High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - The High Hopes Phillies Podcast: Bryce Harper Almost Emergency Pod

Episode Date: November 8, 2018

The Bryce Harper Emergency-ish podcast is here! Jack Fritz and James Seltzer are here talking about the Bob Nightengale article that Bryce Harper will be a Phillie... book it. Also Jack attempts to do Drops of Jupiter and fails.  See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information. 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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Talking about the Philadelphia Phillies. On Radio.com and sports radio 94 wip yo it is another edition of the bryce harper coming to the phillies podcast jack fritz james seltzer coming your way jack we might get bryce freaking harper we've talked about a lot i actually I've said many times, I thought they were going to get Bryce Harper, but it's becoming real, Jack. Bob Nightingale with the article

that took Philly by storm yesterday says, quote unquote, you can bank on it, Jack. Is this happening? Is this real? Are we living in real life, Jack Fritz? I don't want to have premature heartbeck elation, but I just think it's a done deal. I do too. It feels like the LeBron thing last summer where it's like everyone knows what's going to happen,

but they can't come out and definitively say it's going to happen. And listen, I just want to prepare Philadelphia because it's not going to happen for, I would think, like a month. It's not going to happen until the winter meetings. It'll be the winter meetings in Vegas where Harper's from. It makes all the sense in the world. Exactly. It's going to wait to announce while he's at home in Las Vegas with a huge-ass press conference. It's going to be great.

It's going to be awesome. It's going to be great. So it's going to be a long month. This is going to be the longest month of my life. It's going to be brutal, man. I really don't. I'm just like waiting and waiting. I'm not looking forward to it at all.

Jag, you might not know this about me. Ask Emily, my wife, about it. She'll tell you a lot about it. There is nothing on this planet that I hate more than waiting. I hate lines. I hate being patient. It's just not who I am. I know it's a flaw, but I hate it.

I hate it. And now I got to do it. Well, buddy. It's not going to be great for you, Jag. Now you have to wait a month for the thing I want the most in the world. One of the most impactful trades, or one of the most impactful free agent signings

in Philly's history. The. It's the one that's gonna shape the next 10 years of this roster. If they don't get Harper Machado, it's like, what are we gonna do for the next 10 years? So, Harper coming here, and here's what's gonna happen within the next month, is there's going to be another team that jumps in,

and it's going to be a lot like LeBron with the Sixers. It's going to be whoever Scott Boras decides to make the patsy that he's not going to. And, man, he is trying his hardest to get the Yankees involved, and they keep saying no. Yesterday he comes out and says, like, yeah, we're trying to get them. He could play first base easily because the Yankees need first baseman he's trying his best the Yankees aren't going to do it

the Yankees are going after Machado Machado is their guy he loves New York he wants to be the next A-Rod all that fun stuff Machado to the Yankees is happening and everyone is falling out of the Harper sweepstakes the Cubs can't afford him because that fraud Theo Epstein is not good at his job and makes a bunch of bad

free agent signings. And eventually people are going to realize that he is a bad GM that is only good at building teams, not maintaining them. The Giants, people keep throwing the Giants in there and I just don't get it. Why are we throwing the Giants in this? They have Buster Posey who's old

and ruined baseball with the Buster Posey rule. They have Madison Bumgner who has one year left on his deal and has a declining strikeout rate and is pretty much washed at this point. I don't think that's true, but the point is I don't think he's going to be a Giant after this season. If you're Farhan Zayedi and you just got there

and you gave him a five-year contract. Especially the way Farhan has gone about his business until now, not someone who goes out and just spends a bunch of money on players. That's not his MO. No. So the Giants don't make sense. The Cardinals, Bryce Harper does not want to live in St. Louis.

I don't care. I don't care if it's baseball heaven or whatever you try to say. That's fans in the world, Jack. Yeah, they're so polite and nice. They're the best. Midwest. Yeah, no. He's not playing in St. Louis.

So all signs of points. I am worried if the Nationals get back involved, but I almost feel like they're ready to move on. They're ready to go with Robles, Juan Soto, Trey Turner, those kind of guys. Yeah, look, and coming up later we will hear Jack Fritz

do a little singing for us. We're doing it. It is happening. A little Trots and Jupiter coming later. I don't know if I want to do it like, I don't know if I want to do like the first verse maybe, or when I really get into it. It's just like, yeah, I don't know. You have to go all out. I mean, those are the rules.

I'm going to go all out. I just don't know if I want to do the whole song. Well, we'll find out. That's coming up later. Plus, we're going to give you our perfect offseason, but more on Harper, Jack. First and foremost, to your point there, I think Machado to the yankees makes a lot of

sense i still think there are other options for machado and i do still think the phillies will be in on machado but the harper thing from the beginning has made the most sense to me when everyone was talking about machado being a better fit i've always been on the harper thing and i mean it's it's just hard to believe to think about like we could actually get to watch bryce harper play 162 or more baseball games next year every day you get to watch that guy play and um the excitement just builds and builds and builds like you said that's why next month is gonna be hard as hell for me jack it's just gonna we're gonna see bryce harper play every single day in a phillies uniform oh and like That's just crazy

to think about. It's wild to think about. It's wild. Last night, I went home and started drinking, of course. Of course. I watched a 45 minute Bryce Harper documentary. You are such a nerd and I love it. 45 minutes of just I was drooling from the

mouth watching Bryce Harper. His story, how hard of a worker his dad was. He's not some spoiled kid born on third base. His dad was building train tracks out in Las Vegas. This guy knows hard work. What are you talking about here? That's been one of the whole narratives that I never got. If you've watched Bryce Harper play at all,

if you watch the way he goes about his business, that dude wants to win. He wants to be the greatest ever. He cares about his legacy. He cares about being great. He's the exact type of guy that we would want in this city. This city is going to love Bryce Harper.

Let's just start debunking narratives really quickly. I feel like we have to do this on this podcast to keep ourselves sane. There's going to be people who say, oh, you can't give him that long of a contract.

That's ridiculous. He's 25. Stop bringing up Pujols. Stop bringing up all these other contracts. This is unprecedented as far as a free agent goes. There's never been,

him and Machado, but there have never been free agents who are that age with the level of accomplishment they already have in Major League Baseball going on the market. It's never happened.

It is. It is. They are generational free agents. Right. So it's just like I've already seen it happening. Like, oh, he's he's so much money. And listen, I understand the money thing, but you're telling me. I don't.

I think I think he's worth every penny you're going to give him. I probably won't be in the long run. But here's the thing. I think he might be. Look you're going to give him. He probably won't be in the long run. But here's the thing. I think he might be. Look, it is a unique situation. Usually when those contracts are signed, and granted the Pools one is an epic disaster, but usually when those long deals have been signed,

the concept behind the deals have been, all right, the first five years of the deal will be so good that the back three, back four, whatever, will be paid off in the first four years of the deal, the first five years of the deal will be so good that the back three, back four, whatever, will be paid off in the first four years of the deal, the first five years of the deal, because you'll get so much value out of those years. Harper's last three, if they give him a 10-year deal, he's still going to be 34 at the end of it.

I mean, it is unreal. The youth and the potential that is on display and that they can actually sign to a contract. And what's crazy is that it's not improbable that he could get even better. The guy's 25. I mean, based on history, he will get better. He's not even in his prime yet, technically.

27 is generally the time you see players hit their physical peak. Another thing we're going to hear a lot, and you're going to hear callers call in or tweet and say, he batted 249 last year. Let me give you his second half numbers last year after the All-Star break. 300 batting average, 434 OBP, 11 homers, 46 RBI, a 538 slugging percentage, and a 972 OPS. This is a guy who, granted, batted, what, 330-something one year, 319 another year.

And also, do you know how many players currently playing in Major League Baseball have had an over 1,100 OPS in a season? I think he's the only one, right? No one else. Right. Mike Trout has never had an over 1,100 OPS in a season. Yep. Bryce Harper did that.

At the age of like 23 or 24. 22. 22. I mean, that is so unreal to think about when you think about the history of baseball it just this stuff doesn't happen and with harper the pedigree has been there his whole life the lebron of baseball that whole thing and he is living up to it and like you said jack i think the best and it's hard to say that when we're talking about a guy who had an 1100 obs season again no one else in baseball has done that and i still think the best is yet to come for Harper. I agree.

I think the best is yet to come. And now he's, my main concern with Machado was that if he got the money, he would check out. Yep. And there's a lot of people in baseball who are saying the same thing. You're hearing that. I am not worried about that with Bryce Harper. Because Bryce Harper, you mentioned earlier, he cares about winning. He cares about being the face of baseball.

He loves all that stuff. He cares about his legacy. He wants to be an all-time great. Right. And I think adding him here will kind of take the pressure off of Reese Hoskins. And it'll allow Reese to kind of just be your first baseman. Big time. Be like a, you know, he's not like a super marketable guy, Reese Hoskins.

No, he's quiet. He's a thoughtful guy. He's clearly very bright. But he's not an enigmatic personality. And I think when he struggled last year, it was because he felt all the pressure on his shoulders to be like the guy. And he's got to carry the team. And they're going through an offensive swoon. And he's got to be the guy to bring them out of that. Harper's here.

I think it's only going to make Reese Hoskins better. And it's just going to energize. It's going to energize. I think it's a perfect word for it. The city is And it's just going to energize us. It's going to energize. I think it's a perfect word for it. The city is going to be buzzing on opening day. It's like, we get to go see Harper. I'm so excited. And I think, honestly, for as much as I think Harper would like to be here,

and I've heard from a little birdie that Jason Wirth is pushing Philadelphia. And Jason Wirth is... All the Jason Wirth haters. Yeah, yeah. He might be helping us out here. He might Worth haters yeah yeah step back you might be helping us out here I just think that Harper pro Jason Worth podcast

we've long been a pro Jason exactly it's one of our main platforms part of our brand and on said podcast so but like it's just like Philadelphia he I think you'll I think I think but what is so what

he talks about Washington fans and there's just such a difference when you're talking about fandom. Oh my God. And I think, I think one thing that, that worth is definitely reminding Jay, uh, Bryce is like what baseball is like in this town when you're winning.

Yep. Because it is electric. It is just a, it's a different level of excitement. There's just a different, even last year when there was 30,000, like it was good night. They're in different level of excitement. Even last year, when there was 30,000, it was good night, they were in first place. Yeah, like the Dodgers series with Chase

here, you remembered what it felt like. There's still a different level of buzz, and you just don't get that with Nationals fans. They've never been there before. And their team has only been there for 20 years or whatever. There's no history there. There's no history there.

I just think the excitement, the energy, the Harper. There's got to be something in right field next year with Harper. Oh, yeah. The fan groups, bring them back. Bryce's boys or whatever. Something like that. Harper's heroes. There's so much impact with Harper coming here.

Not only will the team get better, not only will it allow players to settle into a role, not only will there be more people in the stands, we're going to be able to talk baseball almost year-round. And it's going to be a lightning round. And it's probably going to struggle. It's a clown statement. There's going to be people calling in being like, oh, it's not worth the money.

I can't wait for that. From the jump. I mean, we saw how quickly people were ready to turn on Gabe. Right. They actually never gave him a chance. Gabe and Harper are going to be best friends. I can't wait. I think it's going to work well.

It is, look, and again, we know we've dealt with disappointment before. We're not saying it's 100% luck or anything, but I really do feel confident. And when you see what Nightingale had to say, when you see Jim Salisbury follow it up and say, there is literally not a single person at the GM meetings that he can find that doesn't think Harper's going to the Phillies. I mean, it's pretty strong, Jack. Again, anything can happen. Still, he is not signed on the dotted line.

But you tweeted out, and I thought it was a really good way to put it. It felt like in Nightingale's article that Bryce Harper going to the Phillies is the worst kept secret in baseball. And LeBron thinks a really good comparison because everyone knew for a year, like he's going to the Lakers, going to the Lakers. And then he went to the Lakers. Yeah, and there was teams like trying to – there was made-up stories about the Sixers and whatever.

It's just like that's going to happen in the next month. It's going to happen. And Boris, for what it's worth, the best in the world at this. I don't think there's anyone to be something and Boris for what it's worth the best in the world at this it is there is I don't think there's anyone who's ever been better at well as an agent really as a sports agent

but at the ability to make it seem like there is more than one team bidding when there's only one team bidding yeah I'm worried that Klintak's going to find a way to overpay

because I was listening to Richard Justice and someone else yesterday and they were saying how in the A-Rod discussions that the Rangers ended up paying $100 million more than the Braves just because

every time the Rangers called every time the Rangers called he would just take the number and not call them back so they would just start panicking and start upping their offer by $25 million. So don't do that Matt. No Matt Matt, stay strong. Stay strong. 10 years, $350.

Just leave it at that. Which I think is a good offer. I think it's a fair offer. Also, how about that Nationals offer? 10 years, $300 million. Oh, I meant to say that. I genuinely, and this is why when you said you're a little worried about the Nats coming back in, I'm not at all.

I really, truly believe the Nationals made an offer so they could say to their fan base, hey, we tried. We tried to get Harper. We made a pitch. He didn't want to be here. Sorry, guys. We're going to move forward with Robles and Soto and all that. Their fans aren't smart. It's fine.

Nobody cares down there. They can get away with it. Yeah, it's just like, I mean, he was never going to be less paid than Giancarlo Stanton. Yeah. Like, he did not enter into it. Very clearly. He didn't enter into it.

But to their fan base, they could say, hey, look, no one's ever had a $300 million contract in Washington or this or that. You know, like, we made the biggest offer we've ever made to anybody. Yeah, I just... I think it was somewhat... You know, I think they knew that Harper

was not going to accept it, is really the point. Yeah, it was a deal designed to fail, especially with no opt-outs. Yep. And another thing that I want people to remember, if they go 13 years, 400 million, that's been thrown around today, there's going to be a ton of opt-outs in that. A ton of opt-outs.

I would think three. There's going to be a team option, mutual option, and a player option somewhere in there. So when you see whatever number, even if it's 10 years, 350, just remember there's going to be opt-outs. So if you're freaking out about, wow, he's going to be here for 10 years, which is going to be awesome, but also remember that there's going to be plenty ofouts. So if you're freaking out about, wow, he's going to be here for 10 years, which is going to be awesome, but also remember that there's going to be plenty of opt-outs for if he gets hurt,

if he's somehow not good. There's going to be plenty of opt-outs, so don't worry about that. Overall, dollars is one of the main things. And also, and the AAV. Look, it all comes down to what he's making per year, at least for those guys. You know, he wants the sticker price. You want to say, biggest

contract in Major League Baseball history regardless. Which it will be. It'll be more than $313 million. It will be. Well, $325. I thought Sam was $330. Oh, it's $13 for $325. Okay, you're right.

Yes. It'll be more than that. It'll be more than that. It'll be, I just, I think $350 million is $35 million a year, which is more than cranky. Good math by you. Which is why I looked it up. I dug the plate.

Divided by 10. It was actually written out for me. So simple. That's simple math, Jack. I don't do math. 350 divided by 10? Anything divided by 10 is simple. I know, but the point I'm making is that Granky is 34 million a year, so he

wants more than that, and he wants more than Giancarlo. I think 350 is just a good number. And look, I could see it being more. I could see it being 400 for 12 years or something crazy i don't think it will be i don't but i i look i can't wait for the first uh it'll be great paying him that much to play a game dude you freaking kidding me i work nine to five freaking construction this guy's gonna call me here which is fair look you know we all work we work hard and stuff but this is what it is that's the thing i think that also and partially because look the phillies have not you know the arietta thing was was the most recent the first time in a while

that phillies had kind of dipped into high price players since the market has really shifted i mean baseball players just cost a lot of money now right that's what it is but one thing that i am glad you brought up ari, because we have to start considering the Boris connection with the Phillies. Is that Marksy? Turtle. Just give him the finger. Yeah, that's why I gave him the finger.

We have to start factoring in the Boris connection here. Yeah. Oh, big time. You have Arrieta. You have Nick Williams. You have Vince Velasquez. You have Reece Hoskins. All these guys.

And I want to get into it for a little bit, for a second, before we get back to more important things like Bryce Harper. But they have shown interest in the Japanese lefty, Yunichi Kachuchi. I don't know how to say his name. I'm guessing that's not it. Yeah, it's probably not even close. The Japanese guy, go ahead. Anyway, he is a Boris client as well.

So maybe Boris is saying, hey, show interest in my guy. Bring up his market. I'll throw you a bone. It feels like it's a bunch of bone delivering. Well, that's what it all is. Well, because if you remember last year. The bone collector. Yeah, yeah.

You remember last year in spring training when Arrieta signed, Boris and Middleton were talking for a long time. Yeah. And people keep mentioning how Middleton and Boris are boys. Good. Great job, John. Everything that comes out, these guys are all Boris guys. And one thing on the Japanese lefty, I think it would be a disaster signing.

I don't want him at all. You did a little amateur scouting of him, I noticed. Well, it's not amateur. We're talking about me. I meant in the sense that you're going off YouTube videos and stuff. Right, guy? Yeah. Well, I mean, I can just have-

Not your ability, all right? Shots fired there. Listen, not everyone has the eye. What do you want me to say about that? I don't know. What do you mean? So why would it be a disaster? Because he only struck out 153 in 163 innings.

That's not great. In Japan, that's not good at all. That's not great at all. He's already having shoulder issues. Great. It's a good start. And the one thing i noticed while watching is that he like brings his arm down and wraps it around his back before throwing

and if you just like if you just do that you can just feel the the strain on your shoulder so like he's not gonna age well again but his fastball does look like cliff lees if we're being shoulder injuries worse than elbow injuries especially with like nothing worse than a shoulder injury for a pitcher a lot of Japanese pitchers seem to have arm issues I'm just not interested I understand like he could have number three or two upside but for the money I think he's gonna get like 50 some million

I'd rather not I'm in on that speaking of that and Bryce Harper I had one more Boris point in relation to Nightingale Okay So people are kind of Discrediting Nightingale

Bob Nightingale In the last couple This is Joe Giglio Treated this out Right Arietta to the Phillies D-backs were the best Offer for J.D. Martinez

He had J.D. to Boston And he had Hosmer to Padres Which are all Boris clients And Bob Nightingale Has been a Boris guy So it feels like Boris leaks stuff To Bob Nightingale And been a Boris guy. So it feels like Boris leaks stuff to Bob Nightingale and that's why this is happening. Right.

And look, maybe you can, Boris is playing people off other people. You can always think that maybe Boris is using Nightingale to show that the Phillies are super interested to get another team that he thinks is in or whatever. Look, there's a million ways around it. I think the big takeaway is Jack and I

both believed the Phillies were going to sign Bryce Harper before all this and when all this information keeps coming and guys like Jim Salisbury who is not a Boris guy is saying it as well locally and stuff like that. Scott Lauber too. Yeah. I believe they're going to sign Bryce Harper. I feel really good about it.

With that in mind Jack and you mentioned the Japanese pitcher. We will both not even attempt. You already attempted. I won't attempt to put your name. I'll just mentioned the Japanese pitcher, we will both not even attempt. You already attempted. I won't attempt to butcher his name. I'll just say the Japanese pitcher. Yes. Perfect offseason. We're talking a little bit about this.

And I think we could both just say signing Bryce Harper is the number one thing on both of our lists. But how do you want this offseason to play out? Like if you had your druthers, Jack, and we know the Phillies are going to be active, in on a lot of things, a lot of moves. Give me your perfect offseason Jack well James

I have a loaded offseason and what I don't have written down I'm going to surprise you with I like surprises real quick just so people know is I walk in one morning and Jack texts me in the morning and says don't throw it out and I'm like I have no idea what you're talking about

that's what it was and don't throw it out. So I'm like, all right, so like, what kind of surprise am I going to want to throw out? This is weird. And then I get there

and taped to my door in the morning is Jack's perfect off season, which was just a fun thing to walk into. Yeah, that's, I aim, I aim to,

to catch people by surprise. You do, you do. And I like, I like surprising people. I think we might catch some people by surprise later with Drops of Jupiter, but perfect offseason. I don't know, man.

I got a little sore throat and I got some mucus in my throat. Anyway, so I don't know how this is going to happen, but I have decided the official Jack Fritz trade of the offseason, major trade of the offseason. Big trade. Big trade.

My trade. My personal trade. Yes. I am trading Cesar Medina. Ooh, so this is a real trade. It's a real trade. Cesar Medina. I can't trade that guy. One other, if I may put a double in it.

I don't know if I'm going to put a double in it. Okay. But I'm thinking about it. We'll come back. We'll come back. We'll come back to that. Okay. And another prospect. Third player to be named.

Another prospect to the Royals for Witt Merrifield and Danny Duffy. I want Witt Merrifield so bad on this team. Okay. He led the majors in hits last year. He is a machine. He is the next Daniel Murphy. Ooh. If we're looking at.

But he can actually play defense. Yeah. He's Daniel Murphy if we're looking at but he can actually play defense like he's he's Daniel Murphy from a he's a before the 2015 postseason Daniel Murphy

like high average not many homers and then boom explosion with the home runs like Whitmerryfield can play second base little speed there too can play center field

if you need to I like Whitmerryfield I just think he's you don't have to sell me on Whitmerryfield I love that part of it here's what you gotta do you gotta sell me

on wanting Danny Duffy Danny Duffy is a Obviously he had a tough year last year A horrendous year last year He was so bad As someone who owned him in fantasy And thought I got a steal It was not a steal

Yeah but he's two years removed from a very good year He is And he's cheap That's what I was about to say I mean one of the better contracts in baseball I'm taking a shot on bounce back Danny Duffy And two years ago he had a 3-8-1 ERA And he's cheap. That's what I was about to say. I mean, one of the better contracts in baseball in terms of the young pitcher. I'm taking a shot on bounce back Danny Duffy. And two years ago, he had a 3-8-1 ERA with a 3-4-6 FIP.

So, basically... Just say FIP. FIP. Bounce back. Anyway, Whit Merrifield is my main target this offseason. One... After Bryce Harper. After Bryce Harper.

Because he doesn't strike out. And when you get into a playoff series, and what we saw with the Red Sox, we saw with the good teams in the postseason was they were able to string together hits and they're able to get hits and keep guys and keep the line moving and I think Whit Merrifield does that. He's also cheap. Let me read his numbers last year.

304 batting average, 367 OBP, 45 stolen bases. I didn't realize he had that many. I knew he ran. He's led the league in stolen bases the last two years. Back to back years, yeah He's led the league in stolen bases the last two years. Back-to-back years, yeah. He led the league in hitting this year. And he also had 12 homers. He put them in Citizens Bank Park 15-20.

Look, Whitmerfield's a really good player. I think he's just a winner. His arms are out right now. Winner. No, he's my move. He's my main move. I really like to move. And again, I'm not a huge Danny Duffy fan,

especially because he seems like an asshole. Terrible guy. Terrible guy. Terrible guy. But I think that is the type of guy with, based on the contract and the past performance, that there is upside in going for a guy like that in addition to the main target of the trade being Merrifield. I would make that trade.

The trade you've suggested, I would give those guys up for it. I think Whit Merrifield is a difference maker for this team, and I think he just fits a lot of different holes you could plug him into. Should I keep going, or are we trading? Go back and forth? I think it'd be better if I laid out my whole plan. Okay, you lay out your plan, then I'll lay out my plan. Go ahead. I'm listening.

There are a few either-ors, obviously, on the plan. I am trading Nick Williams to the Minnesota Twins for Taylor Rodgers. Now, Taylor Rodgers is an actually good lefty. I like Taylor Rodgers. There's some upside there. 180 batting average against lefties last year. A monster against them.

Nick Williams, I mean, he's fine, but I think this is good value for him. I want to start trading guys for bullpen pieces. I want to build a dominant bullpen because of Gabe Kapler. So do I. We have a different take on it. You'll see my way of going. Go ahead. I'm signing Jay Happ to be my four starter.

You love Jay Happ? I just, listen, I saw on MLB. 75 years old. Heyman projected him as getting two years, 26 million. You know who doesn't know anything? John Hayman. No, I'm just kidding. No, it wasn't him, though.

It was him and a guy in the business. I just feel like he throws a lot of stuff against the wall. Understood. Understood. But Jay Happ, he's a reliable. I'm like Arrieta. I a guy in the business. I just feel like he throws a lot of stuff against the wall. Understood. Understood. But J-Hap, he's a reliable... I think it's just J. I don't know whatever it is. I think that he goes by J.

J-Hap. J-Hap. If you say it fast, it's J-A. Think about that. Think about the next time you slander me in the middle of a podcast. You give me crap for how I pronounce things. I'm going to throw it back at you. You said Rendon.

Anthony Rendon has been in the league for five years. You are no baseball. Jay Happ has been in the league for a decade. Jay Happ is different than... Jay Happ and Jay Happ is different than Anthony freaking Rendon versus Anthony Rendon. I think it's the same thing. Oh, get out. What's the difference?

You're saying the guy's name wrong. But you are supposed to... That's what I expect from the camera. You just said his name wrong. But it's supposed to. That's what I expect from the camera. You just said his name wrong. But it's J-A-J. It's the same thing. Rendon and Rendone is completely different. What are you talking about?

Rendon, Rendone. It's just a pronunciation. It's the exact same thing. No, it's not. Move on. It's ridiculous. All right. Anyway, J-A-Hap.

You want J-A-Hap here. Got it. I want J-A-Hap to be my four-5 because he's reliable, unlike Jake Arrieta. I am trading Pat Neshek for J.D. Davis. Finally bringing my son to Philadelphia. Look, I love it. Anything to get Neshek off this team I'm with. I co-sign.

Get out of here, Pat. J.D. Davis is a nice upside pick next to Max Muncy. It's all right. You can play third base, can play left field. Whatever you got to do. I like it. I'm signing Garrett Richards. I know he's going to be out for the entire season. Upside. next to Max Muncy. It's all right. You can have a guy. You can play third base, you can play left field. Whatever you got to do. You can have a guy. I like it. I'm signing Garrett Richards. I know he's going to be out for the entire season.

Upside. That's fine. But if he comes back in 2020, also, all right, so twofold here. I think Richards could be dominant in the back of a pen. He could be in a Valdi role like last year in the postseason, or he can start wherever you need him. Also, best friends with Mike Trout on the Angels team. Really?

Yes. Okay. I dig that. Garrett Richards. Fan of that. Signing Marwin Gonzalez, obviously. Plays everywhere. Phillies player.

A little overrated offensively. Not great offensively. And watching the postseason, I don't think he can hit a curveball. Yeah, he's not great. But plays everywhere and has value in that way. I agree. I think he might be priced curveball. Not great. But plays everywhere and has value in that way. I agree. I think he might be priced out of what the Phillies want to do. Probably. Trading Mike Alfranco,

I don't know if it's going to be just Mike Alfranco, but a package to the San Diego Padres for Kirby Yates. I have that too. I have a different package though. Mike Alfranco, obviously the Padres have shown interest before. I love the idea of trading him. Yes, yes, yes, yes. My under-the-radar bullpen piece, Carson Smith.

Always hurt. Just because he's a Carson? Is that why? No. No? Okay. Always hurt, but when he pitches, he's actually pretty good. I really liked him in Seattle.

Obviously, not as good in Boston, but when he was healthy, he was really good. And I'm trading prospects for Will Smith. Love Will Smith. I like the idea of a prospects for Will Smith for some type of pitcher like that. I actually kind of approach the bullpen a little differently, and I do like the idea of trading for bullpen pieces, but there are some really nice pieces you can sign. There is.

I want to hear what you have to say first. Okay. Perfect offseason. Bryce Harper. Done deal. Bryce Harper. Signed, sealed, delivered. I just wrote Bryce Harper 10 times.

That's all you have to do. Okay. I considered Manny. And look, we're talking perfect offseason and the Phillies have been in on these guys. Yeah, but we're a smart, realistic offseason. I'm not saying that. I said I considered it and I don't think that I am going to do it.

I'll go with the trades first. Actually, no, I'll go with the signings first. I'm signing Patrick Corbin and I really, really thought about this a lot. I went back and forth on this. How much, though? Well, that's the issue. I'm not getting outpriced for Patrick Corbin.

If the price gets too high, I'm out. But I am in on the Patrick Corbin streaks. I'm taking the money that I was going to put towards Machado, and I'm thinking about going for Patrick Corbin. I'm not going. If he's going to end up with a $100 million contract or something like that I'm not doing that I don't think that's going to happen I think we're looking at what

4 for 70 4 for 80 potentially for Patrick Corbin probably 4 for 80 I think that's the right range for him he's probably going to want more years but that's the general range I would want to go from he's probably going to get more than that now that I'm talking it out but 29 years old. Well, in my mind, he's always 26.

And it's always Patrick Corbin breakout year. He was so good this past year. Like, legit. Like, his numbers weren't even as good as he was. It just feels so good to be validated again. I really like Patrick Corbin. I'd love to have a lefty starter here. I feel like we have a good lefty starter. So, a couple things.

Because I think it's important to talk about these things. So Patrick Corbin, I would say he's a lock to the Yankees. He grew up in Syracuse. He grew up in Syracuse. Yankees family, all that. Loves it. Loves it. Already clean shaven.

Very unlikely. That's why I have some backup plans. But one more thing on Corbin. I want to be in on Corbin as well because when I look at the system, you don't get another number two upside guy until you reach 6-0. And even after 6-0, there's really no one else. So if Corbin could be your 2,

I'm fine with it. Think about going into a playoff series and you got Nola and Corbin at the top. Nola, Corbin, 1-2 and then you have 6-0 on the pen. And then Wildcard Pavetta, ready to go. I am in on

Corbin because I don't think there's anyone else in the system that can be a legit number two until you reach 6-0 status. And when you look at next year's free agent class, there's a lot of high-end talent in it. Basically Mad Bum and Chris Sale, but it's guys who are kind of potentially getting to that point

where they could be going down the other way, and I think Corbin could still be on the rise. And Corbin. And another thing to factor in is the injuries. Like, hasn't been healthy. And that's the worry. But he has had Tommy John. He's through that.

You hope that that's something that seems to take for a lot of people. Cool. So I'm in on Corbin. If I can't get Corbin, I've got some trades later that I'm considering as well. But then I'm spending money on the bullpen. I think there's an opportunity to sign some guys to two-year deals. You know I love Andrew Miller.

I think Jake Dietman, formerly of the Philadelphia Phillies, another lefty type of guy you can get for a year at cheap. He was good in Texas. I don't care. He was, though. He was good. He's inferior. Good in Texas.

I'm signing Adam Montevino. I just am. I know he's 33. Get him out of Colorado. I know he care. He was, though. He was good. He's inferior. Good in Texas? Okay. I'm signing Adam Modavino. I just am. I know he's 33. Get him out of Colorado. I know he's had some injury issues. That dude is ridiculously talented. Yeah, I totally disagree. I have no interest in Adam Modavino. Why? Why? 33, old, throws a bunch of sliders, never has a clean inning. Pitching

Colorado. Don't care. He's not gonna age well. He throws a bunch of sliders. Love Adams. Adam Modavino, In on Adovino. And look, I think Zach Britton's market has completely changed. Goes to New York. I'd give Zach Britton. I'm talking about one, two year deals here. You're signing a bunch of old pitchers.

You're signing bullpen guys who can get out, Jack. I'm trading for bullpen guys who can get out. Well, that's fine too. Hold on. Did you sign Andrew Miller or did you not sign Andrew Miller? Well, Andrew Miller was my top choice. If I can't get Miller, I go that's fine, too. Hold on. Did you sign Andrew Miller or did you not sign Andrew Miller? Well, Andrew Miller was my top choice. If I can't get Miller, I go to Diekman is what I said. Do you really want Miller?

For two years at like 20-something million. Trust the knees? Look, I don't feel great about it, but I think that when you look at these guys on the bullpen market, and there are a lot of these, like I love the idea of trading, but I don't have to give up prospects to go sign a guy for a year or two. We're talking about short-term commitments. Look, here's what I'm going to say and however they go about it I can't watch his bullpen cycle.

I can't and I'm fine trading for Will Smith. Carson Smith is not the answer. I like him. He's got talent. He's under the radar. Right and I'm all for that. Go out and get arms. My point is this bullpen in my opinion needs an overhaul. Well especially with Gabe Gabler. I mean, Gabe, this is all... He likes to use his guys, man.

So if you're going to have that level of bullpenning... Like, can you look at the other guy? Like, I'm not a big Familia guy. What about Robertson? That was literally the next name I was going to say. I like David Robertson. I like Robertson, too. I think he's going to age well. He's been good for a long time. He's 34, so you know. But I like him. Look, Joe Kelly, I don't love, but

there's upside. I mean, that's what I'm saying. I hate Joe Kelly. You go't love, but there's upside. I hate Joe Kelly. You go down the list. There aren't guys you can really count on. Kelvin Herrera. Old. Yeah, 29. Yeah, but he's fastball declining. Yeah, that's the point.

None of these guys jump off the page to you. Look, either way, I think one way or the other, they're fixing the bullpen. I'm signing Charlie Morton, too. I've talked about that. That's my guy. And if one other, and obviously I want higher end signings, not the best,

but in terms of just one guy I want on this team other than Bryce Harper, it's Charlie freaking Morton. I want that guy. And he talked about a couple months ago how he was considering retiring, but obviously if you're going to get the money, he's probably going to get on the open market.

I think it'd be foolish to retire. And his fourth kid is on the way and he wants to live close to home. He wants to live close to his wife's parents' house. And his wife's parents' house is in Delaware. So, if so facto, he's going to be a Philly. Done and done. I think Charlie Moore is going to be a Philly. I really want him.

And then, just to address the news, there was the report John Rossi, I believe, first craig kimball not in on that no no it's a big no look if he wants to sign a one-year deal sure i'll take him yeah he's not gonna do that look you saw him in the world series on the playoffs like i do like that he got outs but he was it was a roller coaster yeah and he's and he's been doing it for a while he's getting older The stuff isn't quite as good. I'm with you. Like, look, one two-year deal, sure. Sure. Why not? But I'm not in on the Jonathan Papelbon type

contract. Well, Papelbon's the best closer in Philly's history. I know he is. I'm just saying, I don't want to give four years to Craig Kimbrell. Agreed. And he had his highest FIP of his career this year, increasing walk rate. Good work of FIP there. Yeah. Increasing walk rate, high FIP.

Patrick Corbin had 247 FIP, by the way. Well, listen. It's good. It's good. You know Patrick Corbin's been my son for a long time. Two trades. First, you mentioned it. Mike Calfranco and a prospect, prospects, whatever it is.

Yates was on my list. I also like Craig Stammen. That's a really good pitcher, too. I would take Craig Stammen in a package. But I actually was targeting also a bat from there, kind of like you did the Whit Merrifield thing, but a little bit lower radar type guys. Different fits, different guys.

My top choice would be Franchi Cordero or Fran Milreis. I would take Hunter Renfroe, too. But one of those three bats, just bring in another bat near a guy who's young, a guy who's shown a little bit in the major league. Travis Janikowski? Travis Janikowski, I like less than those guys, but he's a nice fourth outfielder, you know,

and likely with the way that would stack up, these guys would probably be part-time players as well. But especially if you look to trade away a Nick Williams in a deal or something, I like those three guys. I think there's upside there, and the Padres don't have enough spots to play guys. Will Myers ended the third base for them. It's awful. That is something they're not going to do. They like Will Myers

as a part of their team. So I love the connection there. I love that they've been in on Franco so I like that a lot. And then two pitchers who are on the market and I think would cost a lot. I think James Paxton is a guy we talked about. You're not as psyched to get Paxton as I would be,

but at 32 years left on his deal, a really good price, I would make the move. I know he's had injury issues, but last year they were basically freak injuries. It wasn't wearing terror type stuff. He got hit by a ball, that type of stuff. But the whole Eagle thing, I mean, I don't know why we wouldn't want him here in Philly.

No, and let me preface this by saying National League let me preface this by saying that I love James Paxton he's one of my favorite pitchers in the league I like I just he's one of my faves it's just that never healthy never come

never competed for the ERA title two years left on his deal 30 years old even though in my mind he's like 27 perpetually like he's always just 27 I like to say just keep

pictures at particular I'm telling you man Chris Archer is not actually 30 years old. Chris Archer is 30 years old. I think so. I think he's like 29. Wow.

But yeah, no, I like Paxton. I'm wondering how much it's going to cost. Well, that's the issue, right? It's like, what are you giving up for him? And I would give up Medina in a deal for Paxton, but I don't know if Medina fronting a deal for Paxton is enough. Yeah, Archer's going into his age 30 season. Wow. Yeah.

Wow. That one feels old to me. He did it in 2012. It's unbelievable. And the other name, and look, the Paxson deal I think would cost more than this next one, but I would trade for Madison Bumgarner. Only one year left. I don't think the Giants are re-signing him.

I know you're kind of down on him, but look, he's been hurt the last couple years with freak injuries, you know, falling off dirt bikes and stuff. I think that Madison Baumgartner still has a couple years left. I also think that he's one of those pitchers who I think will age well. I know that you're worried about the fastball decline and stuff, but he's a smart pitcher who's got movement. I feel like we see it all the time, these older lefties who kind of grow into the second part of their career.

Tom Glavin, a perfect example. CeCe. CeCe, a perfect example. I think Bumgarner could be that type of pitcher. And obviously we know he's a horse. Obviously we know the playoffs and all that stuff. So I don't think it would cost as much as you might think with one year left on the deal and unlikely Giants to re-sign him type of situation, especially with Farhan there now. I like the idea of trading for Madison Bumgarner.

And I think Bum... I think it'd be dumb to trade him this offseason because there's a bunch of lefties on the market and I think they get more from him in midseason. At the deadline, yeah, I agree with you. I think so too. With Bumgarner, one year left on his deal and I agree that I think he's going to age well

but if we're getting Bumgarner, I want people to understand that he's not going to be the ace of all aces. Right. Well, I'd be getting him as a two, as a pointer, or a three. Basically, you know who I see him aging a lot like? Pettit. I'd be fine with that. Pitches forever, always competitive,

wins big games. Yes! That's what I see in Baumgartner, and I think that'd be a great addition for this team. Two concerns. Strikeout rate dropped to 7.6 this year. It's not great. But again, the injury thing, it never kind of seemed fully ready to go. Walk rate dropped to 7.6 this year It's not great But again the injury thing Strikeout for 9 Never seemed fully ready to go Walk rate climbed to 3

Walks for 9 But I agree with you I think he's a smart pitcher I think he's a guy that ages well And if he can be our pettit If we can have Nola, Corbin That's what I'm talking about That's what I'm saying dude And just send Arrieta to the woodshed.

See you, Jake. I mean, look, Jake's going to be in the rotation this year, but I feel like after that, whatever, final year of his deal, I wouldn't be shocked if they moved on or if they found a way to... And then, you know, you see which of Eflin, Pavetta, Velasquez, and I'd be fine to trade one of those guys somewhere if it helps you land pieces as

well. Velasquez back to Houston, maybe? In. Very in. Or J.D. Davis. back to Houston, maybe? In. Very in. Or J.D. Davis. Let's just get J.D. Davis here. All that matters. If they get J.D. Davis, it's just going to be like,

everyone's going to be like, Jack, you did it. You did it. They listened to the podcast. Even J.D. Davis' dad is apparently your best friend on Twitter. All good friends. But yeah, that's interesting.

Baumgartner, I wonder what it costs. It can't be that much. It just can't. And I feel like at the deadline, for me, Harper's interesting. Baumgartner, I wonder what it costs. It can't be that much. It just can't. And I feel like at the deadline, for me, Harper's only the beginning for this team. I agree. They're going to get Harper, and then they're going to start really spending, really getting aggressive.

They want to overhaul it. They want to win next year. They want to win immediately. They want to win as fast as possible. And you're not selling Bryce Harper in a one-year rebuild. Not a rebuild. The Phillies are trying to be a World Series contender right now. This past season they were not.

And they had that, you know, the first half, like we've talked a million times, you know, they were better than expected, them worse than expected. They evened out to be about right, probably where they should have been. This year they're going for it. Yes. So I think it's only the beginning. And they're going to start really, you know, they're going to start really, really going after it.

I'm so excited, Jack. I'm fired up right now, man. So if you're the deadline and you're trying to go for it, they're going to be in the Mad Bum Sweet Saves. I think it's going to be us and the Yankees. They've long been linked to Madison Bumgarner. I feel like the Astros will probably get involved. I'm interested.

By the way, that's a name I forgot to mention next year's free agent who's going to be a really interesting name, Garrett Cole, a free agent after this upcoming season. That's a pitching name who is very interesting. I want to throw back to the Pettit thing real quick. In his age 30 season, much like Mad Bum's age 28 season, 22 starts. And then in Pettit's age 32 season, which is two years older than Mad Bum's age 28 season, 22 starts. And then in Pettit's age 32 season,

which is two years older than Mad Bum, only made 15 starts. And then after that, 33, 36, 36, 33, 32, until he was 38 years old. Yep. Interesting. Yeah.

You know, who knows if steroids play a role, but whatever. It's fine. Right. I'm more in on Mad Bum after this conversation. That's what I'm talking about. That's what I aim to do here, Jack. Alright. I'm excited, man. We're going to be

talking. We'll have a pot out every week, but we could be talking about Bryce Harper literally being in Philly in the very near future. It's exciting. Jack, are we going to hear you sing? Is this happening? Are we going to tease people and wait another episode? No, I don't want to tease people. I just don't know how I want to do it.

Should I just start going? I feel like acapella is the way to go. I mean, we're not doing some mixing down and all the editing and putting the music in. No one really wants to do that, do they? We could. I mean, you'd be doing it. You can make it sound however you want to make it sound. You're in charge here.

I'm leaving after this. All right. You're going to turn your chair around like they would on The Voice. Oh, man. All right. I'm literally turning my chair. And when you hear it,

that's when you start turning around and be like, oh, that's it. That's the moment. How long should I go? Should I go like the first? Do the first verse. The first verse?

But then I can really get into it at the second verse. Go as long as you want. Whatever you feel like doing. I love that you're asking questions where you're the one doing it whatever you want to do i'm turned around i'm gonna stand up okay all right ah this is tough this is nerve-wracking come on you got up you spoke in front of everybody your wedding i mean come on you can handle this there's no one in the room but me i know all right room but me i know all right and now she's back in the atmosphere drops of jupiter in her hair she acts like summer and walks like rain reminds me that there's a time to change it

since the return i'ma stay on the moon She listens like spring but she talks like June But tell me, did you sail across the sun? Did you make it to the Milky Way to see the lights all faded? That heaven is overrated Tell me, did you fall from a shooting star? the lights are faded that heaven is overrated tell me did you fall from a shooting star warm without a permanent scar and then you missed me while you were looking for yourself

out there oh man that's last part look at that you went for it I haven't had that note in years it wasn't great it was okay I'm so dry the guy from train's probably better oh yeah well listen I've known in years. It wasn't great. It was okay. I'm so dry. The guy from Train's probably better.

Oh, yeah. Well, listen. I'm a sore throat. Bartrand's giving you a six out of ten. Yeah, no, it wasn't great. I couldn't hit the notes. I haven't hit those notes in years. I wanted to go like, I wanted to go like, I wanted to change it up.

Tell me. I can't hit the notes anymore. Like back in seventh grade. I can't, I don't, can't go that. Seventh grade. You gotta drop it a registry. Tell me. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Tell me. I can't hit the notes anymore. Like back in seventh grade. I can't go that. Seventh grade. You got to drop it or register. Tell me. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Down there.

Tell me. Did the wind sweep you off your feet? I can't do it. It was not great. I used to do it. It was great. My voice is hoarse now. I loved how great and not great it was.

I can't do a whole podcast on Bryce Harper and then be expected to also sing Drops of Dream. Here's the thing. I don't think CeeLo Green would turn his chair around, Jack. Yeah, well, no. If I had time to prepare, I would have done it. As long as you needed to. You knew this was happening.

If I didn't have mucus in my throat, I probably could have hit those notes. He sounds like Joe DiCamera over there. Excuses, excuses, excuses. Yes. Life of disappointment continues. As long as we get Bryce Harper, who cares? If we get Bryce Harper, I'll sing something for you guys. I don't think you can sing.

I could definitely do better than that. I'm pretty sure about that. No, you couldn't. No, you couldn't. Ah, that was awesome! I don't think it was awesome. It wasn't. Very disappointing. You should be. It was pretty bad, but everyone else enjoyed it. I had a couple moments. Yeah, you were. You had some moments. I'm very disappointed. You should be. It was pretty bad, but everyone else enjoyed it. I had a couple moments. Yeah, you were.

You had some moments. There were spots where you... Here's the thing. There were spots in there where you could tell that at a certain point you were able to sing. That point is no longer now. I disagree. I disagree. Although I should have chosen a different song.

If I was doing a Mayer song, I could nail it. Okay. I chose the wrong song. It's what it boils down to. Your body a wonderland terrible song yeah it wasn't great you're the one who boasted about it this is all your fault oh because when i was younger i said i could do i could do drop the jupiter and then i started listening to drop the jupiter again i was like i can't do this oh heartbreak city yeah i think it was not just for you i think everyone else is pretty happy with it well no one actually

wants to sing well I think terrible well well that's for you any final thoughts besides not doing great at singing I love that we're just talking you can't edit it out you can't do anything it's just become too big a part of the show now yeah well what can you do you sometimes

I sang in the last episode or a couple episodes ago birds ago I sang in a cockney accent. I sang from My Fair Lady. He's got to be all right doing whatever for anybody. Sometimes you have to put yourself out there. That's what I'm saying. I sang in a cockney accent. All I want is a room somewhere.

I won't do it again. All I want is a room somewhere. I don't know. Far away from the cold night air. Were you in like- It's My Fair Lady, man. No, but were you in like- I could see you being in plays when you were you been like like it's my fair lady man no but were you in like uh i could see being in plays when you're young oh yeah i loved the theater oh god i was i was uh i was the lead and witness for the prosecution i had like four times the amount of lines of everybody else nailed it sounds about right i was awesome i was a great actor i had

presence jack in presence maybe i'll do a monologue sometime please don't please don't i used to kill Nailed it. Sounds about right. I was awesome. I was a great actor. I had presence, Jack. I had presence. Maybe I'll do a monologue sometime. Please don't. Please don't. I used to kill that monologue in Chasing Amy where he finally tells her he loves her where he's like, I love you, man. I used to kill that monologue. Is that what you say to Bryce Harper?

I would in a second, man. That's all I think about. I love you, Bryce Harper. I went home. I love you. I watched a lot of Bryce Harper. We promise all I think about. Love you, Bryce Harper. I went home. I love you. I watched a lot of Bryce Harper. We promise Jack won't sing anymore if you sign here. No, but like I wasn't my best representation of my singing voice.

I would assume, I would hope not. My voice is sore. Fritzy, final thoughts. I don't have a final thought. It's just I'm going to sing again on this podcast. Okay, you have to redeem yourself now yeah that was bad it was bad

at least you know because my voice I have mucus in my throat stop making excuses how am I supposed to sing stop making excuses I can make as many excuses as I want

my ass is on the line anyway yeah that's why you gotta do better um your bullpen was trash that's all I'm gonna say and it's not gonna age well

um that's that's that's my final thought either one of your singings that'll be good it'll be good that's my final thought everyone just uh bullpen was trash. That's all I'm going to say. And it's not going to age well. That's my final thought. Either one of your singings. That'll be good. That's my final thought. Everyone just remember to rewind about five minutes so you can hear Jack attempt to sing

again. And we will put a poll up saying, who's plan did you like better? Oh, I like that. Who's plan did you like better? Yeah. And how bad was Jack at singing? We'll put that like terrible, horrendous, awful, too bad to even vote. Nah.

Someone will say it was good. I don't think so. I don't think so, man. Hey, hey, if you thought Jack singing- If you gave me music in the background, I would have done better. If you thought Jack singing was good- I didn't have mucus in my throat. The dog wasn't barking.

It wasn't windy outside. I would have been fine. The dog ate your singing voice. How about that? All-star closer, Kenley Jansen, we have a question. What's the best podcast of all time? Baseball isn't boring, baby. I'm Rob Bradford, and every single day I'm sitting down with the biggest names to show

you this great game is the greatest game. It's my podcast. It's my podcast. It's my passion. It's a cause I started more than two years ago. It is now the most prolific national daily baseball pod there is. Another fact. So jump aboard the B.I.B. Express. Follow and listen to Baseball Isn't Boring, presented by Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts.