High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Phillies Rumor Reaction And Why We're Going Trout Phishing

Episode Date: November 9, 2023

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to the latest round of Phillies rumors and begin the hunt for Mike Trout. 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

All-star closer, Kenley Jansen, we have a question. What's the best podcast of all time? Baseball Isn't Boring, baby. I'm Rob Bradford, and every single day I'm sitting down with the biggest names to show you this great game is the greatest game. It's my podcast. It's my passion. It's a cause I started more than two years ago and is now the most prolific national daily baseball pod there is.

Another fact, so jump aboard the B.I.B. Express. Follow and listen to Baseball Isn't Boring, presented by Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. This is the High Hopes Podcast. High hopes! It's a bunch of baseball nerds talking about the Phillies on Odyssey and Sports Radio 94 WIP. Yo!

It is another edition of the podcast. Let me tell you, Jack, in doing that yo there, as I'm doing it, I'm realizing, like, oh, it's just a yo. I was like, okay. You know? It's a shame. It's a shame because I felt like there was a lot riding on You know? It's a shame. It's a shame because I felt like there was a lot riding on a lot of yous lately. Yeah. And I was like, okay, hey.

Hey, how's everyone doing? We miss you. We do miss you. Like, in all honesty, like, I actually was really excited to come in and record today. Way more than the last time where people were sending us messages concerned about Jack's mental health. You're all right. You're okay. Yep.

No, we're fine. We're fine. We're fine. Just love the Phillies, okay? Just really, really like the team. Just really care about this stupid freaking team. Yeah, well, no. So, like, overall, I'm good.

It's just every time I say game 6-7, then it's like, well, what the, like, you know, and then, like, all the bad, like, dude, it's how, it reminds me so much of how I felt about game five and 11, where it's just like, I didn't watch highlights of it for, like, six years. I did watch highlights of game seven the other day. I'm just letting you know. Did you really?

I did. Wow, that is like a sadist type of thing to do. Well, because. Masochist, excuse me. Because I wanted to, because we were there and I missed the roar and I wanted to hear what the double sounded like. So that's really why I watched. Things are going well.

You're a sicko. No, I know. No, I know. I know. It's like true deal. No. Real deal sicko, babe. I do feel a little, how do I say this?

Identity-less. Sure. Lacking in identity. Now I just go back to being Jack. We had a really fun run there. It was special. It was great. But I want to make you feel better, okay?

Oh, good. I want to make everyone feel better. Good, thank you. Because I had dropped off, so Tucker lended me. Okay. Oh, good. I want to make everyone feel better. Good. Thank you. Because I dropped off. So Tucker lended me a book. Tucker Bagley. Tucker Bagley. For those who don't know, producer of the pod and WIP employee.

Kind of. Kind of. He helps out a little bit. Yeah. He does a little. He posts the pod for us. Sometimes. Yes.

Which I used to do and now I don't have to do it, which is very nice. Sometimes. You're right. How much more do we have to take off your plate, by the way? Can we address this James Seltzer plate? Sure. It's a free full plate. It's getting less.

It's getting less. You have 18 producers on the morning show. You have 18 producers of your podcast. All you really do is talk into the microphone. That's the goal, buddy. And hit the correct sounder. That's what I'm trying to get to, pal. And sometimes play music back from break. I that's really good let's break this all down um but i do want

to make you feel better so i gave tucker bagley a book they lent to me it was unfinished business by ray didn't you okay great yeah and in class and in classic me fashion i read three quarters of it and didn't finish it it was great i just it is good it's a very good book i have a problem finishing books i don't like finishing books because then It is good. It's a very good book. I have a problem finishing books. I don't like finishing books. Because then there's an ending. It's a very strange, strange. I guess the vast majority of people.

I would finish a fiction book. My wheelhouse. Again, waste of time. So I will never read a fiction book. If I never read another fiction book for the rest of my life, I will be perfectly content. It's a horrible, horrible life for you. What a sad life. Never, ever.

It's so great. I have only not finished one book. And what book was it? It was a Joan Didion book. And I just couldn't help. Who the hell is Joan? People love her, man. People love Joan Didion.

Like, she is a thing. I'm sure there's someone listening right now who's like, I love Joan Didion. I'm sorry. I hope you could have a little book club. I tried it because everyone loves Joan Didion. I was like, it's not my thing. Can you start? You should start a James Seltzer book club.

I know. I really should. You should. I know. See how it go. I would. See how it go. Would people tweet at me?

Not that I'll see it. No, no, no, no. My only request. My only request. I want one person to tweet at the podcast and then I'll send it to James because he likely won't see it.

I like that. Yeah, that's good. Tweet me that you've read a Joan Didion book because there's just no bleeping way. I bet you there's one person. Okay. Please.

Or you can email the podcast at the... Email is about to hit here. They might not be on Twitter podcast they might be not on twitter maybe an older person exactly the high hopes pod at gmail.com love it that's perfect when we say the high hopes pod at gmail.com i say the like one of the players do the introductions and say the ohio it's exactly right because we are the high hopes we should start the high hope we should just do it like that should just be the thing yeah like and just even when we go oh what do

you do i'm the host of the High Hopes Pod. Yeah. Yeah, that's what I do. Yeah, exactly right. I like that. That's good. Man, so many bits. So many bits.

Yeah, speaking of bits, I mean, shots fired at your boy over here. Of course, yes. So all I do, for those who don't know, and I'll do it again because it's what I do. All I do is promote that my two best buds, Ellie and Jack, now have a Sixers pod. Clap your hands. In on it. I tell them i'm in on their clapping bit i'm in on the whole thing all i do is promote it

i even tweeted last night at clap your hands and apparently i'm the enemy of the pod how did this happen so you're the enemy of the pod one's personal for me uh you good i mean that you're personally hating on me this is great i appreciate it so so one's personal for me oh good I mean that you're personally hating on me this is great I appreciate it so one's personal and one is I'll get to the

not personal one first you embody everyone that is wrong in Sixers fandom which is wake me up when they're out

of the second round we don't like those people right now so you are the face of that movement I can't argue with that now to be fair watched the whole game last

I'm just saying. I was in. It's good. And I do know this because I know you very, very well. You'll be leading the parade. I know I will. You'll be front of line. I'll be all in. You'll be shirtless at the parade.

They've not been very lovable lately. You'll be shirtless at the parade. So what's personal? The personal one is I've noticed an increase in using my real name recently. That was only because of the Eagles Cowboys thing. I'm done with it. That was a one week thing.

Because I was going to start calling you Jamie. That's not my real name. Blame Tom from Abington. If you want to be real, Tom from Abington called our show, called you John, was ripping you for your take, and I was like, you know what, that's pretty funny. I'm just going to roll with it for the rest of the show. And then it was a week-long bit.

Okay. It's done now? It's done. You're Jack, don't worry. Yeah, so for everyone that doesn't. I know how much you hate it. For everyone that's not aware. I was going to say a few things.

There might not be anything in life you hate more than being called John. Yeah, because it's not my name. I mean more than being called John Yeah because it's not my name I mean it is my name but it's not my name If you email you it does say John in France And I'm too lazy To go and have them change it But it makes me so mad Because people respond back with hey John

Even when I sign it Jack At the end of the email they reply back with hey John And it's like can you just A little bit of effort of the email. They reply back with, hey, John. And it's like, can you just, a little bit of effort. Could you, yeah. A little bit of effort. Read the email, I think. Yes.

So my real name's John, for those of you who don't know. I've gone by Jack my whole life. It's not a radio bit. It's like a listener who's been listening since the jump and is like,

no freaking way. They're going to give a one-star review. Host is a liar. Host spread falsities about himself. Anyway, so I do want to make you feel better now that we are 25 minutes

into the podcast. There's a lot to talk about and we're talking about nothing. What else is new? It would not be this podcast otherwise. Now go ahead. You gave Tucker the book. So I gave Tucker Unfinished Business which I read three quarters of. Ironic, the unfinished business unfinished by you. Always.

No one's better at getting almost there. And then just be like, yeah, we're good. So my bookmark was an old Phillies lineup that I believe was one that I was putting together for the perfect offseason. Get out of here! Think about how far we've come.

Oh man! I can't wait to hear this. This was my bookmark of my dream i believe my dream lineup for maybe this has to be 2020 um before the pandemic mccutchen the leadoff spot segura in the two hole hoskins batting third wow bryce batting fourth jt batting fourth. JT batting fifth. Okay. Mike Moustakis. I remember the Moose thing. Better than Franco. Remember that argument? I do.

I do. Oduble. Oh, no. This is also when I was big into the pitcher should bat eighth. I remember that, too. So I had Nola. I had Nola batting eighth. And I had Cesar batting ninth.

This is so great. Day made. No, I know. Listen, we're down. I think we're battling our way through it. It's a good reminder. Remember how bad it used to be. Dude, you know, I've thought about it a lot, too.

Why the hell did anyone listen to this podcast? Dude, I was thinking the same thing. I'm like, I get it when they're good. Yeah, people tune in. How did this podcast begin? How did it grow? How did we not just stop doing it because nobody listened? Because they were horrible.

Like, I wouldn't want to listen to us talk about those teams. Yeah, well, we talked about them. We did. A lot. I really enjoyed it, to be honest. Yeah. Yeah. So, it did bring back simpler times when there's no stakes which i i'm always

big on not being no stakes yeah i know you're a no stakes guy i'm a stakes guy yeah no yeah i don't i don't like talking trash i don't like the repercussions you don't even like championships you're like i like the ride to the championship until the phillies lost game six and seven yeah like i did i was like oh this is so fun this is great and then they lost six and seven. Like, I did. I was like, oh, this is so fun. This is great. And then they lost six and seven. It's like, it's awful. And watching the Rangers just destroy them.

At least, I mean, it was. It did not make me feel better. So, it did, like, two percent. So, it made me feel way worse because, like, that's what the Phillies should have done. Agree. So, I think that's where I came from. But I also thought, like, you know what? I don't know what the Phillies should have done. Agree. So, like, I think that's where I came from. But I also thought, like, you know what? I don't know that the Phillies would have beaten the Rangers.

I don't think, I don't know that I would have liked the opportunity. I agree, 100%. But, like, that Rangers team had something. Yeah, for sure. Like, they had something, dude. But also, I think if the Phillies, like, if they won. I think, like, if they win that game, then there's something going in, too. I agree.

If they just would have won game six, it would have been like, all right, Phillies are hot. Yep, I agree. And the Rangers, well, I was actually rooting for the Diamondbacks to win the World Series. Whoa, buddy. Because then it would have been like, oh, they're just that fluky random team that won a World Series. Oh, yeah, I couldn't do that. I was so happy there at Crush.

When it was 10-0 in game four or whatever, I was like, this is exactly what I needed. And seeing Alec Thomas boot the ball in center field made me extra happy. Just give me that. And can I just get this out of the way first? Oh, good. Yeah, first. That team's not making the playoffs next year.

Oh, I love that thing. They're not making the playoffs next year. They stink. They stink. I hate them. I actually do. It's like the Bucs. Remember how people were just mad at the Bucs for no reason?

Well, not for no reason, but for a reason. Yeah. But it always brought back that memory. It'd be like 2010. It'd be like, well, damn it, the Bucs. You know what I mean? So the Diamondbacks are that random team that I felt nothing about. And now hate.

Until that moment. I love that. Also, I was going to get to this in the take back, but I want to get it out of the way right now. Let's go. Bring it, buddy. You're on a roll. Did we sell the phillies going to

the world series and beating the diamondbacks in that series for the jt cycle in chase field oh wow i know i'm sorry to to to bring a crushing reality oh my god it's something that we as an entire fan base were begging for i mean not one person yes the entire fan base, were begging for. I mean... Not one person. Yes, the whole fan base was clamoring, get David Bell off the freaking record book. Like, enough. Yeah. You know what's funny?

David Bell's not really being erased in the record book. He still had a freaking cycle for the million. It's just the last one. Just moved down one spot. Exactly. Yeah. Exactly. But I was thinking about that in the post-mortem, I guess, of the season.

That did we sell a championship? I hope not, buddy. For a JT cycle in May. I mean, like, technically, yes, I guess so. I mean, we got the cycle. We didn't get the championship, you know. Which would you rather have had? If you could give one back.

2-1-5, 5-9-2. Hey, if you could give one back, the JT cycle or losing game 6-7 at home when you have all the momentum and you're up 3-2 in the series. David Bell could hold the cycle record for the next 100 years. He'd have his name at the top of the list as far as I'm concerned. It would be a joy to look at. Oh, look at David Bell. Remember that cycle?

What a joy that was. That's what I would say. Good. Yeah. Yeah. I think we ended up in the right place for pain, which is what we do. Should we talk Phillies? Should we talk about the team? We could talk Phillies. I don't know. I'm really. Good. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I think we ended up in the right place for pain, which is what we do. Should we talk Phillies? Should we talk about the team?

We could talk Phillies. Okay. Let's talk about the team. I'm really enjoying this. How far in are we right now? We are 13 minutes into the podcast. That's good. That's good.

It feels normal. Okay. So like lots of Philly stuff to talk about. Where should we start? Bryce Harper, Castellanos, Nola, Snell. Where should we start? I'll let you decide. All right.

So I want to start with... That's a good question. Hold on, I have something... No, I'm just kidding. I want to start, because I really want to start with the Snell thing, but I also really... I'm risking my life, bro. It's all I can think about.

Just so you know, every time I hear Blake Snell's name, all I can think about is, I'm risking my life, bro. I thought about Ian Snell, but... You were sick. I'm just kidding. Not my life, bro. I thought about Ian Snell. You were sick. I'm just kidding. Not kidding. It's a deep cut, Ian Snell. Let's get the Blake Snell thing out of the way. I just think that losing Nolan and replacing him with Blake Snell is such a horrible idea.

It is just such a horrible idea. And I know that this is also the same guy. Full disclosure. Put our cards right on the table this is also the same guy Full disclosure Let's put our cards right on the table I was the same guy that said Imagine giving five years a hundred million To Zach Wheeler

What dumb team is going to give that contract to Zach Wheeler So Didn't age well No I mean honestly if we don't talk about it enough Maybe you're worth a take In a series of podcasts of bad takes, that's right at the top. He goes five innings.

He only pitched 180 innings twice in his career, and this year happened to be a contract year. Yeah. What was it? I think his last nine starts he won six innings or more, and that was pretty much to try to get to the 180 inning thresholds to win them. I guess so. While you say this, though, like, he might win his second Cy Young this year.

Yeah. I'm just saying. It's Mickey, though. He could be a... It is Mickey. Get the 200 innings. It is Mickey. But, like, again, like, the list of two-time Cy Young winners, like, ain't that big.

Yeah. But it's, like, also, he just fluctuates so much, too. Where it's, like, he't that big. Yeah, but it's like also he just fluctuates so much too where it's like he's a Cy Young winner. He's out in three innings. He walked everyone on the team in three innings. He was almost a four ERA. But it's not even start to start. It seems like year to year.

It's like either he's the best pitcher in the league or he's average. So you don't know what you're getting. I don't love that he's having another Cy Young year, heading into a contract year. I don't love that he doesn't pitch deep into the games. And I don't like that he walks the ballpark. I mean, he walks guys all the time.

I mean, he's nasty. So that's the thing. His high end is definitely higher than me. But, like, if I was, for example, if I was banking on the next five years, I think Snell gets five. Is that fair? Do you think he gets seven? No, no, no. No way. I would be floored. Okay. So I think he gets five.

If you were asking me who would I rather pay for the next five years, Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery, I'd rather pay Jordan Montgomery. Wow! So I like Jordan Montgomery too a lot. Next Lester. That's a great take actually. That's a good take. I mean World Series

winner. He's already got one. That's bold though. I mean because Snell's high end is really high. I mean the guy's gonna win probably gonna win the Cy Young this year. But the high end it's like it's either high end or eh. I'd rather just. I almost rather take a higher floor guy.

The only – Well, that's Enola. I mean, that's Enola. Yeah. Yeah, but he'll just get more money in more years. Yeah. So, like, I think Snell is enticing. And I think Snell – I understand the appeal of him.

I just – to go from a guy who pitches 220 a year, not always the best. Did have a four-plus ERA this year. It's so funny. I mean, again, what was it? Two weeks before the playoffs start, three weeks before the playoffs start, it's like every single person in Philadelphia is like, bye-bye! Don't let Thor hit you on the way out, Aaron!

And now it's like you can't lose him. Well, that's the funniest part is that I knew it was going to happen, and that's why this podcast is here to, once again, guide the fan base. That's right. Thought leaders.

But, uh, but it's like, I don't want to pay Aaron Nola. And then it's like, here are the placements. Okay, well, maybe I'll pay Aaron. Like, you know what I mean?

It's like the replacements also aren't, like, the greatest in the world. It's bad. It's a, honestly, it's a bad free agent class across the board. Like a really, really bad.

Which is why I think Hoskins might get some money. Listen, we like Aaron Nola. Yeah. We love Aaron Nola. The fact that he is no doubt about a top three free agent in a class is absurd. He's probably top two. He's probably showier than him. Yeah.

So I just, listen, I think Blake Snell is intriguing. I think he has high upside. I get all that stuff. I just, there's so many red flags with him that I just I don't love it. I don't love that he had a career, not career year, his career year is a 1-8 year. His career year is Cy Young. Yeah.

His first Cy Young. I don't love that being a contract year. And I don't love the five innings thing. And I don't like the walks. And now we know about, he innings thing and I don't like the walks. And now we know about he was really good in the Kevin Cash start. So that's what I was about to say is like he has some

big time moments starts that were pretty great including the Friggin World Series, you know? So as I finally have been able to talk my way through this, I could definitely be in on Blake.

Like definitely could be. I was about to play Devil's Advocate and try and throw the other side and I didn't even need to do it. You just did it to yourself. So I definitely would talk myself into Blake's. I just want to. It's pretty nasty. It took me what?

Three minutes? Yeah. About that. About three. Yeah. When I came in, it was a horrible idea. Yeah. I still would rather pay Jordan Montgomery if I like, I would rather do that.

Um, it's enticing, but there is serious risk to it that I'm not a huge fan of. So, again, I will play devil's advocate again now that you're on board. I guess it's less enticing that way. Not on board. Not out on. You could be on board. Will be the leader of the Blake Snell fan base if they

sign him. Big games. He's had some really big moments in big games. Again, what does he throw? Five and two-thirds, no-hit ball in the World Series or whatever it was. Yeah, but no one's in the crowd. Pretty good. True. You know, true. No, you're not wrong. You ain't wrong. But look, he's had some big moments.

Again, he's possibly, probably going to win a second Cy Young. And I do think that, you know, theoretically, if the Phillies are committed to potentially doing a six-man thing, which we have talked about before, or at least mixing it in throughout the season, you know, maybe you don't need a guy who's going to give you 200-plus innings. You know, maybe it's less important to have someone like that if you're going to bring in a guy like Snell and try and manage those innings. Here's what I'll say. Bring in a guy like Snell and try and manage those innings.

Here's what I'll say. I think that, look, you have to get to the playoffs, obviously, to win the playoffs. But I do think there's an argument to be made that I'd rather have Aaron Nola for 162. I'd rather have Blake Snell for October because his high end and his, when he's on and when he goes out, like, he's better than Aaron Nola. Blake Snell, I feel, did he start game two of the NLCS last year? Did he start game two of the NLCS?

Yeah, he must have. He must have. Yeah, because you did one. So, you Darvish, I mean. Yeah. Not me. Not Jack Fred. Hold on.

Did I miss something? Yeah, it must have been him. So, you got beat up a little bit then. Well, he allowed four, right? Yeah, because we were up 4-0. Yeah, and then what happened? I don't remember. Josh Bell took over.

As he always does. Dude, it's sickening. He's the only guy in the Marlins series. He was roping balls. Should they sign him? Sure. I would take Dave in a second. Yeah, so he started game two.

Five innings. Five innings. So, yeah, he settled in. Four earned. Yeah, he gave up the four in the first, and then he settled in pitch well after that, which, you know, it's good to see. Yeah, but all right. So his first start against the Mets, he went three and a third, allowed two earned.

That's not great. Six walks, by the way. Well, that wasn't his good year. You know, if he had made the playoffs this year. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. If he had made the playoffs this year. If it only happened to be a contract year. If he had made the playoffs this year, he'd probably be great in the playoffs.

Dodgers. Dodgers in game three. he went five and a third, struck out six on a walk, too. That's pretty good. Against 110-win Dodgers. And in game seven, I mean, in game seven, right? Was it game seven or six? The next one. It was seven, right?

He didn't pitch again. He didn't pitch again? No. Dude, they beat the Dodgers in like five. Oh, yeah, they did. The Dodgers beat them in five. Yeah. The Padres beat the Dodgers in five. Padres beat yeah, they did. The Dodgers beat them in five. Yeah. The Padres beat the Dodgers in five.

Padres beat. I was thinking, I'm talking about the World Series. Oh, yeah. That was seven, right? No, it was game six. Game six. Yeah, Kevin Cash, the famous story. Yeah, I didn't know if it was six or seven was what I was trying to remember.

Who remembers this one with 2020 World Series? That's what I mean, the most Mickey Mouse. That's the only way the Dodgers could actually win the World Series. It's the only way Kershaw gets a ring. I know. It's so bobo, too. It's really, it's sad. It's a Series. It's only when Kershaw gets a ring. I know. It's so Bobo, too. It's really sad. It's a shame.

It's a shame. The shame about Kershaw is that he was so freaking good, man. Dude, he's one of the three best pitchers of a generation. A generation. We always talk about Pedro and Clemens and Randy Johnson. Everyone would say Maddox. He's that for this generation. He's that great.

He's like, no doubt about it, surefire Hall of Famer. Just could not. Just a disaster. You know what's even better? You know what's even better than that? Is having the closer version of him. Isn't that so fun? Isn't it so fun to have the closer version of Clayton Kershaw on your team?

Yeah. At least we don't have him anymore. Thompson, actually, I was listening to him on with... I thought... Yeah. Did you listen to the cut from the Charmin and Heyman pod? We played a bunch of them.

I only caught that because I... Actually, it was funny. I finished listening to it on my drive in, turned on the show. And we were playing it on the show. I was like, hold on.

Wait a second. What are we doing here? I really appreciate how introspective and retrospective he is. He is openly admitting I made mistakes. Yes. And I really appreciate that. Yeah.

And it makes me feel good, I guess, about going forward. Of course. Like next year. That he won't do the same thing again. Well, I think the one thing he definitely won't do again, I don't think he's going to be set into a lineup. That's my point. I don't think he's going to overly set into a lineup. That's my point. I don't think he's going to overly trust guys.

Not that trust is the wrong word. I don't think he's going to be averse to change if he feels like change is necessary. And I do think that, but I do think bullpen-wise, he's still probably going to go with trust. That's why he go get a freaking closer. Don't let him make the decision. Be like, oh, it's Bednar time. Boom, we're good.

David Bednar is coming. Whoever. Like, don't alex lang time bring him in like just don't let him make the decision anymore is that fair uh yeah well listen i i it's it's so funny how much i've like evolved as a baseball fan because my first start doing it's like oh you need to have the fireman come in i know i remember anyone can close anyone can close out a ball game. Sir Anthony. We had to remember

that was like a big thing with him. And now it's like I would really like I just want to do a lockdown closer. Shut it down. Take me back to the

90s. I don't care. Give me a dude and go on a game day. It matters. It's a matter of two years in a row. Like sorry.

It has. And really just having the option of having him would be important. So it's going to be interesting because Hayter's obviously there if they want to just pay Hayter. He's a free agent, right?

Yeah, he's a free agent. He's still Josh freaking Hayter. He did quit on his team this year. Which is not great. But he also, I mean, to his... Him and Blake Snell, what a tandem to bring over from San Diego. Hey, you know what you do? Bring in two of the players of the most disappointing team in baseball this year.

Who both seem like... And trade for Juan Soto. Kind of like asshats. Being honest, you know what you do? Bring in two of the players of the most disappointing team in baseball this year. Yeah, who both seem like- And trade for Juan Soto. Kind of like assets. Everything honest, you know? Let's bring in Juan Soto, too. I'm risking my life, bro. Yeah. So, Hader's there.

I guess if he's in a contract year, they're out of the playoffs. I wouldn't want the ball either. I don't like the way he did it, but I don't blame him for not wanting to pitch. In that spot, I think he's right. He's about to go get paid. What are you supposed to do in that spot? In that team? And it seems like that team, it seems like

I don't really know who to blame for what. It seems like blame Manny Machado, but outside of that, I don't really know. If I'm on that team too, maybe haters are like, screw this, man. Look at these guys. They don't care. Why would I go out and risk my money for that?

And I wouldn't blame them for that. So, yeah. Well, haters there. I've been in preparation for the perfect offseason. Oh, by the way, little tease. Next week. Next week. Perfect offseason coming next week.

I've been finding my vintage Dombrowski signing. I mean, is there any... No, I hope... I would probably talk myself into it. But there's just one name that jumps out above all, and that is Liam Hendricks. Oh, buddy. Like, just jumps out immediately.

There he is. Look, I like Liam Hendricks. I mean, he's only a year removed. Look, I like Liam Hendricks. I mean, he's only a year removed. He had cancer. He's a year removed from being freaking awesome. Yes. You know? I wouldn't need to talk about it.

I mean, it depends on the money and all, but I would take Liam Hendricks. I mean, I'd rather get someone more shut down who's good this year. Yeah. But I would 100% talk myself into Liam Hendricks. Would love him here. It's just the most vintage.

It would be vintage. You're right. One year, 10 million for Liam Hendricks. Would you him here. It's just the most vintage. It would be vintage. You're right. One year, $10 million for Liam Hendricks. Would you be shocked at that? No, I would be shocked if he does anything else at closer. I would be shocked if he does go out and trade assets for Alex Lang or something like that. At that position, I think Dombrowski's very

creative in other spots, but it seems like that's what he does at closer. Or at the back end of the bullpen. Let me go sign a couple guys for $7 million, $10 million, whatever. Guys who've gotten out in for $7 million, $10 million, whatever. Guys who've gotten out in baseball before. Oh, speaking of that, my other guy that will be a Philly, no doubt about it. Adam Modavino is 100%. Unless the Mets overpay to keep him because I could see that happening too. Yeah, well, he was officially granted free agency the other day.

Oh, did they let him go? Okay, well, there you go. Never mind. All right, well, there you go. There it is. Adam Modavino and Lee Madrix. Great. That's going to be good.

God, I can't wait to see those guys break down in October. That would be sweet. They're certainly out of vino. Yeah. So back to Blake Snell. Back to Blake Snell. On target. Right on point, as usual.

So he's fine. I mean, I'm not a huge fan, but we'll see. And look, it all comes down to years and money and all that stuff. I mean, I'm not a huge fan, but we'll see. And look, it all comes down to years and money and all that stuff. I mean, let's put it this way. Would you give Aaron Nola seven years over giving Blake Snell five years? Because I'd rather have Snell for five years. I'd rather have Snell for five years. Yeah, so it's all relative and it's all dependent.

All right, as of now, and we're going to do our perfect golf season, obviously predict this stuff, but if you had to predict as of today, and I'm sure this will change multiple times, do you think Aaron Nola, Blake Snell, or someone else is a Philly for that spot? I do not think it's Aaron Nola. I think if I had my, if I was putting like fan

duel odds on it, I would say Snell's the favorite followed by Burns followed by Cease followed by Nase, followed by Nola. Trade for Cease. Trade for Cease. Cease would be awesome.

That would be my move. I would trade for Jones. Before we move off the pitchers, the other report that came out, another name attached to the Phillies, Sonny Gray. John Marossi putting out. Sonny Gray, really awesome the last years in Minnesota. I mean, he'll get Cy Young votes this year. I think he had like a 2.7-something ERA this year. He was really good.

Has been really good outside of a year and a half in New York. I know that big city. If only we weren't also a big city. It's a year and a half. I'm not going to overrate it. I know it was horrible. It was a bad tenure in New York, but I'm not going to overrate that. But the dude's a good pitcher, mid-30s.

I don't think that... When did Sonny Gray turn 34? It's crazy, right? Dude, I looked up. I went in. I was like, oh, he's probably 31 or something. 34. I thought he was like 20. Yeah, I know. It feels like he was in Oakland yesterday. I don't think it would be as a two. I don't think it would be a NOLA replacement,

but your thoughts on Sonny Gray in general. Oh, by the way, also, it kind of revitalized his career with Caleb Cotham in Cincinnati. And I didn't think it'd be a NOLA replacement, but your thoughts on Sonny Gray in general. Oh, by the way, also, it kind of revitalized his career with Caleb Cotham in Cincinnati. And I didn't know this until just the other day or whatever, but it was college roommates with Caleb Cotham, too. Oh, really? So there's like a real thing there. Oh, okay.

Because I got, yeah, Cotham went to Vanderbilt. I didn't realize that. I had no idea they were college roommates. I knew the Cincinnati thing with him helping him out and stuff, but deeper connections. So he's a Philly. Yeah, that's kind of where I'm going, yeah. So he's a Philly. Yeah, that's kind of where I'm going. So he's a Philly. Look forward to having him on your team.

So, as a two, obviously no. He can't be the normal replacement. I'm cool with him for a three-year deal. I'm cool with Sonny Gray being a Philly. Very cool. I just think that for me, the only way it kind of makes sense is if you

can get off Taiwan. Taiwan changes agent, which is interesting yeah not a free agent that that team that they were only three players in baseball who changed their agent that right now not as free agents interesting also like a year after he just signed a contract that's interesting that was that was a he got paid like he should be very happy with what his agent did for him in free agency yeah maybe it wasn't well i know i'm just saying money wise he should have been so He got paid. He should be very happy with what his agent did for him in free agency. Yeah. Just saying. Maybe it wasn't. Well, I know.

I'm just saying money-wise, he should have been. So, yeah, I think there's a decent chance they try to get off of Taiwan this offseason. And if you can go from Taiwan to Sonny Gray as your four, I mean, that is just- Oh, my gosh. It's heaven. Massive. In a second. It is massive.

Yeah. Sonny Gray's a much better player. Now, to get off- And a much longer track record get off Taiwan you have to attach a prospect and probably eat salary but like

well you have to eat salary yes well depending on how good the prospect you want to give up yeah I agree but my guess is they're not going to want to give up

I mean the problem is the Phillies system is somewhat top heavy so I feel like you're not giving up you know Abel or McGarry or something to do

but that's the point so then I don't know if they're going to have the right level prospect to not have to eat a bunch of salary yeah well yeah and this But that's the point. So then I don't know if they're going to have the right level prospect to not have to eat a bunch of salad. Yeah. Well, yeah. And this is a World Series window.

I don't really want Tywin Walker to be a part of it. And if you can upgrade going from Walker to Tywin, you know, you go. From Walker to Tywin. Yes. Yes. Walker to DeGray. Never a doubt. There we go.

And you go Wheeler, Pencil and whatever. They're going to get a number two starter if it's not Nola. That's not a concern for me. I would not panic about that ever. Ranger three, Sonny Gray four, Chris Sanchez five. I mean, it's a pretty... It's one of the best rotations in baseball. Yeah.

Without a doubt. If not the best. It may be the best. One through five probably could be. If Sanchez can be, it doesn't have to be 270 or a guy or whatever, but if Sanchez can be

a close to version of what we saw this year, that's the best rotation. At least that might be the deepest rotation. Oh yeah, and especially like if you actually do get

Dylan Cease. Yeah, well that's the thing. Dylan Cease. Who gets the two? So Burns is definitely an ace. He's going to cost a lot of money. Well that's why

I want to go for Cease. I think there's a little more wiggle room. Cease feels like if you're looking for the next Zach Wheeler. And I think there's a step forward for Cease. 100%. Like 100%. Yep. And my favorite part about a Cease trade is that the reaction to it by people who don't

pay attention is going to be looking at his baseball reference and be like, well, you trade all that for- Who's this Dylan Cease? Did you look at his ERA? No, no, no, no, no. I don't want to do that. No, it's a bad idea. Yeah.

No. So, yeah, for the reaction, I would definitely like that. So, yeah, so that's a money rotation. I think they are interested in Sonny Gray Plus. Okay. Like Sonny Gray Plus. I love it. Plus a number two star.

Another name in here that we haven't mentioned that they were connected to like before the off season a little bit, but I haven't heard them connected to, but I would assume

that they're in on him. Yamamoto. Because I mean, I'm not an expert on him or whatever, but I've watched him on YouTube, whatever.

Like, he looks pretty freaking nasty to me, dude. Like if they want to go after this guy, I would not. And he's young. Like I wouldn't, I wouldn't wouldn't hate it i think i think it was game seven uh might whatever closeout game of their world series like 138 pitches or whatever 38 pitches

seven innings like that's baseball hey you want blake snell or yamamoto yeah yeah i really like him like i don't know why he's not connected more. Like, he seems like, I mean, he seems like he could be a two. Yeah, I would. Especially after Senga last year and seeing how great he was in his first year. I know. They're good. Yeah, these guys know how to pitch. Yeah, and the biggest advancement, I mean, they started to adapt, like, the driveline

stuff over there. So now it's like they're all, they're already very. They're already able to manipulate a baseball, let's say. And now it's like you get all the technology. It's just taken to manipulate a baseball let's say and now it's like you get all the technology it's just taken to like he's awesome

I would love for the Phillies to be in me too and I hope they are but it seems like their attention's kind of elsewhere yeah it's a shame

alright let's flip it over to Cassiano's thing because I think that's probably the next oh I guess the Harper thing let's get to Harper Reese in a sec

because I think the Cassiano's thing is more interesting the Harper Reese thing is what it is. The Cassianos thing is interesting because you had mentioned, I think a couple pods ago when we talked about it, the concept of trading one of

these guys. And I hadn't really even thought about it. And you were like, hey, they might move on from Cassianos or someone like that to try and shake things up to the way it ended or whatever. Look, Mark Feinstein is plugged in. He has been a beat and then an insider for a really long time. If he says something, it kind of perks my ear up a little bit.

I thought it was really interesting that that was in there, that the Phillies would be open. When do we get that from? To trade Nick Cassianos. Your thoughts on the report and then the realistic possibilities that a Cassianos trade actually has to have. I think they can only trade one of Walker or Castellanos to get off of the money. Yeah, they're going to have to include either way.

So I would obviously prefer Taiwan. I don't really... I don't need Castellanos. Yeah, Castellanos is fine. But if I was... I mean, the way that Dombrowski talked at the press conference, he seemed like really annoyed at the Chase stuff. Dude, he brought up multiple times.

And the way he talked, I was almost like he was disgusted with it. Because it. I mean, we all are. We all are, but you don't. Again, it goes back to the Dombrowski thing where this guy is just like more open and more honest, it feels like, than other general managers. Like when he talks, he just seems so like willing to say what he's thinking. The right-handed, I believe the right-handed bat, the right-handed bats in the Phillies lineup chase rate in game six and seven was like 58%.

Oh my God. 58%. Is that a record? I mean, seriously. I mean, it's got to be. That's insane. A part of me wonders with the Cassianos thing, if they can move out, if they can get out from under it,

if they can get out from under the contract, move them, it opens up the door to bring back Reese and put Harper in right field. Which would be hilarious. All this thing. It all comes full circle. But there is a part of me that is, like, he seems like a great clubhouse guy. They love him, dude. They love him.

I just, I don't like moving on from a lot of clubhouse guys in one offseason and bringing in a bunch of randos. Like, I know Schwarber's here. I know Harper's here. I know JT's here. I know they do have Philly's, Wheeler's here. But, like, you're losing Reese this offseason, probably. You're losing Nola. You're losing Nola this offseason, probably. You're losing Nola

this offseason, probably. You move off Castellanos, who has been one of the kind of leaders on this team. It's a lot of

change. A lot of change. For the one thing that we felt best about with this team was the clubhouse and the culture. Correct.

So that's my biggest concern with the Castellanos idea of moving up. Now if it ends up, you move off of them, you put Harper back in right foot, you bring back Reese. I don't know if I feel as worried about losing all this kind of locker room equity,

I guess, in a way. Nice. You could use equity there. Sounds so smart. I don't really know what equity is. I just want to get that out there. No idea. You do, though, right?

I mean, come on. No, I don't. I really don't. Anyway, moving on. You can explain to me that after the podcast. I'll tell you about it after. No problem. Hey, fantasy football owners.

The road to winning your fantasy football championship starts now. I'm Matt Harmon from Reception Perception. Join me and James Coe as we take a deep dive into the position that's going to make or break your fantasy roster. Wide receivers. We analyze route running, target share, and all the metrics that matter, giving you the insights you need to draft the best wide receivers. As you prep for your draft, let us give you the coverage you need.

Follow and listen to Reception Perception on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. So I just worry about losing all that stuff. Castellanos, I'm fine with him if he's here. If they trade him, I get it because of the chase stuff. And super streaky, you have no idea what you're going to get. And he's frustrating when he's in his lows. He also turned around 100 on Spencer Triter and hit it like 700 feet,

and that was awesome. So, we'll see. I think they can only get out from under one of those deals in Taiwan and Castellanos. They are right that this is probably the only time you'd be able to trade him because he did have an all-star season. He'd get older. He probably made the case that this will be the best. He will play in a Phillies uniform because he's got three years after this year.

Is it going to be better than this last year? Is he going to become a more disciplined hitter at 32, 33? So maybe it's like they're trying to jump on the right opportunity and kind of see what happens. I mean, all loads. Wow. All roads. Wow, pause.

All roads. Oh, no. It's funny because it wasn't even the word you were going for. Yeah. I mean, I hope you see the forest through the trees for the first time. All roads here are leading towards. Oh, trout fishing. My trout being in Philly.

All right, let's do it. Let's go trout fishing. All right. By the way, you started something. We've got stagers on our station saying, or maybe it's time to go trout fishing. And they dug up the clip of Harper from 19 or whatever. I dug up the clip. That was you.

Of course. You don't think I'm going to talk to Mike Trout about coming to the Phillies. With absolutely no context. I know. No one knows where it's from. Funniest part, the camera's in my studio. That stager plays. And he's like, when did Bryce say that?

He's like, wait, what? I was like, bro. Six years ago. It's when he just got here. Remember? He's like, wait, what? I was like, bro. Six years ago. It's when he just got here. Remember? He's like, wait, what? I was like, yeah. He's like, well, that's a little misleading.

Really? What do we do here? It's radio. Never. So, all right. Here's my case for Mike Trout. Yes. Shouldn't need to happen.

He's one of the best players of all time. You are like hook, line, and stinker. Trout fishing? Both feet in. Yes. Yeah. You're hook, line, and stinker. Trot fishing? Both feet in. Yeah, your hook, line, and fishing pole. Yep. So here's the case for my trot. I understand. Again, shouldn't need to do this.

It's all inner circle, all famer. No, but the injuries are real. That's it. The only case against the injuries. No, no, no, no, no, no. It's not the only case against. No, no, no, I'm saying the only case against is the money and the injuries, and that's it. Yeah. But those are big cases That's it. The only case against the injuries. No, no, no. It's not the only case against. No, no, no. I'm saying the only case against is the money and the injuries, and that's it. Yeah.

But those are big cases. Go ahead. Yeah. Believe it or not, yes. $400 and some million and not being able to play baseball is a big risk. My counter to the injury stuff is last year's a handmaid bone. It's a fluky thing. It's a bit of a fluky injury. I don't think, like if they traded

for him, I'm putting Marsh in center field. Oh, without a doubt, he's playing left field. I don't think there's any question about that. Trout's in left field. Yeah. Or DH if you need to. Wear and tear on his body. Yeah.

I think they will be able to. Throw a short route for a few games here and there. Yeah, yeah, yeah. They're not the Angels. They're not morons. They know how to build a roster. That's my biggest. And I'm anti-Trout.

Yeah, because you hate good players. But, like, to your point with Blake Snell, why I would immediately be in and be excited, I do think going from the Angels to the Phillies is a massive difference on every level, even staying healthy. I do think that the Phillies will do a better job of managing him, of taking care of his injuries, of being on top of things, on all that. The Angels are a trash organization.

The trashest organization. They're not the trash. They're up there. In terms of taking a guy and getting the best out of him and giving him the tools for him to get the best out of himself, they're up there with the worst organizations in baseball. Yeah, they have been for years.

And so, Angels to Phillies, obviously a big win there. Whenever I put it out there, people are like, oh, I'm not selling the farm for them. Well, you wouldn't at all. You're not selling. You're getting them for like nothing. You're getting my trout at a massive discount

because they're going to want to pay a good amount of the salary to pay it down. And if they pay it down more, you give better prospects. If they pay it down less, then you give up less prospects. Like there's a path here to where it's not like, I'm not saying that they're taking the whole contract, which I don't think they would, and you don't have to give up the entire

farm to go get them. Like, you'd give up a real piece. You don't have to give up, like, Mick Abel and someone else plus, Mick Abel and Johan, and then something else. Right. Like, you'd give up that. It's not, you're giving up Painter. You're not giving up, like, Aiden Miller. No. You're not giving up a real piece, but not something that I don't think is going to kill you. It giving up like aiden miller no you're not giving up you're giving up a a real piece but not something i don't think is gonna kill you

it's exactly right it's mike trout like like it's it's it's mike trout so it's it's the the injury thing real but i think they can manage it better the it's not gonna cost a ton to go get them because they're gonna pay down the salary and you're not gonna give up your top prospects so that is kind of a check mark against and at at the same time, it would bring so much buzz to next year's season. Whereas I worry that heading into spring training, heading into opening day, it's like, well, you know, wake me up when they get to the postseason. You add Mike Trout to Bryce Harper to Kyle Schwarber to Trey Turner and all these people that are anti, I know the second they actually trade for Mike Trout to Bryce Harper to Kyle Schwarber to Trey Turner

and all these people that are anti, I know the second they actually trade for Mike Trout and you start doing the lineup projections and how they need a right-handed bat that's kind of patient and can play left field. Are you serious? He's one of the 10 best baseball players to ever live. Wow.

He needs to win in the playoffs. He has to. And he has a chance to do that. Yes, he needs to win in the playoffs. He has to. And he has a chance to do that. Yes, he has to. Other thing people bring up, wouldn't be able to handle Philadelphia, like all the pressure

that comes with it. Like, the difference between 2015 Mike Trout when we were giving him standing ovations with Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley and Ryan Howard on the field,

which was insulting, but the reason why we did that in 2015 was because he was viewed as the savior. He's the savior of the franchise. He would not have to be the savior here. He would just be a cog in the wheel. Like, he would just be like Mike Trout, cog in the wheel.

He would be, though. It's not that it's immense pressure to be like the savior of the team. He'd just be a part of it. And he'd get to play with Bryce, and Bryce is still the face, and he gets to just go beat Mike Trout. So you don't have to worry about that. Plus, your golf course is coming in 2024 or 2025. Don't you want to be closer to that?

That's a good point. And plus, Eagles are here. Obviously, I mean, that's the number one thing that he's thinking. He's like, oh, Eagles every Sunday. Bang. Yeah. I just, I think the people that are so out on it i think they they're looking at a tad wrong a tad wrong and i hope that convinced them i'm in i know let's do it look for me it's

always been the injury thing and that like like john middleton god bless you hey let's put it this way let's go bless you let's spend money we only really need him if you want us to put him on ice until August look I he fits I think it's the most

interesting point that you've made in there is that like in terms of just pure fit like they actually need Mike Trout like they need like that exact

I mean obviously they need a player like him not you know everyone needs the best player in the history generation or whatever. We can use a mic drop. It makes sense from that perspective.

It's just that I need him to stay on the field. Like, that's it. It's my only thing. That's my only thing. But if he's the D agent playing left field, he's a way better chance of doing that. No, that's a great point. It's a good point. You make good points.

Thank you. How about it? Welcome to making good points. It's good. Yeah. Realistically. How realistic do you think it is? Because I do think it's not crazy.

I don't know. I really don't. I don't have a feel for it. I don't have a sense for it. But I think that if John... So I think with Middleton, he's looking at next year's team and he's like... The trout buzz would just be... It'd be massive.

It'd be massive. It's the buzziest thing he could... I'm looking at the buzziest thing he could do this offseason. Signed Shohei. Besides, which they're not. I know, I'm just saying that is the single buzziest thing

he could do would be the signed Shohei. Right. If we're being honest with you. Lake Snell's not bringing any buzz. No, I know. Mike Trout's number two. That'd be the second most buzzy thing he could do this offseason.

I think he's getting traded. I think it's finally time. Can you believe it? Can you imagine Mike Trout's affiliate finally after all these years? What a moment. It'd be insane. It'd be pretty cool. I'm in.

You got me. You sold me. Official high-ups position. Go get Mike Trout. We're going trout fishing. I apologize to all the people who tweeted me, come get your boy and all that. He got me, guys. That was a very well-reasoned, well-thought-out,

strong argument. Thank you. And I will never, ever, if he does not, and he ends up elsewhere, again, I have had a very up-and-down relationship with Mike Trout. Because he turned the back, I'm not going to let him forget this,

he turned his back on the city. You're going to hold him accountable if he gets here. If he comes here, you'll hold him accountable? Always. You know me. I would never just put all stuff aside and say, welcome home, pal. I would never, ever do that. Jack, you said that. In my head, I see an image of you standing at the airport with a big sign that says,

welcome home. Will you go to prom with me? Oh, man. Yeah, so. Have a cool beaver's family. You know, like that would be pretty neat for the trout family.

But think about the family but also think about me and everyone else. Well, I'm always just the guy you like. No, but like, I was so mad at him when he signed back out there

because he ruined every. It was right after Harper was doing all that stuff too. I know. It was like, oh wow, this might happen. How cool would this be? And it was only a week after he signed his contract.

But every local baseball player's dream around here should be, you want to play for the Phillies someday. Yep. And he had me hook, line, and sinker with the whole story about how when the Phillies got Roy Halladay, and he was a member of the Angels minor league system, he came running downstairs and said to his dad, Dad, we got Roy Halladay, and he's a member of the Angels minor league system, he came running downstairs and said to his dad, Dad, we got Roy Halladay.

And his dad said, the Angels got Roy Halladay? And he said, no, the Phillies got Roy Halladay. That story is something that will stick with me forever. Mike, come on home. I don't hate it. Come on home, man. I'm a lot more in than I exactly am. If you end up as a Yankee or a Mets or a Cardinal, I'm out.

Yeah. Oh, way out. You have one chance. Yeah. Think about it this way, Mike. It's a big swing for him right here. Because I'm sure that Mike, Trout, and his family are listening to the podcast. Obviously.

Hello, Trout family. the bucket. Obviously. Hello, Trout family. You have a chance to come home and put your team you grew up rooting for over the top and win a freaking World Series alongside Bryce Trout.

Freudians laugh! Alongside Bryce Harper. You have that chance. You have it. It's right in front of you. Just do it. Just do it. There's not this immense amount of pressure. You have it. It's right in front of you. Just do it. Just do it. There's not this immense amount of pressure. You don't have to be the savior of the franchise.

You get to just come here, play baseball in preferably left field, and be Mike Trout. Come home and be Mike Trout. We talked a lot about it with Harper. I know Harper feels it, and he talks about it, and you can tell that he can't. Like, Trout, Michael, and like we talked a lot about with Harper, and Harper feels it, and he talks about it, and you can tell that he can't. Like, Trout, Michael, to Jack's point from earlier, I mean,

you have a chance to go down as one of the greatest baseball players in the history of the sport. You already are, just in terms of talent and production, and certainly in a 10-year period on top, but like, I gotta be honest with you, man. You need a ring. You need a ring. Like, you need a ring. Or a postseason moment. Exactly. Or postseason moments. Like, you need a ring. Or a postseason moment.

Exactly. Or postseason moments. Like, you need to have come through in the biggest of stages with the entire world watching. And striking out against Shohei in the world baseball class does not count. And not a moment either, for you at least. It would have been. Nice moment for Shohei, yeah. But, like, you need this, dude.

You need it. Your legacy is incomplete. It just is. And it's woefully incomplete. Bryce might not have a title, but Bryce has bedlam at the bank. Bryce has playoff runs. Bryce has playoff runs and moments. You got nothing, Mike. You gotta get rid of these, like, Jake Cave

has as many playoff hits as Mike Trout. That's a travesty. Honestly, it's a joke, and it was so funny when it happened. It's a... I almost cursed there. It's a freaking travesty. That is a travesty It is a baseball tragedy That Mike Trout has as many playoff hits as Jake Cave

Enough with that Mike Go freaking win a title Be a legend dude It didn't take you long Who had a quicker turn Me on Blake Snell or you on Mike Trout I think it was you on Snell still It was pretty close

Don't trot fish I'm in Let's go Me on Blake Snell or you on Mike Trout? I think it was you on Snell still, but it was pretty close. Yeah. It was very close. Yeah. That was good. Don't trout fish. I'm in. Where are we going? Let's go. Let's hop in the car. Yeah.

Take a ride. We might have to go to Millville. That's fine. And find Mike Trout. I'm in. I'm in. I mean, the family listens. We just got to that point somehow, so.

Tell the boy to come home. That's right. And stop wasting time in LA. Yeah. Wasting your career, your legacy. Yeah. No big deal. How do you want to be remembered?

Yeah. When you are on the steps of Cooperstown someday, because guess what is happening? Wouldn't you rather stand there as a freaking champion instead of like, well, never got it done? And go in as an official. I guess I had some nice moments, but you know. I had some nice moments in front of like 10,000 people.

That's cool. You know what I never did? Achieve the top possible thing that I can achieve in my sport. And live out every Philadelphia fan's boyhood dream. Well, that's a part two. I mean, that's the thing with Trout.

That's the unique thing. Like, he actually has a chance to live out his exact childhood dream. Like, everyone wants to win the World Series. Like, he gets to win it with his childhood team. And I'm calling a little...

I can't believe how I am. I'm like pitching Mike Trout. I know. Yeah. Let me just get this one out of the way too, Mike. Because I'm calling a little... I can't believe how I am. I'm like pitching Mike Trout. I know. Yeah. Let me just get this one out of the way too, Mike. Because I think I know you now. You've gotten much less formal

as we've gone along. Mike, listen. Mike! Because I feel like I see it in his eyes. Like you look into a horse, you know, and you see a winner.

Mike, let's just lay our cards on the table. We haven't done that yet? No one believes you when you say, I'm just an Eagles fan. Or I'm just a Sixers fan. Knock it off. You're in the Phillies parade.

Stop. It's okay. It's okay. Zach Gallin, fraud. Oh, no doubt. The Cardinals fan growing up? That's embarrassing. Stacy was right to not let him go to the parade. I'm still mad at Stacyacey Gallen for mocking us. She did mock us.

The rest of the family was quite nice. Shout out to Zach Gallen's dad. It was very cool. Stacey mocked us. Yeah, she's out. Now to be fair, I'm really going to call it like it was. You might have been calling the Diamondbacks a loser team

that was like the worst team ever in the moment that she responded. I don't remember. Do not remember. So can you prove that? Probably for the best. There's no tape of that. No.

No. Yeah. It's good. There's no video. There is no video. Yeah. Only what we said happened. No, but I do have, I just will never get Stacey Gallen's face out of my mind.

I know. Of her looking at me and being like, hey, I called. I know. And then doing a little celebration thing. Yeah. It was tough. Top five. Anyway, back to my job.

Yeah. Come to Philly. Yeah, figure it out. Yeah, make it happen. All right. 51 minutes in. Harvard to first base for good, huh? Or maybe not.

Or maybe not. Or maybe not. Reese, come on. Dombrowski says, like, that's what the deal is. Obviously, I think everyone saw it yesterday. But then in that Feinstein piece, Feinstein again, just all over everything,

sources, the Cassianos thing, and then also says, yeah, they could just, if they trade Cassianos, move Bryce to right and just bring Reese back. It's like, maybe he's not gone.

Maybe he's not gone. What do you make of this whole thing? Because, like, from what we know, Dave Dombrowski told us he's going to be the first base. Yeah, but he also did leave the door open for Reese, too. He did. No, he said he might be back. So, yeah, I think it was probably like, listen, you'll play first if we can't get Reese back. Yeah.

Is that kind of fair? You know, I think heading into next year, their plan is to have him at first base. I think their plan is to have Bryce Harper play first base. But at the same time, I do think that they had something last year with the defense they had in the outfield and Bryce Harper at first base. Do we need to— You mean Reese at first? No, like last year. It was Bryce.

Yeah, with Bryce at first. I agree with you. Having an outfield defense that was like— I agree with you. And Bryce took at first base. Like, do we need to? You mean Reese at first? No, like last year. With Bryce. Yeah, with Bryce at first. I agree with you. Like, having an outfield defense that was like. I agree with you. And Bryce took a first baseman. He's only played for like three months and he was like really good. Yeah. Like, on one hand.

And I think it's better for his body long term. Yeah, yeah, 100%. All that stuff. 100%. And he did tear his. His freaking arm. I mean, he just had Tommy John. Do we want him going out and throwing the furthest throw on the field?

Yeah. Yeah. So, you just had Tommy John. Do we want him going out and throwing the furthest throw on the field? Yeah. Yeah. So, I feel a couple things. So, if they did all this and they brought back Reese, I'd be happy.

I'm okay with letting Reese go. But at the same time, like, I feel really, it sucks that Reese never got a final, you know, he never got a right.

I'm really bummed he wasn't on the, like, we look back at it now, but we said in the moment, like, you know, why is Tywin Walker on that roster when it should have been Reese Hoskins instead of Tywin Walker? It should have been. Like, we look back at it now, but we said in the moment, like, you know, why is Tyrone Walker on that roster when it should have been Reese Hoskins

instead of Tyrone Walker? It should have been. Like, there were moments where Reese Hoskins could have mattered. Reese Hoskins absolutely could have pinch hit in game six or seven and maybe made a difference. And instead, freaking Tyrone sitting on the bench and then tweeting about his manager and stuff. Liking tweets.

Seriously, whatever. That was a mistake. Like, that was a mistake. And I'm with you. That is the biggest bummer of it all. Like the last moment we'll get is him throwing out the first pitch, which was a great moment, but that's not what his last moment should be.

I agree. Uh, and he was a, he was a really good Philly. Uh, and, and he, at a time when we didn't have any,

right. I mean, when he came up in 17 and I believe he started over 11 and they had a little dribbler down the right field line for his first step. I remember watching him in the, uh, in the futures game that year, and I was like, oh, my God, we have someone to— We were really excited about Reese Hoskins coming up. 100%. That whole year, we were like, wow.

Because he was one of those guys who was like a prospect, but then it's like, oh, this guy's better than that. And I don't think the prospect rankers realized how consistent a hitter he was. But when you watched the numbers, when you saw what he was doing down the minors, it was like, oh, this guy just rakes. Well, and he was different in Redding, too, because everyone brought up him and Cousins as they put him on a show in Redding. But he also walked all the time, so that's what made him different than a lot of the random power

hitters that you see at Redding. But yeah, Hoskins came up. Historic start. That run in 17 he went on was insane. Historic. It's the most, whatever it was, most homers in their first 50 games or whatever that was. And it made us believe in the Phillies again. And he was like, I know Nola was here, but having a hitter just makes it easier.

Of course. So he was like the guy. And, you know, has had some huge moments. I mean, opening day in 19, you know, I remember Bryce's debut, but he also had a huge grand slam late in that game. You know, he's been a really, really good Philly. Him and his wife are amazing people.

Shout out to Jamie, too. Yep. They've done a lot of good here. Yeah. And it's just a shame that this is how it's probably going to end. Like, obviously, the door could be open. I'd be happy if he came back. Me, too.

I think he's going to get paid, like, more than we thought. Well, I was thinking, thinking like one-year deal. I think he's going to be like four for six or three for 50 or whatever. Like if you looked at the free agent classes. Well, I saw Hoskins so low on the MLE trade rumors. So the athletic one he had, he's like 25th on their list. Yeah, which is ridiculous. Which is crazy, but he's probably top 40.

He's going to outperform whatever contract he gets. Whatever contract he gets. Maybe he'll get like three for 40 or something like that. Three for 40 sounds right. Yeah, I like he's going to outperform whatever contract whatever contract he gets maybe he'll get like 3 for 40 or something 3 for 40 sounds right yeah I think he's going to get more than we think yeah so

yeah I I hope that when he comes back and whatever team he's on he'll get a really really nice ovation and I hope that I'm there for it

because I think he deserves that yeah I would actually go out of my way to be there for that yeah I would 100% go out of my way because he mattered and then he brought, I would 100% go out of my way to be because he mattered. And then he brought

Philly's baseball, he's a part of the team that brought Philly's baseball back to Philadelphia with last year's team. And he was the start. You're right. We always say him and Nola,

but like him coming up and hitting all those homers and just kind of being, giving us something to watch, you know, something to tune in for every night. Altair was there.

Every night. Good times, buddy. Remember the old school? Oh, Altair versus Nick Williams? Old school stuff, man. That was an OG. OG high hopes. Oh, yeah.

Altair is a, like, if we had to make our Mount Rushmore of original, like, high hopes players, like, Altair would at least be in the discussion. I don't know if he's on there. Altair, Pav Pavetta for Anthony. Pavetta is the number one like bullet. It's probably the biggest compliment. I don't know. Nick Pavetta though.

Might be back. Turn into it. Might be a dude. Want the driveline? Might be a dude. All right. Yeah, look, I'm with you on this on all fronts. I think it's the right move to keep Harper at first

from a career perspective, from a franchise perspective. It just sucks because, you know, Reese has been awesome. And, and to your point has been a great Philly, you know, has been a great representative of the team when we didn't have that and has, uh, you know, through the losing years has stood up and always answered questions and always been kind of a face of the guys and all that type of stuff. And just seems like a really good guy too. Like he actually seems like a super nice, good human, which is, you know, always, always fun to have. Um, yeah, it's a shame.

It's a shame. It feels like his career here is ending the wrong way. Yeah. A hundred percent. And yeah, it's, uh, yeah, it's, it's a bummer. So, um, I look forward to when he comes back. Maybe we'll have like a high hopes. Oh buddy. I like where your head's at. Come on man. A high hopes forward to when he comes back. Maybe we'll have like a High Hopes. Oh, buddy.

I like where your head's at. Come on, man. A High Hopes night to welcome Reese back? I love it. I'm fully in. I'll commit to it now. Yeah. We'll be there.

And I hope he ends up in a good spot. I hope, you know, maybe San Fran or Seattle or I hope he doesn't end up on a trash team. Yeah. I think a smart organization is going to pay him, though. I would bet he ends up on a smart team. Yeah. Honestly, the Rays might pay him. That was my first thought. I was going to say the Rays. Like another. Like an affluent team. I want him on a good team. I think a smart organization is going to pay him, though. I would bet he ends up on a smart team. Yeah. Honestly, the Rays might pay him. That was my first thought. I was going to say the Rays. They

just gave Eflin that. Give the similar type thing to Reese. Put Eflin and Reese together. I think they'd be a super smart move by them. They'd use him perfectly. Yeah. I know the Brewers liked him a couple years ago, but they seem like they're kind of tearing it down. Well, yeah, I think that's partially why Council left and all that stuff.

We didn't talk about that, but that was pretty wild, the council thing. Just like a manager, you never see that. Just hop to another team that had a current manager. I mean, poor David Ross. I mean, that sucks. He had a great year. He got in the playoffs. Almost the playoffs.

And they collapsed. They collapsed, yes. He'll get another job. Yeah, yeah, I think another job yeah he'll be good he's loved around baseball one of those oh yeah um but yeah the Brewers seem like I mean for as much as we talk about Burns I probably would call him Brandon Woodruff too like I love Brandon Woodruff he might be he's had injury issues though Burns has stayed on the field what about Devin Williams bro but put him in in the friggin' ninth. Shut it down.

It's over. The airbender. Yeah. I mean, he might be the most fun watch clips of a guy pitch. Oh, it's stupid. I don't know how he throws it. Like, it defies the laws of gravity. Like, it doesn't, like, physics don't apply when Devin Williams throws that pitch.

It doesn't apply. So, all right. So, he holds in a circle grip. And you have to, if you want to be able to throw that pitch, you have to get really on top of it and really pronate. You probably also have to have giant hands. Yeah. So you have to really pronate your wrist.

But the thing that makes him ridiculous is that he really pronates his wrist to get rid of it. But it also, like, he has to throw that so hard for it to move like that. Like, that's what makes it ridiculous. Because you can do that and, like, throw it. But, like, you have to throw it hard. Now to move like that. Like, that's what makes it ridiculous because you can do that and, like, throw it, but, like, you have to throw it hard. Now, I thought it was 97. Yeah, which helps.

So it helps. But, like, dude, haters out there, I get it, and they do have more pressing needs, but if they could do, like, a Devin Williams or a Bednar trade. Oh, buddy. Look, we said it earlier. I am full in get a legit closer.

How many more ideas do I got to give you? Trout, get a real closer. Leader over here. Yeah, look at you. Yeah. Always right. That's what it is. Never miss.

That's been a staple in this podcast, Jack. Never miss. Always right. Never miss. What else? Did we hit everything? Oh, take back. An hour.

This might be a record. We're an hour into the podcast. Yeah. Take back. Good. We hit all the rumors, right? Yeah. Cassidy, Sonny Gray, Bryce.

Yeah, we hit all the rumors. How about the Padres taking out a loan to pay their players last year? Did they really? That was the story last week. They took out $50 million because they needed to pay people. So it looks like they're trading everyone. Maybe don't sign all those huge contracts, guys. Yeah, 300 plus million for...

Would you? Can they give the Kinder Bogarts $280 million? How insane. And they want to put them in first base. I know, I know. It's like the dumbest... Fire AJ Preller. I thought he was good.

He's clearly not. I mean, the stories about their toxicity and stuff too was wild. Some of those stories. So, I would rather trade for Tatis than Soto. If they can't afford all these guys, you have a chance to get Soto. Dude, Tatis is like a ridiculous outfitter now. Yeah, he's a gold glove.

You guys want a gold glove? Shout out to Zach Wheeler. Gold glove doesn't mean much. Who could forget? The magical defensive season. I can't remember one play. I can't remember one defensive play that Zach Wheeler. Goal club doesn't mean much. Who could forget? The magical defensive season. I can't remember one play. I can't remember one defensive play that Zach Wheeler made. It was fine.

Sure. He made plays. But nothing stands out to me. I can't think of him as like, wow, what a play he made. Rangers are great defensive players. Rangers are one of the best we've seen here. What are we doing? I know.

And Tatis, I don't know, man. To be fair, you have always been smitten with Tatis. Yes. He's just kind of always. He's carried me to a lot of fancy. And he's super fun. Yeah, he's ridiculous. Now it could be contributing to the clubhouse problem out there.

Yeah, and Juan Soto's better. Look, I mean defense. If you want to add in the defense, then Tatis is not even. Juan Soto is a better Look, I mean defense. If you want to add in the defense, then Tatis is not going to win. Juan Soto is a better hitter than Tatis. But Soto has one year left. Tatis is under contract. Well, that's true. But I mean, I guess it's like how much more than $314 million

do you think Soto's going to get? I think he's going to get more. He's going to get $400,000. Yeah, but I mean, you say Tatis is under contract. It's not like he's under contract for like 100 million it's still 300 million dollars a guy's under contract

he didn't sign a Braves contract yeah no he didn't put a gun to his head like the Braves do I know

I know you hate when I do that well it's just like I get it yeah so so Tatis I don't know if they're

if they're selling everyone I'd take I'd take Fernanda Tatis believe it or not good call take Fernanda Tatis. Yeah. Believe it or not. Good call. Yeah.

It's Trout Tatis. How many? Listen, poor John Middleton. You might need to start selling more cigars. Go back into the biz. How much personal responsibility do you hold? I wonder where this is going. By not destroying your ankle this year for a- Again, they had to get to the World Series.

Like, I can't do it. It happened in the World Series last year. What am I supposed to do? Do it early? I still don't think it really did. I think it happened at Bedlam. Okay. Let's go with your story.

Thank you. Okay. Yes. Not mine. Nope, not yours. You never know about you. You dirty liar. So your ankle cost the Phillies about you. Dirty liar. So your ankle is cost affiliates

of title. That's fair. Honestly, I'll own that. And then the final thing, I guess, is I don't know what it means, but congratulations to our guys, Brian Barber and Preston Mattingly. Hey!

Bill Barber, Brian. Yes. The amount of people who tweeted Bill Barber at me. Mattingly. Hey! Bill Barber, Brian. Yes. The amount of people who tweeted Bill Barber at me. I get it. All right, everyone, thank you. Yes. Shout out to Brian Barber and Preston Mattingly. It's awesome.

Preston Mattingly, maybe someday make an appearance on the show. See what happens. Could be. Yeah, so I don't know. I think my gut tells me what it means is that maybe they're getting interest elsewhere and they had to promote them to keep them and then now it could also mean that they want to promote them so that it freed up spots to hire more smart

guys could be I mean it's probably all these things I mean it's probably a combination of all these things because they already mean it's not like they moved on from Jorge Valencia no I think the biggest thing is that those guys did great jobs and that's what you do when those guys when guys do great jobs to kind of keep them in the fold to keep them happy look press them out and they already jumped from the Padres to the Phillies.

You know, you don't want to lose that guy. Yeah. And Barber went from the Yankees to the Phillies. You don't want to lose that guy. Well, yeah, I mean, they've kind of turned this whole thing around. Yeah, I think they're two of the most important people in the franchise. Yeah, they're very important. And hopefully they stay here for a long time.

So smart by the Phillies, doing whatever it takes, keep those guys. And maybe they're also getting out in front of Sam Fulte eventually leaving. Which probably will happen. I mean, he's working closely enough with Dombrowski. He was in the Red Sox consideration, but I believe he pulled himself out of the... He was in the Rays organization for a while. He's had

a lot of training on the job, so to speak, where it's like he has a GM resume. And again, just do whatever it takes to keep Ani Kalambi. All that matters. Oh, yeah. Raise guy. Gotta keep our raise guy. They did bring in two raise guys. I know. Josh Fleming. Michael Mercado.

Mercado. Yeah, Fleming, I have Fleming's been, he's not, he might not be very good. No. He might be a bad raise guy. I've owned him for a spot start here and there, and it did not go well. Mercado guy's interesting. Yeah. He's got the classic AAA reliever guy that should be in the big leagues,

and maybe they found something. Who knows? Maybe the Rays are giving up a good player. Kimber replacement. I mean, Dave did do it. We won the Curtis Meade trade. Yeah, and the Alvarado trade. We won the Alvarado trade.

I feel confident saying Alvarado is better than Garrett Clevenger. And the Curtis Meade trade. And the Curtis Meade trade. And the Curtis Meade trade. Chris Sanchez. I love Sanchez. Started an NLCS game. I mean look you say

Curtis Meade I know that he's a highly ranked guy like I don't know how good he is. So you say how good is he? I don't know.

Okay. But it did crush my soul I gave up a guy. They could have chosen almost anyone else right? And they chose that guy who turned into

a top 50 prospect. Yeah it's tough. Maybe don't do that. Christopher Sanchez is good, though. Yeah. But yeah, that's all I got. That's all you got. Only an hour and...

There's a lot of stuff that's coming on this podcast. No, I'm kidding. Do you have another Clap Your Hands record or anything? I wish, man. A lot of Sixers talk. Sixers basketball. Everyone check it out. Clap Your Hands.

Well, my only problem is I watch a ton of basketball. You're a basketball guy. People don't know that about you. There's a lot of basketball. You watch a lot of basketball. You're a basketball guy. People don't know that about you. It's a lot of basketball. You watch a lot of basketball. Maybe gamble on it. Well, so Saturday I had 37 NBA bets out. Oh, my God.

Are you kidding me? I would be nauseous trying to think about all that. That was insane. It was great. Just bet on Jokic. It comes through every time. I have bet on Jokic, but it's always like 40 plus. I know.

It's all about the odds. I know. That was more a shot at your podcast partner. He really, really, really does not like Nikol Jokic. Him, Spike, and Ike are all anti-Jokic. Sometimes people argue that this guy isn't blue. I don't know what to tell. The guy's a beautiful player.

He's a beautiful basketball player. He really is. And Pete is too. And Pete is too. They're very different, but I love watching him. The guy's a beautiful player. He's a beautiful basketball player. He really is. And Beat is too. And Beat is too. They're very different, but I love watching him. He gets so upset about it. And Beat's also great. He is great.

He gets so offended. I know. It's okay for one to be better. We both like each other. I know. It's all good. We can both like both. It's okay.

Look, you can do a Sixers pod. I can do an Eagles pod. And then we meet here and do what we love. Talk about the Phillies. That's right. And go trout fishing. That's right. Go trout fishing. How about it? Oh, man. All right. Talk about the Phillies. That's right. And go trout fishing. That's right. Go trout fishing.

How about it? Oh, man. All right. You got any final thoughts? You never do. I don't even know why I asked you for a final thought. My final thought is we started playing vroom vroom with me and Walk. So what is vroom vroom?

Vroom vroom is when we sit outside on our little porch, just watch the cars go by. He really likes just watching cars go by. It's adorable. So he just goes, he gets so excited, the car starts driving towards our house. And then he just goes by and he follows it like all the way down, like wondering where the cars go. So it's been a, it's been a, I spend like. It's a new game that you're playing. I spend no less than 30 minutes on my front porch every morning, just sitting there and playing vroom vroom with walk.

It's great. It's so funny how much changes. Cause I remember those times. And now like, you know, all Zoe does is talk and she's just talking to me. I wonder where she gets that from. Exactly.

Yes. Definitely. Your father's daughter. I, I, she, her big thing lately is she loves to play games

and like every single game she'll go, okay, the rules are simple every single time and they're like the most complicated thing. She'll talk for five minutes

after that and I won't understand a single word of it. I'll be like, oh, they're simple, huh? Never. Very easy. The rules are simple.

Yeah, they're never simple. Never simple. Yeah. Good times. Vroom, vroom, Tom. Vroom, vroom. Is that the title of the podcast? Let's play vroom, vroom. Vroom, vroom, Tom. Vroom, vroom. Is that the title of the podcast? Let's play vroom, vroom.

Vroom, vroom. Let's play vroom. People will be like, what the hell is happening here? There's like 8,000 things we could talk about. Yeah. All right. Next week. Perfect off season.

Perfect off season. I don't know what day of the week it'll be. We'll figure it out. I can't wait. I already can't wait for your... Yeah, let's just go trade. I'm going to trade for Dylan Cease. I'm not going to give up anything. I'm not going to have one name. You know I do these things, okay? Just get Dylan Cease. I'll throw in a name... Let's just go trade. I'm going to trade for Dylan Cease. I'm not going to give up anything.

I'm not going to have one name. You know I do these things, okay? Just get Dylan Cease. I'll put in a name. I'll pick a name. It'll be like Mick Abel Plus or whatever. Something along those lines. All right.

I'm going to find a way... I'll let you fill in the blank. I'm going to find a way to get Dylan Cease and Mike Trout. Okay. And David Bednar. Good. In one perfect offseason. I'll let you have Trout on yours.

Even though it's a high-ups position. Trout fishing. A trout fishing. That's the title of the pod. Damn it. All right. Here's for it's

themselves. We'll talk to you next time.