High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Phillies Trade Deadline Reaction with GM PRESTON MATTINGLY!

Episode Date: August 7, 2025

Philadelphia Phillies general manager Preston Mattingly joins the High Hopes podcast to discuss what he's learned during his first nine months on the job and gives us the inside scoop on what things were like heading into last week's MLB trade deadline. Presented by Miller Lite To purchase Ring The Bell by Jack Fritz and Kevin Reavy go to RingTheBellBook.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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I hope, high hope, I feel a little less along. Yo, it is another edition of the IOs podcast, sponsored by Miller Light, official partner of the Philadelphia Phillies, tastes like Miller Time,

Philadelphia celebrate responsibly. And yes, they took two or three. They looked good. 13 and 3 was fun. That yo was coming up in a little bit. I'm sure you see it in the title. Our guy's back. How crazy is it?

Shout out to Preston Mattingly. The general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies willingly comes on this podcast. Well, first. I mean, really? First off, I always forget that people do read the title because I think of it like a radio show. I did too. So I was like, Jack, I was about to do it. I was at the tease at me like, you'll never believe who's coming up.

And then I was like in my head. I'm like, one time Emily told me that and I mentioned it. She's like, oh, I saw you have this person. I'm like, oh, my God. It's in the title. I know. I know. I know.

So it's a little different than radio where you have to like tease stuff. But yeah, no, he is, he's the best. And as you'll hear, that very, I think, interesting answers on a lot of things about the trade deadline. Yeah. Fascinating. Took us like inside the room and all that, which is really cool. God, to be a fly. It's one of the biggest dreams of my entire life is just be a fly on the wall.

for a trade deadline slash like and it'll be dropped totally i just want to be there and see what it looks like you'll see people here but like i even ask a question where it's basically like i'm like is it like this and is it like money fall in there like i'm dying to know what it's like in the room i know i mean because think about it would never want to compare the two but like think about intense your fantasy sports like baseball draft summer this is the next level i mean the stakes are so much higher i mean not only is the future franchise online uh but like the mental health of your fan base is the hope's dreams i know like again you know know i always say it but like we choose to spend our money on on going to games on gear on this

we spend our time and and baseball especially we've talked to that so many times but to commit to like whether you do 150 whether you do 1.40 whether you do 1 35 year whether you do 162 in your cycle whatever it is and i know a lot of our listeners are high on those lists like that's a real commitment of your life and time to a team. We know we have kids. Like it is like you have to choose to do this. And it's it's pretty wild when like in a day it's like, oh, like now like this like Duran all of a sudden, it's like he's one of our favorite players.

Like I don't know one day he's a twin and he means nothing to us. And the next day he's everything to us and he closed his game for us. It's just it is such a unique thing as fans. You're right. And if we were doing top 11 this week, Duran would he be on? it. Stop 11 athletes in Philadelphia? Come on,

man. I think you might be one right now. Yeah. He's thrown in the city. Listen, listen, we all choose to invest our time in different ways. Some of us spend a lot more time playing tennis than others.

We're just going to get into it. No, it's fine. It's fine. I was not even going to talk about. No one cares. He was good. Joe was good.

This is my only statement for the high hopes listeners. Joe won, Jack didn't lose. That's the way I look at it. Like, I thought you were pretty. I thought you were pretty. I thought you were pretty solid.

It's fine. You were a solid buying tennis buyer. Like if I just played, it was, I'm a gym class tennis player. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, you can hit back and forth, but you're not like a tennis player. DeCampo's a tennis player. Yeah, cared a lot. It was good.

Yeah, he cares way more. Well, of course. We knew that going yet. I mean, you have two kids. You got a lot going on. This is Joe's everything. Like, yeah, this is his whole life right now. He's catching me at a good time.

Yeah. He's catching me at a good time to do this whole thing. Yeah. And look, he's said, give credit to him. He's taking a minute. Yeah. And people, yeah, I think people are really starting to realize that. you know i'm a pretty i'm a pretty chill guy you just don't care like you know like and you

even saw it yesterday when he and i'm if people are surveilled here but there's a point word to camera and the refs like thank you for volunteering time they were of course pretty bad at just yelling the word out i couldn't believe it joke goes and grabs the mic and curse them out he was there like could you bleeping get it together it was like you could see in that moment i was like everyone i see this i'm like this is what i deal with beat the hammer every week like that's how weird he you know how much i complain about it it's because he's a psycho about things that are competitive he's like other level psycho about it yeah yeah and i'm like i'm competitive yeah oh yeah but you're not you're not that like just relax yeah and also i think you look at it and understand

this is a radio show we're doing we're just entertaining having fun or whatever joe's looking at it like he's freaking playing in the world series exactly yeah you know like this is going to validate competitive if it really matters I think you've struggled to think that this really matters because again radio bed again I am a part of the jack brain here I care a lot about things I care

a lot about damn straight but the things I don't care about you couldn't care less about like you are either all in or fully out yeah that's like there's no in between me yes exactly even in conversations with people a shut down mid conversation yeah chills

jills knows that one too she's like why'd get so quiet And I was like, I just don't care. I just, I have absolutely seen this exact thing happen in person. I don't care. He's out. He's done on this thing. Yeah, yeah.

So, a disappointing day yesterday, it was 5.1 was also pretty disappointing in the, in the, in the O's series. They just can't, they just won't sweep. I mean, they just, they won't sweep. Since I believe June or something, they haven't sweat. I think they're four and nine. So I think they're four and nine. Am I right about that? I think it's June. I got a stat wrong in the, the, the, uh,

Mattingly interviewed that Tucker immediately jumped on me on. I don't want to get this wrong again. I was wrong. The stolen basis thing. Remember, Tucker? Who could forget Quentin Barry? Quentin Barry? Also, the franchise has been around since like the 60s.

Yeah, it was a dumb thing to say. All right? I saw it. 40 stolen bags the most ever. Yeah, you didn't know that? I didn't see the 2009 thing on that. I just see what I get for seeing Twitter and I just saw most stolen bears ever. I was like, oh, cool.

I guess that's true. Mistakes were made. All right. I know. Yeah. And we, we jumped on it. We didn't let you breathe. I'm just trying not to screw this up again.

That's fair. So they are. It's been a while since they swept someone in a three games here. Well, and the other thing is that they are four and nine this year in after winning the first two, winning that last game. Are they really? Wow. Believe that. That's so jives out.

I think, I think seven of those nine losses were a Sunday. So I would say, I would actually disagree. I believe that they were all during the week when we are on post game. And I don't think we've reacted to one win. I really don't. I think our record during the week is horrible. So, yeah, no, it was, because it was a bummer about it, even though it really wasn't a bummer, is that it was such a great series.

The first two games were awesome. And I just think that, I think that the fan base, and we talked about this with Preston, but I think the fan base needed a Duran move. And I think the players needed the Duran move. And I do too. I think Bader's a good energy type guy to be brought in. He's got a little bit of an edge to him. Totally does.

He looks like a 93 film. It's unbelievable. It's pretty remarkable. but I just there's a different there's a different feel at the ball park's been great all year but I just sent something different and I think the team

because they're looking around and I'm sure that we talked about this after the deadline and when they started to continue to struggle I guess but where they must have felt like this is all he did you got Estevez and Austin Hayes when we have the best record in baseball and this

year they went out they went out and made a real move a real move and And I think the players got a little galvanized by it. Yeah, look, you brought it up on the air many times you talk around this pot. But, you know, I keep, I think that the main image that stuck out of my head when they did this to this specific point is the JT. Jeff, you know, where where Jared, he's running in and he literally does the eye roll because that was what we all felt with the 2020, 2020, 2012 and when they came in, it felt like we as fans were deflated. And it felt like the players were you could see it. You brought up that point so many times while it was happening. and I thought it was so smart and so on point.

And I absolutely think it matters here. I think that these guys and look, we heard it. We talked about it prior, Jim Salisbury came on the air and said, these veterans are going to be upset if he doesn't make a move. Like he put it out there. So I'm so with you. I think like it was an imperative that they added someone like this.

I think it's totally infused life into a team that was not like they had no life, but a team that needed some juice. Yes. And that's been one of the critiques I think of this team so far this year. They didn't look like they were having any fun. And the Duran move is fun. I think the, even the Bader move. I think the Bader move is fun when he's in the lineup.

And, uh, and the other point, it's fun for Max Kepler when he's not because he did his first good game in in months, if I was Thompson knew, but the, dude, it was the biggest law. I texted you. I'm like, I can't believe I didn't bet on a Kepler Homer. It was the, I feel like it happens every time that something like this happens to Topper. There's some weird laughing. I think the first one was the Brad Miller three home run game.

Remember Drew Ellis? That was one of them. Like, I think it just happened like there, I feel like there been so many weird examples of this where it's just a thing and everyone gets mad at Topper and the guy homeless like I feel like every time yeah I know it's remarkable but but also I think the fan base needed a real move and again we did a poll on the afternoon show like are you more prone basically to to buy philly tickets now saw that it was like 65 60 on a team that is a serious amount I was click I clicked clicked yes and I expected to be like 51 50 I thought it'd be over it's like 65% wow on a team that

already sells out every yeah so so so yeah because of a closer who you might not see that's my point you might not see you might buy tickets the game and not get to see the guy who got you excited to come down the ballpark i know so that so i so i so i think the fan base also like okay that that's real that's different that's a a different uh chemistry i guess on this team it's not the same old phillies or same old guys that were relying on he's a and it's so i mean it's not breaking news here anyone can see how disgusting he is you don't have to talk yourself into johander it's very clear it's obvious when you watch him pitch it just It's different. It looks different. It actually looks different than when other guys. So I don't want to make you emotional. And I would never want to bring things back to the Eagles. But I just can't help myself.

On a game day. When a game day, that's right. The first time the Super Bowl champions will take the field since the Super Bowl. By the way, it is funny that I do the open practice broadcast every year. It's the funniest thing ever, you and Elliot.

It's so funny that you're on it. And Rod keeps asking me to do it. I'm like, sure. I think it's a kind of a, I feel like it's actually turning into punishment. Like, I think it's actually turning into, it's like when the camera yesterday, that ball was probably out and he called it in just because he wanted to toy with me a little bit more.

Totally. It was one thing I will agree with that Spike said out on the other is absolutely true. It was 5-1 at the time. If it was 3-3, there's no way Joe does. No, no, no. So. You wanted to look like a good guy. I know, I know.

So I wrote hammer. So I do think it's a form of like, uh-huh, uh-huh. They go through the Eagles broadcast. Yeah. And can't wait. Can't wait to be there. Surrounded by 75,000 my closest friends. Tune in.

But, uh, WIP, again, seven to ten or whatever on Sunday. We'll do a good job. Yeah, well, the, the Phillies play at 2.30. I assume that we,

I'm doing final out from the, from the link. Luckily, just honestly, this is what I do with my eagle stuff with Elliot. Just cue Elliot up. I know. Ellie can talk the entire time by himself.

No, it's fine. We, we have fine. That's Drew, Drew Smith. He's the fourth, uh,

the linebacker, uh, for special teams. Uh, he, went to you know and just let him go so but my my equation with duran and the eagles is like it reminds me so much of sayquan yeah it just reminds me like the first time we saw sayquan run with the eagles it was like holy cow i mean we've seen this team have you know

miles sanders and dandre swift i'm not even going back to shady and b west we know but like the last couple of years where they've had productive facts right like mild sanders was a pro bowler people forget that oh yeah i think they do yeah i think he made it yeah yeah no he didn't in 2022 you're right no the final vote was something with madden or something whatever and like diond swift that over a thousand yards or whatever but but going from from that to watching sayquan it it was it was mind-blowing in a way and that's how it feels watching duran the first couple times out great analogy dude it really is again it looks different it just looks different when he throws you don't talk yourself into it that's the best part and it's it's wild how effortless it is too

did hit 103 and i i was it was so funny so the first one of those and it was five in a row and he threw that first was one oh two four whatever it was i turned to emily and i go emily i'm like that's the fastest pitch i've ever seen a philly's pitcher throw throw throw and it was and then i've seen four more that were faster but literally in that moment i turned emily because i knew in the moment i've never seen a philly's pitcher throw 102 in my life that's never happened before like pretty nuts and then he just beat them all and it's effortless and he's six five he's intimidating the whole thing like it's special it's special well and i think that if you are an opposing

team, it totally changes the calculation. Of course it does. It's where you got to be a little more urgent here because he's in the 9th and it's just like oh, yeah. No, there he is. You're right. There he is. It's remarkable. All right, we're going to get to press in and a couple. Obviously, not too much

in the series. I have two things from the series. And obviously, you know, Friday responds, I respond. My two things. One good, one bad. The first one, I'll go with the good. Gosh, where we're going to win the NLMVB? Well, so I will be beside myself if P. Crow Armstrong gets in there. I think it's in for a showy, don't you? Right now, there's 50 games left.

There's some baseball left. Yeah. Well, and the problem is now, like, Shohei's starting to actually pitch. So, yeah, he just had a strikeouts yesterday. In what, four? So that's where I was going with this. I think, I think Shoah is going to win MVP again. Yeah, I do.

But, like, Short was got a real chance, which is exciting. He should finish top two, top three. I think him and showy, I mean, it's just unfair. Like, it is what it is. It's like, and baseball is the sport. Like, you'll see it in, like, football where like Brady didn't win MVP every year. My home doesn't win MVP every year. Like, they'll mix it up.

They'll move it around, whatever. Like, baseball, they won. Barry Bond's won seven MVP. Yes. Like, like, Arod won four MVP. Like, if you're, they'll give it to this is the best player. Like, they don't, there's no, like, fatigue of giving it to showy. Like, they're just going to probably give it to showy.

Will this be his fourth? Or it be his third or fourth? No, it might be fourth. I think it's four. I think it is for it. Wow. Two at the Angels. What's crazy is that our whole lot,

I'm sorry. The Angels have had what. Okay. So my house had six MVPs in the last decade. Three. Five. Five. Yeah,

because one was done. I, my whole life growing up until Bonds, like it was like three MbPs. That's it. It was Schmidt. It's Campanella. It's barely you couldn't do the list.

It was like, no one's ever won more than three MbPs before. And then bonds and it just goes off. And now it just goes off. And now, got all these guys who are pretty crazy dude it's it's it's for as much as we talk about and we romanticize the early 2000s guys the 90s guys I it's pretty cool for this generation like I got to grow up watching show A and he's the best of all of them show a best player I think it's arguably

the best judge I think I mean but it's not compared like it's just not fair I guess a hitter wise but like the guys pitches I just it is what it is he is Babe Ruth like it's it is what it is like he's just the best yeah ever okay Um, now let's get to the bad, um, two, two concerns of the same, two parts of the same old, the starting pitching. We talked last thing about it was a little less dominant than Ben, Sandra's so good. Obviously, I think the two, one, really concerning in the Zach Wheeler thing. The sore shoulder is going to be moved till Sunday.

They didn't seem too concerned, the imaging all that, but like, Zach Wheeler has a sore shoulder. So that's concerning period. And then look, Ranger, Ranger has been great. Like, yeah, I thought the seven innings three runs last. This last start was fine. It was a nice outing. But, you know, since that stretch, that run to 10 straight or whatever it was of awesomeness, like Rangers kind of looking like the second half of Ranger last guy,

each of those guys, how concerned are you right now? So Wheeler, they've been so weird about injuries this year. At this point, I'd be surprised if you start Sunday. I would too. I really would. I, it feels like a spot to skip some starts, especially with Nola coming back. But you hope that maybe they can just manage this thing a little bit. now he did deal with something in 22 i mean they they they sat him down for what like a month

in august about a month at three and a half weeks something like that and maybe this is a time to just try to make sure he's as fresh as possible for the the postseason which i would be fine with by the if that's what it is yeah my i guess i just i still trust him a lot to to get it right um but i do wonder if you know he's been throwing a lot more 98 this year than years past and my fear is was he gunning for the Sai Young

and did he overextend himself and you know Thompson says something really interesting about the complete game yeah I was I was shocked he said that dude

and that felt like a so just for those who might have missed it he was talking about Wheeler and they asked a reporter asked if he thought workload or whatever was

he said that was the shoulder part of the reason why his command was off that was what it was and Topper goes no I think the complete game was. Yeah. And I and that kind of felt to me

like a message to Wheeler of when I want to pull you. Let me pull you. Dude, I totally agree with you. I totally agree with you. So my fear is like, okay, did he over-extend himself and now are we going to have to pay for it for the for the remainder of the season where he's not exactly because they're not. And again, I don't think that's going to happen. I think he's going to be fine. I really

wouldn't mind an I L stint for a month because, again, Taiwan is incredibly frustrating. He will get blown up at some point. But he's serviceable. Taiwan is this season, if you just take the 13 starts he's made, he is an above average five starter. Sure. And he's got a three and a half ERA.

He's above average five starter for Major League Baseball as of right now. And pitch well enough to where they can get off the 18 million this off season and trade him. But besides that, at least for this year, like let him kind of just, maybe stay in the rotation, you get Nola back, and then let let wheeler relax for a bit, come back, and let's go win a world series. So that's concerning, but again, I don't think he's going to start. I feel like he's not going to start Sunday. I think they're just going to push him back. Or maybe

he starts, it doesn't go well, and they're like, all right, now we got into it. And what about Ranger? Well, and by the way, real quick, that's what they do with Nola. You know, for some, I still want to know, he hurt his ankle in Cleveland. I know. And then they let him pitch and get blown up his next start. Why? Regardless. Okay. Ranger, it looks like we're dealing with the second half of the season fatigue with Ranger. And the one thing with him is that he's usually so calm, cool, and collected. And I just, I wonder if he's frustrated that he feels like it's happening again. And he really does remind me of Eflin where, you know, Eflin has stretches where it's like, there he is. That's a number two on a team. And he was, he was. He was really. good for the race but he missed time every year yeah we remember july 4th of 2019 we remember the heavy legs heavy legs and he's had these heavy body things is and it and it cost them money like on one hand

i think there's going to cost ranger money 100% i mean we were talking during his run like is he going to get over a hundred million yeah people were talking about the ranger yeah he's not he's not he's going to be in the 50 million yeah i was probably 60 50 40 depending on which again still life changing money i think effling got three years 40 million yeah i think yeah something like a 3 40 or 45 whatever whatever. But so I feel bad for him from that standpoint with Ranger. Like he's costing himself money. Um, but I just, I guess for my money, I, I, I think he's going to be the one that goes to the ball. So that was going to be my next question, especially something that we haven't talked enough about as it goes on and something you've brought up a lot when it happens. Like,

I'm scared of the Lazardo stretch thing. Like if we're going to talk about Lazzardo coming in and you mentioned this coming in and like, oh, he's the one and his stuff does play like stuff wise in the playoffs but like he has been a significantly worse pitcher out of the stretch and out of the wind and if you're going to come in and be a reliever guess what buddy probably you have to pitch out the stretch so now I think they are making adjustments to Lizardo out of the stretch like little things to try to make it uh simulate his wind up and he was good the other night I mean he was very good yeah no one one bad ending seems like he's like he's like

a blow up inning guy and then it's fine yeah little like nola he's very similar yeah That's sort of like Nola. And look, Ranger, we know has had lots of success moving to the bullpen and having, you know, pitch well. Yeah. Yeah. So, you know, I think Lazzardo does have the upside of what he can do on as a starter in a playoffs. And I feel like Ranger doesn't matter. Like, he could be just as good as he's a starter out of the bullpen.

So it's like, it's almost, you got to, you got to make a bad. We know he can pitch like two days. Like, we know he can handle the, you know, pitch two days after pitching the first. Like, we've seen him do this stuff before. Yeah. Yeah. I'm pretty bullish on Nola, you know, it's stuff. looks pretty good up in Lehigh

and he's not getting like ripped up there he's going to get a playoff start. It's a lock of the century. Yeah. So let's start in game three. Everyone just lock it in. I would bet everything I have on it. Honestly, mentally prepare yourself for game three nulls. All right. You got any take bag stuff so we can leave this incredibly. If you're watching the video

of this, I'm sure it goes up as I'm going on YouTube. Like I apologize if we look like soaking wet because it their ACs is broken. The AC's broken. It's been a true like power through performance from us. I'm just throwing that out there. Yeah. Think of us on this day. Yeah.

When the Eagles go out and play football night, think about the real people battling, okay? It's so hot in this room. I just have to put that out. All right. You got a tiny take bag, maybe? Good. Yes, I'm hot.

So set up, set up Preston. I got one final take. Okay, good. You'll do the take at the end. Yes. All right. Oh, I forgot.

We got to get the Preston. Here he is the gentleman to the Philadelphia Phillies. Preston, Matt. What a pro. I'm Kristen Press and I'm Dovan Heath. We're World Cup winners, Olympians, and the hosts of The Recap Show. Every week, we sit down with the icons, disruptors, and game changers on the field and beyond it

to talk victories, heartbreaks, and everything in between. We've built a space where athletes, change makers, and people creating the future of women's sports can show up and show off as their full, unapologetic selves. Follow and listen to The Recaps Show wherever you get your podcast. And it is our pleasure to welcome back to the podcast. friend of the pod, our guy, the future of the Phillies,

I say, the Philadelphia Phillies general manager. What a thrill to say that our guy, Preston, and Lee Preston. What up,

pal. What's going on, guys. Good to be back on. Oh, what a thrill. Look at this. I know.

You think someone comes on once, it's like, we'll never doing that again. He's back. Yeah. It's amazing. Well, it's a terrible decision-making

by him for usual, which is great. A little concerning in the GM role. Little concerning. Don't appreciate. the often trolling about the Eagles, but it's all good. Well, when you're as big an Eagles fan as Jack,

you're getting to get trolled, you know? Right, Preston, it's on my fault. Like, you know the guy. I mean, it just bleeds green. Good to get Jack talking Phillies again. I know. You are sick. You are, you are absolutely sick.

I love it. All right, Preston, obviously a lot to get into. I'll let Jack grill you eventually. Yeah, buckle up. But the last time we spoke to was right after you were named the general manager. You, you know, hadn't even really stepped into. of the role some time in the role what's what's new role been like what are the new responsibilities like have you kind of adjusted to the new role what's been like i mean it's probably been a big

adjustment too just honestly moving up to philly i've been a you know down in florida run the system the last few years so getting up here um i already knew all the people that were in the baseball ops front of office but i think being around him on a daily basis um just getting the sense of the rhythm too of dave dembrowski kind of what he wants what he needs um try and help him any way possible whether it's Major League roster, things going on in the system, international scouting, a lot of different avenues to kind of update him on and, you know, stay abreast on. So try and help him there as any way possible.

Then obviously being around the team as much as I can be at the Major League level, too. Man, what's the, what's the Philly area like? I mean, you're here full-time. Are you actually in the city? Are you like outskirts of the city, South Jersey? Where you at? Yeah, I'm South Jersey. I figured it's always South Jersey with you, Phillies, guys.

It's like the always South Jersey. I don't know why. It's got to be South Jersey. That's what I'm saying. It's always South Jersey. It's been good. Good commute. So 15, 20 minutes just getting from the ballpark of the house.

It's always nice. But yeah, it's been good. Moving up here. It's been fun. Getting used to the accents, I'm sure. I'm sure that takes a little bit where it all of a sudden. Give them a little Delco, yeah. Yeah, good to see you.

I'm sure it's pretty jarring. I'm sure it's pretty jarring. How has, you know, obviously you're working closer with, with Dave now. But what's the biggest thing that you've learned from Dave so far and working as close

with him as you have? Honestly, the thing Dave's that I tell this to people all the time, Dave's a machine. He reads and knows everything, whether it's international scouting reports, whether it's pro reports,

whether it's amateur reports. So I've kind of learned like his daily routine and what he does on a daily basis to stay updated on all aspects of the organization. He's really taught me ways to stay in contact with different people who you may see once or twice a year.

And then also, Dave, to me, what the thing he does really well is he makes, he makes things very black and white, he makes the simple decision. And I've learned that and, you know, just kind of being around him, get to see that firsthand. I mean, you're working with a guy, he's going to be in the Hall of Fame. Someday Dave Nebraska as an executive, you're learning at the hand of that. You've been around baseball your whole life. I'm sure listeners know, but just in case they don't know,

Mattingly, Don Mattingley's dad grew up around the game. You've always been a part of it. What is it about Dave that makes him like a Hall of Famer? Like, can you see it? I know he's always on and all that, but in terms of the Dave Dembrowski thing, A, what is it like to learn from a Hall of Famer at the hand of Hall of Famer? And B, what makes him so special? I think like if you want to make what makes him so special, he kind of wins wherever he goes, right?

And I know that sounds very like, hey, that's, oh, that's easy to do, but it's really not. And I think everywhere Dave's been, you know, he's won. And just like, honestly, daily conversations I get to have with him where he updates me on, you know,

different things on how he runs the roster or, you know, how he runs meetings. I think little things like that are things I've been able to pick up on and he's so gracious with his time where that's, you know, walking me through different decisions that we do

and explaining his reasoning. So it's been really fun to get to, you know, kind of be by his side, you know, on a daily basis. Well, and I'm, And you're by aside, I know you've been in the room for trade deadlines, but that was your first trade deadline as the general manager. I mean, I got obviously more questions about the deadline, but overall, like, how would you say your first deadline in that spot?

How was that like? Yeah, it was, it was really, I thought it went really well. You know, I think, you know, it was a little bit different this year with us being on the road. So we went with the team to New York and then onto Chicago. So we had a lot of our baseball ops employees, plus some of our pro scouting staff analysts with us. So it was a little different being on the road. But I thought, you know, overall, I thought the deadline went really well. You know, we addressed some key needs that we felt that really would add to our club.

And, you know, I think we're really happy about it. Well, I mean, you did have what, the three and a half hour rain delay in Chicago to cook some stuff up? So, you know, you had some time. I was cooking up trade still. A lot of times sitting there. Those rain delays are tough. But I guess during the trade deadline, made it a little bit easier to make more phone calls. Before we get into the nitty gritty, because I know Jack's going to dive in on specifics,

but just can you take us inside the room? I mean, we've all seen like Moneyball. I just watch Moneyball again, obviously, great movie. I'm sure very realistic. No, that's what I'm wondering because, you know, him and Jonah Hill are sitting there and he's like on the phone with Cleveland and he, you do this, I'll do that. I can get him back on the phone. Like how we've all seen those movies and those type of thing.

How realistic is it? What is it like to be in the room? Is it really like Dave on the phone with general managers? He's flipping back and forth and I got this guy. Like how like realistic are those like representation of what it's like to be in the actual room as these moves are getting sorted out and discussed and ultimately executed? Yeah, I think things can go fast. I think this year we were a little bit earlier than like the right at the deadline.

But definitely, you know, Dave's on the phone with general managers. I'm on the phone with general managers. So I think we're just kind of split up the duties there. We're making calls. We're trying to see where we line. up. Obviously, it takes two, you know, two teams to line up. Like, they have to like the players we have. We have to find a need with their roster. So I think it takes two clubs. I would even say this year, it kind of felt like we had more time. It wasn't as fast-paced. But in years

past, even like last year, we made a couple deals right at the deadline. Those, you know, tend to go pretty quickly just because you have, you know, you have a deadline behind you, plus you have to get medicals completed, notify players. So that usually happens. Like last year, I would say, was a little bit more fast-paced with the Gregory Soto trade at the very end towards it in Tanner Banks at the deadline. Yeah. Well, listen, you got like a superstar, like a superstar.

I mean, he is. Like a superstar in Philly. Like for, not just the closing thing. I don't, I don't ever remember, like, fans not wanting more runs in the eighth inning or whatever because they want to see this guy come into a game. We're booing. We're booing home runs.

They booed a home run. It's ridiculous. Poor Mac, does Maxelzar understand. It was a sarcastic fool. We're very pro Max Lazzar. It was a sarcastic boo. But listen, you guys got a superstar closer. Obviously, me and you, prospect guys.

It hurt to lose, Tide, and able. But you got to give good prospects to get good players. What made Duran the right fit? And did you know about the intro before you traded for him? Oh, good question. And how electric would be here. So the intro didn't come up during discussion. But I would say, like, I think we.

We've had our scouts out since, you know, honestly, since about May, probably, you know, watching a bunch of reliever targets. You never know who's going to become available. So we were kind of, we've kind of scouting everybody who we thought had a chance. And honestly, we didn't really think Deron would be available. And with the way Minnesota was playing, obviously some stuff, some stuff trended, you know, our way towards the end. And I just think when his name came up and he was a guy that we could, you know, possibly access, I think we felt he was the, you know, the guy. that really fit us best, multiple years of control. You know, like you said, it's always tough to give up guys like Mick Abel and

Eduardo Taip, but I think when you're getting a guy of Durand's caliber and, you know, some control, I think it's like it's a no-brainer for the spot we're at. So I've always wondered this with the trade deadline and guys in your position when you're making these moves. And let's take the Durant deal as an example, multiple teams in on Durand, obviously. You know, that guy's a stud. There were multiple teams trying to get relievers. How do you guys, do you guys sit around and try and figure out what other teams' packages are?

Are other teams telling you, listen, we got this offer from them beat it? Like, how do you kind of know where your offer sits in the hierarchy of offers as you're doing this stuff? And when they say, like, best offer, will they tell you like, you got to beat this? Or will they just say, hey, put your best offer on the table and you have to hope that you know where the other offers are at? Like, how do you kind of gauge all that stuff? Honestly, it's a little bit of everything you just mentioned. I think every team's different. Certain teams will tell you exactly what they want.

and if you meet it, they'll trade the player. If you don't, they won't. Other teams will kind of go back and forth, set the bar high, usually come back with lesser names, and then, you know, kind of work from there. So everybody's different. So it just kind of depends which team you're dealing with. Fascinating.

So there was obviously a need for a right-handed hitting outfielder. There was a couple out there on the market. What made Harrison Bader the right one to go after to lock down center field? Yeah, I think that it's a little bit of everything with Harrison. It's the speed power and the center field ability to play center field. I think that, you know, center field, ability to play center field kind of fit better with our pieces we currently had. So we thought we could throw him into the center field mix with Marsh and then obviously ability to play left field as well. So we thought he could play multiple spots at a plus level and then give us some right-handed power.

So one of the things that has been a big reaction to the trade deadline, people are thrilled with Duran. I think they like Harrison Bader. I think they got to get to know Harrison Bader. It feels like a riser type. I think they're going to like it more and more. He does. Yeah, he's made a nice entrance already, you know. And he does have to watch whatever it takes, dude,

because he does look like a 93-12. It's unbelievable. Even Emily, my wife, I'm watching the game with my wife, a couple games ago when he's first hearing. She's like, I love his hair. Look at the hair. And I'm like, he looks different, right? I'm like, she's like, he looks different.

I'm like, yeah. A 93-5? Yeah. But, you know, one of the things that I think people were disappointed in is maybe not getting another bat. What do you kind of, what would you say to fans and maybe a podcast host that would have liked another bat for this team? I just think, you know, with this year, the way the market lined up,

there wasn't a ton of bats out there, honestly. It felt like in years past there's been, you know, more, you know, bats available. And honestly, what we were looking for, too. I think, you know, we had some other deals. We were trying to line up that didn't work out. and then, you know, I just think for the positional fit, like we didn't have a guy that that seemed to fit what we were looking for. How strongly did you guys consider moving guys around on the current team to target

people at other positions? Because it felt like you guys wanted to get the best outfield you could. That was the best case scenario. But how much did you consider a third baseman or a first baseman or whatever and consider moving the pieces you already have, the Harper to the outfield or Schwerber, D-Hing last or whatever? How much was that a real consideration for you guys in the room? Or were you guys really focused on an outfield?

I mean, we looked at all different scenarios. I just think when we looked at the players available, it just didn't seem to line up for what we were looking to do. Obviously, our team's really built around pitching. And, you know, obviously we added like Durand to that mix, but we didn't want to sacrifice any defense either. So I think when you add a guy like Bader, you know, obviously still, like I said, a plus defender, a couple different spots.

I think we felt like if our pitching continues to do what it's done pretty much all year it was going to be the heartbeat of our club and if we could add to the positional mix with Bader I think we'd be a good fit so I think we looked at a lot of different scenarios but in the day this is kind of what lined up

so another thing that I think a lot of people are curious about is okay what does this mean for Justin Crawford I know the other day Dave said we feel like he's he's major league ready but when he comes up we want him to play what is what's the plan for for Justin Crawford here?

Yeah, Justin gets talked about a lot. Obviously, he's having a tremendous season. He's done a lot of things we've asked him to do. We've started to move him around the outfield to play some corners as well. You know, Justin's a polarizing player. And I think like his success, the minor league level, kind of gets... Poo-poot almost. Yeah, a little bit.

A little bit of the people downplay his success at the minor league level. and it almost feels like a guy that until he does at the big league level, people aren't going to really believe, you know, the player that he really is, and that we think he is. So I think, honestly, it's probably more of just a fit on the club for Justin, but we're definitely, you know, he's a guy that's on the radar. He's had a great year. And if he can use to play well, you know, we'll see what happens here in the future.

And one thing I'm curious about with him, you know, Thompson was on the pregame show the other day, and he was talking about how they want, you guys want to, him to play center field down there pretty much every day because he still has to learn the position. I mean, where do we feel like we're at with him as a pure center fielder defensively? Yeah, I think he's a guy that, you know, didn't play a ton of base. I know it sounds kind of odd, but didn't play a ton of baseball growing up. He's a guy that has the pure speed to play the position. I think one thing we really harped on him as he's continued to kind of grow into his body and get stronger is like some of the pre-pitched stuff routines to get into some first

step things, we'll continue to work with him on that. So I wouldn't say it's like, hey, he has a ton of like, hey, he's going to learn how to play center. It's more some nuances of the position and like kind of polishing off the final piece there. So this is, this question can be about Justin Crawford, but it's also just philosophically in your mind. How important is it to get a look at a guy in the majors before the playoffs? Like, Justin, there's a team that, you know, we're going to the playoffs. That's the plan. That's a situation. It's all about the playoffs. With Justin Crawford, obviously it's, when he's ready and when you can play him in the majors enough and all that.

But also, if this guy is going to play in the playoffs, how important is it to see him for, and how long? Like, how long of a time would you need to see him in the major leagues to feel confident to put him into that type of high leverage type of situation? Yeah, I think knowing Justin, specifically Justin, knowing him, his makeup, the kid's really tough. He's not scared.

So I think at the end of the day, talent plays, right? And Justin has talent. So I think, yeah, I'd love to, I think I, we would love to, get a chance to see him a little bit if we were going to play him in that spot. But honestly, I think we know the kid that Justin is and, you know, how tough he is and he's not going to get rattle in the big spot. How should we assess Andrew Painter's season and kind of where he's at right now and his progression coming back from Tommy John?

And if he can contribute at the Major League roster this season? Yeah, I think Andy's had like a little bit like from a performance standpoint, like from the sheer numbers, like maybe somebody would like to see him pitch a little bit better. honestly we're happy with where he's at I think he's 80 plus innings at this point I think we've seen guys around the league whether it's Sandy Alcantara other guys who coming back from Tommy John

that last kind of step that last three four percent getting back to 100 percent is kind of the final piece and I think we'll see the best version of Andy probably next year that's not to say he's not going to be ready this year in pitch but I think we've seen historically that players coming back from Tommy John it's that

it's that second full season is when they get back to kind of peak performance. And obviously, we're really happy with where Andy's at. His stuff is still grading out really well. He's honestly added a sinker. He's throwing a sweeper again. He's going to come up and be a guy that's pretty polished and is able to have weapons for guys at both sides of the plate.

So, yeah, I think he could be a guy that comes up. And, you know, when he's here, hopefully he stays for a long time. Yeah, Jack and I have been saying, like, give this kid a chance to chill out. Like, not only he's 22, but to your point, like, it really is two years before people are even like not back to normal like back to like velocity and so like it takes a long time especially at that age here's my question about him though especially with the development thing and all that you know we've talked about out on the radio and i'm sure you guys have talked internally how hard would it be to pitch him out of the bullpen in the playoffs i'm not asking if you guys

are going to i'm talking what would it take to take him from where he's at right now starter it's all he's done or whatever and like shorten him let you know like the opposite lengthing whatever it is get him into those situations like what would it take to get someone from where he's at to be ready to contribute in that role which is potentially the most likely role he could contribute in the way yeah i think um you know putting starters in the bullpen honestly it's just kind of reps of getting their routine um so i think andy if if that would be something that we would do would have to get just get used of being in the bullpen kind of staying loose staying ready and getting ready probably a little bit quicker that's probably the biggest thing and i think most times i'm

just speaking in general here, like teams are just very cognizant of guys coming off injuries. You're changing their kind of ramp up their routine to get ready for a game. And like that's something that we're just more cognizant of with him, just like not shifting his routine, you know, late in the season like this. Smart. One guys that is certainly ramping up is David Robertson. What have you kind of seen from him up to 94 last night? We really like that.

How do you feel about David Robertson right now? In my age, we've actually got someone. It's amazing. Seltzer is so happy you signed a 40. Yeah, seriously. Thank you. Personally, it really means a lot to me. I just want you to know that. So, yeah, we're excited. I mean, I think, like, the way when we signed David, we kind of knew that it was going to be a couple week thing down in AAA. Yeah, I think when our scout signed him, Charlie Kerr felt a guy that saw him said, he was like, hey, he felt like he was March. I know Dave said this too. It felt like it was March 10th of spring training.

So kind of just getting his work in. So it feels like we needed a few outings to kind of kind of ramp up, get him in baseball shape where it's, you know, baseball game shape. So, yeah, we're happy with where he's at. His velocities continue to trend up. I think sometimes you put a little bit too much stock into results for veteran pitchers down on rehab assignments. But we're happy with the way the ball is coming out of his hand. And we're hoping to, you know, see him here soon. All right. So a couple, and listen, your roots are still minor league baseball.

All right, we can't get you too far away from it. Okay. So, uh, Aiden, he is starting to heat up post-40 stolen bases. Dude, first off, where are he stolen bases come from? What? Yeah, it's pretty crazy. First Redding player ever. Yeah.

Well, are you sure? That's what I saw. All right. Well, I don't know. Regardless, since 2009. Fake news, Seltzer back at it again. Since 2009. Yeah.

But up and down at the plate, you know, maybe post-trade deadline, knowing that he's here, some pressures kind of off of him. How have you felt about Aida Miller's year so far at Redding? Yeah, I think like, you know, he's had a little bit of an inconsistent year offensively. I think, like, you mentioned the speed. I would have never guessed this kid would stole 40 bases. I'm just being honest. I think he's continued to get faster as he's getting in our system.

His defense has continued to improve. He showed the ability to play shortstop at a high level. And I think, you know, Fritz, like, you know, when you were recommending, you knew he was a speed defense high floor player. Yeah, yeah, the first thing I said was, first thing I said was he's going to stick in shortstop and he's going to steal 40 bags. Like, I don't know about the bat, but I can tell you, he's going to play great defense and run. And honestly, like the, from an offensive standpoint, the underlying stuff, like, you

underneath the hood has been really good all year. So we were kind of scratched in our heads of why the people. performance had not come yet he started to get hot here lately um but yeah i think we're really excited with where he's at he's the youngest player in double a doing what he's doing defensively on the basis and i think that offensively he's continued to learn himself and we feel like he's in a good spot you know a chance to take off here at the end and then you know kind of catapult himself into next year youngest player in do it's important to remember and by the way we would just like to thank you for keeping him here yeah you know personally as the you know i hope pod yeah our guy our guy our guy

Now, last time we were on, we were talking about buying Arun Ascabar stock. Oh, I mean, stock's going up. Stock's going up for now that it did that. Yeah, listen, it was down and now we're up. Now, another guy that I'd have to talk to you about is Dante Norrie because, I mean, he's starting to lace some baseballs down in Clearwater. How have you thought about Dante Nori? Yeah, Dante, like we've been excited about, you know, obviously, we're really thrilled to keep him post-deadline, too. I think the team that, the guy that teams were asking a lot about.

Um, underlying stuff is, is honestly, you know, one of the better in minor league baseball. I think one thing we've continued to do with him is, uh, you know, Luke Merton, our now director of player development was a big part of us, us drafting him and, and felt that there's power in there. And like, you know, some of a few adjustments to his approach and, you know, what he's trying to do with the plate. Month over month, Dante's continued to trend up. Um, yeah, we're really excited with where he's at. I think he's got 30 plus stolen bases, making a ton of contact, walking more than almost, almost as much as he's strikes out, which is a very low clip, playing center field. And I think, yeah, I think, you know, people, you know, want guys to go really fast.

And I think, and move up levels very quickly. I think people forget Dante's 20 years old. You know, he's in a really good spot. Yeah, really excited with his year. Honestly, it's kind of going under the radar with some of the other guys we have. But we're really excited with Dante and really excited, you know, teams weren't asking more about him at the deadline. Yeah, I agree.

I agree. So besides Matthew Fisher, who is obviously from your high school, which is, I'm sure the reason we were like, all right, come on. Come on, Brian. Come on. I know this. I know this town. What was the most exciting thing about the guys that you brought in at the draft? Yeah, I think I told a bunch of people this. I think you'd go into the draft and, you know, setting aside kind of the first round pick. You usually have, you know, four or five guys do you think realistically can get to your pick? and you hope one of them's there. But overall, you kind of identify about, at least myself, about 10 or 15 players, you're like, man,

I really like to get this guy and bring him into the system. In years past, not saying it was something we did wrong, we probably got four, maybe five of those guys. I think this year, you know, we kind of looked up and we got like 10 of those guys. So we were really excited with our draft, especially where we're picking to get a guy like Gagewood in the first round. And we kind of loaded up on just the way the board

fell on some impact college arms, we felt could kind of, you know, throw them in the system. And then, you know, maybe some connections there to line up a Matthew Fisher in the seventh round and get him signed. But, you know, Brian and his scouting staff did a great job of identifying Matt or Matthew and what he can do. And I think we thought, you know, he would be off the board by the time. Probably we picked it our second pick. So when he wasn't, we just started to, you know, game playing a little bit and talk as a group and then kind of line him up for later in the draft one more question about the deadline for me and it's about a guy you used to work with uh a j preller just went uh wild at the deadline do you remember seeing it i believe they gave up

seven of their top 10 list of prospects including the number three prospect in the sport um do you ever remember i mean you know a j you know like how he's he's a wild man uh what just from the outside in i know you're not talking about other teams and specific things but just seeing And AJ kind of do his thing, go wild? Yeah, I mean, one thing about AJ is he's not scared. He's going to get players to help their major league roster. They obviously have a very talented roster. You know, at the top, too, you have your superstar type players.

And I think, you know, I'm sure he looked at his roster and felt like it was a team that, you know, if you had a couple key pieces there, that could be competitive, you know, to win a world championship. So obviously they're a team we're competing with. But, you know, AJ's one of these guys that always is going to go for it. and always going to make trades. So, yeah, I thought they did a nice job. He is, he is, he brings it, man. Yeah, yeah, Mr. Deadline.

I don't know if I could handle it. Dude, I did the swings in the world. Oh, my goodness. It's crazy. It's crazy. It's probably exciting for, I mean, they, you know, it's crazy. So listen, the National League's loaded, man. National League's loaded.

So I can't wait. I think, I think fan-wise, the Duran and even, and obviously Bader, but like Duran really, I think, put some wind to the back of this fan. fan bases, sales, and people are fired up about him. And I think they're more prone to go to the ballpark to possibly see a closer, which I don't know if I've seen in the history of this franchise. So it's go time. Yeah, no, we're excited.

I think, like, you know, we feel like we have a team that could win it all. Obviously, we have to go out and improve it and play on the field. But I think we love our roster top to bottom. We think we're in a really good spot. Now we're just got to go do it. We love it. Preston, go out, bring us home. a championship, you know, we'll be there.

Jack might be at the ballpark at some point to say hi to you. You know, I'll be there to see you. I think he'll be around more once, you know, Eagles get kicked off. Yeah, I know, he's got some Eagles obligate, you know, yeah. Sure, sure. Yeah, this is good. I appreciate this. Seriously, President, thank you so much for coming back on, man. We're so

psyched for you and we can't wait to have you back on again. Thanks, man. Yep. Thanks, guys. Longbandy Twizzlers candy keeps the fun going. Keep the fun. I'm going. Twizzlers. Keep the fun going. All right.

That was awesome. Thank you, Preston. Worked out great. You know, maybe people forget that I forgot to throw it to him, you know,

30 minutes ago. All right. Small take bag. Tiny. The tiny take bag. The tiny take bag. I really don't have anything besides the, uh,

the, band is an incredibly underrated dude it's so it's emily's favorite band emily loves the band i've spent years and years listening to it obviously they are awesome and atlantic city their version of atlantic city is much better than bruce i don't i don't think it's close not even in the same stratosphere light years better and look it like it's a cold take and all that but like sometimes you know i'm big cliches or cliches of a reason guess what the weight just is one of the best songs ever it is it is it's not like it's not like a it just is like it is like it is one of the five best songs ever written ever done by anyone and the disguise it's great it's it's a perfect song it's a perfect song so um big stage fright fan love stage right oh it's a freaking

it gets a little hot in here and all of a sudden i got to get out of salters seltzer's cursing selters cursing um but uh yeah i mean we'll see we'll see if the six day try out Now that that's over, what's the, can they just stick Bader and center and Martian left and let Kepler hopefully be Jeff Jenkins and let's book and we're good. And again, I don't know what the plans with Crawford. I, like I just, you know, I mean, maybe he comes up August 15th with the rookie of the year stuff out of the way. Like, you can come like after August 15th, like he can remain rookie of year eligible for next year. Teams do care about that because you win it. Remember Ben Simmons the whole thing. Well, right, but it changed the new CBA with baseball.

Like if you win rookie of the year, you get an extra draft pick. So, oh, so you actually want to win rookies here. So it's not just a player thing now. No, no, no, and that's why Painter won't come up. That's interesting.

Because they think he could probably win. No, that's a good goal. But yeah, so, like, I don't know, outside of DFA and Kepler and just going with a Bader Marsh center field platoon,

I don't know what they do with Crawford. And they think he needs to play every day. Okay, well, then he should be in left field every day because I don't think he's center field. He costs Painter runs the other day in his, in his outing.

So do they just go Bader Marsh, center field and then let Crawford cook and left? they might be able to keep Kepler and just keep them as a bench bat. I mean, a bench bat for the rest of the year of Kepler with possibly hit home run or DFA. What should you rather have?

Possibly at home run. I mean, it is what it is. Yeah. Would you rather have on the postseason roster, him or Weston Wilson? Yeah, him.

I know. I hate it. Look, he's a better outfielder in West and Wilson too. Like, look, if they shouldn't need that.

If Totwell, top red stones, I mean, the best outfield at the end of a game, if you're trying to win a playoff game, is Bader and Center Martian left and, and Kepler and Wright, which is what he played his whole career. Like, that's the best event, by far the best events of outfield.

So, like, we'll see what happens. But Kepler as a right as a cast ounce replacement late in the game makes a hell of a lot of sense. So I don't think he's going anywhere. I don't. Kepler, we always loved him. Yeah, yeah, yep, the bond of the Phillies. Oh, one member of this podcast said.

I forgot about that. That was a shot in the dark. What do you want me to do? You take some shots. You miss 100% of the ones you know. Thank you. All right. We're getting out of here.

It's so freaking out. We'll be back out. after the weekend two or three always although they they they never play well you know i know it's i hate that place i hate it they never play well yeah all right well uh we'll see just take just at least one one don't get one that's all right until then he's rid themselves