think of the top of my head of of like the Ohtani types of I don't think there is one right now. Yeah, it could be eight in one day. Oh could be good guy come up quick now, by the way, like they Aiden's at bats so far looks so much and this is a deep spring training. Oh good. What else do we do here? I'm very sorry for everyone involved But they remind me so much of of Stats first time that he was in big league camp

No, you don't remember that so stop was in starts first time in big league camp he was just late on everything but he was still working pretty good at that. And then like slowly got it towards the end. Like he's just he's getting jammed all the time. And it's because he's just starting a little bit later. But the quality of that, I'm really impressed by that. I know. I know. And I'm impressed by the quality of the of the of the. You are so happy talking to like Crawford's putting together good at that.

He might be happier than when I was talking about the Eagles win the Super Bowl and whatever good podcast or show I was doing it on. You talking about watching these kids is like the same level of joy. Have I reached the ability to say the kids, by the way, now that I'm 30? No. All right. A little bit. Yeah, I'm barely all kids like alcohol. That's fine. I mean you you Probably over a decade older than Bryce Harper. I mean think about that. Yeah, it's sick thing. Yeah. Yeah, you can't down your days Yeah, think about it. Yeah, I'll be like I wonder how many more seasons I got last

How many more seasons of cells there how many more years are we doing this? I've maybe thought about have you thought about how many more years are doing this podcast? No, you wouldn't let me. I would never I could never leave. I'll be on my deathbed and Jack will be running in the room being like, you ready, man? I got all kinds of problems to talk about. Let's go. Yeah, I am worried I'm becoming too prospective. I just love how you come to this conclusion. Well, all these years later, because they are only got.

They should. Well, again, we're talking about a TV watching the grainy videos of some kid from you know some high school in Oregon is maybe I've taken it a step too far Dax Whitney went to I was in Idaho he had a point two seven would you get it right one time do you have business insurance if not how would you pay to recover from a cyber attack fire damage theft or a Would you get it right one time? Do you have business insurance? If not, how would you pay to recover from a cyber attack, fire damage, theft or a lawsuit? No business or profession is risk free.

Without insurance, your assets are at risk from major financial losses, data breaches and natural disasters. Get customized coverage today starting at $19 per month at zensurance.com. Be protected. Be Zen. What's up NBA fans. It's Danny Green here. For those who want an inside look at the league through the eyes of a 15 year

veteran and three time champion, subscribe to my podcast, Inside the Greenroom. New episodes drop every week where we take you through the ins and outs of the association's top storylines, as well as breaking news and so much more. Be sure to subscribe to Inside the Green Room on the Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. All right, everybody is here. The March to Spring trending and opening day is officially upon us. Hey, I'm Rob Bradford from Baseball is in Boring, and we'll have you covered every single day

with instant reactions to late breaking signings, determining which players are, yes, truly in the best shape of their lives, and behind the scenes stories from all the excitement and intrigue that Spring Training brings. Follow Baseball is in Boring in the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcast No, but it's so funny because we do it was Morgan you watch those big able was Morgan any through 100 miles an hour to

Adley Richmond, I think that was the last time he located is he still a filly? Yeah, I said this on a solo podcast. He listened to I'm back in on Nick Abel. Oh Come around. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, he's been working He they've been more hands-on with the cable. We mentioned a major league player yet as I know what I'm saying It's like I think I've gotten so prospect heavy and like I keep forgetting we have a 90 winning baseball club I know should be competing a world is is is the NLCS a fair expectation like is that? It's not world series or boss I mean it is in terms of like I will not consider the season as success unless they win the World Series

But to your point in terms of what I expect I think it is fair to expect them to get to this Yeah, I think I think it's I think it's NLCS I don't even expect them to beat the Dodgers is the boy no no, but I'll be just in hope I'll be disappointed. Hope I'll be disappointed. They don't make the analysis. But again, I'll be disappointed if they don't win the World Series, but I also am expecting them to not win the World Series. I just, you know what I need?

I need more than one moment. Like last year, it was over too fast. It was over too fast. I should way too fast. And, and I don't know how you feel about this, but like how I see this season going, I really just think it's going to be, I think it's going to be a, a slog through the first, it's going to be a slog for the first two and a half months. This is awesome.

But then they're going to, they're going to get honestly, I, so Joe brought this up in the air and I actually wonder what your opinion is because it is an interesting thought where he's like, I'm not even a hundred percent sure. I want them to win the vision. Like with what's happened last year, like I'm kind of like, you know what? Like I don't really need them to be great. The first part of the season, like I don't need them to get to outside. Like I kind of want them to do what they did in 2022.

Like I'm kind of almost there where it's like, obviously I don't want them to risk not making the playoffs like they did that year. But I honestly really don't care how they're playing until September is kind of not. I mean, you know what I mean? Like I want them to win or not. But like in terms of like, I would prefer that that they I don't mind if they have a worse record but that they're if they're kind of gearing up for the rock like yeah that's the smart thing to do now you can do it my fear off that is that I think they overcorrected so hard last year going for it

that I think they're they have the same mindset that you'd have and I just worry that they oh I agree they can't do the world series of busting again. No, no, no. I'm talking about, they were so concerned about getting off to a hot start. It kind of got so outside and then kind of let, yeah, we did it. Yeah. And it was such an overcorrection from the last couple of years. You're worried about them overcorrecting too much the other way.

I agree with that. I know it's going to play baseball, but like, I'm just saying, like, I don't, I think there's a lot of validity to maybe not caring if they win the division and being fine with an extra wild card. So look, we get more playoff game. Sure. I have more moments last year if they had won that first round, then played. So I think it's an interesting, it's a tough one. It's a tough one because, you know, I think it's an off season thing to say if you're

so tough in April or May to have a bigger picture. So I'm mostly with you though. My only counter is that at least last year we finally had the two one seeds make the World Series, you know, so that kind of squashed it for a little bit. Now maybe they're just great teams, you know, maybe they're just maybe the Yankees and also the Yankees got a cake pretty cake pat and they played to AL central teams like come on I know no offense to the

plucky AL central team. Oh They're plucky. Well, what else am I supposed to say? They're like a fifth the payroll the Yankees seventh the payroll the Yankees whatever it is. Like what are we doing here? Yeah guardians oil put the Royals and guardians payrolls together. I'll bet you doesn't reach Yankee's three three AL central teams made the playoff. I know I was saying they faced two of them I know I know yeah, yeah, which is actually shocking. I have it the Tigers winning a round. I guess So by the way Garrett crochet is the

Red Sox opening day starters opening day. Sorry, but he's second highest odds to win the AL. So yeah So you mean like he's the number two guy, the second highest odds to win the. I always think that lowest highest. I know you're right. They're the point. Sure. He's second on the lowest. I know you're right. It is low odds. Right. OK. That's why I was just confused. I was right. Yeah. So he's second. He's number two to what he's got the second best odds to it. Now, Raggins is third plus eleven hundred. Raggins is sick. If you want to file that one away.

Who so is Garry Cole one? No, the balls one. Oh, Burns in the oh school I keep forgetting burns I know I was diving back less money to know actually that snow has the second best odds and third best odds in the NL ahead of Yamamoto and head of glass now ahead of sake saki getting taken deep by Kyle teal yesterday bro do you realize that you just read you're like ahead of this Dodger, head of this Dodger, head of this? I know. I know. What the bleep. I know.

And then we even talked about choice pitching again. I know. Yeah, the Philly rotation. It's funny because it's like, oh, the Phillies clearly have the best rotation in baseball. The contender is the friggin Dodgers. Like the Dodgers might have the best rotation. I think I still would take the Phillies. I'm just saying they're close. I think it's you would takegin Dodgers. Like the Dodgers might have the best rotation. Oh, I think I still would take the Phillies. I'm just saying they're close.

I think it's oh, you would take the dog. I would probably take the dog. Dude, I mean, they're sick. So best line of Enves. Yeah, both on socks, though. Everyone knows that does it, though. No, it is. Yes.

We got more dudes than we do. Like, yeah, dude, I hate the Dodgers. I will say the Salter sports. There's a true villain in baseball now and it's the Dodgers. Yep. And it's a shame because like Shohei and Mookie are super like, well, got Freddie Freeman. They're like, well, guys hate him. Hate him. I'm rooting for injuries. That's what I'm rooting for. Wow. Yeah. Bad guys. Yeah. Yeah.

And I don't care. Yeah. Get hurt. Everyone. Dodgers. Yeah. Well, again, again, their their injured rotation last year was also probably the best rotation in baseball. And then they added Blake Snell and Saki to it. So you know, like, dude, like whatever Bobby, what's his name? Like Miller? I love him. Yeah, he saw he thinks he's done now. Yeah, he got Yeah, he was bad last year. And then he's just done. It's already got his awesome for a year. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Well, Dustin, they's back to forget about that. I forget Dustin. Hey, like so many guys. Yeah, no, it's pretty sick. And River Ryan. There's a guy named River Ryan River Ryan. Yes. Yes. So

yeah, listen, it's probably the Dodger. That's why it's so hard. Because I'm excited for the season. Like I can't wait for the season. I can't wait to go through it again. And but it's just so hard to be like bloodthirsty for a World Series. Because when that team is standing right there and when that team exists, you know, I mean, and they can get past the Dodgers. I actually feel like that's another reason it might make sense to like, I think your best chance to beat the Dodgers in a three game series. So maybe you just hope to play the Dodgers in the first round. I mean, that wouldn't be a three game series. It'd be a five game. But that's what I'm sorry, five, obviously a three game series. So maybe you just hope to play the Dodgers in the first round. I mean, that wouldn't be a series. But that's I'm sorry, five, obviously a three game series,

but they're not going to be a wild card is I just make the wild Dodgers would not be. But like, I'd rather play on a five game series in a seven game series. Sure. You better chance of beating them in a five course plus I lost a couple years ago. Yeah, the Padres. Yeah. Oh, they've been no one's been better at losing a five game series than the Dodgers. Honestly, that is the best thing we can say for this whole Dodgers thing is No one has been better at disappointing with lots of money spending lots of players They have really shown an ability unless they found the they they broke through last year And now they're like we're here all the time six three. Yeah, listen. Kiki is not gonna be around forever

All right, he's the he's how do they win with that key, right? Yeah, listen, Kiki is not gonna be around forever. All right, he's the he's how do they win with that key, right? They did the straw the shirt is a drink and he left for a couple years there Yeah, so the Dodgers if they can get past the Dodgers, right? It's obviously a big task Miss the next well, no, who's the best team in the AL? Because the Astros are done. Yeah, the Yankees lost one Soto. Yeah now they added read Devon Williams He'll help and I don't know. Like this Max free. Like I, Max Fried feels like a classic go to the Yankees and be like good, but not

funny. Yeah. It's so funny how these guys can't handle. I know they can't. It's like, yeah. Randy Johnson. I just, I don't expect him to be great there. I can just don't like he might be.

I just don't. Yeah. Um, Red Sox with Bregman and interesting. I mean, I like the moves be. I just don't. Yeah. Red Sox with Bregman and Red Sox. Interesting. I mean, I like the moves they made. They were already. Well, now, but now the Devers won't move off. Who's going to have the best record in the out?

Probably Cleveland. Of course. Baltimore disappointed last year and then did nothing. Not just, I mean, Baltimore, it was clearly a, hey, like, maybe we'll get some pitching. It's like, ah, we're going to let the pitching go. Yeah, we're going to let Corbin Burns go. What are they like for a team that clearly did such an unbelievable job drafting and developing these guys in the minors, like to just kind of like.

Well, they've also just they've also just given up on the owner. Are they not are they still cheap? We're still cheap. When this is gone, the report is that the owners is given the is saying to the GM you can spend and the GM just like okay, which is great, but bold move and there's completely they've completely given up on like developing pitching. I mean, you shot say is, is the Phillies second best pitching prospect. Wow.

I mean, if you want to put them ahead of the able and Jean Cabrera, are you counting painter as they're not counting painter? No, there's no one. He's saying, so I'm saying just say he's number two. I think there was someone else you had ahead of him or not. No, painters number one. He's actually saying, so I'm saying, should I say he's number two? I think the second, I thought there was someone else you had ahead of him or not. No, I'm just trying to wow. I had this game. They gave him away for Gregory Soto.

That's nonsense. Yeah. So like in the AL, I mean, the Tigers, they could have been, but then they, they didn't explode and forget and see it. Nothing. They could have signed Bregman. That would have, you know, and the West is, is maybe. I mean, the AL is way easier than the way it's such a shame.

Yeah. Yeah. And I was loaded, dude, loaded in our division alone. There are three potential playoff teams. Plus a Cunha and Strider coming back for them. Mets just resigned the lines that we didn't talk about. Whatever. Now I will say let's have some pitching. Oh, good start.

I know Frankie Montas not looking great. Manaya has already got a oblique thing. Plus I think we probably saw the best from Manaya. Let's be honest, right? Like I delivery. I think he's awesome. I'm I'm just saying it to say it. I'm in on John Griffin canning opening day starter for the Mets.

Oh, yeah. I'm just kidding. But yeah, their rotations a disaster. Yeah, they'll figure it out. But the point is those teams, the Dodgers, the Padres are legit. The Diamondbacks are legit. Like they're like there's an argument that you know You know has like four teams better than any teams in the AL and who's winning all-central reds? Uh, I mean with with Tito there Cubs Kyle Tucker. Yeah, I by the way, I just remembered yesterday

I totally forgot I think boomer did a sportsman or something and he mentioned Terry Francona man Reds manager Terry Francona. I was like, what? Totally forgot. Yeah. The reds. They'll be better. They jumped too early on Tito. Yeah.

Could have waited until after the Metzteries, but it would have been an option. I would have. Yeah. It would have been an option. Imagine the full circle moment of Tito coming back. Oh, can you imagine? Magic. Magic. Yeah. Thank God the Eagles on the Super Bowls. We didn't have to deal with losing Tito and Andy Reid, you know point so hmm

They want to Super Bowls on me. I love you know that I didn't the Eagles of one two's been glorious Yeah, it's been nice to Philly's good get involved 20. It's been a long time all of a sudden all of a sudden We're like 17 years since we won a World Series It's just all of a sudden amazing all of a sudden We're a year away from like someone going to college who grew up and has never seen the film. There's a lot of people who don't remember oh eight, which is so funny. Sure. Well, I mean, think about if you're like 20, whatever 24, 23, like, and 23 and down, like you probably don't remember if you do it's flash memories of like the moment they want or

whatever, but certainly not memories of it. 2027. Again, I don't really go in. I don't want to smooth. I don't want to smooth. I don't want to. I'm not a dynasty guy. I like, I know you said one championship every 10 years. That's all I want. What a weird, weird thing to say matters more. It died.

I get it. I would like to experience like one guy, like just one time be like the big dogs kicking everyone's ass for a few years. That'd be cool. Right? It'd be nice. I feel you. But again, not your thing.

Wouldn't hit the same. Not into it. Simply would not have the same. Can we talk about Bryce hitting second? Please. Yes. What are we doing? Well, since you're Schwab or third, like it's such a weird, just hit second.

It's a weird, yeah. Just hit second. It's the only thing that makes sense. Yeah. There's no point in doing it if you're not doing second, because the whole point was to have protection behind you with, and the righty lefty thing now are betting Schwab and Harper back to back to lefties. It makes no sense.

Which I know short burst good against lefties last year, but don't love that. Oh yeah. It that it's the one year ever. Like, let's not like take an outlier and be like, oh, he can crush lefties now. If he can, I mean, it's a different discussion. But what's the just just just put Schwerer back at leadoff time. I mean, just put him back there. There's agree.

You were fourth in the league last year in first inning runs. You know what? The leadoff thing is not it's just not an issue. But if you're going to do you want Trey up there because he wants better pitches. You think it's be better for Trey, perfectly fine. And it's it screams to me, Bryce doesn't want a bad second, which I don't get. Just I know that third, if you could hear it in that first quote, when he had asked about it, he was like, well, I'm at third. He's like, but I'll do whatever.

But like his first response was like, I hit third. That's what I do. And I appreciate you want to see the starting pitcher, see what he's got, work your way through it. I get it. I totally get it. It's one at bat in the first inning of the game. You can see them the next couple of times around. It just, the lineup makes so much more sense if it's Turner, Harper, Bomer, Cassiano, probably Bomer and then Schwab. Can I can I ask you a somewhat unpopular question? Potentially unpopular.

Are we sure Bryce is like as Mr. Team? I know he's Mr. Philly, but like it keeps seeming like there are these things that come up where it's like, well, if Bryce is cool with it, and it's like, yeah, Bryce isn't doing that. Like, I mean, like, would Bryce be willing to move back to the outfield so they could get flagged? I don't think I'm going to play for a space. But again, I'm fine with him wanting to play for a space and he's earned the right to be a first baseman.

Like there are all these things that come up where it's like Bryce, it would be better for the team. That's like, I'll do whatever to help the team. He's like, yeah, like, is there a bit of like price maybe like says that he wants to do it would do anything to help the team but ultimately like wouldn't really do anything. Well, I think Bryce is comfortable being price. I agree.

You know, so, uh, you know, he's, he's the, the franchise player. So franchise players get, you know, I'm supposed to be the franchise player. Yeah. Talking to me about batting second. I know. So listen, uh, I mean, I guess it's there. It's just I hope I hope they change it. Like, I hope they have more. I agree.

And I hope that as we close to opening day, it's like, all right, I'll bat second. I just it's it's it's ultimately we've gotten so consumed with the first inning of a baseball game, which I know it's like it doesn't matter anymore after that, like it's over. It's it's it's crazy. And also the leadoff thing used to be a different thing when we would set the pitcher batting nine pitchers don't bat ninth anymore. It's a whole different thing. The lineup is like fluid a lot more needs. Yeah. So, um, you know, maybe, maybe if they in the contract extension needs that second. There you go. Yeah. I think Hey, right. We'll give you, which is going to happen at some point. I'm sure he did win the World Series

Yeah, all right. I got like eight minutes to take back. Yeah, like eight minutes. So now I know I gotta go pick my mama I know that's a mom moms here. Well, you haven't watched any spring training, right? So you have no feel for the ABS system? No, I've seen a couple like I read about the first challenge and like I've seen like A couple highlights of it But nothing big It's not bad. Oh It's not Welcome aboard Jack Fritz. It's not that bad. Wow

It's a challenge Not bad. Okay, I'll take it. Not bad I wonder when they eventually just do like everything like every pitch pitches Maybe is on rather than they need the challenge because they want to keep a little bit of the human aspect I think that's why it is in the human aspect. Yeah in the game, but it's not something bad Okay, most things that base they've got a lot of these little rules. They're really good at it, right? They've been really good at it. I'm sure they'll they've made the game better over the last years Yeah, so it seems like the a call like that's not gonna swing now I wonder if they're gonna do the BS thing like they do with the challenges with

You know like on the field where they can just ask the umpire and and be like, yeah. All right Well, let's change that right away. Yeah, where it's like the no catch cat where it's like that ball clear at the ground Can we just keep this moving? You're not too old challenging you run out of challenges and then they just ask the umpires and the umpires like okay We'll go review it It's you know I wonder if they can do that with, with the challenge. Like let's say it's the ninth and he used all your

especially because yeah. Like how many times they had three, two, especially because like how many bad calls from an umpire there in a game, if you get a bad ump, like you could have like 15, 20 in a game, you know, what I'm going to find so funny is like a player in the first or second inning, just for no reason, be like, no, we're challenging that and losing it. I know. And then it's good.

People are gonna be furious. It's gonna Yeah, there's gonna be discussion about I agree using your challenges too early. I agree. And you know, a me guy hitter. So do you think this will happen next year? Do you think it'll be a momentum for it? It does. I'm asking. Obviously, it's not been this year. They're testing out and training on it. But yeah, I think I think a lot of people have watched him been like, all right, it's not that bad. Well, I do think they mitigate they mitigate the whole like, you know, you got to keep the Empire like it is the Embers there

It's just a challenge. Yeah, but I am gonna miss like with all this stuff get used to it It'll change and then you know, there are people who watch basketball without 24 second clock and we're like, wow, this is weird And it's like, oh, yeah basketball that it's like 24 second clock sounds nonsense. It was a nonsense I think I wonder if PA when I was in high school PA's late, I mean Villanova won the title in 85 without a shot clock. Yeah. Well, oh Pennsylvania High School when I was still there They didn't have a shock. Yeah, I think they still might not Would you just score two points and then dribble and what do we know? Yeah, it sounds like the South's fine, but No, ABS hasn't been that bad ABS hasn't been that bad. Yeah

Oh, so John McMillan. Thank God. I almost forgot. It's the tweet. Yeah, the next Jeff Hoffman summer Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah He so a couple years ago for the Royals He was he kind of popped a little bit and a lot of talk heading into last year In in me doing deep dives into Royals Twitter They were like this guy's gonna lead our team and saves so like he just have some Pedigree some pedigrees not just the good Royals fans like them got it Roseanne like them. So that's the battery that I'm going for

but Stuff pops man. Is he like he he's the second highest recorded fastball so far in spring training that he's got a Matt Joyce, the first one or Ben Joyce. I mean, I got no Philly Matt Joyce. Yeah. Spring training goat, Matt Joyce. No, it was a white socks. Does that do Ben Joyce?

Ben was nasty. He throws hard. We might have helped him. There's rumors you might hit one of those six. He threw so hard. I mean, harder than anyone I've seen. So I might have helped him. There's rumors. You might hit one of those six issues He threw so hard and harder than anyone seen so I guess it was him I think his nicknames the volunteer fireman, which is awesome because he's from he's a Tennessee ball I know Justin better. Yeah, Justin's all fired from Ben Joyce So they only wasn't wasting away and in most meaningless in this word, dude

The rent don't stop is still so fun. Yeah now they made up a surgery for him, not today. Oh, yeah, he's out. He's out for an extended period of time. She's like, I don't want to play. I don't play anymore. Yeah, I don't want to play. Here's your money. Here's your 260 million. All guaranteed might be the worst contract in history. This is arguably in terms of return on investment.

I get up there. I mean, how many how many of that's he had as an angel? And how many impactful that's it's not like when he he played he was good. It was he was a disappointment So they're in doing stuff is such a shame because again, he was my favorite the greatest hitters of a generation people don't remember 2013 to 2019 so twenty-nine. Yeah, they won the World Series and that was a that was a pure right-handed hitter. So What you look at this contract? No, I'm just looking at his numbers and doing tell I just the games played since he went to LA in 2020 52

I guess that was 2020. So that was the right 58 47 43 57. It's actually iron. I expected you said 694 at bats in five years. Oh And I remember I remember the Phillies were talking about trying to get him that year 694 at bats in five years. Oh, goodness. And I remember, I remember the Phillies were talking about trying to get him that year. I'm sorry. 601 at bats, 694 played appearance. Oh, the Phillies were like sort of in on him, but now Macmillan just, just real quick.

Yeah. Take a guess. How many home runs he has? Like 12, 22. Yeah. And I'll keep, I'll keep saying, Oh, great. It. Dude, did one left handed just messing around. I mean, come on. Yeah, come on. Yeah. No,'ll keep saying. Oh, great hitter. Truly. Dude, he's one left-handed.

He's messing around. I mean, come on. Yeah, no, he's awesome. He's awesome. So, McMillan's interesting. We'll see. I mean, he's your classic, you know, big-armed spring training guy

that looks good in this instance that, you know, he could turn to Ramon Rosso. And by the way- Oh, what a dream that would be. For people who are the top of the podcast, what a dream that would be for people who were Top of the podcast like three pods you on the AMA of the picture I was trying to think of that reminds me of it was James Norwood who James Norwood was big strong He existed million miles an hour, but was bad McMillan could be that but

But if you're looking at if you're if you're looking at stuff plus which I know But if you're looking at if you're if you're looking at stuff plus which I know Dude I know I know I know I know one pops. I know I know I know But on stuff plus models. Oh The flaws he rates out very stuff plus. Yeah Rates are very high. So he's interesting Nicholas Padilla is interesting. Ooh, bring back lady to Vicente. Yeah, we're gonna be on the Diaz Flotilla's I'm sure the Sun. Yeah, I'm sure the I couldn't give her a second. No, come on. We're locked in. I know I thought maybe I get like a really there's no time for jokes

There's no time for jokes There's just not Sliders interesting curveballs interesting fastball needs throw more to do in this body. There's no only to talk about Nicholas but yes That's right. And then and then Kyle Tyler's Kyle Tyler is the baby so close Kyle Tyler Tyler Tucker Kyle Tyler This is my big that can I can I be honest? Yeah, Tyler awful. It's tough on two first names I mean, I'm usually a two first names guy like Tyler Kyle tight Like there are you usually a two first names because I enjoy two first names. I think it's fun I'm usually a fan of two first names guy like Tyler, Kyle, Ty like there. Why are you usually a two first names? Cause I enjoy two first names.

I think it's fun. I'm usually a fan of two first names, like most of the time, you know, don't you agree? Are you not a two first names guy? I've not thought that deeply about two first names. You've never given this thought before. No, no. James Dean.

Great name. Jack Fritz. Fritz is actually a German. Yes, it is. Yes. I don't think of Jack Fritz. Great name. Yeah. It's a good name. You know, sure.

Here's my big comfort. Now, Tyler can't wait. I'm really waiting for the guy. Oh, Tyler, ridiculous. Yeah, Kyle. Tyler is is maybe maybe the pretty good version of Nick Nelson. Oh, no, no one better. No one better. That's why they pay me the big bucks on this podcast.

Yep. Five stars, five stars. Rate review. Tell your friends. Yes. Put that on a T-shirt. Kyle Tyler, maybe the good version of Nick Nelson. Yeah, maybe the pretty good. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. And auto camp at RBIW yesterday. How excited about it? I like it. I like I like it Okay, I like he's not on the 40 minutes. Yeah

We're gonna have to they will seem we're gonna have to make some moves to get that into work. I mean glorious I can't wait for that Emergency Bob and he's added the 40 minutes again rate review subscribe It is the only fillilly's podcast you need. Certainly the only one you're getting this from. I watch spring training baseball so you don't have to. Excited for more spring training baseball? Of course, one o'clock today.

That's what we'll talk about next time. I have not. I'm going to spring training next week. So am I? I think we're going at the same time. No, we're going Tuesday, Wednesday. Oh, so you're going right before us. We're Thursday, Friday.

They usually don't put us the same week. Nice. That's a weird one. I don't know right they never do that all right well we're talking to Bryson we're talking to the big fellas we're talking to Dabrowski and topper and so who you talking to Bryson yeah Bryson sure oh so you get the players we get the big-time people yeah we get the people make the yeah but we get the we have the decision-makers you know. Yeah. They will see Aidan. There you go. Make them awkward by being out.

Hey, it's Jack. Remember me? The Blue Cores. We're best friends. I got to go. All right. This is great. I have fun. I did enjoy this. Yeah, I'm going to Target. It's going to be great. So it's actually going to be a nightmare. It's going to be Zoe and my mom just like. Out of control and me just pushing a

cart and maybe listening to this pod. Okay, you're right. All right. We'll be back next week. Until then, peace for themselves.