High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Struggling To Maintain Our Sanity Amidst The Phillies Struggles

Episode Date: April 24, 2025

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz struggles to keep their composure when reacting to the Phillies getting swept by the Mets. However, are there some positive things going on in the farm system that could help the team down the line? Presented by Miller Lite. To purchase Ring The Bell by Jack Fritz and Kevin Reavy, got 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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On the Odyssey app in sports radio, 94 WIP. I was singing. Smiling through a broken nose. Oh, hi. Oh, hi. Oh, I feel a little less alone. Yo, it is another edition of the I was back. I was sponsored by Miller Lite, official partner of the Philadelphia Phillies tastes like Miller time Philadelphia celebrate

responsibly. There's no celebrate. No, I everything sucks for it's I'm I'm furious. Nice. Like I, so here's where I'll start. I'm starting to turn on them and I don't like that. Like I, I was thinking a lot last night about how 18 months ago, 18 months ago, a year thinking a lot last night about how 18 months ago,

18 months ago, a year and a half ago, they were up to nothing on the diamond bags. And I in my soul felt like I had never wanted to see a group of guys when a title more than I want to see that group of guys when a title it's the same fricking group. And I feel like I hate them now. Like how, how in 18 months has it gone so far? The point where like, and I look, I don't hate rights, Harbor, I don't whatever, like, I don't like watching them. Like they make me angry the way they go about their business, the way they talk about it after

like all of it, like is infuriating. This team is driving me crazy. Yeah, I mean, I know. Yes, I know. And we're done. I know. That's the podcast. So I thought you were gonna ask me how I was doing. And how you doing? Thank you. Thank you. So I think I know you're doing I don't really need time into that. Just letting like, this is how I'm doing. Okay, good. Yeah, last night. And I don't I don't want to do this, but I was thinking about the hall that he could get for Zach. Which is not a good spot to be. No, not a good spot to be when you're thinking about draft pick, because that's just, that's part of who you are, right? So you being like, oh, ha ha ha, like I pick, like that's, that's brand. Yeah. You think about that's dark. That's where we cross the line from like Fritz stuff to like, oh no. Yep. I didn't want to do it.

I didn't want to do it at all, but they went up and got absolutely pants. They, they led for half an inning in an entire series against the Mets and what makes it so much more disheartening is and this is obvious but like they got pants last year in the postseason this is supposed to be like a no we're still here we won the NL East last year you haven't taken a big leap over us that's not what happened and I think what we're seeing is two ships passing in the night You know don't they talk about the pickle juice game in in 2000 as as two franchises going in different directions totally right they do that's what that's what it looks like to me

I mean on the field totally different vibes I mean the the Mets have all of what the Phillies used to have 100% They had to believe they're gonna win the The two out hitting, I think, broke me as well. I'm watching one team that I feel like has 0% chance of getting hit with two outs. I'm watching another team knowing they're gonna get a hit with two outs. It's just a sure thing.

I mean, the managers aren't even close right now. The front offices aren't even in the same stratosphere. I mean, Stearns is light years ahead. They're getting Griffin Canning to pitch to a three, five. Griffin Canning stinks. You think about this,ning to pitch to a 3-5 Griffin canning stings You think about this that the three pitchers are pitch for the Phillies this this Ron These three games are making 70 million dollars this year The three pitchers pitch for the Mets are making 10. No, really think about that. Well when you put it that way, right?

Come on. What about the ballpens? No, no, these are at least we'll lose that. Edwin Diaz is making some money, so we win that. But I just continue to come back to they need a shakeup. I've never seen a team more ripe for a shakeup, frankly, than this Philly team. Yeah, I'm so with you. Like, whatever it is, you gotta do something. And I don't know, I know that they can't call up

certain players, but I want them to have the freaking Cajones to do something because they should have done something after they lost last year and they really didn't. I mean. Yeah, and we were upset about it. Lazardo was great, I love Lazardo. Kepler and Romano obviously haven't really worked out. I'm buying Romano's stock, we'll get to that later.

Oh! If you're selling. Well, you get it really Jeep right now. Oh dude, I want to get Penny stock. Yeah, it really cheap right now. Oh, dude. Oh, it is penny. Yeah It is it is it is bottoming out. Yeah, bye. Well to be fair He did lower his eRA from 15 to 13 last night. Hey, we're all about the little step forward little Lower to the area last night Wasn't this I mean listen you made some good pitches. He's up to 98. I don't know. Don't throw fastball more. Anyway, I

Don't know. I don't know what to tell you. Throw the fastball more. Anyway, I don't know. I just like they, they, I want them to have the stones to do something. Like this is what Dymbrowsky is supposed to be good at. He's not supposed to be the builder. He's not supposed to be the analytics guy. He's supposed to be the, I know what it takes to win a championship guy. And that's where again, this is so surprising that and I I think they got screwed this offseason with no one wanting their players and Whatever, but it's just they essentially ran it back with the same team They don't look like they have the internal fire that you would have liked They look like there's none of they look that's been the most disappointing thing to your point

We just started with going to New York and like you would have think of all series Like that's like where the fire comes out. These guys just beat you in the thing, Barrett's in the playoffs. And like you in that same building and you go up and you're like lifeless. And the way they talk about it, like the whole thing was like, it was an embarrassment. I was embarrassed. This is where the, you know, we talked about at the beginning of the season, how

we appreciate the business like approach. Well, this is when the business like approach goes wrong. When things aren't going well, you look like you're miserable and they look like they're having no fun. And it's probably not an enjoyable time to head to the ballpark right now. It's probably not. And that's happens when you're, when you're losing the half. You know, the Mets are having a blast.

Run of the ball. And you saw when Alonzo slid it all like the whole, like, I know, I know, I know. And the door's smiling, you know, he's smiling all the time. Either way was the ninth inning is a big at bat. And he's just like, ha ha. I know this is know. I know. I adore smiling. You know, he's smiling all the time. And then when he was the ninth inning is a big at bat and he's just like, haha, this is going to go fine. And I'm just, uh, I'm sure every Philly's man was thinking about it, but you're watching one three hundred and one million dollars for it. Seven are three. And like, it's like, you're not even in the same hemisphere.

Offensively or defensively, like both sides of the bar clutch. Trey has a higher. All of it. Trey has a higher DRS this year. Take that as much, take your little shortstop thing and shove it. Tracy enough, the only fourth worst chase rate in the playoffs last year. Yeah. Other teams, other teams were worse. So yeah, I know I'm just saying that the Maraskeva. Yeah.

Well they didn't chase for a week. So they really bought into the approach. How about Alec Bohm has one walk. and I like bomb has one what no no home runs I mean, it's ever been a bigger guy who with no power ever in the history of the game Is there ever been a higher ratio or lower ratio? Whatever I say of size to power. It's unbelievable They have two players that have more than two home runs unbelievable and and when they turners O treat Turner's OVPs higher than a sluggy percentage. You know how hard that is to do? That sounds like growth.

That is hard to do, man. No, but well, and they'll keep saying, wow, we're built a slug. No, you're not. No, you're not. No, you're not. No, you're not. They're just, they got to do something.

And I know that sounds like simplistic and and like dumb but there's just to keep trotting them out there and seeing them not get any better at anything and and just kind of I You feel like you're watching if you feel like you're watching this core Limp to its finish line and and that's what that's what's beyond annoying. And yeah, I'm with you. I mean, again, 18 months ago, they were the best. They were the best.

They were winners. I love them so much. They were winners. And I think we more you learn about it. Yeah, they were more front runners rather than winners. Yeah, I think they were riding the hot streak. And that that's what we've learned that when the chips are down, when it's time to be resilient, when it's time to fight, this team doesn't have that much

fight in them, you know, and that and that's, that's what's been most disappointing. Again, like, I know we keep saying it, but for them to go into New York and give that effort, like, look, you can get beaten baseball, we get it, you know, like baseball's a tough game, you're going to have stretches where the other guys are pitching well and you're just not seeing it well or whatever. But to go into that ballpark and give that lack of effort, the lack of fire that we saw, I mean, they should have been going to that ballpark frothing at the mouth.

Throw it someone. Exactly. Yes. Yes. Some of the toss, like do something to light a fire under this group. Thompson got out there yesterday on the third balk. Yeah, it's so funny. Yeah, I know. I know. I know. That was a little bit. That was it should have been a balk.

Like there's no rule that says if a guy's hurt that he can injure. Yeah, that's that's BS. That was not it should have been. He was right. But even so, get tossed and get freaking tossed. Like actually get really angry. Like drop the Canadian thing for one day. But again, and like, I gave him a ask, he said to us when we were in clear water that he doesn't believe that yelling at players in baseball works like

try it. Try it. Try something like I don't care what you believe, like do something different. Guess what, David, you believe ain't freaking working. Your beliefs are playing out horribly right now. Well, I think we'll learn a lot about this team in the next two weeks. I really do. People brought up the Eagles two and two comparison and even Kelsey.

I thought Kelsey was really good on that. Yes, he was. And he's saying we're saying whether it's a cheat. He said someone needs to go in there and make them feel uncomfortable was what Kelsey said. He's like, they need someone who's going to shake things up. And this feels like a real inflection point of this team. Are they going to are they going to are they going to flop? Like, are they going to fold or are they going to rise?

And I think that that's where we've reached. This is what I think I said this two weeks ago that this is going to get worse, you know, and we're right there. I mean, this is this is bad. Yeah, I mean, they've lost 10 to 16. I mean, did you see the graphic in city fields in 2022? Oh, yeah, I checked with those losses. There's six and 20 since 2022 in city field, six and 20. Right. Feels right. That included the post.

I assume I don't know. It just said since 2022. So like, yeah, I agree. Like this is an inflection point. This is the Eagles two and two moment. I get that. The problem is, is that the Eagles had like when Kelsey talks about that and he talked about how they need a loose cannon or they need someone that's gonna say the unpopular yeah there's only one guy that can really do it and it's gassy honest I think like Bryce I would love it price I mean should be the guy do he's not going to we've gotten to the point where Bryce is what he is as a leader yeah but he's he is he's I think we're seeing a different version. I think mostly after games

and on stuff, but like a little too much when things aren't going well, a little too mopey out there. I know a little he's been annoying to watch. Like I'm sorry. Like the bats have been weak and and the attitude has been weak. Like you're the leader of the team. He is Mr. Bad Body Language. He's always, it looks like he's freaking crying out there the entire game. Like enough of it. And the, the problem is like the Eagles had AJ Brown, not afraid to say what he feels. That's clear. BG. BG. Not afraid to say what he feels. CJ, DJ. Even though a bunch of those dudes. Like those guys, I just think that that locker room was different. That locker room was in Nick Sixeriani, not afraid to say what he yeah

Absolutely. So I look at this team Cassie knows could be the one to do it. He's playing well enough to wear wouldn't sound ridiculous It's not last year cast again. I was very getting the year other than that. I Stops like I say anything Turner's not gonna say anything Schwerber's boom can't say Sure Schwab is the one that you know puts his arm around guys says I believe in you None of the starters will do that, you know, puts his arm around guys and says, I believe in you. None of the starters will do it. You know, Wheeler, Nola, no shot.

Talk in a team meeting to those guys even open their mouse. That's and that's the pictures too. So it is like you need a position player and not everyone could be high school friends for everyone accountable. They're being a horse. It's hard to be a leader when you're a pitcher, man. You're on your own world. You're doing your once every five

day thing it's just hard I'll sleep by example guy I knew that everyone everyone knew that so that's why he's a jackman no that's more like Wheeler calm who's the most animated picture in the history of pitching because I'm guessing that's who you were like on the mountain I was mountain. I was a big glove thrower. Huge glove thrower. I broke my toenail off kicking a wall one time. This is Madsen. You're definitely a kick a wall punch a wall kind of guy. I'm a big, well yesterday some of the walls here at the station got... Oh took some shots! Yeah a little bit. I'm a big size guy. Yesterday was a bad situation for you. Forced to watch the game around a bunch of people. Yeah, which I eventually rectified.

Yeah, you laughed. And found by myself. But I know, and then, you know, you're watching with Spike, it's probably been a little annoying about things, because he likes to needle you always. Yeah. So I'm sure it was just an overall annoying situation. As I try to explain to everyone,

I'm fine being needled, been needled my entire life, comes with being me. Yeah. When the Phil's playing bad Don't need like Simple is that okay? Because then shut it off because then either I'm gonna say something. I don't mean but This you brought this upon yourself. It's very simple Jack rolls and this This applies to my DMS to this applies mys, this applies to people that tweet at me.

You're gonna get, I got a itchy trigger finger on the block right now. Like, I'm just letting everyone know and I'm deleting the, like, if I see anything, out. I, like, I, I got you. I'm dying to. I don't know what to tell ya. Like, I hate this.

I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate that we're here again. I hate doing this podcast when it's like this. I just want to talk about a Rune Escobar and what Mick Abel did last night. And I can't do it because it's not fixing the message of the city.

And I just, they look so freaking dead. And you ask, we talk about, are they gonna fold or they're gonna rise up? Mike the biggest fear is that they're gonna fold like they're gonna fold and and this this is but again They need this because I think that it's early enough and they can find some internal fortitude and they go out and take two Or three from the Cubs weekend. Maybe they need this but holy cow. we're here. We're here again on April 23. And I don't need the if they win the non the pace the oh eight fillies I don't care. I don't care. I don't care. Play better. Yeah, I hate that. I

can't do that right now. Well, actually, they're on a 91 pace. I don't care. Are you serious? Is that is that like for real? That's the angle you're taking on this? Yeah, I I'm right there with you And and I do think that this could be a real inflection point My biggest fear is that they're just gonna be middling like my biggest fear is that they're just gonna be beat up on the teams they're supposed to be lose to most of the good teams maybe have a series here or there and just Kind of stumble their way to 84 wins or 85 wins and not be in the playoffs

But be close enough where they's still like some of the. They still don't sell the. You know what I mean though? Like seriously, that's my worst fear. That is my worst fear that they're just like, I, if the least they crater like, okay, at least I can look at the next year and I go, my fear is they're just going to be just good enough to keep people like annoyed, but into it and then let us down. That's my biggest.

They got to make a decision. That's what I would honestly, if I had to predict how the season plays out right now today, like 87. Okay, yeah. I mean the frustrating part is that a potential disaster is on the table now. I mean, oh absolutely. You look at what am I supposed to believe in, right, with the team and I think you believe in the starting staff. That's it. And Sanchez seems like he's gonna be okay. Thank God. Honestly, that was the worst thing that happened in the MET series until we found out. Look, they're not doing an MRI. Like he's probably okay, which is weird. Like, I don't know why you wouldn't just do the MRI, but like, okay, sure.

It seems a little insane. Sure. Forearm tightness, no MRI, but okay. Yeah, that wasn't that wasn't Monday, which was like 53 degrees. They said they're not doing an MRI. Like it's weird, but whatever. Fine. Like great sign. which was like 53 degrees said they're not doing MRI. Like it's weird, but whatever. Fine. Like great sign. But but that is a sign of like the fact that like how team out in this team is already. I mean, if they lost Sanchez, like bye bye. See you. I don't agree with that. OK, if they lose, like the point is, is there's there's one part of the team you feel like you lose.

I was about to say that's why I was about to say if they lose Harper, I went like if they lose an important position player or they lose all Verado or whatever. Oh yeah. That's I meant to say like just like the margin for error is is super thin. Yeah, because listen, I was thinking about Able if Sanchez had a missed start and I do kind of want to see that. I want to see what that would look like. So by the way, seven innings last night.

Nick, dude, I might be my best take so far this year. Why not, Nick? Is that why not? Nick, is it back? My best take this year? It wasn't that they're gonna win the World Series. That was all bit. They still can. That's what's so funny is like the best Phillies team we've seen in this run was 21 and 29 on June 1. You know, the 2022 team, the team that went the furthest, they came really close to winning the World Series was was a bad team through June, you know?

And honestly, I want the, this is gonna sound like bad and mean. I don't want it to sound bad and mean, but I want them to, I want them to hear all the outside noise and then come together, you know what? Cause I think that's- That's not bad mean, I think that's necessary.

That's what- That's what the Eagles did. That's what the Eagles did. I mean, I think that's necessary. That's what that the Eagles did. That's what the Eagles did. I mean, the Eagles last year and they now maybe they need one of their players to come on WIP and say these two aren't getting along. Hey, we will. We will take that. Not our fault. Yeah, not our fault. And we will we'll provide the platform back off. Yeah. And then they can talk and everything will be will be fine.

Yeah. But I think the Eagles, you know, they heard all about we got to. You got to fire Nick. Nick can't do it, Nick's a bum. And I want them to hear all of this. And even, they never would listen to this podcast, but you and I are very positive on the team. We're as profilius as it gets. Our listeners are unbelievably positive on the team. We have our moments where we melt down,

and that's what this is. And they're earned, they are earned. There's a reason for it. I got a slow trigger on melting on the team. We have our moments where we melt down, and that's what this is. And they're earned, they are earned. There's a reason for it. I got a slow trigger on melting down the fields. Now, not this year, but a lot of ranty type final outs, which I don't love to do. But I want them to feel it, and I want them to feel it, and I want them to hear it,

and then I want them to internally say, they're wrong, We're not dead. They need a we're not dead yet. And it's it starts with Bryce, dude. And that's why the that's why the attitude up in New York was disappointing. That's why the at-bath are disappointing. So that's why the yesterday Alonzo has a bad name, too. It was bad. It was bad.

I go, well, game one, game one, excuse me. Like, dude, what the hell, man? Your price are any of multiple of those? Like that was three pitches. Danny, Danny Young, yes, sir. Man, Danny Young, like you look like you're going to cry. But what are these bats? Your Bryce Harper, man?

And so she would like you talk so much smack in the season about put our heads down, we're going to go to work. We're going to you. It's about what's on the front of the jersey and all this stuff he said. And then you go and you have those noncompetitive at bat. And then you put your head down and you look like you're going to cry. Right. So it's like be a freaking leader, man. Well, and the one that irked me yesterday was.

Balls hit the Alonzo at first base, Alonzo bobbled it, and Bryce was three quarters of the line. Yeah, like I wasn't even close Yeah, so it could he could have made a close play if he was if he was there. I just it has to be him it just and Listen Jaylen for his love him to death. Of course my father back. Yeah, but He had to get talked through multiple times about his leadership Yeah

No, we did after 293 like yeah There was that whole story. Eagles are not happy with how he's leading the team and the the Jay Glazer report, which he doubled down on. Yeah, I mean, about how BG went to get his house. Yeah, they talked it out. He like it he responded. It helps. It has to be bright. Nothing else matters. Does anyone have the balls to talk to him? Well, but I want Bryce to feel himself. I do too. But you know what, we're

six and a half years into Bryce Harper being here, like we are three years into this run. Like, I don't know that Bryce is going to do that. Like, does anyone in the organization like have the hotspot to go to Bryce Harper and be like, Bryce, I freaking need more from you, man. I need you to be the leader of this team you're supposed to be I need you in people's faces. I need you motivating. I need you instead of just talking after games. Like I need you to do something. I mean, I think it might come down to, I think a sit down of, of Middleton, Nebraska and I think it has to be Middleton and Nebraska will

be there, but I agree with you. I think those three John Middleton has to say to Bryce, like, listen, like you're great. We love you. We're super happy we signed you in, but like Bryce, like if you want to win, here's what we need from you. And I mean, it's not big. The relationship's not there. Uh, like it was, but I mean, everyone talks about the, the Larry Brown AI Billy King sit down and in 2000 before 2001, by week this year at the Eagles, we don't know exactly what happened. There was clearly a sit down.

The offensive line said, yeah, run the ball. Like awesome. But the point is like, you would think with now, there was sit, don't do it. There was sit downs, Nick and Jalen, like they all worked it out. Like Jalen and Nick had what the multiple zoom hours today. And they figured it out and then they're super happy with each other. And they want to super go together. Like, and that's why I like, I know how it feels right now.

And I, and I totally get that. I don't, I'm not saying the season's dead, right? Because I think they can't have that moment. Season is not dead, but if they don't fix this quick, it's going to die. I mean, if, if, if five games out right now, I'm not, I'm not saying that the end of the world or whatever, but to your point, if they don't fix this quick, they're going to fall out of it. And even if maybe they say in the wild card or whatever, but like like this to your point is a moment right now. Like they need to recover from this. They need to find a way to come together and fight.

Can we find a high leverage reliever? Is that could that help? I mean, like that's the there's like two lanes to this. One lane is the mentality of the team, the way they go about their business. And that's really just the offense. And that's the offense. The other lane is, well, Ben might just not be good enough. The bats just might not be good enough. That's a possibility too. Yeah, I just I can't let the offense off the hook more than I can let the bullpen off the hook. You know what I mean? Like the bullpen is under me. I like the offense they should have

enough but we've just seen the last few years we know what what it could end up being. But I'm not letting them off the hook. I'm just saying yeah. And the problem the offense is just so much names and so little production. But look, they are like, again, getting older and like JT, I think that's an age thing. Like, I just think JT is not because he doesn't have his quick a bat anymore. He doesn't have the power anymore. And JT smoked a couple of balls this weekend, but they just died. Yeah. And that's what I mean. He doesn't have that power anymore. That that ability that have a carry and last. I'm Jordan Robinson, host of the new podcast, The Women's Hoop Show.

Each episode, I'll be joined by a rotating group of women's basketball experts to talk WNBA, college hoops, the new unrivaled league and the shifting landscape of the sport. The game is growing and so are we. Listen to and follow the women's hoop show and Odyssey podcast available now for free on the Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcast. I mean, so yeah, the offense, I think draws a lot of the higher. The problem with bullpen is it it's talent. It's it's Nebraska set them up to fail big time.

That's the issue is that he said his comments about the Hoffman thing. And drove me absolutely insane. For those who miss, he basically said, well, we basically offered Hoffman a similar thing to what he got, but he wouldn't take our deal right away. So we pivoted to Romano. And then, like, first and foremost, like. All the Jeff Hoffman did for this team and how great he was on it. Like you just pivot off to another guy like immediately like that.

That's crazy to me when Hoffman didn't take ended up taking something that would have been very viable for the Phillies to sign him for. But regardless of that, like then his comments about like letting guys off the hook in the pen, like essentially, you know, like Carlos, guys got a bit better. Carlos, he doesn't need to. But like, it's just weird the way they talk about it, the way they approach it. And obviously, just putting this bullpen together was malpractice. Well, I was lazy. I mean, it's just lazy. It was it was one guy. It was like two good guys go and they brought in a question mark. And that's all they did. Yeah, it was a half ass attempt to build a bullpen. And I think they thought maybe they'd be serviceable enough to get them to the deadline,

and then they would make the addition there. But the problem is that if any of those guys aren't perfect, then you're putting in someone who should not be in that spot. Totally. And they made bad bets. Josey Ruiz, I think they betted on... They betted a word? I don't think so. But they bet on...

No, it only is. They bet on taking a step the word. I don't think so, but they bet on no, I don't is they bet on Taking a step forward. That's a bad bet. I mean guys been what he is for a long time. It's not like the stuff pop-ups It's good. He's fine. Yeah, he's just not I like he's a he's a he's a campy in those spots extra inning guy he's horrible, yeah, and you know like I Know Tanner Banks is a two-7. I don't care. I mean, Brad Hand at one point and 22 had a DRA under three. It's just, and I know he struck out the side the other night,

which you know my problem Tanner Banks is. He's the guy getting out. It's that his mechanics look like when a position player pitches. Yeah. And that's my, it's my, the way he finishes is like a, is the old little league coach telling you, you got to make sure you finish, you can feel your position. Dorks. We don't feel our position. Throw hard. Anyway, anyway, I, they have a talent issue. Nebraska set them up to fail and

Romano obviously not bouncing back and being close to the guy he was from 21 to 23 is hurt. Now again, buying stock. No one wants to hear it, but we're buying stock. No, no, no, no, no, no. And he was throwing hard, but no. All right. Check him in two weeks. Check him in two weeks. Kirkering. Kirkering. Are you worried about Kirkering? Well, I'm worried about if he can be a high leverage guy.

Yeah. Like I think this stuff's gonna be fine. I think he's gonna, I think he's a good reliever. Ryan Kirk Ring is a good reliever, but I think there was the idea that... He could be a closer. He could be an eighth inning guy. I don't know if he's that. Yeah, he just might, he might be a really high end seventh inning guy. Or even a sixth or whatever. Like he might be, he's probably in a good bullpen, the fourth or fifth guy in a really good bullpen. Yeah that's fair i think i think fourth sure i think four point is he's two or three in this bet yeah and they expected him to take a step forward and like the

alonzo a bat again with two outs do your job man like do your job and get and get freaking pete alonzo out and i know that sounds again that sounds simplistic but it's not like that's his job that's why he's there. Yeah. And the Marlins ending happens. I get it. But there's been a lot of times, I mean, we saw it in 22. Now that we chalked up to he's a rookie,

which I think is fair. But even like last year. 23, also 23 too. I know, last year in the playoffs, it was not a playoff riser. Yeah. So you have Kirk Ring, who good arm might not be high leverage.

Alvarado, they're gonna run into the ground. Looks great, but they're gonna run into the ground and then strong But the righties the righties are just so bad I mean you know I mean we can talk about Joe Coon oh from the the iron pick a lot of us a lot of buzz Max's Arshad of was that a game last night? But again, these are our triple-a arms now Coon oh was a former major league arm, but he I know no no and it's a shame that Griff got hurt because Griff could have been trending up They made all these guys You know like it was frustrated about Abel start is like maybe able could help them open out

But he's been stretched out to be a starter and you know what I have to go all the way back now I know and then Griff McGarry like they've moved back to being a starter this year Well, I mean I just just see if he can be a an elite reliever Alex McFarland who you don't care about They've made back into a starter. Why he's a he's a he could be a dominant bullpen He's why are we putting these guys back into the starting right? We don't need starters million starters Come on These guys have interesting arms. I want to see what they do out of a bullpen just every single night that makes me want to take a spoon and jam it in my eye and I can't get my interesting minor league arms because they're starting

we have 17 starters in the big leagues ready to go we have a million starters that's all the energy like I just want to see what they would do with the bullpen I want to see what they do with the bullpen the Bill Chris match should be in the freaking bullpen they're starting them in Lehigh Valley it's just like what do we do with the ball? I was either the bullpen. I want to see the bullpen The bill Chris Matt should be in the freaking bullpen. They're starting them in Lehigh Valley It's just like what are we doing? We need bullpen arms with a thousand starters with a thousand starters. It's ridiculous It's ridiculous. Thank you. It's big reliever God

No, no, no where to go from I know it's really great the most passionate rant was about the minor league hugger make that a video Thank you's my league. That was great. You're right. We have a million starters. It's not the issue I know like we like talk about starting depth and starting them starting depth sucks They suck able throws 97 in the seventh inning and he we can't see what he could do in the bullpen oh my god I want to see what he look like thank you I'm so annoyed by it. That was great. I'm with you. I look I get nothing to say. Bullpen sucks. They're so bad. The iron picks are the best bullpen in AAA by the way. Do they really? I'm not crazy. Not crazy right there. Yeah, that's hilarious

Horrible horrible. I mean we're the bank should be in Redding. Yeah, we're like 2020 We're trying to fight with the 2020 team the way this now, of course, nothing's nothing's that bad But I wish that on my worst. Yeah. But again, it does feel like, you know. It's not 2020 and nothing will ever be like that. That was the worst. Twenty twenty one was horrible, but like. I do have that feel that we had then that we've talked about as being like,

you know, like a top three worst fan feeling that you can have as a baseball fan, where I just I always assume they're going to blow it. Like I don't ever expect the bullpen to hang on to a lead. Like that's horrible. Well, horrible feeling. It's horrible to watch baseball. Like it's not fun. It's not fun to sit there and be up five, nothing and be like, well,

should be fun to see how we blow this one. Like that's fun. Like there's an enjoyable way to consume the sport. It eventually does get a little like it's just you start laughing. Now it's not fun right now. Right. When they can't wait for that moment. No, like if it keeps going this way, that'll happen. I mean, there's that will happen.

It's a lock of the century. We're rooting for the draft. No, listen, don't tempt me with a good time. Oh, I know. Don't tempt me with a sell off and a big draft. Oh, no. Trust me. Now, the draft will be next year, obviously. It will not be this year's pick.

They have 27 this year. Very boring. They got Aidan Miller with 27, though. Aidan Miller, 27. Jackson Merrill, 27. Was he really? I believe so. Pretty good.

Well, we're calling Aidan Miller the Jackson Merrill of the Aidan's heating up in AA, by the way. By the way, I am. I'll give you something. OK, great. Awesome. Where are you at with the concept? Because the camera was like on the day, basically, like, I don't care. Just make a trade like he's like, just go get a relief.

Like, I don't care. Like, I don't care. We have to pay whatever. I am kind of at the point where I don't know that I would like I need more time. I wouldn't trade one of our top prospects to help this group. Oh, you want like reinvesting in this team? That's what I mean. Like I would rather have Justin Crawford or Eden Miller or whatever, then help this group right now. Yeah, yeah, I totally agree. I totally agree. And that's a very dark place. I never thought I would be in that spot. Yeah, I and if they change by the change by the deadline, totally different change, things can change, but right now that's how I feel now. And that's where it's so interesting because people don't want to trade the prospects, but they also want to seem to be better. Exactly. It's like, so how do you do that guys? Well, just remember first take of this off season was pause year, just before it's before one of us, you're one of us went over the top. One of us started thinking about the world

Series the original take was pause here. So we're back but but uh Yeah, no No, I'm better But the yeah No I'm not at this current junction like if you could trade one of the 10 to 15 guys that they probably want Yeah, and you want to go get a reliever?

Okay. Also like you're not trading, you're not trading bone right now for a reliever. You're not like, not happening. Not happening. So yeah, no, I'm with you. I'm not, you don't need a doubling down on what might be them kind of playing out the string. Cause it, they look like a playing out the string kind of in April, which is great.

It's where you want to of in April, which is great It's where you want to be in April. It's not August It's so disappointed I'm just so disappointed Had to change the chemistry up and didn't change the chemistry You're right. Like what happened to like having some freaking pride and like having Some hunger and I mean, it wasn't just a group that kept talking about how oh We gotta win a championship bit, Matt, like our like, what about price is legacy? Like, oh, does that not matter

anymore? And he's just like, Oh, you know what, I guess we're just not good enough. Like, there's no fire from this. There's no fight. Like, oh, well, it's one that when you're not hitting, it's very, I tell you how much I hate watching trade turner play baseball. It's such a bummer. I thought if nothing else, forgetting how great you'd be. Remember, I thought when they signed that guy, I was like, what a fun guy to watch. Play the game like we watch a hundred forty bags, right? Three ten do things. I'm like, wow, you score from first to score on a from first on a single. Oh, my God. Like all these things are just like, wow, like what a fun way to watch

the sport like. It's the exact opposite. Like I hate watching. He is like infuriating to watch. And everyone talks about the Bryce first pitch up swing. Oh, swing every time. It's unbelievable. Every time there's runners on base, runners scoring position and it's Cassianus and it's Turner. Boom.

Hack it. Just like, let me get up there and rip one into the ground. You could throw the ball wherever you want I'm gonna swing. Yeah, you could do Rick Ankyl it throw it over the back of that the Backstop, they forget. I think they forget they have three strikes when they when they're dead that line Were you selling the other pod? You're like guys you have three strikes use them Yeah, like use your freaking strike Yeah

well cuz stock and fight with two strikes short working fight with two strikes hard working mostly strike a fight with two strikes. Those guys, I feel like they just can't. They just can't. Or they ground at double plays. I mean, that's, I mean, the JT, JT six years in realizing he grounds into a lot of double plays, T-Max said that on the broadcast. He's like, yeah, I got some ground in double plays. Really do you?

Six years. Oh, come on, have you got that? A lot of double plays I've seen. Bone can't wait. Can't wait to ground't wait to grind. It's like the like, you know, especially when it's a slow ground ball, you're like, oh, maybe they'll be that would bomb. You just get a drink. Everything's over.

Like, I don't even attempt to believe that maybe like even Cassie once in a while, he'll beat something out like not a lot. He's super stuff. What about the throw yesterday? Did you beat that one out? Diving, they saw they signed one soda to play defense in right field unbelievable Yeah, and then they didn't send him late. He didn't yeah wonder why I don't blame him. Yeah, I know Yeah, well they are batting zero

Not the number I was exactly with bases loaded and two outs Yeah, they're hitting 160 well, They're hitting 160 overall to basis loaders. Well Kepler was a hit technically right? They threw him out at home but it's still single for Kepler in that situation. Well this is before the game. This is before baseball reference was updated. That's even funnier though. They have a hit but no RBI. That's even better. How hard is that? I'm sorry I was thinking I was working on that. I'm sorry. I was thinking running scoring position. My bad. Yeah, my bad.

They've been horrible runners and scoring horrible. Yeah, I was thinking of Ryan's. Yeah, they have no hits with bases loaded this year. They've no hits with bases loaded two outs. No hits. 0 for 8, I believe 160 overall with the bases loaded. And I mean, runners scoring position has to be under 200 now. They were like number one in baseball the first week of the year with runners scoring position has to be under 200 now. They were like number one in baseball

the first week of the year with runners scoring position. Philly's fans are gonna watch. Crater. Philly's fans are gonna watch the Cubs this weekend and be like, wait, you could do that? You can play baseball that way? Cubs are fun, man.

They're awesome. Cubs are fun. They've been the best offense in the league so far. Pee-Crew Armstrong. Armstrong. Yeah. Flying around. Kyle Tucker. Kyle Tucker. Kyle Tucker, man. Can't wait. Kyle Tucker just studdin' it up. Listen. Armstrong Armstrong yeah around I'll talk her

Can't wait Kyle Tucker just stun it up. Yeah, listen Might be time where Must win 203 Whatever just don't even play the rest of the year. Wow. Don't even play the rest of the year. This is a bold statement for this podcast. Like, not up. I mean, seriously. Yeah, I'm with you.

I'm with you. There's a time to do it. It's now the off day you're in. I hope they have dinner tonight. Everyone just go have a team dinner. It's high school. Go have a team dinner and figure some crap out and decide if you want to play this year or not I don't care that's April 24th whatever I do I get it

but I do I don't care I don't care how early or whatnot they think it is go have a go have a real meeting a real meeting you good yeah I'm good you I need to take back a ruin Escobobar is unbelievable. He's just talk about him. He's unbelievable. And he hits a home run yesterday that he gets out in front of and hits it over the left field. Like it's a big league ballpark and they play in clear water. Might have might have might have another player there. I eat hit a ball like I saw the tight one.

That was a tank shot. They've got a pretty swing. Yeah, it's swarmer. It's swarmer swing. He is a tank shot. There's got a pretty swing. Yeah, it's swarmer. It's swarmer swing. He is a pretty swing. It's swarmer swing with not even close to the eye of the play. He catch. Yeah. You know what I mean?

Like, yeah, like, is he is he somebody who stays a catcher long term? Because the bat plays bad. 100 percent. We're a bad plays pot in the water. I don't I don't need him to say I'm just just wondering if he died, you know, I don't know. Like they think he can, we'll see. Yeah. They think he had a rune. Trey Turner can play shortstop in the major league. A rune, a rune might be special. He might be. Yeah. Like again, Jose Ramirez on the right side. Oh, buddy. I'm telling you, man. He's Jose. Jose is the right side also. No, no That's what I mean. Yeah, it was a mirrors from the right. So you're saying exactly Jose Oh, I got confused there. You're really you'll say it like Jose lefty. No, no, I got you. So you say righty only Jose

Okay, I love that. He said did he sit over 400 is OPS is like over 1100 as like a second base third base prospect I love it. It's dude. I can's dude. Please get Aiden up here. Get a rune up here. Stats playing well so stop my dear. There's nothing. I'm so of all the annoying things I'm so glad we're getting this version of Stats again. Yeah. Now we can have our druthers but the lead-off thing again. I would just lead them off at this point. Fine. It's been the best version of it when Stats leading off. Like I get it the The lefty thing and all, but like. Wait till the wait till they move back to Schwab or when things aren't going well

and I can't wait. Yeah, well, and Schwab, by the way, is cratered after the with projecting Bryce thing. Yeah. So, yeah, I like but I'm just glad that start looks closer to 23 staff and 24 stock 24. That was not a fun watch. And he's and he's to the point of me about turning over, like that's a really fun player to watch when he's on, like just the way he goes about his business, the way he hits the way he plays the field, like he's a fun player to watch. I like players who battle.

I like players who sprayed the ball over the field. I like guys who are fast. I like it's play great defense. Like he's one of those type of guys. Yeah. And my lead off thing is more, you know, I see Lindor leading off with a home run. I see Tati's leading off. I see Otani who's gonna hit home runs. I know Shorber. You're saying just go back Shorber. No It's not even a Shorber thing in a perfect world rather

It's just it's just a more impact batting that's like ideally it's Trey, right? But Trey is just not gonna Given up on the star. I can't I can't stand it. I really I'm the one-armed I'm going to dislike him and I hate that and it's like you got it You've got a hit yesterday like it was big big hit Single ripping a little single again and rip that single for 300 million dollars. Thank you the the Met celebration at second base is enough to Like just find me the closest bridge. I really, I really hate it and seeing that big lose the little thing they do. Yeah, the little seeing Alonzo Alonzo

is annoying. Lindor did it. It was kind of cool. Everything in door does great, like kind of casual and Alonzo it's like, it's like everything is like, I'm very serious about these moves and I must use the correct way. He is such a door, man. I know we talked about every time at the check swing. I hate it so much the little bat thing. You know, the, he just he looks like a freaking stance. Like we kind of like, you know, I'm talking about cartoon character. His body is shaped weird, running.oon character. Yeah, it's like his body is shaped weird. The whole thing. The running bothers me. I know, well the running. Everything about him bothers me.

That's like him sliding into hell with the like... Oh, I know, I know. And the... Shut up. God, I hate them. I hate Jesse Wanker. I hate Jesse Wanker. Hate Jesse Wanker.

But the Phillies need Jesse. I know. That's exactly the type of guy they need. They need someone who's gonna come in and be like, what the hell are you guys doing? What is happening right now? And like the what makes the last two games so frustrating. That messed lineup after the top three Lonzo is bleeping horrible. Yeah, I mean, Nimmo and Viento

horrible Viento as we find he's he's not a 160 hitter. I agree. But oh my good the bottom of the mean Tyrone Taylor in the really the bigger thing is is Griffin Canning and David Pearson. We're David Peterson men. But still like Griffin Canning, David Peterson and freaking. Who's the other who? Whatever. Oh, pitched Monday. I looked it up before when I looked up how much he made.

Oh, Ty McGill. Like, oh, what the hell? And I do too. I like Ty McGill. I'm McGill. Like, and I do too. I like time to go with you. Like, come on, man. Like you can't let these guys shut you down. Like nothing against these guys. The McGill brothers are my new vision. I love I really like McGill. Two brothers are 98. Yeah, I like to I've always liked I like Peterson.

Like, come on, man. Like you've got Zach Wheeler going up against David Peterson. Like you can't lose that game. Like you lose that was because the bullpen is well. Well, and because you lost the first two, like you got to win that game. Like I know it's a regular season, whatever, but you got to win that game. So the Mets celebrate. Ready for my nap now.

You've got me fully ready to nap and leave the world for a few hours. Have I told you my dad theory about the Phillies? As in, oh, they too many dads, named dads. Start finding softness. You find new joys in life. Yeah. And yeah. And also you do get soft like you do.

Like, you know, well, yeah, like I could cry about how much I love my daughter. I just sort of burst into tears at the love So I do overwhelming love that I feel so I do too like it's soft and mean but it's also hardened me in a lot of ways in what ways like I Don't care anymore about like like I just I Don't know. I just I'm so much more just black and white about like what I believe now,

like especially with the Phillies, like two years ago, three years ago, talking to myself and then being fine. Now I'm like this. Oh, you know what I mean? Like made you a more realistic. I think I'm just back there. And I'm trying to your dad, your leader. Yeah, you got to take it. But also like you're setting an example, you know. Exactly. Exactly.

Like kids, I wonder if like they much, like, fun around their kids. They go to the ballpark and they're like, this sucks. I'd rather be home. Can't wait to get home and hang out with my kid. Yeah, maybe. That's my dad theory. For sure. I was trying to compare him to the 08 team.

Burl, no kids. Well, look, there's a reason Nick plays so well whenever we bring Liam up, right? Yeah. Well, you know, and like,ino, like these kids, Jimmy, them kids, Ryan, his kids might've been there already. Were they maybe, I don't know, but the, uh, that's my kid theory is that theory is that great theory. I love this theory. It's more wins. There's that fire trade for some youngsters. All right.

You guys are on kids yet. Look at how great Bobby Witt is how crazy is that? Bobby Witt is only 22 now think about the deadline, maybe they can get Roman Anthony for Wheeler no way they could get crochet again they don't really need them I'm just no I know I'm just saying for one for one do you think Zach wheelers it's a Beltran trade but we were talking about this yeah it is Zach Wheeler's value get you Roman Anthony

from a contender 215 we I don't think these were valuable I don't think you just greater that I don't but maybe Jackson out there you go Hey struggled here and there, you know, post type post type sleep. They do need a picture They also might be out of it before they could get a picture. Just so no Don't take that last part In a very we're in a very precar spot. I don't ever want to do that again. Two or three this week, right? Dude, and you're going away, which is perfect. I know, I know.

You don't have to watch. I don't have to, yeah. I might not be able to. I'm going to a wedding in Texas. 220 start tomorrow. Yeah, I'm going to be... So I will be on a plane tomorrow, so that won't work out for me.

Maybe I'll be in Texas. What part of Texas are you going to? Austin. Ah, okay. I know, so it's not super Texas. Well, it's just like..., he lives in Texas, Texas, but he's doing the wedding in Austin. So it's easier for everyone to come in. I'm actually surprised. I mean, I thought you've passed the wedding stage of your life. So I it's cousins. He's 30 to 31 year old cousin. Then next two weeks from now, I'm going to California for my other 30 year old cousin's wedding. Yes, I was past it and then it's cousins, but somehow they decided to do it two weeks apart. It's like, nice. Nice. Are you a different

side? It's Emily side and then my side. So it's like, you know, you're going to walk around and say Dallas sucks. Oh, I will. Oh, you know, I'm going to say, come on, buddy. Let me get it back to the films. Can the fills bring it back? We'd Elliott in here earlier. I wanted to throw his head through. So there's is there is no one who I think annoys you more when the Phillies aren't going well than I got a list. Yeah, I got a list. You do, don't you? I believe. Yeah.

Elliot, like in our thread, when like Elliot loves to do this thing where like Alec Bohm will get a hit and he'll be like, but people told me I can't play anymore or whatever. And it's like, Jag has gotten the point, especially over the last week, where like the response will just be enough. Great. Or like, or shut up. Leave me alone. Just leave me alone.

There's no one. It's gonna sound mean. It's gonna sound mean. I don't need Philly's opinions from people who don't care about when they're going bad. They're going well. You want to thirst it up. Whatever. When they're going bad, I don't need your Phillies opinion. Leave me alone. I don't need your Phillies opinions when you don't really care about the Phillies.

Yeah, yeah. So that's my issue. It's my PSA. It's a good PSA. Thank you. Just leave Jack alone. All right, guys, please. I'm doing bad, too. Exactly. Yeah, I'm human.

We're all doing bad. We're all doing that. Not watching every game like this. Now they keep losing. Start talking about the draft. You don't want that. I don't want that. But man, I am really confused with some of these teams picking the top five.

And not to make this about the 2016 and 2019 Phillies, but they just like there's no good prospects. It really sucks. You look back at that maniac draft and just like all the Haseley draft, they, they remember Adam Haseley, sadly went on the field. Yeah. I mean, he's not a baseball. I mean, at least Moniac starting in Colorado. Yeah. I was leading off. He said, yeah.

I mean, like he's not, if I'm not mistaken, I don't think he's playing. I think he's out of baseball to have a seven round pick from 2019 be out of baseball by now. Like that, like those guys towing the miners forever. Yeah. Can't make it like that. It's crazy. Travis Swaggerty, who I don't think you remember. I remember the name was playing in double A the other day. I swear he got drafted in 2014.

True Pomerance just got brought back up for the miners. Pomerance could help the bullpen. But that's what I mean. True Pomerance has been in and out over this team that miners up and back still going. Thirty six. Yeah. Would you would you sign Joey Gallo to help the bullpen? Sure. Ninety six. Ninety eight. Can he can he pinch it there?

Is is there Robertson alive? I guess you can someone just check and see. Now, to be fair, it is possible David Robertson is saying I want to wait it out. And, you know, I know, I know. So yeah, so he shows up like Roger Clemens did back in the day. It'll be great season Anyone else signs him is a deep playoff run with them if he comes here He's gonna David Robertson for the third time. If you go remember the first now No, only the people on this podcast. Yeah, that's it

And it only is a bit Uh, all right, you got anything else? No, This went way long. No, I don't care. I know you never did. My napping means so little to you. You have nothing to do the rest of the day. I gotta stay up till midnight watching the draft. You know how hard that is for me? Just wake up in the morning. Who cares?

You're right about that. You'll know more. I feel like I'm lying. I can't do that. I could have been. I don't like I don't I can't. I would love to be excited about the draft. Yeah. Cannot do. No, it's a horrible year. I can't. Yeah. Well, it's the Phillies. It's the Phillies fault. Here's some good news. Yeah, but there's minorly baseball

that's great. It's come back Crawford's back over 300. the the