High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Have You Talked Yourself Into The Phillies Yet?

Episode Date: February 5, 2026

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to the latest news regarding the Phillies and sort through an extended take bag as they get ready for the start of Spring Training. 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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That's the powerful backing of Amex. Conditions apply. This is the High Hopes podcast. I hope. On the Odyssey app in Sports Radio 94 WIPP. I was singing, I'm smiling through a bro. I can't feel a little less along.

Y'all. Another edition of the house podcast, sponsor by Miller, light official partner of Philadelphia. Philly's tastes like Miller time Philadelphia. Celebrate response. That was like a half-hearted yo, but not like a, yo.

What are you doing? You're more excited. So here's where I'm at. Here's where I'm at. I'm excited about this podcast. That's it. Yes. I'm excited to do this with you and talk to you.

Yeah. Yeah. I can't say I'm excited about the Phillies yet. But I'm excited about baseball. Have you lowered your expectations yet? Oh yeah. Way lower. I'm thinking like 86 wins right now.

86. Yeah. I'm like way low. Really? Yeah. So you are. You've really lowered expectations with the hope of going over. I think they might not make the playoffs this year.

Yeah. I felt that at one point. Like they might. Like, but again, I think they're more fringe. then people are giving credit. Like, here's like,

the way I look at it is, there's so many question marks where we're like, well, that'll work. Like, they need Zach Wheeler to come back and be Zach Wheeler. Like, hopefully he will. They need Andrew Painter to be like,

even a four yard at your point. Like, hopefully he will. They need Justin Crawford to hit right away. Hopefully he will. Do they need it in right away? These are eight nine in or whatever. But the point is like, they need him to be better at center field.

Correct. Yes, you're right. They need him to be able to play center field right away. Like there's just so many question marks. on this team. Bryce Harper. Like I am, I am super bullish on Harper this year.

I love the shirt. I love the, the motivation. But like, can I say that like 33 year old Bryce Harper is going to be freaking awesome this year? Like, I don't know.

I don't know. Like so, so do I think Kyle Schrober's going to be second an MVP again? No. No. No. No. Do I think Tray turns going on the batting tile again?

No. Like, no. I don't know. I'm just, I don't see scenarios where there is good as they were left. Let me ask you. What does a,

what constitutes an awesome Harper season? So at this point. point have we because like I would sign up right now for 275 280 30 home runs I would too awesome harper season or that I would sign up for it but that would be a good Harper season but that's not awesome it's 35 homers so 35 home runs 280 that's awesome 100 is an awesome 920 OPS or whatever that's awesome that's awesome for him now at 33 that'd be awesome sure sure I wonder I wonder if he at this point

given his age, if he tries to transition to more of a hitter than a about 300. Like to try to get the average up higher. He can. He can do it, yeah. He can. You know, we've seen now obviously

the guys like Poppy can keep the power throughout. But I wonder if maybe that's the Harper transition. Yeah. So, I mean, I am definitely in the mode of talking myself into a lot of aspects of this team. You know, Harper having a good. It might be year four, year three or four of this,

but it feels like a stodder year. I know. No, it's. disgusting. It's disgusting. But here's my case. Okay, good. Here's my case where it feels like a stutter year. I have a case. Okay. Well, listen, 294 in the second half, 855 OPS.

That's true. Come on, man. They made the swing adjustment with moving his hands a little bit lower. Smell an all-star year. He's not a little Bryce and Stott all-star year. Yeah, no, it feels like it feels we're going to stodder all-star year. Turner's... Bit of a dip. Bit of a dip. Bit of a dip.

Bit of a dip. Schwerber 40, 40 to 45. I was thinking like 44. Harper 30 to 35. Contract year, Bome gets to 20. Really? Can you imagine I go many 20 overs in the season?

Well, maybe he has the best walk here since judge. You know? I've had the best walk here since Schwerbert. Sure. That's a good one to, a better one to combat to. It's a bomber. Adolus, kind of in on Adolus.

Kind of in on Dolos? Dude, I'm excited about Adolus, but like that. I just want a bomb. I want that bomb an opening that. Yeah, me too. Against his old team. Are they open against Rangers? Yeah.

Oh, Rangers out there making moves. For some reason, they've opened, they'll now open three series against the Rangers in the last, you know. And he'll be pitching in that series. I totally missed the McKenzie Gort trade. Just like went right past me. Who is?

I was hanging out with something yesterday. And they're like, oh, so McKenzie Gorg out of my uncle. I was hanging on my uncle. And he's like, so what do you think of the McKenzie Gort trade? I'm like, what are you talking about? Wow. Just missed it. Not locked in enough.

That's what I'm saying. Like horrible job by me. A lack of locked in. pull it together. No, it does make the games against the nationals that much easier. Sure. Yeah, I'll take it. The nationals, I'm just, I'm letting you know now.

Gosh, what are you doing? They're going to be a problem. In about the 2030s, it's going to be Phillies. Actually, the whole analysis is pretty good in the 2030s. The Braves farm system is kind of taken a big step back recently. Like, they kind of feel like they peaked a couple years ago. Finally? Yeah, they don't have, I mean, they want to run there.

I know. That's why I said finally. Yeah. Riley. Freedman, obviously, a long time ago. but like they, they were, all these guys, they're,

strider. Yeah, strider. All these dudes. They've kind of, they've kind of peaked from that standpoint. But like, Mets,

Mets, Philly's nationals feel like we're in a good spot heading as the 2030s, the future of the, the National League East, the National League, League, League East. So,

yeah, I mean, I still feel, I still feel 90 wins and I think it's Phil's Mets, like going down September for who's going to win the division. and we'll see what happens. I wasn't, they could miss the playoffs, 100%.

But I don't feel that dire, I guess, as I did maybe a month ago. Now, it's been 10 degrees and it's really cold. I need baseball. So, fully agree. And I'm getting excited about certain aspects of the team. I got a big,

bold take in my, and I can't wait. It's going to be a big take back. Yeah, a lot of takes. Yeah, we're going to get there. A lot of takes, a lot of get to. But,

I don't know, I just, I'm back in on a lot of aspects of this team. We'll see how it goes. We'll see how it goes. Good. Good. At least one of us is back in.

They need to sign a starter. I'm curious what they do with that last, that last, because the fact that they, the fact that they didn't sign and do hard for one year. For a $4 million. Why? Can you explain that to me?

Why? Is that why AutoCamp? Is that why AutoCamp? Because of AutoCamp? Great. Yes, yes, yes, yes. Sweet. Well, again, they are.

they're just real quick real quick I don't tell you just how does this happen this off season how does this off season how does this off season have in this moment for this franchise like and I know they played things the wrong way

and they signed Garcia too quick and they really thought they were getting machete up like how is it that we are what six days away from spring training or whatever and and and we're sitting here and we're and and Adolus Garcia Justin Crawford and Andrew Rainer are the additions Brad Keller

That's it How how how How did this happen So I don't think this is the plan Believe or not I don't think this is the plan I really hope it wasn't that's true Yeah no I think

I think that this was I think this I think they went into the off season wanting it to be an off season of change Things broke and now they're kind of they're trying to do a little bit of a retool slash transition year on the fly.

It's why they didn't sign Andrew R didn't sign Austin Hayes, didn't sign Ae Janio Suarez, didn't sign well they didn't re-sign Harrison Vader is because they want to give Otto Kemp the lion share of the

the platoon with Martian left field and see if he can, if his back can play at the big league level, they've got to figure that out. they don't want to block third base because they want Aiden Miller to come up and be the third baseman of the future. So it's kind of like the Ron Swanson saying you don't half-ass two things, whole ass one thing. And they've kind of half-assed both.

Yeah, they do. Where if they really were committed to this being a retooling year, you could make the case to not resign JT, although I do appreciate what he brings to the pitching staff and like it's the strength of the team. so there is value in that. And like Andrew Painter coming up as a kid, being able to throw it to JT is valuable.

But like if they're really committed to it, then I would still have a straight bone now because you're probably not paying him after the year if you want Aidan Miller to come up and be your franchise cornerstone at third base. So even though people pretended yesterday that he's never played third base in his entire life, even though his entire travel

circuit, he played third base. But the, like, they're now trying on the fly it feels like to retool this thing. They're just going to give Crawford Center Field. They're going to give Painter,

which they're always going to give Painter. But I think heading into the year, they thought it was going to be Crawford left, Bader, Center, and Martian Wright. And that could have been a better outcome for this team

when it comes to like winning games immediately. But then when it's broke this way, they're like, well, we've got to see if Crawford could play center field. We're not going to sign another platoon bat. We're not going to sign Gritchick. We're not going to sign And Duhar. We're not going to sign Austin Hayes.

We're not going to sign one of these right-hand bats. People are talking about Starling Marte today. Let me tell you something. They're not signing Starling Marte. It's going to be Kemp because they're trying to figure out if he can be that guy. So that's my answer. I think that they had. I think it's a great answer.

I don't like it. But I think you nailed it. I think that is exactly what has happened. I think they headed into the off season with it being wanted to be changed. Things broke. The Bichette thing was not a bar. They misread the beta market. Very clearly.

Yeah. And this was their best alternative at, you know, where they can still compete, they're still going to sell out the ballpark mostly every night. They're not 38,000, 38,000. 38,000 to 42,000. They're not pushing all their chips in.

But, you know, they're going to give the kids some chances. And look, I'm excited about it. Yes, that's the thing of most exciting. I'm excited. I'm excited to see these kids. I just, to the point you made, like, I just wish they had committed to the, if it was going to end up this way,

I wish you hadn't assigned JT and I get it. But like I wish they, like you could argue they shouldn't assign Schwerber. If this is the path they're going to go down. Like, and I, I'm fine with the Shwerver signing, but. Well, I do think Schwerber is really important for the kids too. Yeah, sure. Because he used to leadership and the whole thing.

I'm fine with the shore resigning. I just, to your point, it does feel it. You're right. They half-assed it each way. And they're kind of trying to serve both masters. is most likely to be something that serves no one, you know? The end result could be... You're a development for these kids,

which is important no matter what, theoretically, you know? Yeah, I guess the fear is that you head into a flyer situation. Yes, yeah. For you have a bunch of kids, but none of them are that good. Yeah. And then you're stuck with aging veterans and not good enough kids to carry the load. Sure. Yeah, sure.

So I actually like, that was not a bad Flyers reference. That was very good. Jackie Pucks is back. Who would have thought? I mean, Tucker's wearing a lindrance. draw shirt. I know. A very, a very old. I'm going to the game tonight. I want to make sure everyone knows I'm a fan. I could tell. It could tell. Yeah. That's the way to

ingratiate yourself to this Flyers fandom is talk about the most famous famous fire from a long time ago. They like that. John McLear. You know, you have a cootsterze. You can wear a shirt you can wear you? No. I had a Shane Gost's shirt. A Travis Kinnackney shirt you go wear or something? I could name like five people. I love watching the flyers because every time I do there's a player who's who scored. I've never heard of that person. I'm going to Denver Barking.

Denver Barking might be a problem. I kind of like them. Might be a problem. I've watched more flowers this year. Me too. I've watched more than I expected to. But really petering out right now. Dude, I was in on it.

This is, I'm out. I'm out. Baseball's right around the corner. You got me through. You got me through. You got me through. Investing is all about the future. So what do you think's going to happen?

Bitcoin is sort of inevitable at this point. I think it would come down to precious metals. I hope we don't go cashless. I would say, land is a safe investment. Technology companies, solar energy. Robotic pollinators might be a thing. A wrestler to face a robot, that will have to happen.

So whatever you think is going to happen in the future, you can invest in it at WealthSimple. Start now at WealthSimple.com. On game day, pain can hit hard and fast, like the headache you get when your favorite team and your fantasy team both lose. When pain comes to play, call an Audible with Advil Pleasantville. Acetaminopin and get long-lasting dual-action pain relief for up to eight hours. Tackle your tough pain two ways with Advil plus acetaminephim. Advil, the official pain relief partner of the NFL.

Ask your pharmacist at this product's rate for you. Always read and follow the label. Hey, this is Richard Deich, the host of the sports media podcast. If you're interested in what's happening with all the places where you consume sports, the sports media podcast has you covered. I've been turning down interviews all week. Code a copy reached out, Oprah, George Stephanopoulos. So I said no, I was booked on the Deich podcast before the Taylor Swift phenomenon.

I must live up to my responsibility. Listen, wherever you get your podcasts. So, uh, take back. Yeah, long form take back. Let's get right to it. What is it? 12 minutes in. Dude, that's actually not bad.

I know. It's on saying it's better than I thought. I mean, this was the only plan we have for the show anyway is take back. Dude, I got a, I'm just letting know. A lot of sick of stuff. You text me that. Yeah. I was like,

what are we going to talk about that day? And you said, don't worry. I got a lot. I got a lot. A lot with like 60s. Yep. So,

well, that's because it's early in the morning. That's delirious. And no. Welcome to my world. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah.

All right. So here's the first thing. They are, they are clearly laying the groundwork for what the lineups going to be. They are, whether it through the beat writers, it's going to go Turner, Harper,

Schwerber. and you know Thompson said something along those good harper batting in the tool harper batting the tool what a thought right good good job buddy good start good start we need massive for him to bat too who bats four is still always up it's gonna be boom I mean it's gonna be bone

everyone mentally prepare yourself unless unless Adolus Garcia is just just crushing the ball early because that ultimately but like you know yeah they are telegraphing the harper batting two thing which is good hope now it could also be pressure of saying he's gonna do it and then then they're just like,

yeah, they hope he's going to do it. You're right. They're publicly. It's gone well. Publicly saying they're publicly laying the groundwork for Harper batting too. We'll see if Harper's down with the company. Thompson said that he's had communications with that,

with the guys. He didn't specify who, but you've read the tea leaves. It feels like he's had the conversation about it. Harper needs to do it. It's time. You, when you,

you're having more at bats. And also, I don't care about, I need to see pitches in the first inning. We got nine innings. We got nine innings of, I got nine innings of baseball. The first inning doesn't matter as much as people used to make it out to be.

I need you having, I mean, obviously having had the most of bats in the game. And hey, maybe they go to him and say, look at Tatis, look at Otani. Look at all these impact bats that are hitting first. Like, what do you think? What do you think? Probably not. Probably not going to happen because he did it for one game last year. Remember that?

Yeah. One game, over four, two strikeouts. You can forget. And I don't think he's going to do it. Now, here's my thought if they happen to be able to convince him to hit lead off. which I would be pro. Everyone's like, it should be Harper, Turner, Schwerver.

I don't think so. I think it should be Harper, Schwerber, Turner. Whoa. I think it'd be Harper's... That's pretty bold right there. Because, like, the second spot in the lineup versus third spot.

Third spot, more than anyone else is up with two outs more than, more than not. So, like... I get that. It's a thought. So Schwerber batting two. Plus, plus,

Turner bats three. and it's already the, you know, two outs. He gets on first base. He won't be as hesitant to run. I think part of the reason you haven't seen a, the Trey Turner speed that we thought we were getting, where like 40s on bases, 50 stolen bases, was never going to happen 50.

But regardless, he should be running more. It's because he doesn't want to run with Harper and Schwabber behind him because they could pop a home run at any time and two runs matter than one, more than one. So if he bats third, he could get on steel bases. I don't hate it. I don't know it with the way this lineup set up. It's fascinating.

Mute point Harper's never batting. No, is it? Definitely not having. We can forget this ever discussion ever after. So it's going to go. I like that. I like the case. Thank you.

It's a good case. So they are telegraphing. It feels like Turner Harper, Schwerper, which is exciting. Boris, you know, complaining to Todd's lucky about Harper not having protection and seeing the most pitches in baseball outside of the, strike zone

like feels like both sides put a little power play of, you know, get my god production move up the two. I would agree.

I would agree. We'll go from there. We'll go from there. So they are telegraphing that. That's take bag number one. Let's move to the second part of the checklist. Second part. I don't even know where to go.

Which one should I go with? Should I go with my bold take? Yes. Okay. I think the bullpen is going to be the best unit on the team. Wow, that is a bold take. I think it's going to be better than the starting pitching.

Not that the starting pitch is going to be bad. I think Sanchez is going to be really good again. I think Lazaro is going to be really good again. Nola, I have no idea. Painter feels like a, again, we're shooting for a four. No idea what I'm getting out of Zach Wheeler.

Obviously, hopefully, come back and be Zach Wheeler, but I mean, I'm almost feeling like a three to three, three ERA for Wheeler this year. Sure. You'd sign up for that? Of course. You sign up for that?

Absolutely. Look, him coming back and figuring out being healthy by the end of the season I would sign up for. Sure. Well, no, this is blood clod.

Like, you know, it's like, oh, he's going to be fine. It's like, and thoracic outlets. Yeah, I need to,

I want to see him be fine. Yeah. And then, and then Taiwan's Taiwan. I, part of the reason they do need a sign of starters. Like, we're doing this whole like,

well, Taiwan's pencil then. It's like, we see Taiwan. Like, we do that. He was mostly fine last year. There was sometimes where he was just throwing back and practice out there.

Philly fans are going to be. after watching all these hitters go off the market. And they're like, we signed another pitcher, guys. Like they need to sign a line. I agree, but like I'm just saying, like, fans are going to be like, what do you do? What if it's Verlander? What is that? The fans will be like, what are you doing?

What if it's Scherzer? Honestly, I don't think there's a single starting picture they get signed unless it's like Google and then they're not going to trade for. Like, we're Phillies fans would be like, yay, I think the reaction will be why you signing a pitcher. Like, I think that is going to be the reaction. And that's why.

You have money to spend and you didn't spend it on a hitter? What? that's going to be the reaction. Like for sure, lock it. And I'll be there to tell them, now now. They needed another starter.

And you need depth. The lineup's fine. Don't worry, guys. Well, listen, they're a pitching team with the lineup that you hope.

Yeah, we don't even care about hitting. Only two thirds of the game matter. We'll figure out the rest as we go. Pretty insulting. They didn't even get into Brendan Donovan trade discussions. I know. They couldn't really do it.

They would have cost like Gagewood and Nori or someone like that, you can't trade gauge right now, just where they are pitching wise in the old system. But with the bullpen, so you look at all of a sudden what they have from the right side

and it's Duran, it's Keller, Gell wrote an amazing piece on Kirkering yesterday. I saw it was beautiful. It was great. I'm so, I'm very much in on Kirkland. I'm very much in on Kirkring. They shut down any calls this year of trading them.

are all in on him. He's using his motivation. What happened last year? He's already in great shape. I'm ready for best shape of the life season. He's still paying it off. Dude, Kirk.

Kirk, low leverage Kirk now has like the third righty in the bullpen. Not, no inherited runner situation. We'll see how I guess. I can't say I'm super enthused. I'm happy mentally right. No,

I think he's using it in the right way. Yes, exactly. But like, I am not excited to see a Ryan Kirk in pitch. I'm not going to pretend that I, I feel sorry for you. Good. You're good.

And then I, if Kirkering for some reason doesn't, you know, work out, dominate, like he probably will. Jonathan Bowlin is going to be awesome. Yeah, you're in. Dude, he's going to be, I think he's going to be awesome. I think it was a really, I was in the made the trade. It was like, who is this guy? Who is that guy?

Who is that guy? A lot of smart people I follow are like, he's one of my breakout candidates from the really in the in the in bullpens around basically yeah okay he's like nails against righties he's gonna be i think he's gonna be i think he's gonna be i think he's gonna be i think that's not me getting to zach mcambly who i can't wait for the you know roll five pick that's exciting so the options they have from the right side are really good avarado and banks we'll see we'll see yeah they are light from a left-hand perspective which leads me to another point glad you led me right into what a pro what a pro what a bro

is that if those guys stumble, we'll see. But I think Kate Obermuller is going to be the first, the first guy from this draft class to make the big league. Yeah? And I think he's going to be, I think he could be pitching for the team in October out of the bullpen. Wow. He's shorter Andrew Miller, less explosive Josh Hader.

That is who, that is who Kate Obermuller is. That is who he is. He is disgusting. And out of the pen, he'll be up to 97 with a, with a disgusting. slider. I'm just letting you know. I'll take short Andrew Miller, less

explosive Josh A year any day. That's that for a time. Sounds like a great player. Browns 1 through 7, when the rounds 1 through 7 pitching wise are going to be the foundation for the 2030s Phillies. It was, I think it was that good of a draft. I think it was that good of a draft. Because in the moment,

you weren't as high and you kind of turned it around. Wash a lot of guys. Yeah. Watched a lot of guys. We're not getting to Matthew Fisher in the 7. I know. I know. Mumbled at my sleep still. Matthew Fisher and the 7. I think Gagewood and Matthew Fisher are both like elite pitching. Or not like high end pitching. Matthew Fisher could be.

For the for the round where they got him at, he was a, he's a seventh round bang. Yeah. But he's a first round. Oh, I know. We talked about at the time. Like I could ever forget these conversations. Yeah. No.

So Gagewood, there's still a really good chance he ends up in the bullpen. But I think he could be an impact pitcher out of the bullpen. I think they're obviously developing the starter. That's why I would put Obermuller ahead of him to get to the big leagues faster because I think they're going to develop Gage Wood's slower as a starter, whereas Obermuller, I think, could almost do both, but I think he's shorter and he might be

a desist for the bullpen anyway. And they kind of made mistakes here with, like, Alex McFarland should have always been pitching out of the bullpen, and they tried to start him. I know you don't care. But like, I wonder if they... I recognize the name, Alex McFarland, if that makes you feel good. That's good.

We've talked about him on this show. That's good. But like, uh... that's good. But Obermuller, I just think that they could fast track in a way that they don't want to do with Gage Wood because they might need a leftie.

Sure. And essentially. So Obermuller and then Youngerman's awesome. James Tallin's awesome. Gabe Craig, we talked about a lot. Like, they're really going to help.

It's exciting. You're so excited. Ah, dude. Well, Overmiller, Mike, I'm ready to get a jersey. I think he's going to be disgusting. I think he's going to be disgusting.

Again, shorter Andrew Miller, less explosive, Josh Shader. That's really good. That's what we're seeing with Kate Overmuel. I'm a big fan.

Okay. The Aden Miller hype train is everyone's got to call him. Can we? Eric Carabelle, you like that one? Where's he playing? He's going to be up on the...

Eric Carabelle said he's going to be either going to trade bone and he's going to come up at their base and win a rookie of the year. Memorial Day. He said he's going to be up. So there's no hype. He's going to win rookie of the year.

So... It's like the fifth youngest player in the league when he comes up. They're not... They're probably not trading Bome, so he's entrenched there. You have Stott at second, who's pretty entrenched there. I wouldn't bring him up to be a platoon for Stott. No, no, no.

Because I want him to play every day. If Trey gets hurt. Sure, yeah. Sure. It's why. Everyone needs to accept the need outfield reps. The only way he's getting, most likely, barring an injury. The only way he's getting up this year.

Unless they trade bomb. Unless they trade bomb. Which is like, you know, how long. if they've been trying to trade out. Alec Baum is going to be here. They're going to extend it. They're going to send him. I agree.

They're going to be a lifetime Philly. Just to just rub it in. He's going to be a Philly for life. He's going to play here for 15 years and it 100 homers. I mean. Over 15 years. I don't know. Yeah.

Maybe 100 home runs. How many is Alec Bohm at? He's probably going to be like 40 or 50 or 50s. I need to look that up, Tucker. I need to know how many career. He's got to be at 50. He had 20 and 22. Yeah.

So he's got to be. over 50. 60 maybe. I would say he's about at 64. Yeah, somewhere in that range. If I had to get. He is at 70. Whoa.

He'll get the 30 in 15 years. He'll get 30 more than those during that time. So, and we do this with prospects where we put a lot of like hype behind them. Oh yeah. It's great. Like I love prospects,

but it does put an unreal sexification on the- They're going to flyers thing like all the hype they put on Matt Bay, Bameeshcom. Sure. Don't think he's as good as they heard. sure like crawford you're praying for 270 and the ability to play center field

you're and two home runs aiden i think's going to be awesome but the the amount of day one impact rookies it's rare it's it's rare and maybe it's a rare one i hope you're offensively like sometimes you'll see pitchers come up and have an impact right away because their stuff's just so silly that they can kind of but but to see hitters at that age come up and really make an impact It's so rare. Yeah. And then Painter, we've talked a lot about. You're praying for a four.

So it's, you got to watch them develop. I wouldn't put like the weight of the world expectation wise on the, like, just let them play. Let the kids play. Yeah, we'll be super chill here.

I know. I know. Super chill. We haven't even gotten to the one year anniversary of the Eagles winning the Super Bowl and, and everyone's like, fire everyone. Everything's falling apart.

We got a, we got, on the morning shows where I'm not kidding. When I say this, we got a fire how you. knows we called. Oh. Yeah. I thought we've reached that level. Wow. That's really crazy. I thought we would have had more time. Pretty stupid. Of course. Of course. It's ridiculous. What are we doing? It's ridiculous. So yeah, I'm sure they'll be totally chill with the

Andrew Peter if they're about for four years and they've been waiting for him waiting for him. I'm sure they'll have like a real long rope. I know and people are going to mock. Like, oh, Tommy John. Yeah. I'm already dreading. It's going to be awful. It's going to be awful. It's going to be awful. Like he sucks. Don't ruin the experience of being able to watch the kids grow. Yeah. That's that. Dude. I was thinking about this yesterday. This is a, it's not in a take bag. But man, pre-social media sports was great.

It was. I mean, the early 2000s Eagles, like, of course you had WIP that was mad about things. But you just, there was such a, you didn't have, they didn't have to have, like, descending opinions on our guys, you know, like, I'm sure, obviously, the newspaper back in the day and you had radio and TV, not so much, but like when Utley Ron, Collins and Howard came up. Now, Howard burst on the scene. It was crazy. But like,

Utley, we always talk about the home run or whatever to the Starz's career. We act like that was it and then he was often running. I mean, Polanco accepted the qualifying offer and they had Polanco, David Bell and Utley and he was in 24 at Wilkesbury still.

Like, I don't know. The pre-social media sports fandom where it was much more chill and way more enjoyable. They way more enjoyable. I don't disagree. You know I've been... I know.

I know. What's good, y'all? It's Vaughn Miller, Super Bowl MVP, Sagmaster, and now your host of Free Range. This is where NFL meets real talk. Every week, I'm bringing you inside the game from locker room stories to league-wide headlines. You want football IQ locker room insight and real conversations with the people shaping the league.

Welcome to Free Range with Von Miller, where nothing is off limits and every down counts. New episodes, every day. every Wednesday. Listen and follow free range with me, Vaughn Miller, wherever you get your podcast. Do you see the story that Charlotte Barnes did about Crawford working with Eric Davis? I did. I love that. Like, good. I mean, Eric Davis was a great player back in the day, man. He was fun to watch Eric Davis. I remember the 1990 Reds in the World Series. I'm that old Jose Rio and Eric Davis and Barry Larkin.

83, right? That's when you were born. 81. We were having a discussion the other day on the air about you being a millennial. So I'm, so I'm 81. I'm like, I'm the line. Like, 81 is where they say like millennials started. So I'm like either an elder millennial. I was. Well, you're definitely an elder millennial. But it's like, no, if I'm a let my point is am I a millennial. Like I'm online.

I think technically I'm, no, that's the thing is there used to be Gen Y in between. I was Gen Y for a second. And then they were like, oh, that doesn't exist anymore. So I guess something like an elder millennial. Yeah. Kind of like that. So I guess I'm like an elder millennial.

I don't know. It is. Pluto had a good run there. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. We're good.

Yeah. We're good. They decided at one point Pluto wasn't a plan. fourth. It's tough life. It's exciting for Pluto. Is it what's a, something that Pluto knows that at one point it's not a planet, then it's back on, probably. I mean, it's got to be locked in on everything. Pudo is it was it since we discovered it, it still hasn't made a full trip around the sun or something crazy like that. Yeah, that sounds about right. Yeah, something nuts like that. That's good. That's good astronomy. It's good knowledge

by you. Dude, I think all that's so fascinating. I'm not smart at it, but I think it's super interesting astronomy and like space and well, it's pretty while we know more about space than the sea. take. You've heard someone say that before. 100%. People say it. I don't think that's actually true. No, that's true.

No, what it is is that they've explored, they've like telescopes, like, you technically like no more, but I don't think like we actually know more because we don't know what's happening in these other solar systems and what's happening. There could be life out there. Like we have no idea.

Like so like I think it's like a bit of a misnomer, but sure. Sure. In terms of like what we can actually see and have actually like we don't have. not like search the sea the same way. You know what I mean? This might not surprise you or our listeners. I try to think that deeply. It's not sure. Trying to think that deeply about, you know, what else could be going on. I know. I know. Straightforward. Phil's baseball. Sometimes I fall into

the deep thinking. Yeah, it's a tough one. Yeah. It's not ideal. No, it's not. It's hard to get out of. It is. It's much easier when you don't do it. Ah, man. Let me tell you what. Let me tell you something. There's nothing better than being naive. you kidding me ignorance is bliss is a phrase for a reason and it's so true being well researched

well thought out and who needs it scares you frankly more than anything just don't don't try to educate you I don't know if I can agree with this line

of thinking but yeah all right you get your point so Crawford's been working with Eric Davis so we'll get back to the main point very cool it's cool here's my thing yeah

what took so long yeah why is he wait until he's about to start at the majors you're right Yeah. The moment he's drafted. Why don't you, work with somebody.

That's, that's part of my feeling of the off season. It's a great point. Is everything kind of feels like it's been rushed together. There's like a crash course. He's described as a two-week boot camp

on how to play center field. Yeah, it's not what you want. How long has he been in a Philly? He was drafted. Four years ago? Three years ago. He was drafted before the year before Aiden. Yeah, it's 22.

So why? This is four years ago almost. Three and a half years ago. What are we doing here? obviously they've worked with him on center field. Of course, but like if, like if you want him to be a center field or long term, like how is it not like a major focus of what you're doing all the time every day?

Like every day you're right? Like that we do like this is what we work on. It was always the best long term option is him playing center field. So it's part of my thinking of like they didn't go into the off season thinking Croftor was going to be the center fielder. They thought he was going to be a left fielder. So now that now it's a two week boot camp, a crash course on playing center field. weeks before opening

that's concerning to me. That is concerning to me. And it was funny in the piece. Eric Davis was like, yeah, I see what they're saying, you know, about having bad reads.

And they are working to iron that stuff out. He's like, yeah, yeah, I get it. Yeah. I know I needed to go. Yeah.

Why did it take so long? It was crazy. Why did it take so long? Right before you're about to start playing in the major league. Jack, it's a great point. Thank you.

Now, thank you for spinning it that. because I was like, oh, good, good thing he's working with Eric Davis. You're absolutely right. What a great, really good job. It is good. You think deeply. You think deeply about baseball.

Only baseball. Only baseball and being good dad. That's about it. That's the realm of my deep thing. Even Eagle stuff. It's off surface. Oh, I know. Service level at this point.

I know. Bad. We could tell. Bad. Good bad. That's it. That's good. That's it.

215. I love. I love. I know. 2-15-92-924. All right, as we continue to work our way through the take bag. About 30 minutes now.

Yeah, that's all right. Yeah, that's definitely all right. Sure. This is a quick one. Good. Dante Nori playing for Team Italy, according to my good palce. See, that feels more than Nola, right?

I'll take it. Again, Nola playing for Team Italy, boo, who cares? Norie playing for Team Italy. That's awesome. It's pretty cool. Faces a bit, helping some big league pitching. Grow a little bit.

Yeah. Dude. Good experience. Nori's a tough one. He's never going to be super high on the prospect list because he's like pretty much maxed out. Like height wise, strength wise. He already is what he is. There's not like much more projection for him.

Kids are a ball player. I love a good ball player. He's a ball player. I like not the Norie a lot. He's never going to be mistaken for a top pros, like a top five prospect or you might not have every top one of a prospect. A good player. He's going to be a good big league player.

good big league player. And then the final thing, I find a Dylan Moore signing fascinating. Yeah, I'm really happy you brought this up because I wanted to talk because this is one of those. And I,

and I, Dilmore's been around for a while. Like so, you know, you know, you know, you never been able to hit. So that's what I'm saying.

Like, whenever they make a movie list, you always go and just check the numbers, check it's not like I'm following his career. I couldn't find one thing in his baseball, savant page or his reference page. Or his reference page. that made me

Oh yeah, sure. He's 33. He's never hit. His savant page is like blue down the board. Like he's bad at everything. He's a bad fielder? No, no, he's a great fielder.

Okay. No, he's a great. Sivant page said he's a bad field. Well, he's, in 2024, he won a gold glove is a utility guy. All right. He played every position in the big leagues besides scatcher. He can move around.

He's, the savant's wrong about the defense. Okay. All right, good. Okay, good. So that's the reason. and then it's a defense. So he's the new Wes Wilson plus, is that the idea?

Maybe. Here's where I find interesting about it. Obviously, the DFA at West Wilson. So he could step in and be a West Wilson replacement. But the contract and the way that it was put out, you never really see the two way stuff, the details of a minor league deal. And the fact that it was put out that he could earn up to 3.2 million as a, as for playing time,

I believe. And if he just made, the big league roster, it's 1.8 million. My thought here is, and we'll see, I think he is, I think he is insurance of a possible Sosa trade. But you've brought up a few times already, yeah. I don't know if they're going to trade Sosa, but he is entering into the final year of a deal. They need a starter. The Red Sox have a depth of starters.

Now, they did sign Kiner Falafel last night, so maybe that, maybe they're good, but they've been shopping their starters to find a right-handed hitting infielder. A guy like Patrick Sandoval, who they were interested in signing last off-season, 24 off-season, 24-25 off-season,

knowing he'd missed the year. I think they like Patrick Sandoval, and the Red Sox may not need him. There could be a Sosa for him thing. Obviously, because the first deal more brings is good. Like, he can play third, second, short, He's played short last year. Obviously, outfield, if need be.

It's kind of Sosa-ish. They both had 11 home runs last year. I'm definitely not looking to get rid of Sosa. I would much rather have Sosa on the team. And more. But that was my one thought of, that makes sense. And I think it could be a little bit of insurance.

It's a weird contract. It's a weird contract. They've done a better job recently with having backups, like insurance plans. You know, they signed Mesa. They signed Trevino. Like these little Bueller they signed last year just in case. you know, one of the starters go down. Now Bueller was throwing 93.

It's pretty much done. But this, it kind of feels like that where if they had to move Sosa, you know, going from four, he's making four and a half this year to one point eight. If Moore just makes the, the roster, uh,

uh, Sandoval's making nine against the luxury tax. So, um, I don't know. That was just my thought. Uh, I like Sanneval when he's healthy for us with.

I love Sanne. I really like him. Yeah. Gotham and Co. Fun to watch. Yeah. And the, and the other ones is the Yankees for Sosa.

who were interested in him at the deadline. And Joel Sherman, I don't know, I didn't read the article, but so it was like the face of the article for them looking for a right-handed, really? A right-handed bat.

Sherman's plugged in. Sherman's plugged in, although he had to have the nonsense, the nonsense Harper thing where he's like, he could ask out. So, so maybe the Yankees, but I don't see the fit there.

You know, Clark Schmidt would have been a name, possibly, but he's like out for half the year. I was going to say he's coming off an injury. From Tommy John. like so is for Louis Heel, no shot. I wouldn't think.

No, there's no way. Sosafer for Will Warren, I would say no shot. Now they do have Cole coming back. They have a prospect named Ben Hess who I think is going to be really good. So like maybe, but it doesn't feel equal value at all. I would, like I think Will Warren's awesome. I think Lewis Heel is awesome. I mean, it throws a prospect on it.

I don't know. But the way that it was put out, the way that it was up to three something with playing time and signs for Dylan Moore. It's a weird deal. It's one of those that makes you raise your eyebrows at it. A little bit. And my first thought was Sosa. Now I think Sosa is super important to the team.

I think he's infectious with energy brings every single day. Great dude. Everyone loves them. So that would be part of the calculus. But that was my first thought with the Dillan Moore sign. Okay. That's all I got. I think it's interesting.

You made a lot out of a little today, buddy. I'm really proud of you. A mountain out of a molehill. Should we do a mailbag show soon? What do you think? Is it the right? Yeah. No, you're right.

a mountain out of a mole. That's really a job. I think usually it's a negative thing though. Yeah. No, no. Yeah. It's like something small happens and you do over a long. You're making a mountain out of a mole. But you know, I like the way you used it.

People accuse WIP of that. No. I used to say mountain out of a mole hole. I do like that better though. A mole hole. I still get the, I still get the infamous wrong. You know,

I'll do you'll do it. It's a good thing. It could be good too. Yeah, yeah, sure. Who's the set? Well, the word and the, Yeah, so mailbag. Should we do a mailbag next year?

I feel like it's been a while. All right. We'll put out some stuff on social media. Get your questions in. Tucker will fire them off at us. Let's do a mailbag show. It's been a while. All right.

Anything else? No. I think we're going to spring training soon. When are you going? February 26th to the 28th. Okay. So we're right before you. I think we're the 23rd, 24, 25th in there.

Oh, no. I can't. This weather has me yearning. I can't wait. I want to go right now. I would hop on the plane today. today if I could. Wow, man,

I can't wait for the games when the everyone's in the world. Baseball class. That's the Jack games right there. Dude. And Waukee and Sutt have been going down 4-7. Now, before I get home,

which does make me sad. Yeah, that's a bummer. However, a lot of time. You got the whole night to yourself. Look at you. Rewatch some Phil Spring training games, baby.

Just sick oh hours. Sick oh hours. It is. Like, actually sick hours. 100%. It's going to be great. All right. Until then.

he's for themselves.