High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Screw It, Make the Bryant and Kimbrel Deal

Episode Date: July 19, 2021

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz are excited to finally have a good Phillies team to talk about. The guys discuss buying in on the Phillies, how all in the team should be at the trade deadline, and much more. Link for tickets: https://www.audacy.com/94wip/contests/miller-lites-ring-the-bell-night-with-wip-on-7-24-21#// 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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Hot Cloud Storage on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. This is the high hopes podcast. It's a bunch of baseball nerds talking about the Phillies on radio.com and sports radio, 94 W Y P. Yo, it is another edition of the IELTS Podcast. Jack Fritz, I have not fact-checked this, but I'm going to say it anyway.

For the first time in the history of the IELTS Podcast, the Phillies won 3-4 against the Marlins. I'm sure that's right. It's probably pretty close. How about it, buddy? Well, on this podcast podcast we only use our eyes we are big eye test guys and my eyes tell me that there is absolutely no shot they'd ever taken three or four from the marlins especially james when we needed it and boy did we winning a game we needed like what how about two they won technically two on sunday that we needed and and just got it done and worked in like fashion it was like they handled business jack this is not the phillies team i know the phillies taking care of business no is that allowed no yeah all right all right all right

let's just get to it because you're you're in body. I mean, listen, it's obviously a bit on the show. The, Oh, Jack Fritz is back in, but like, like you keep coming up to me at work being in like, this is the most excited I've been about Philly's team since 2011. I'm so ready. Let's go. Like, you're just like fully like not a toe in the water, not a foot in the water. you just like cannonballed right in dude and it's like it's about time i was right you know it's about time it's about time they gave me something to be happy about and give like dude it's just so refreshing waking up every day and and just they're not making me miserable like even when they even when they lose i'm not miserable because i because i just think that they're they're starting to figure it out like they're not making me miserable. Even when they lose, I'm not miserable.

Because I just think that they're starting to figure it out. They're starting to become a real baseball team. And for the first time during this podcast, they feel real. They feel good. They feel like they've turned that corner. They're having fun. And, like, dude, I just honestly, honestly, I don't know how you watch them. And if you watch them the way that we watch them and the way a lot of this city does,

I don't know how you watch this baseball team and don't believe. Because they look different. This is different. This isn't the team that we had seen for most of this year and for last year and the year before that. And, listen, I get it. There's been a lot of pain, a lot of heartbreak, but I don't know how you watch the team and the way they're playing right now, the workmanlike fashion they're going about the game,

the fun they're having, their stars are being their stars, and you don't believe. And you don't believe because they are playing really good. They're finally living up to what they've been saying, and they have a really easy second half schedule. If they don't make the playoffs at this point, I will be woefully disappointed. Woefully disappointed.

It's just a really good place to be at. People are getting excited again. I feel some buzz. I just hope that it starts showing up in the attendance. I mean, 20,000 yesterday was disappointing, but I get it. There's two games and whatnot. So I don't know. I'm just really happy.

And for the first time, you know, I believe. I really believe. I believed in the past, and we've all gone on our hot streaks. But this is two or three weeks of them playing consistent, good, solid baseball. And it's just great to see. You're so in. How could you not be? How could you not be so in?

How could you not be in? It's slapping you in the face. And the only thing that is making you afraid to go all in, James, is because of the past. And you know what? It's okay. It's okay to get over the past and look towards the future and just just just see what is staring you right in the face and that is that the phillies are a

good baseball team uh i am uh i'm excited oh don't do this don't do this don't do the oh oh they've hurt me come on just go in. Just get hurt again. It's okay. You'll bounce back. I know, but it hurts. It's breaking their way. I mean, the fact that they're in the only division in baseball right now where they wouldn't be like at least six games, seven games back in

is just a frigging miracle. Like it is a miracle that the toughest division in baseball, we all thought it was going to be is just not the toughest. It turned out to be, it turned out to be the NFC East and Jack Fritz got Jacob to Grom hurt. We'll just leave it at that. Yup. The password change worked again.

Yeah. It's just, it's unbelievable. Francisco Lindor is hurt. things are breaking their way jack look i am i i'm i i do believe in this team in the sense that i i agree with the i think they're i think they're a good baseball team i i i think they're on the cusp of getting to that point where i'm fully all in where you're at. I'm not quite there yet. I need to see it a little more.

Look, four straight series wins is exciting, two straight on the road, but I'm really close. I'm really close to getting all in. Oh, and then you're going to do, oh, they got to do this. Oh, they got to do that. Oh, this new litmus test. You keep raising the bar, you know? I thought the Red Sox series was the litmus test.

My bar is slightly above two games over 500. Oh, would you stop? That's 10 of their last 14. Four straight series wins. God. Just go in. It's okay. It's okay.

It's okay to believe in the Phillies. Yeah. I know. Famous last words to believe in the Phillies. Yeah. I know. Famous last words. Famous last words. I know. It's like there's a lot of scar tissue here. Plus, it seems whenever we do one of these pods, they come out the next day.

And whoever we talk about, just like, you know, Brad Miller hitting three home runs in a game or Hector Neres blowing a save. It just feels like one of us should play it a little safe you know what I mean? Yeah no I got you you can play it safe but I am pain and bawling into the deep end before we talk a little bit about the Marlins series

but like how deep in are you in terms of like look they talk for the next two weeks and obviously it's dependent on how they play. If they, you know, just crap the bed and fall out of it, it's a different discussion. But I don't think any of us think that's going to happen,

certainly not with the Braves and the Nats on the schedule coming up. But like let's say they play at this pace right now and they continue to stay right there with the Mets and gain games and they're three, four, five games above 500, whatever it is come two weeks from now. Like, where are you at? What should this team do?

Are you, are you like all in, all in? Obviously, Mick Abel's untouchable. We've talked about that on the pod. That is not changing. But are you like, are you trading Bryson Stott? Are you trading Alec Boehm? Like, what are you doing? Like, what is your level of all in-edness right now?

Let's just say and i even i don't know if i really believe this but like but like i like that you gave the qualifier there because you've said many things before on this podcast that you could have given that qualifier for i know i'm just saying i and this was my first reaction after the game yesterday and that was bleep it make the make the make the brian and kimball kimball uh crimble kim craig kimbrell make that trade and and you're the one messing up a name just no that was me messing it up that wasn't that wasn't saying the name wrong that wasn't saying the name wrong. That wasn't saying the name wrong. That was not Anthony Rendon.

That was Craig Kimbrell that I was messing up. I say it right. I accidentally put the R first and got tongue tied. Okay. Whatever happened to that Anthony Rendon guy? Yeah, I never heard of him. But yeah, no. My first reaction after the game yesterday was like, screw it.

Make the deal. You're telling me that if they add Chris Bryan and Craig Kimbrell to this team that they're not a top three team in the NL? You're crazy. But, you know, I would do any trade if it's the right deal. Like, Mick Gable's untouchable, but if you can – Oh, God. But if you want to use him along with someone else to get, like, Jose Ramirez from the Indians? Oh, buddy. I mean you want to use him along with someone else to get like Jose Ramirez from the Indians.

Oh, buddy. I mean, I don't know. I don't know. But like, I am. Listen, here's my general feeling is that for a freaking decade, I have been sitting here watching terrible baseball over and over and over again. And for the first time, I believe that we are actually watching a team that deserves to be in the playoffs, that is good enough to be in the playoffs. And I just think that, you know, there has to be some level of thinking about the fans.

It's a hard way to view it, but the fans have been through a lot. And it's been a long time, and I know prospects, and I love prospects. But you've got to give something up and go for it. But the fans have been through a lot. And it's been a long time. And I know prospects. I love prospects. But you've got to give something up and go for it. Because the fans deserve it. And I think the guys deserve it. Like, if you... Bryce Harper and Reese Hoskins, and I'm sure other guys in that clubhouse,

have basically been pleading the front office, like, if we get us back in this race and we prove to you that we're a consistent good baseball team and they bring in this year's version of Jose Bautista and Estreba Cabrera and Wilson Ramos. I forgot about Jose Bautista. I know. I forgot that

happened. I think you run the risk of losing the locker room and they say, why are we even here? So it might hurt to give up prospects, and I get it, and I think it will, but they have a chance here to really bring baseball back and really get this city fired up and really just kind of take a shot. And I think it would be detrimental not to. So I don't know what I'm willing to give up.

I would have to see the deal first. I think we should do our perfect trade deadline next week and we can kind of put out our deals and what we would do. But I just think that for where this team is at, you got to kind of look past what you had to give up and just look at the 10 years of baseball that we have sat through and, and, and the, the players really giving the ownership their first chance of like all right they've proven to us we gotta we gotta step it up for them and it'll hurt prospect wise but man like if they if we don't we don't this or if they bring in just fringe players i just think that the the team and the city will just be like all right well what are we even doing here yeah i look i think it's a really good point, but it is, that is a balance.

I mean, it is, I think you and I would both agree this single most important thing for the Philadelphia Phillies now and for the next 10 years in the next 20 years is drafting and developing. Like that's it. That's the number one thing. It is the single thing that has made them the worst team in the history of organized sports in North America. You know, I mean, it's the reason they were the first to 10,000, 11,000 losses. That's the reason. It's the reason they've only had two periods of sustained success in their history since 1883.

They had the late seventies through the early eights And the 07-11 That's it A few outlier years here and there And it's just been bad That entire time So look I agree with you From a I do think you make a lot of sense And particularly talking about the guys in that clubhouse

You bring Bryce Harper You go get JT You bring Zach Wheeler You pay these guys a lot of money You make a commitment to them And and they make a commitment to you. And part of that commitment is if we hold up our end of the bargain, you've got to hold up your end of the bargain, too. And that means adding to a team if we have a chance. I just—look, anything can happen when you're in the playoffs and all those cliches and stuff.

I know. It just doesn't feel like this is a World Series team. I mean, even with Kimbrel and Bryant bryant like yes i think you have a better shot obviously but i still don't think they're they're certainly not the best team but why do they why do they have to be a world series they don't have to be they don't have to be i do think there is value making the playoffs i think there's value for the fan base i think there's value for the guys on the team i think there's values for for the organization from a business perspective i i i get it i'm'm not totally poo-pooing your

point. I'm not saying you're wrong. I think a lot of what you're saying is right. I just think it's really hard to look at this team and say, trade away the few prospects you have. Like, I think it's hard to do. Like, I think the real solution to this, the real solution is John Middleton needs to open up his wallet. I mean, that's the real thing. Like, find deals where you can take on salary. Give up a lesser prospect than you would have to if you don't take on a, I'm not going to curse, Jack, a bleep ton of money. Like, that's the kind of stuff they need to be willing to do

because they need to find ways to add without gutting the few top-tier type prospects you have. And look, ultimately on a basic level, and we cannot say this about the Phillies, we at this podcast as Brian Barber heads and as believers in the player development staff they've developed can say, you know what? You should be okay to trade prospects away

because the guys down there are going to replenish. Like they're going to draft well, they're going to develop well. So it's okay to be able to get rid of guys. It's just, that hasn't happened yet. They have not done that as an organization yet, so the few you have are important. And we see it. When a guy like Spencer Howard came and made the majors, it shows how not having those

type of prospects can really hurt your major league club and force you into situations where you have to go and trade for guys and all that type of stuff. So I agree with everything you said. I just think it's a very fine line the way they go about it they're in a precarious spot as organization as an organization in that way yeah and and and they're kind of stuck in like a i guess better talent wise than what the sixers were before the process but that's kind of where they're at i mean they're a they they are a couple games above 500 baseball team. But I just think that you made a good point about Barber because I do believe that more and more talent is going to be coming

through the organization. And I think if you gave up some pieces, I think they'll be fine. I think that for the first time in a while, I actually believe in the players down there that are players and player development staff and the guys picking those players while, I actually believe in the players down there that are players and player development staff and the guys picking those players. And I think that's massive, but it's been so long.

And I just think it's been such an emotional toll. It's been a long decade. And really everything is just breaking right for them to go in and really try and really try and go for it and and get the job done and you know everyone loves talking about the old days and i do too um but if you go and i i don't know if they're gonna do it whatever but man if they got freaking chris bryant here to put in that like and i and this is where this is where I know I struggle with as a, as a Phillies fan,

because I don't, I hate, I hate giving up prospects because I love them. Like big, they're all in my tweet deck. I see everything they do. Like I love following them. I love following all the teams.

I pay for a MILB TV. Like it's my thing. I love them, but dude, imagine Chris Brian in that lineup. Like, just taking all the prospects out, taking all of that out, that he's a rental, and I get it. But holy crap, dude.

If you roll out a lineup of, I mean, I don't know how they would do it, but Segura, Bryant, Real Muto, Harper, Didi, Hoskins, like, it just goes on and on. I mean, like, you know, if you put them in center field, like McCutcheon. Like, dude, I mean, that's an insane lineup. Like, that's an absolutely insane lineup. And if you make the Kimbrel trade, too, then you have an actual lockdown closure for the next year and a half, which you haven't had since, like, Papelbon. So it's just, you got to kind of hope and you got to kind of dream

and you got to kind of just put away the thought of the prospects you're giving up and just think about how much fun that would be to watch that team go to work every single night. And if you add those guys and you sign Hamels or you make another move for a starter, like why can't that team make at least the NLCS? Like, why can't they?

Well, I think they could in that case. Yeah. I mean, especially if you figure, like, the NL West team, you know, is going to play the most likely, you know, play the wild card team because they'll have the best record. So it doesn't shake out great for that. But it shakes out well for the Phillies, because if they win the division, there's a decent chance they're playing the Brewers.

They could beat the Brewers. Yeah. With that team you're talking about, they could beat the Brewers. They could, and plus they own the Brewers in the playoffs. But those first three for the Brewers and their rotation is just sick. It's just ridiculous. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So, James, I'm in the portion where I'm dreaming

Well I can tell I know I mean logic to the wind Caution to the wind Let's just go Dude it's been too long It's just been too long I get it

I honestly look I don't think Everyone who listens pod knows if they trade for chris bryan craig kimball no matter what the price is we're going to come on this pod and be super excited about the baseball team we're going to get to watch play but i mean kit with bryant like i feel like you've got to have some sort of contract discussion in place like you've got to really try and resign that guy if you're gonna give up anything of value for what do you think it takes what tight let's do it just for the phillies what

does it take for the philadelphia phillies to get chris bryan and craig kimball what do they give up uh i think it's i think it's bone first of all i do think it's bone which would which would definitely hurt um that's tough man i mean we're talking about bombing a piece in this line for the next decade batting 330 and stuff like you know it's tough it's it's just he's struggling see that's the thing is like if they trade boom like a lot of like the average phillies fans like yeah christine get rid of him i can't believe we got brian for him and like the real phillies fans are like oh man yeah you want to talk about one that could come back to bite us especially if chris brian doesn't resign here and then you're trained for for half a season of brian and kimbrough and it's like oh cool we gave up for that like great like that's sweet like i don't know i know no it's it's it's a really

it's a really tough one to to swallow um and if they're giving up boom i really hope that they're having contract negotiation discussions. Like, you have to. They have to. You cannot trade Alec Boehm without having Bryant locked. Like, you cannot do it. Like, you can't. You can't trade him for half a season with Chris Bryant. That would be, like, that would be embarrassing.

Yeah. Yeah. So, listen, I mean, again, it would be a really, really tough pill to swallow, giving up Boehm. Then after that, if I'm putting Boehm on the table, first off, I would try to do it without giving up Boehm, first of all. I would give up Stott. For sure. For sure you'd give up Stott before Boehm. Boehm's proved it at the major league level, even if he's struggling now.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. That was a bigger prospect to begin with yeah he was um so if it's if it's just if it's if it's boom as the big headliner i would give like boom marsh on like i'm using marsh on and i deal this this deadline no matter what marsh on yeah that's it that's the best trade chip like most definitively used trade chip they have right um and then one of the pitching prospects i would give them the next best pitching prospect not named francisco morales so you know after that uh and not painter because i just drafted him but um i don't know like i genuinely i don't know like i would give up stop if i was giving no poem i'll go like stop morales

and then one of my guys in like the 15 range you know like uh I'll still give it Marshawn so that would be three top that would be three top 10 prospects for for Brian and Kimbrell it would be Morales, Stott, and Marshawn yeah I mean that's probably not enough right probably yeah yeah but I don't know. I don't know. It's tough because I think Francisco Morales is going to be awesome. But, yeah, my head is definitely in the camp of, listen, it's been a long time. You're all in.

It's just, dude, I get the prospect thing. It's just like, man, it's been forever. It's been forever. They are just, it's been forever. They, they are starting to prove that they're a good baseball team. Like the way they won on Sunday with the, with the JT thing with the JT walk-off, it's like,

you know, there was, there's multiple times yesterday where a guy would, would get them in position and they wouldn't do a job. And then they would step right up. The guy behind him would step up and they would, they would win the game. You know, JT was on the verge of not doing that, and then he hit the ball out of the ballpark.

There was a play in the second game where I think Segura got the bunt down or whatever. Segura did, and Maytown had a great bunt in the second game too. Right. He got the bunt down, and then I think JT got out, and then I think someone picked him up later, and I was like, see, that's playing team baseball. That's picking up your teammate who didn't get the job done in that scenario. They're playing the game smart. It's not just they're relying on the big inning to get stuff done.

The double steal yesterday was obviously dumb, but it was like they're starting to create other ways to win games. dumb, but it was like, you know, they're starting to create other ways to win games. And like, you know, if you add if you had more talent and you add to this core, why not the Phil's? I will save like our perfect trade deadline moves for next week. Like you said, I think that's a great pod. But but the only other name that's been thrown out there. So we'll get to I guess this is kind of a lead-in

to the Marlins recap in a way, too, because dude just crushed us all weekend. If it weren't for him on the team, I think we actually would have swept all four and had no problem doing it. John Amon connects the Phillies to Starling Marte, too. Obviously, you know, dominating the Phillies in a Marlins uniform.

Unbelievable, his entire career there in Florida, it seems. But, you know, plus center fielder, really good bat, can run, you know, a really, really, really nice player and could be their starting center fielder. Rental guy, contract up at the end of the year. What do you think about that rumor that the Phillies connected the starting Marte to? I love it. I mean, it's funny because I i didn't know he's like 33 years

old it's like he feels younger right it feels like 30 31 yeah yeah so um yeah he feels younger than that and he still is getting the job done i mean it feels like he is just consistently barreling everything up and just like talk about being a perfect the perfect I mean, he's a phenomenal defender. He steals bags. He hits for a good average, hits for some pop. He's a career 400 hitter at Citizens Bank Park. 400. With like a thousand plus OPS.

It's ridiculous what he does at Citizens Bank Park. It felt like he went like 12 for 14 in the series over the weekend. It was unreal. Yeah. Oh, my gosh. He just kills us. He's an underrated Philly killer. And, you know, if that's, like, with the Marte thing, I would obviously love it.

But is that really the big move they need to make? Like, if I'm putting my chips in on a big trade, is it for March? Like, would you rather have, for example, would you rather have Marta or Kimbrell? Um,

well, it's an interesting question. I think I'd, honestly, I, I think I'd rather have Marta, but I, I'm guessing most people would say Kimbrell.

I think Marta is a really good baseball player. And I think, I think he's a better most people would say Kimbrell. I think Marte's a really good baseball player, and I think he's a better baseball player than Craig Kimbrell, and he helps you more than Craig Kimbrell. But I get it. Kimbrell signed for another year, so that probably makes him a little more, or you know, club option for another year. That probably adds a little more value depending on

how much you want to spend. I think I'd rather have Marte, but I get it that the vast majority of Phillies fans would say a say a closer yeah and center field is definitely important and and marty would help this team a lot and again if you think about the lineup with marty and it's like yeah yeah that's what i was doing that's a that's a that's a real lineup and and to be fair um he wouldn't he would impact every game not just that was my thought that's why when you said it's hard for me to take any relief pitcher over the

everyday player yeah exactly so and yeah I get it and he's a rental so I don't know what the best prospect I would give up in a Marte deal I feel like it'd be less well it would definitely be less I just don't know what level.

Again, Marchand? You want Marchand? Let's just trade all our catcher prospects to Marlins. Seriously. I mean, boy, Jorge Alfaro is just terrible behind the defense. Was not missing him, buddy. I mean, he is

a definition of a showcase player where the power is insane. The athleticism is really good. Throwing the ball like frozen ropes down the line. It's like, yeah, look at this guy. Man, like, the pass balls on Sunday were just ridiculous. Oh, buddy. The one that Terea scored on was just, like, I mean, horrendous catching.

Yes. Yes. So, yeahy marty would be awesome i would probably rather trade for i would rather trade for marty than buxton just because i tried oh for sure i trust him to stay healthy yeah and i'm not giving up the prospects that it would take to get to get bucks and i'd rather give them up for marty um but yeah i just like i'm very like the way that the way that Dombrowski was talking today you know it does feel like they're kind of planning something here they're doing something there I mean Dombrowski

basically said like we're in we're adding like flat out yeah there was no hesitation there was no like well we'll see it was no equivocating it was not like well let me see what happens over the next two weeks if you would keep winning series i'm gonna have to look around he was like yeah no we're in okay we're gonna be

doing something so be ready it's almost like he was saying to the camera you don't bring me in to rebuild pal uh you know um and you know who's never gonna have an if we don't we don't quote dave dombrowski like that guy that guy knows how to talk for a microphone so um it's just gonna it's gonna be fascinating what he does i mean uh you know it makes me nervous that that it'll be him versus farhan for kimbrough according to nightingale um you know because far oh yeah buddy yeah that that last one didn't work out so well. Yeah. So that makes me nervous. But he's a guy that routinely goes for it. And he made the Steve Pierce move in 2018.

That was like a really obvious good fit move and ended up being the World Series MVP. If there's one thing that Dave Dombrowski should be good at and I think is good at is finding the guys that round out a roster and help win ballgames. I mean, look at the guys on this team right now. I mean, Brad Miller's back. He's helping this team. Ronald Torres, I know that was a lot of Girardi, but still, I mean, he's a baseball player.

Luke Williams, another example of this. Travis Jankowski, who again, like, could it have made a worse first impression, but now is like into a folk hero. Yeah, we're at the point where people are saying he should be the starting center fielder. Yeah, which is ridiculous. Slow it down, all right?

Travis Jankowski is delightful coming off your bench. He is. I love him coming off the bench. That's about it. I mean, he's not going to bat 390 or whatever he's batting right now. 375, Jack, 375. But a very smart baseball player and just does all that. Yeah, who does that?

It's a funny way to phrase it because, you know, literally the dumbest intro to the Phillies that you could possibly have. Yes. All right. We'll obviously talk more deadline moving forward quickly before we get to the take back and stuff. Any other, obviously you kind of talked about it in a macro sense, but any specific takeaways from the Marlins series you wanted to highlight?

I really thought Vinny was good. He kind of responded to what happened in Boston last week. Yeah. And again, if he could just do that, it doesn't have to be unbelievable. It doesn't have to be like you got to go dominate, give us seven innings. Just pump strikes, mix in the curveball, have a good changeup, and just get the job done, you know?

Just give us five innings, man. It's literally all we need. All we need is five innings from Vince Velasquez, and everything is just fine. Like, it's just fine. We're not asking for the world. Just give me a decent start. Give me a decent start.

It is quite annoying that the Phillies only win the Met more than Vince Velasquez starts, but that's neither here nor there. So I thought he was good, though. I mean, if he can just consistently get the curveball over, which I know is a big ask, and the changeup stays within the zone long enough to where hitters can at least think it's a real pitch, like, that's a pretty good setup for him. So, you know, I just need it.

I need more from Vinny. I need more of that. So the Ranger, I'm not, I don't know about you, but I'm not worried about Ranger. You know, I mean, Saturday obviously wasn't great. It was one outing. Yeah, I'm certainly not after one outing. No. And it was one outing and also like you know, the Phillies have left

like a hundred runners on base. They had a lot of opportunities to break that game wide open. They didn't take advantage of it. He made a bad pitch to Hayes' Aguilar, and he did what he did. And he pitched the day before. I'm definitely not getting too concerned about it.

Which he hasn't done. I mean, he hasn't shown the... He's been a mold as a starter for most of his career. I thought it was impressive that Bailey Falter bounced back and came into a situation on Sunday where the game was getting a little bit tight and just came in and got the job done. I thought that was really good for his growth and stuff

like that. How about Hector? Hector! Hector! I mean, two massive innings on Saturday. Two scoreless. And then Sunday, just quick and easy and out of there in the ninth. Starting to throw his slider more. Like, thank God.

I mean, and I get it. Like, when you're closing games, you want to go with what you can trust and maybe, you know, bouncing him down to pitching in mop-up stuff and that let him work on his stuff so he feels more confident in it. But the reason why I was really high on Hector heading into the years is because I thought he was going to have that slider, and he kind of got away from it. So it's good to see him starting to use that pitch more and more

because, again, it's a really hard three-pitch sequence to stay on top of if he's going fastball, splitter, slider, you know, all off the same arm slot. So it's good that he's doing that more and more. And, you know, I still want Ranger to be the closer for the time being. But Hector bouncing back and being a good pitcher for this team would be massive. So and finally, real quick, just on Hector, I just want to put it out there that I'm really excited for Hector to be awesome for like 10 outings in a row, get put back in the closer

role, be the closer again, and then break our heart in the most painful way possible as soon as we're on board. That is how it'll play out. Anything that makes us look bad is what will happen. That's all. And finally, not worried about Zach Whe wheeler that's all i gotta say i'm not worried about zach wheeler he's gonna be fine

well you only have one bad inning again it wasn't a great start overall he clearly didn't have his best stuff but it is interesting out he's only had three not great starts this year and two of them one was that that three inning you know really short outing uh but the other two it was just one bad inning like it was the that six innings four runs where he gave up the four runs in the first inning that one time and then you know gutted through six and then again you know one bad inning and still guts through six ends up getting a win you know even the the bad Zach Wheeler starts are still pretty serviceable. Yeah, I mean, listen, four innings, or six innings, four runs I'll take when he doesn't have his best stuff.

And hey, you know, it's about time that the offense picks him up. I mean, he's been unbelievable all year. Yeah, how about it? What a thought. Get your Cy Young contender a win or two. What a thought. Other takeaway from the Marlins series was

Andrew McCutcheon going to catch that ball and like jumping to do it was amazing i oh yeah oh yeah andrew mccutcheon has talked many times about how he wants to play past his birthday um and he's obviously been to the playoffs a couple times i just i need a deep run for kutch like i just i just love that guy and and the fact that he's playing well and like hitting tanks, um, is good to see, but like how much fun he's having playing baseball is, is almost insane to see.

So I love him. Get him to the playoffs. Well, yeah, with you do it for catch. Are we doing a do it for catch thing? Even though he's been there a couple of times, do it for catch,

do it for catch. How about this? Let's get cut your know. Do it for Kutch. Do it for Kutch. How about this? Let's get Kutch a ring. How about that? Yeah. Yeah. Make the Brian Kimball trade.

Yeah. Well, yeah. Right? Yeah. All right. What do you got? Any take back action? There is a player that I have coveted for a long time that was designated for assignment by the Pirates today.

for a long time that was designated for assignment by the pirates today and i would just like to say dave for me bring me kyle crick i oh kyle crick got designated yeah i know and a couple years ago he was disgusting yeah he was an all-star i think a couple years ago his slider is still in the 3000 plus rpms which need that and I would just like take a shot. I mean, take a shot on Kyle Crick. Um, yeah, I think,

I think, yeah, I think him working with Gotham and what they have here is better than what they have in Pittsburgh. I, I mean, I don't watch pirates games, so I haven't seen him this year,

but that slider has been disgusting forever. And I would love for them to take a shot on him yeah we've talked many times on this show about kyle crick kyle crick is a name that has been said why not that seems like a big time why not for me why not crick uh correct also do you say crick or Creek? I say Creek, like, because I'm not a psychopath. Crick is... What do you say? Crick is weird to hear. Yeah.

It doesn't really make sense. It's ridiculous. I mean, it's not the word. Yeah, it's literally, there's not a spelling of it anywhere. It's Creek. I'm happy you brought that up, because that's one of the worst. Like, the Wooder, I'm okay with that. I get it.

Like, I've lived here long enough. You know, Mary for Murray or whatever. But Crick Creek, no. Like, it just, it's too, you're taking it too far. It's not okay, Jack. I agree. I agree. You know, don't say Crick to me.

That's what I'm saying. Yeah, so if you're at High Hopes Night next Saturday. Yes! Jack, look at you. Yes. What if you're at High Hopes Night next Saturday. Yes. Jack, look at you. Yes. You're a pro. You're welcome. Thanks, buddy.

I appreciate you. No problem. High Hopes Night, come hang out with us. Miller Lite is giving us a bunch of tickets, and you can register for them. We'll put the link into the pod bio here. I got to remember to do that, Jack, so don't let me forget. Okay. Put the link bio.

Look at the link. Register for tickets. We we'll be there we'll be hanging out it's gonna be a blast we're gonna have a great night there so register for tickets all thanks to miller light yes and i uh i grabbed some miller light over the weekend thoroughly enjoying it it's a you know i'm usually i'm usually a big heavy craft beer you know jack know, Jackie IPA, some call me. So I've been enjoying having some Miller Lights. They go down smooth, and we'll enjoy some of them Saturday. Yeah, look, I'm actually a big fan of the Miller Lights. I figured that was more my speed than your speed.

I could take some light beer down, Jack. I would never doubt it. I could bring it. Yeah, I can bring it, buddy. You ever been a funnel guy? No, no. Just drink the beer. Just drink the beer.

You don't have to do the funnel. You are missing out on funnels. What am I missing? Why can't I just sit there and drink the beer? This is always my thing in college. Everyone would be like, whoa, why don't you come do a funnel? I'm like, no, dude. I'm'm just gonna sit here and drink the beer like that why do i have to why do i have to you're such an old man but like it's ridiculous why just drink the beer why are they fun sorry for having fun but why is it fun what is fun about funneling beer

it's like a communal activity you do with your buds you're like fill it up again and you're the whole frank the tank thing it's a blast yeah it's not my definition of fun i gotta be honest with you buddy i like i'm not trying to be cranky old man but that i mean it is funny considering you rib me for being like old man guy and all that when in reality like you are way more old manny than i am well here's the thing is i am how i am and i believe in what i know we know and i just don't see like why would i do that like why would i do that just just just go drink the beer that's what i do and i'll probably have more than you all right champ so you know look at you not you not you i'm saying in general you know

people back in the day were like funnel no i don't listen i don't need i don't need other people's pressure i'm just you know if you don't like me you don't like me well i actually agree with that i'm very big on uh you know doing your own thing and marching the beat of your own drum jack that's what i do pal being comfortable in your own skin jack if i could teach zoe one lesson in life it's it's to teach her to be comfortable in her own skin i think it's so important i totally agree totally so me not a big funnel guy i don't okay i don't need to inject the beer into my system faster that's fair you you. You've sold me on this with your be your own man thing. I respect it.

I like funnels. I know you do. I know you do. If anyone ever wants a funnel beers, come to me and not Jack. Definitely don't come to me. It's a great way

to win my heart. Walk up to me with a funnel and a Miller Lite, we're going to be good friends. Yeah. Yeah. Well, listen, pal.

I got to be honest. You're almost 40. I don't know how much longer. Don't almost 40. I don't know how much longer. Don't tell anyone. I don't know how much longer you can keep that one up. I know, I know. To be fair, it's been a while since I funneled. I won't lie.

It's been a few years since I funneled. Would you say that it's been longer than the Phillies' playoff drop? No, I've definitely had a funnel in the last decade. Yeah, for sure. Multiple. If the Phillies make the playoffs, will you do a funnel? Oh, my God. Yes, of course.

100% I will. We might have to turn this into something. Yeah, could we? I'm in. Miller Lite, you listening? Whatever you want to turn this into, we're here. Yeah. We'll funnel.

If the Phillies make the playoffs, I'll funnel. that oh buddy yeah yeah yeah but only if miller light's involved yeah well obviously yeah perfect all right uh it's good so coming out with his eye up high hopes night uh maybe we'll funnel beers probably not that night don't think they can be brought into the stadium no but i will drink miller light with you yes i can promise you that yeah and we'll funnel beers. Probably not that night. Don't think they can be brought into the stadium. No, but I will drink Miller Lite with you. Yes. I can promise you that. Yeah, and we'll talk. I mean, listen, if they want to break out rally towels on Saturday,

I'm all for it. I could use a nice rally towel in my life. Rally towels already, huh? I know. It's July. Wow. That's a stretch, buddy. I know.

I don't care. I literally don't care. How about Jalen Ortiz? Hit a 498 feet? I mean, he's got 12 homers on the year in that ballpark, which is not great for hitters. And I would like to see him in Redding. And I know people have written him off because he's not using the same class as, you know,

Vlad Guerrero Jr. And I don't know, some guy named Juan Soto. And, you know, another guy named Ferdinand Tatis Jr. And, you know, pretty good class. Yeah, it's a pretty good class. And we do have Jalen Ortiz. But that doesn't mean he can't be something. And he can see now, which is great.

So, I don't know. I i'm excited i hope he goes to ready because i think at ready he could put up like a ton of homers but a 498 foot homer is a serious homer yeah that's a that's like a metal bat homer jack is what that is yeah yeah get him in the home run derby and oh and uh Mickey Mone, excellent 10-game hitting streak. Oh, why not Mick? That means batting.350. Why not Mick? Don't let Mickey get hot.

So it's actually good to see, though. It's good to see the minor league hitters are coming around because it's a really slow start to the season. But we're starting to see some really interesting numbers getting put up down there. Like Daniel Brito is having an unbelievable year. it's been fun it's been fun and you want to know the cool part about mick abel is like dude they just say hey tonight you're throwing mostly fastballs he's like all right cool here's six dominant innings hey mick tonight work on the

slider a little bit bang here's more dominance it's like hey mick why don't you pitch backwards tonight it's like all right cool like they their development plan for him is awesome like people people will look at if you look at the era it's gonna be like ah well that's not that impressive but if you really break it down like dude their talent they're they're having them work on like individual things every start and just focus on that because it's more important to develop those pitches than like have minor league success and like he just does it and is still good at it like he is a special talent he is a special talent and i just can't wait i just can't wait i can't wait he is awesome so um yeah that's your that's your minor league recap. Untouchable, Mick Abel.

Well, unless you can get like Jose Ramirez. Untouchable, Jack. I have to have it in my life someday. I need to see Mick Abel in a Phillies uniform on CBS after they buy the rights to baseball and have Jim Nance coach the Mick Abel gameance I must have it Jack that is something that has to happen yeah well I'm good if that's the case I'm good

but yeah also I think the Phillies have signed like every other draft pick except for two so that's good to see as well that is good you got anything else they're $4 million under the luxury tax. John.

Is that it? That's what we got to work with? John, it's time. It's time. Yeah, you got to go over. Go over, buddy. It's time. Pay the tax.

Yes. Yeah, pay the tax. If we can leave this podcast with one message and one message only, pay the tax. Bang. He's fritzing himself, so I'll see you later.