High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - The High Hopes Phillies Podcast: J.T Realmuto is a Phillie AND a Key Cog in Bringing Us Bryce Harper

Episode Date: February 7, 2019

The J.T Realmuto trade officially broke right in the middle of recording this episode of High Hopes with James Seltzer and Jack Fritz. The guys react to the trade and also get excited because Realmuto could very well lead us to Bryce Harper. They also talk about Phillies lent.  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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Rogers. This is the High Hopes Podcast. High Hopes. It's a bunch of baseball nerds. Well, without the computers. Talking about the Philadelphia Phillies on Radio.com and Sports Radio 94 WIP. Yo, it is another edition of the High Hopes Podcast. A nervous, excited, don't know what the hell's going on edition.

Yes. We picked a good day to record, Jack. We always pick a good day to record. Thursdays are our best days. James, would you call me a crazy person if I started doing this podcast on my drive-in? I was literally talking to myself and getting excited. I would call that awesome. I was literally talking to myself and getting excited and getting really... I would call that awesome is what I would call it.

Well, listen. This is a podcast that... Listen, this is not the Harper emergency podcast, but the Phillies are on the verge of adding the best catcher in baseball. Yes. And that is freaking crazy. And I'm just going to... I want to get this out there as the first thing that came to my mind when it comes to

Real Muto. This is the move that leads to Bryce Harper. And I cannot get that came to my mind when it comes to Real Muto, this is the move that leads to Bryce Harper. And I cannot get that out of my head. So yes, like, Sixto Sanchez, we've talked about this. Look, my first thought when I saw that Sixto was being included in the deal was of you. You were worried about me? My mind was like, is Jack okay?

I got many tweets asking if I was okay. I am okay. Okay. I do not like the idea of giving up Pedro Martinez 2.0. I've called him that for years. I feel like he is a son to me. Obviously. And seeing my son go away to college in Miami,

not too great. But I just, for as much as I love Sixto Sanchez, and for as much as I think he is amazing, and his kind of talent, like 100 miles an hour that you can spot wherever you want. And easy, the easy delivery of it all. It does not grow on trees.

Agree. But I think, and I tried to put this out of my head, but I think the injuries are legit. And I think he's basically one-armed injury away from being shut down for Tommy John and being out for the next two seasons. Right. At this point. And this is what has always been kind of my other side, and I'm with you on 6-0. I think he's an incredibly talented kid.

The upside is through the roof, but that's always been my worry, is his size, the arm issues that he's already had, and just the fact that pitchers, you know, if you're a great 18-year-old pitcher, it's so far away from actually being a guy who's going to compete in the major leagues. There's so many hurdles you have to pass. I think he could have competed for a bullpen job at the end of this year if they were independent runs. Absolutely.

It really, really hurts to give up 6-0. I mean, you're giving up the best prospect in your system, period. For a catcher that, listen, I think people think he's older than me. I mean, he's 27. He's not old. He's entering his prime. But here's my one qualm with that doesn't make any sense. My one concern with adding a JT

Real and Muto type is that how long can he stick at catcher? Right? Like, how long can he stick at catcher and be a plus value back there? Right. Because you'd think he would go to first base. Eventually. But you have Hoskins there.

Yep. So does Real Muto have three years left at catcher? I think so. I think he could even have four, depending on how he ages. He's super athletic. That's what I was about to say. He's a really athletic guy. And you assume, and a very good defensive catcher.

Maybe not the best framer, but everything else, he's as good as you're going to find. I think it could be four years. I think he could hang back there longer. I mean, look. It's a brutal position, right? You know, it's tough, but I believe he can hang back there longer. And here's the other thing. With the DH possibly coming, I mean, you could move Hoskins to DH. It's a big deal, too.

That's a great point. And we're going to get into that later, because we might have opposing opinions on that one. I'm excited to fight you about that. I get it. People want baseball for dummies. It's perfectly fine. So overrated.

We'll get into that, though. But all right. So let's dive into this. And again, we are recording right now as all this is happening. And Jorge Alfaro was not at practice this morning. Yes. And Jim Salisbury coming out recently. A lot of reports from national guys.

And then Jim Salisbury says the deal could be done today. It looks like everything is coalescing. It looks like it's physicals and really the key to the deal. And let's start with the, I think we're both 100% okay giving up Alfaro in a deal. You get Real Muto back. Yeah, can we? Like the upside. Love what Alfaro's tools are, but he's still a long way away from reaching his ceiling,

if he ever reaches it. He's 25. He's two years younger than Real Immutable. We're getting the best catcher in baseball. I think you take that trade off every time for the upside of Alfaro. And I just feel like the people that are like, oh my God, Jorge Alfaro. I feel like those people just didn't watch Jorge Alfaro last year.

Were we the only ones that watched Jorge Alfaro? You would think we're giving up Johnny Bench. Are you freaking kidding me? I know. Listen, Jorge Alfaro is a fantastic framer. I think his framing is elite. I think he's one of the best framers in the sport. And that's great.

The guy can't block a baseball. He goes to one knee, doesn't know what he's doing. He can't call a game. Can't call a game. That's my biggest issue with him. And if we're looking at offense, he is a exit velo, like, stat cast. Like, he explodes stat cast with the exit velo, launch angle, all that stuff. Uh-huh.

Arm strength. Arm strength. Mostly arm strength. His arm is, I mean, I'm going to miss. I'm going to miss the off-bar. It might be the best arm in baseball for a catcher. Like, it probably is. To me, he's like a showcase player.

And a showcase player. He's a tools guy. For guys who grew up playing baseball like they would go to showcases put on a show at bp show a hose but they don't actually grasp baseball and horry alfaro like i i don't i don't remember a guy that could strike like he was 404th out of 405 in whiff percentage last year. He struck out in 36% of his at-bats last year. It's not good, Jack. Like, that's a guy, like, it's hard to see a path to him becoming a really, really good catcher if he strikes out as much as he did. He was a very frustrating guy to watch last year.

I think we're just so far removed from the season that we're like, well, we've got to talk ourselves back into Horry Alfaro. Well, you remember the home runs. You remember the throws, like, the stuff that sticks out sure that's amazing but relax I don't think Rory Alfaro is going to come back to bite us he has so many holes in his swing that like and I don't think he

swings too hard everyone knows that we are adding JT Real Muto the best catcher in baseball bar none there's no argument about it he is the best all around catcher in baseball. You look at the home road slits. I mean, it is drastic.

I have them. He is a much better hitter on the road. Toughest-paced hit in baseball, probably, in Miami. Well, okay. This is from Mike Petriello this morning. So, JT Real and Muto, on the road in his career, has a stash line of 310, 358, 494. What?

He's a 364. As a catcher. 364 Woba. That's really good. And he puts under that. A 364 Woba is basically what powerful sluggers like Javi Baez and Chris Davis put up in 2018. Think about what Christian Jelic turned into when he left Marlins Park. Think about what Christian Yellich turned into when he left Marlins Park. We're getting a guy who is raked outside of that place on our team, in his prime.

And I'm just going to say it. We're getting Bryce Harper to go with him. And I think that's the key to the whole thing. Look, you talked to on the evening show last night, Joe Frazzario, I believe it is, right? Miami Reporter basically said point blank that they're best friends. Getting J.D. Romuto is the type of move that would entice Bryce Harper to come here, which is crazy because you would just assume that it's pure money. And I don't think, I know a lot of people are saying, well,

this makes me think that maybe Bryce, they need to do this to get Bryce. Like he won't come otherwise. And I feel like the way I interpret this is, as you and I have both felt that Harper is coming for a long time, I interpret this more as Harper saying, hey, go get him. I'm coming. Go get my guy if you can make this happen. I hope that the Phillies would not do this move simply as a way to entice Harper when you hope they've already got him.

You hope that the money is enough to do it. You hope this is not like a last ditch. Exactly. Because if it is and you're giving up assets to try and woo Amir, that is bad business. I don't think that's the case, though. And I've seen a lot of people put that out there. I think this is a tandem move with Harper.

I think this is a we're signing Bryce Harper. Let's go get Real Muto who, A, they're best friends, but, B, best catcher in baseball. We're going for it. We're competing right now. And this is what we've said all offseason is that, they're best friends, but B, best catcher in baseball. We're going for it. We're competing right now. And this is what we've said all offseason, is that if you're getting Harper, you have to sell him on the idea that you're ready to win right now. Yep.

Because he wanted to go to the Dodgers, Cubs, Yankees, because they're ready to win right now, and they're also big markets. The Phillies are a big market, but they weren't ready to win, per se. If you add Bryce Harper and JT Rillamuto, you have 26... Hold on. Hold on. The best line in the National League is what you League. I see you firming up down there. Don't look down there, Jack.

Go on. So basically, you would have 26-year-old Bryce Harper in right field. You have a 26-year-old Oduble in center. You have McCutcheon, who's 32. I think they're going to add Moose at third base. I don't think Franco comes back. I agree. Because I think they want to win.

I know Joe Giglio has talked about this, too. I also think you could see some Kingery at third base too if they don't bring a Moose in or whatever. Totally agreed. And then you have a Segura at shortstop who's 29. You have Hernandez at second base who's 28-29. You have Hoskins who's 26 and then Real Medo is 27. That's a team.

That's a core is what it is. That's a team that has to win right now. This is not like a rebuilding kind of phase. That's a team ready to win right now. And for the next few years. That's a team that is ready to contend now for that's a five year window team you know i mean and you can always add to it and extend windows but that's a this could be our squad for the next five years and we can beat every single one of those years right and it's not like you're adding this to a 22 or 23 year old core group of guys like the

coves would have had in like 2016 I want to say so um so yeah so and also just back to the Bryce Harper JT Real Muto thing basically Joe Frasario was like gushing about how much these guys love each other and he was like he was like last year at the all or when the all-star game was in Miami Harper put a Nationals cap on Real Muto Bryce Harper

last year after JT Real Muto had a walk-off single he said if that guy was on our side that wouldn't have happened. He just gushes over this guy. He loves him. Best buds. Yeah, and for Sario, he also said last night that JT Real Muto is like, he is like a culture-changing, awesome locker room guy.

That's what you want to hear. A guy that's going to hold everyone accountable. And again, at an incredibly important position. I think that you look at his numbers and you say, oh, they're really good. When you factor in that he is an elite defensive catcher and has those numbers, and again, as we discussed the road splits, that you figure he's going to be an even better hitter on the Phillies. I mean, that's an incredibly valuable player to have on your team. And yes, I think it is a player that, and again, this is all dependent upon Bryce Harper, it being a part of it, or even Machado.

Like, the point is, like, you're building with one of those guys that this trade doesn't make as much sense to me without that in tandem. But we believe that is happening. So, with that in mind, I think it's a great trade. Here's my issue. And it's where we are in terms of we still don't have the final deal. The third, fourth prospect part of it scares the crap out of me. I mean, they're talking, I mean, first of all, John Heyman, shut up. Spencer Howard and Luis Garcia, are you out of your mind?

If you don't know who the players are, just stop talking about it. Stop talking. Stop saying that they're going to give up their third and fourth prospect. I could see it being JoJo Romero. I could see it being JoJo Romero, too. That's the exact type of guy I could see being. And I like JoJo Romero. Keith Law actually had him in his top 100 prospects.

There's a lot of people who really like Joe Romero. I don't even. See, but that's my thing. And with Joe Romero, I'm fine with that. But even that, that feels like you're paying sticker price. Right? They definitely are. But that was the point, right?

They got back into it because the Marlins weren't getting what they wanted. That part of it is a little, why are you paying sticker price? Why were you out of it? What happened that brought you back to essentially the deal you probably could have gotten them with earlier in the offseason? Well, I think we both know. Well, Harper, I know, I know. I'm just saying from a value perspective.

I think they were out, and then I think Bryce came to them. And said, get him. And I legitimately, that's what I think happened. I mean, look, that's the most rational explanation because you don't they weren't willing to give up 6-0 before why now

that makes sense but here's what I'm saying is that before before the JT Real Muto stuff before you're thinking about Harper you could have planned

to go into next season thinking like we got young pieces that we still want to evaluate right you still want to evaluate Jorge Alfar you want to evaluate

the right field position in Nick Williams, you want to evaluate Franco, whatever. I think they would have added one of these guys regardless, probably Machado, whatever. I'm just saying that if you could sell the fans on we still want to go into next year thinking we want to see what these young pieces are in a way, but

if Harper comes to you and says, I'm coming if you get Real Muto, then your timeline just speeds. You don't have a choice. You don't have a choice. Right. Because you're choosing to keep Sixo Sanchez instead of adding a Hall of Famer and the best catcher in baseball, which is something that no organization would do. No.

And that's like you said. You have to look at it as a trade for Harper, too, in that sense. The assets you're giving up are part of a Harper trade almost, obviously, in addition to the massive contract he's going to sign. Yeah, so listen, obviously we don't know the full deal right now. And that's what scares me. If it's Spencer Howard or Luis Garcia, I'm going to feel

less good about this deal. I just will. But the deal is happening. The deal is happening. When they're talking about physicals and just figuring out the last piece of the deal, it's going to happen. Right. And no one has it yet. I've heard it's going to be a pitcher. So we'll see.

We'll see who it is. So the names that you would think, obviously, Medina would be the high end. I would be surprised if they gave up. I've heard it's not Medina. Both of them. You pray it's not Spencer Howard. I personally, we both like Spencer Howard even more than we like Medina. So I wouldn't want it to be him.

But Jojo Romero is that next guy down. Like, that's the next level of prospect. JoJo, Rangers. I'm fine. Please let it be Ranger Suarez or someone like that. I'd give him up before JoJo in a heartbeat. Here's the official high hopes position, is that anyone but Spencer and Medina

don't take two of our awesome pitching prospects. So if you want to take 6-0 and you're concerned about the arm injury, you're concerned about the work ethic. Which we're okay with. I've said that. It's fine. I concerned about the arm injury, you're concerned about the work ethic. Which we're okay with. I've said that. It's fine. I mean, I guess it's fine. I don't know about the work ethic. Matt Breen put that out, and who knows the conditioning

and all that. For me, it's always been about the size and the arm issues. Anytime you're that small and you already have arm issues at this age, I worry. So from that perspective, I am okay with giving up 6-0 in a deal where you're getting the best catcher in baseball back.

It's just if you're going to give up Spencer Howard or Adonis Medina as well, that seems steep. So from Will Carroll. Injury expert. Injury expert. He said the medical issue being checked by Marlins is Alfaro's knee, given the roster LNC, why that's a big issue. So that would suggest that the deal's done.

Yeah. That's the point. When these deals get to them actually doing physicals for players and checking out that stuff, unless they find an issue with the physicals, the deal's done. The only thing at that time that is ever going to kill that type of deal is, oh, Alfaro's hurt and we can't keep him, which obviously is not the case.

Well, first off, you would think that it would be 6-0. It would be 6-0, but it seems like they've already cleared six though then and and again look i think it's really interesting too that it's an indivision trade on both sides i think from the marlins perspective you're just taking the best thing you can possibly get look at that there look at this is oh wow so jack is showing me a picture of bryce harper putting a nationals hat on jt ramito and like pointing at it and smiling. That is what I'm talking about. We need to Photoshop that out

and put a Philly's cap on there. I think people... I think it's happening. We've always saw Harper's coming here. This is just another thing to feed into the art. We were right. Right, right. And I think people are wondering why we're so gung-ho about the Harper thing.

It just seems so obvious. This is just reading the tea leaves. You're getting, by getting JT Romito, Bryce Harper, their best friends, he wants to play with JT Romito. He was pleading the Nationals to bring JT Romito to Washington. He's going to have that opportunity here. No other team is going to be able to trade for him. JT Romito is ours, which is also going to bring us Bryce Harper.

And again, if you just read the tea leaves of the way this whole thing is played out with the Padres coming in and the Giants coming in and people are like, Oh no! Those teams are not spending what the Phillies are to sign Bryce Harper. This is Scott Boris, as we've said, doing what he does and trying to force the Phillies to pay more. What this reads to me is the Phillies still have the top offer on the table. Boris and Harper want more money, and they're trying to get the Phillies to pay more.

That's it. That's how I read the situation. And at this point, if you're Bryce Harper and Scott Boris, what's the excuse not to come here? Oh, you don't have any. Like, we got your guy. We have the money. You may not be thrilled with playing here. Which, again, I don't even know if that's true or not.

That just seems like such a Boris thing to put out there as well. You've got to pay me more because I want more money. Or because I don't want to be there. Jim Bowden, one minute ago, Philly's Marlins deal agreed upon. Hey, Turtle busting into the studio with the excitement. Here we go. Four players going. Let's see.

Who are the Sanchez and Alfaro? Yes. Everyone's saying who's the other two. That is the key to it all. Turtle is excited about that. I'm excited. There it is. Turtle coming in with the shout out.

I told him to bust through the door if the trade is finalized. Including Sanchez and Alfaro return. Yeah, so we know it's those two. So two other players. You figure one of them will be a throw in. One of them will be a throw in, I would think. One of them is a Ranger Suarez-ish type guy, I would think. I'm nervous, Jack! I'm nervous!

And look, again, ultimately, ultimately, even if it is one of the guys we don't want them to give up, if this is a Harper-RealMuto thing like we believe, you do the deal no matter what. You do what it takes to get RealMuto in here because it means Harper's in, and that's it. I don't love the idea that they

had to do the deal to get Harper here. I feel like it's more an in tandem we're ready to roll now and this makes sense type of thing, but I don't care if it's four players. I just want to know the third player. Yes, exactly. The fourth player's a throw-in. It has to be a throw-in. It has to be.

Like they're not, yeah, God, if it's like Howard adding something legit or something, I'm going to be annoyed about it. But again, ultimately, it's, you know, you don't like to see them give up too much in a situation like this because, again, they were out and it feels like the price went down and now all of a sudden the price is exactly what it was before. Yeah. It was weird. It was like, yeah, the price went down, so we jumped back in.

That doesn't seem to be the case. We're going to give you everyone you wanted to begin with, so we could have just made this deal two months ago. I know, but that's what I'm saying. Like, this just feels like Harper be the case. We're going to give you everyone you wanted to begin with, so we could have just made this deal two months ago. I know, but that's what I'm saying. This just feels like Harper pulling the strings. I agree. I don't know any other explanation for it. It doesn't make any sense why they would jump back in

and expedite their timeline when they don't have to. And again, for a team like the Marlins, who have been taken advantage of over and over and over again, it is a little annoying. I would have liked Klentak to take advantage of them more. And look, who knows? If these two players are Rangers Suarez and someone else, I'll feel really good about it.entak to take advantage of them more. And look, who knows? If these two players are Rangers, Suarez, and someone else, I'll feel really good about it. It's so Sixers

of them. Like, just having to pay top dollar to get what they want. But I guess, like, I know I won't be upset. We always overrate our own guys. I mean, that's what every baseball team does. It's going to suck having to give up these guys. But if the

end result is Harper and Real Amudo, it's going to be hard-pressed for me to be super upset about it. And I do think that the fact that the Phillies were willing to trade Sixto in the division, someone who could come back to bite them in the division down the road, I feel like that does really symbolize to us that the Phillies might not be as high on Sixto as other prospect rankings and all that type of stuff would have

6-0. Right. Should we just pause the podcast and come back? And wait until we find out what the exact players are? You don't think it'll come out while we're recording? I could. I'm just saying I don't know if we want to keep talking about it if we don't know any... I think it's fun.

You think it's fun to do it in the middle of the podcast? I think it's like a moment in time where people can listen to us and feel our angst as we're trying to wait for these names to come out. All right, let's talk about the potential lineup. Okay. Because this is something that I was walking around my apartment today. I was walking around beautiful downtown Ardmore and I was thinking about the lineup. It's pretty stacked.

Will Stewart going to the Marlins. Okay, that's nothing. Who? Will Stewart. I know, I was joking. No, I like Will Stewart a lot. I like Will Stewart too. I was saying it in the sense of hammer of a curveball. He's going to be a nasty Very, very good with that. That's one player. Come on, Jim. Come on. Give it to us. For the love of God,

Jim Bowden, put the last freaking player out. I thought it was Jim Bowden. You go Bowden. I like it either way. Come on. Please give us that last player. See, I think this is good. Just waiting.

Oh, my God. This is so good. Who's it going to be? All right, back to the lineup. So the lineup, I typed it out. I know. You're trolling people a little bit, too. I like that.

I wasn't really trolling. All right. You think McCutcheon's bad at nine? Now you're saying it? I want a high OBP guy in the nine hole. So maybe I'll switch this. I'll put McCutcheon in the leadoff, Hernandez in the nine hole, okay? McCutcheon.

I like that. I'm fine with that. That was what I would have expected. All right. McCutcheon, Segura, Harper, Hoskins, Rio Muto. Let's go. Moustakis, Herrera, Nola, Hernandez. I mean, that's the best lineup in the National League.

That is the best lineup in the National League. For instance, I understand having prospects is fun and having a farm system is fun, but we are about to be a real baseball team. We're about to have a real freaking baseball team. We're about to have a loaded lineup team. Yeah. We're about to have a real freaking baseball team. Like, we're about to have a loaded lineup, an absolute superstar in right field,

the best catcher in baseball, and the sleeper MVP candidate in Reese Hoskins. James, we're going to have two 360 plus OEP guys one and two. No, no. We'll have a 360 guy

batting leadoff. We'll have a 300 hitter batting two. We'll have a 35 plus home run guy batting three. We'll have Hoskins a 35 home run plus guy batting fourth. We'll have Hoskins, a 35 home run plus guy batting fourth.

Real Muto, who is a 25 double guy and a 20 home run guy here. 20, 25 home run guy here batting in the sixth hole. Moustakis, who's going to hit 40 here. I don't care anymore.

We have, we have Oduble Herrera, who's going to be a sleeper MVP candidate this year. And we have Andrew McCutcheon, or no,

we're going to have, we're going to have one guy at the bottom of the lineup that's going to have an OVP of like 370. Like, this is a lineup that is good enough to legitimately compete next year.

It covers all the boxes. It covers OVP, it covers power, it's balanced, you have high average guys, you have Hoskins coming into the... Okay, so you're not going to have... The deal's official. From Jeff Passon. Horry Alfaro, 6-0, Will Stewart, and an international

bonus. Perfectly fine. Perfectly fine. Very, very, very down with this. I'm so down with this. I'm really excited right now. See, that's why we do it on the air. Jack, to get to hear the real excitement of it. And that's how it looked.

That's what I was saying. And again, Will Stewart, nice pitcher. Like you said, if none of those guys, and especially we didn't even give up JoJo. We kept JoJo, Adonis Medina, Spencer Howard, and Luis Garcia. Those are the four guys, and especially those other three after JoJo, who I wanted to not be in this deal. None of those guys are in this deal. You're basically giving up 6-0 on Alfaro for sticker price. That is a deal you make 100 times out of 100 for the best catcher in baseball,

26 years old, 27 years old, controlled through 2020. This is a home run. Hey, John Heyman. Yeah, John, go away. Next time you freaking tweet out about Luis Garcia, can you please? Yeah, dude. Can you please get your players right? I was so mad at him.

And, well, yeah, he also said a pitcher like Luis Garcia. Like, how about knowing who Luis Garcia is before you tweet it out? The very first tweet that Heyman put out said pitchers like Luis Garcia and Spencer. And I was like, oh, you know, Luis Garcia's not on this team anymore. Johnny's an angel. Yeah. Is that the Luis Garcia we're talking about, idiot? Yeah. It's like, okay. So, it's good's not on this team anymore. Johnny's an angel. Is that the Luis Garcia we're talking about, idiot? Yeah, it's like, okay.

So it's good. Honestly, deep breath. We're happy. I feel really good right now. Very deep breath. It's exciting right now. Listen, I think Will Stewart's going to be a nasty left-handed specialist. I think he's disgusting.

JT Real Muto is a Philly. Let's go. Let's go. Let's go. Let's go. I'm really jacked right now. Like, sign Harper. Let's go. Like, I. I'm really jagged right now. Sign Harper. Let's go. I'm ready. Announce Harper tonight.

Yes. All in. Let's go. It's over. Bryce, I know you may not love Philadelphia, but let me just say this. When you get into this town, you are going to be so beloved by this fan base, you're not going to know what to do with yourself. You played in

Washington. You played in Washington from 2012 on. This is a baseball town. It will always, it's an Eagles town, but when baseball is rolling in this town, it is electric.

That ballpark is buzzing. You're going to bring so much smiles to this fan base. Come on home. Join your best friend. The Phillies are a bully. They're a freaking sleeping giant. And that giant is being awoken.

Are you excited? I can't tell. 6-0. It's hard to tell. God, I love you, 6-0. So, a moment of silence. 6-0. Okay.

Now, allow me to give my O to 6-0. Yeah, give us an O to 6-0. Are you calm enough? Can you handle it? That was something. I've never seen you get that excited. Jack's a very reserved person. Not usually one to freak out like that that was good six though you beautiful hundred mile an hour throwing former shortstop i have dreamt about you as my pedro 2.0

looks like it might not happen here not here uh thank Thank you for being on the MLB Top 100 list and getting us excited. I hope you enjoy Miami. I hope you and Sandy Alcantara can have a nice one-two punch. I like Sandy. I like Sandy, too. He's good.

I'm glad the Phillies did not pay top dollar for this. They gave up a lot, I'm being honest. But 6-0, it was a good run. But we got JT Real in the middle. Come on. We got JT to go with Bryce. This is all coming with Bryce Harper. Not worried about it.

Boom. I feel the same way. It's, again, and I think with stuff with 6-0 can't be understated with or overstated with how much he kind of, and maybe not in prospect rankers eyes, but in terms of the Phillies eyes, he clearly wasn't as valuable after this season this past year as he was

before. You know, the arm entries are a real thing. They are like, like legitimately, legitimately. If he gets hurt again, it's,

it's Tommy John. Yeah. And he's done for two years. So you could lose 6-0 to 2021 when he's 22 years old, and you just don't know at that point. You just don't know. So forever, for as much as I love him, you can't totally bank on him. And listen, they got JT Romito.

I don't know what else to say. They got JT Romito, the best catcher in baseball. They're getting Bryce Harper, who's going to be in right field. This team is going to the NLCS. Bank on it. Bring me Dallas Keuchel. Citizens bank on it. Get us another starter in here.

Like, it's just, it's freaking go time, baby. Like, it is go time. Yeah. No, it's just. It's over. The rebuild's over. Everything's over. The rebuild's over. It's all is go time. Yeah. No, it's just... It's over. The rebuild's over. Everything's over. The rebuild's over.

It's all about go time. Klintak. Klintak. Our guy. Klintak. Always been on Klintak. Our guy, Matty Klintak. And again, look, I think that ultimately, when you look at this, they did get, compared

to what... Because that was what we were talking about with adding the third or the fourth piece in that was a legitimate piece. And again, you know, not that Will Stewart's not a nice player, but. Yeah, Will Stewart, like, listen, his upside is that of a really good lefty specialist. Exactly. So this is a, all of a sudden, I do think that they actually gave up less for Real Me Too than they would have had to a couple months ago. I think that, look, Sixto would have been the headliner of a deal, and Alfaro would be in any deal, but I think if they had tried to make the deal a couple months ago, I don't

know if they'd get away without adding a more legitimate third piece, a JoJo or someone like that. I know. I know. So I honestly, it's just, it's crazy. It's just awesome. It's crazy that the Phillies are like, I don't think it's fully set in for me. It's real.

Like, the Phillies are going to be real. Like, this is a real thing. A real baseball team. We're going to be a real baseball team. I haven't think it's fully set in for me. It's real. The Phillies are going to be real. This is a real thing. A real baseball team. We're going to be a real baseball team. I haven't. We're going to be competing for a playoff spot and not the whole time going like, how are they doing this?

Why is this happening? This team's not that good. We're going to be like, oh yeah, they are that good. This team could win the World Series. That's how good this team is going to be this year. They are a legitimate World Series contender as soon as Bryce Harper's here.

And I agree with you. I think they're going to add someone else to that rotation. It just, it's been too quiet all offseason on the starting pitching front. It's been too quiet.

They weren't. Dallas Keuchel makes so much sense. You can't be in on Jay Happ and, you can't be in on Jay Happ and, and, and,

who's the other lefty? I'm blanking. There's two lefties that were in on Jay Happ and another guy. Yes. You can't be in on those guys. I'm blanking now too. That'sies that were in on, J-Hap and another guy. Yes. You can't be in on those guys. I'm blanking now, too.

That's what happens when you're all excited about J.J. You can't be in on those guys and not expect to go after it and not add a third pitcher. Sure. I think Keichel, not great, but I think he's going to give you a lot of innings. At least he's going to pitch to a 3-5. He fits the situation.

He's a fit, as far as it were. They need a lefty. He'll give you innings. He should be better in the National League. He'll age relatively well. I think the question is going to be the sticker price. Jack is just... I wish you guys could see Jack right now.

He's got his arms in the air. Look, I have been... It's an exciting day, man. I have been saying for three years that they are a sleeping giant. Yeah. Well, you and I have talked about this offseason forever. We talk nonstop about the biggest offseason in Phillies history, and that's what it's been.

I mean, again, Bryce Harper is the cherry on top of the sundae. And they didn't give up Mickey Moniak. And they didn't give up Moniak. They didn't give up Hazley, Boehm. All these names were written in there, and they weren't giving up Boehm. I thought that was so silly. Oh, yeah. There was no way they were giving up Boehm. Zero percent chance. But I didn't want up Moniac, they didn't give up Hazley, Boehm, all these names were in there and they weren't giving up Boehm. I thought that was so silly. Oh yeah, there was no way they were giving up Boehm.

Zero percent chance. But I didn't want them to give up, that's my point. I give up Will Stewart before I give up all those guys. I'll give up international draft slot before all those guys. Now let's be fair.

We love our slots. Don't get me wrong. I love international slot money. Me too. We are very pro international slot money on this show. So happy.

This is great news, man. This is really, really exciting. It's an exciting, it's a big day. And I'm with you. I think the hardware news has to come soon, right? I don't know. I don't think it's tomorrow. Maybe the week after.

I did think, I said after the Super Bowl, I forgot about the NBA trade deadline. Makes sense to kind of hold off on that, I suppose. But it feels like that's the next domino. Every day we come up with something else as to why he's not going to sign. It's like, why, yeah. What was that loading tweet? Really? Why did you tweet that out?

He knew about the real Muto trade. Yeah. Four days ago. It's a tweet out today. What are you doing? It's Sunday night tweeting out loading. Still loading, Bryce? Just sign.

I know. Let's go. Just stop with the cute little. Enough. Enough. It's. Let's go. Just stop with the cute little. Enough. Enough. It's all adorable, Bryce. The tweets, the liking, the Vegas stuff. Just stop.

The San Francisco Giants are going to sign Bryce Harper. Oh, yeah. Okay. Let's talk about the Queens. It's time to talk about Bryce for a little bit. Yes. Here's what I don't get. And then we'll fight about the DH.

Here's what I don't get. Is that why would Bryce Harper take a two-year deal, enter into free agency the same year as Mike Trout, and be two years older? It's asinine. That doesn't make any sense. Here's what I don't get is that why would Bryce Harper take a two-year deal, enter into free agency the same year as Mike Trout, and be two years older? It's asinine. That doesn't make any sense. It's asinine. To me, this feels like it's a last-ditch ploy to get the Yankees in.

You know, like, hey, he'll sign a two-year deal if you give us a stupid amount of money. And, like, I don't think they want to do that at all. They definitely don't. I don't think the Yankees want to do that at all. Like, this is all Boris getting the last-ditch effort. Giancarlo Stanton turned down a trade San Francisco last year because their farm system was that bad.

I was going to say the worst in baseball, but it's top five worst in baseball. The Orioles, sadly, probably have the worst, which is unbelievable after having the worst team in baseball as well. Right. So if you're San Francisco and you are Bob Nightingale, dude. after having the worst team in baseball as well. Right. So if you're San Francisco and you are... Bob Nightingale, dude.

Now have... He said, the Phillies who acquired JT Romito for Kadri Horry Alfaro, pitching prospect Ciccio Sanchez, and Will Stewart from the Marlins now have one more big move in mind. Uh-huh, Bobby. Come on, Bobby. Bobby, just say it.

We all know, bro. We know that you've known for a long time. We've talked to you about it. Just say it. I know. Just do it. I know. Bob's definitely going to break it, right, when it comes?

He has to. We used to think the MLB The Show thing had a chance. That's obviously not going to break anything anymore. I think Bob, the prediction is Bob Nightingale breaks it. Yeah, I would say so. So what was I saying? I was saying that if you are looking at the Giants, like you have Posey, who's 31,

and on the downside of his career and playing first base. And then you have Baumgartner and the last year of his deal. And then after that, it's like there's nothing there. There's literally nothing. So why would he go to a pitcher's ballpark again? He wouldn't. I know Bonds did what he did there, but Harper's not Bonds. Like, let's relax here.

Nobody's Bonds. Stop. So just, listen, Bryce, if you, first off, you come here, you play with your best friend. You also, you have a way better chance of reaching the home run king title here. Oh, yeah. I mean, you have a way better chance of doing anything good statistically. Your numbers will just be better. Yes.

So, I don't. And you'll be on a better team. It's a bigger market. Let's just go. Official high hopes position is that why would Bryce Harper take a two-year deal? He's not taking a two-year deal. Official high hopes position is what it has always been. Bryce Harper signing with the Phillies.

That's our position. Don't believe the Padres. Don't believe the Giants. Don't believe any of this BS. This is all Scott Morris. This is what he does every single time. Scott Morris. Every single time. Every time. They don't have to move off of them. The Phillies have the best offer.

It's sitting on the table, and Scott Bortz is saying, I want more. I'm going to do whatever I can to make you guys pay me more money. Yes, and I think I'm going to move my Twitter bio. I'm going to make it not Twitter bio. My pinned tweet is going to be the Phillies will be able to make

a final offer to either one of these players if they think they're going to be outbid yes everyone freaks out every single day it's not like

the whole point is getting more money of course they're gonna go back to the team that has the highest offer and say hey you wanna beat this someone actually beat you

like of course what are we talking about here it's negotiation 101. Listen, every single day someone tweets me like, oh, are they getting, the Giants are involved. Are you worried? No. No. Because no matter what, Orlando traded for Marco Fultz.

Whoa, really? Yeah. Oh my god. What a podcast. What a show. Oh my god. What is going on today? Speaking of, I've lost both my sons today. Do you know how hard this is? Do you know how hard this is on my family? That is a great point. You've had a rough day, Jack. Oh my god. And you're

smiling and you're happy. Because my baseball team is back and Markel Fultz has been dead to me for a couple months. The Sixers always. Oh my god. So now he's gone too. Wow. What a day for Philadelphia. For my sons today. Never get close to Jack Fritz because

you will be traded in a way. Mark, I'll fold a part of your Twitter bio for a while. He was. He was the most important thing in my life for a long, long time. No longer. He is now over. What a terrible pick that was. Poor guy is going to be in Orlando. What a disastrous pick. Brian Colangelo's legacy in Philadelphia is going to be in Orlando. What a disastrous pick.

Brian Colangelo's legacy in Philadelphia is going to be the burner scandal that is the most ridiculous sports story of the last 10 years and the fact that he traded up to draft the worst number one pick, maybe other than Anthony Davis, maybe ever. Terrific. Terrific job. Anyway, no one cares about the Sixers. We care about the Phillies here, Josh. Yes, of course.

So, yeah. Also, everyone keeps saying that this Sixers. We care about the Phillies here, Jeff. Yes, of course. Also, everyone keeps saying that this is going to be like you're giving up for two years of Real Muto. They're going to extend him. Of course. I don't know why you let him walk. If you're going to sign Harper to a 10-year deal, you think you want to have his best friend here for at least... Absolutely. I think they signed him for at least

on top of the two years left, I would say like three more years. That was my guess too. A three year extension worth like 80? I was thinking closer to 25 a year, but yeah. Three years, 75. Three years, 70. Something like that. Sounds about right.

For Philadelphia, I just want watching Johnson Simmons from Mark L. Fultz. He's an interesting wing. Jack. Phillies. I know. JT Rolamuto.

I'm just, he is just, he's so good. He's a culture changer. He is a guy. I can't believe we have the best catcher in baseball. I know. When was the last time the Phillies had the best catcher in baseball? Here's your answer. It's never happened before.

It's never. This is the first time in the history of the Phillies. It's not like he's not an elite defender either. Like, he's one of the best defensive catchers in the game. That's why he's the best catcher in baseball. I'm so happy. He also steals bases, which is fun. I'm so happy.

You don't think about that very often. I'm so happy. Matt Klintak, I love you. I never doubted you. It's a beautiful thing. I never doubted you. All right. Please bring it.

Just end it. End it. That is our official position. Let's end this. It's over. It's time to move forward. And then if you want to just mess around. But the next time we record this podcast, and again, hopefully it's a Bryce Harper emergency, Bob,

but if per chance, as this offseason has played out, it sure could be, next Thursday when we normally record, pitchers and catchers will report it, Jack. That's how close we are, brother. We're six days away from pitchers and catchers. Let's go. It's time. What is opening day going to be like? That means, you know, we're going to report Philly's new catcher, JT Real Muto.

Pitchers and catchers. Let's go. What is opening day going to sound like? James, what is opening day going to be like? Hold on. Wait. Opening night, right? Because of ESPN?

Oh, yeah. Braves. They knew. Oh, buddy. Oh, we got to just drop it on the Braves. Oh, God, I'm so ready. Oh, those poor guys. It's gonna be great. Ronald Acuna, suck it. Oh, Aaron Nola throwing to JT

Romuto. Oh, but I didn't think about that yet. That's really a hell of a battery right there. Nick Pavetta, the best pitcher on the team. I am one Nick Pavetta breakout from being insufferable. Alright, let's get into these rule changes real quick. I feel like we've just been from being insufferable. All right. All right.

Let's get into these rule changes real quick. I feel like we've just been incoherently rambling. We have. This might be our worst podcast ever, but we're excited, so it's okay. Yeah. Honestly, James and I have no idea what to think. You are listening to us mentally grasp that the Phillies are a World Series contender. Yes.

You could hear the grinds, the gears grinding in our head as they're going. James, I'm going to say something that I might regret. Uh-oh. Is this lineup better than 08? Is it better than 08? Is it better than 08? It might be. Is it better than 08? Is it deeper and better

than 08? It might be more high-end talent too. Is it better than 08? Is it deeper and better than 08? It might be more high-end talent, too. Is it better than 08? It's not more high-end talent, but I think it might be deeper. It might be better than 08. And that team freaking raked. They're not going to have... Well, listen. Harper could have an MVP type like Howard.

He's already had a Ryan Howard type season. He was 22 years old. Let's be real. It was a better season than Ryan Howard ever had. That's what I'm saying. Dude, does that line up better than 08? Yeah, I think it probably is. I think it probably is.

It's close. They don't have a Worth, though. The Worth is really the guy that was sticking in my head. But, I mean, think about it. Think about it. Oh, dude, Hoskins just tweeted out a gif of JT Romito. Yeah, buddy. Yeah, but I mean, like... I know. Okay it. Oh, dude, Hoskins just tweeted out a gif of JT Real Muto. Yeah, buddy. Yeah, but I mean, like...

I know. Okay, so... All right. All right, hold on. So, all right, hold on. If you have... All right, let's look at... You're all over the place.

Hold on, hold on. Catcher, Real Muto's better than Ruiz. First base, Howard's better. But it's not as much as the... Not a huge... Not as much as the gap between catcher with Real Mute and Ruiz. I agree. Second base, not even close. Yes. Not even close. Obviously. Don't even mention

Shortstop. Don't even mention. Just say Chase Outlay and we'll move on. Shortstop? Jimmy's better than Segura. Yes. Okay. Third base, if it's Moose, it's way better. Yeah. If it's Moose, he's better than Pete Abbey. Left field would be McCutcheon versus Wirth or Burrell?

I think Wirth would be right field. Both Burrell and then Jenkins in right field. I think McCutcheon, I think a very similar type of value. I think McCutcheon's a much better defensive player. Burrell had more power. I think McCutcheon's probably a better player than Burrell. Overall player, I would say so. Center field?

I mean... Well, it's a goal glover. It's got to be Shane. It's probably Shane. I think it's got to be Shane. I think it's Shane. And right field's not even close. Yeah, right field. But we're with a really good player.

So it's really close. I think they might be better. Nola's better than Hamels. Sorry. Well, I mean, 08 Hamels, you can't say. I mean, playoff Hamels. All right, let's start thinking. All right, what's the playoff rotation?

Nola? Pavetta? Dallas Keuchel, let's go! Oh my god, I'm geeking. Jake Arrieta can sit on the bench. Also the bullpens. Wow, the bullpen 08 was ridiculous. 08 bullpen's better. Stop. Stop. Think about it.

I'm just Jack too. I love it. Alright, rule changes. Worst podcast we've ever done. It's awful. But we can fight about the DH and people will love that. Yes, so the DH and people will love that. Yes. So the DH is baseball for dummies. It is a horrible. This is such a bad day.

Take the DH out of the AL. Do you know what pitchers batted last year? Dude, it's not about the pitchers. 1-15. Dude, it's not about the pitchers. 1-15. This has nothing to do with the pitchers. But it should.

This is so much more about. Think about the late game strategy. It's so overrated. No, it's not. The strategy is so overrated. No, it's not. The strategy is so overrated. No, it's not. When you're thinking. They're all obvious decisions.

You're either pitching for a guy or you're not. No, they're not. Either the pitcher can get a bunt down or he's not. No. Like, that's it. What are we talking about? Or a double swig and genius. It's ridiculous. No, it's ridiculous.

Because if you, it's like, oh, do I want to pitch Neres here? I don't know. At bats coming up next inning, I would rather just wait for that. It's like, it's actually thinking out. It's so overrated. These are all simple decisions that are not. And again, to watch a pitcher hit every night. Like, it is bad baseball watching pitchers hit or attempt to hit or whatever.

It is, it's so asinine. Like, this whole strategy is so overrated. It's so overrated. It comes into play once a month. Like, where there's some real dramatic strategy decision or some sort of real game-changing type of thing. These are all easy decisions. It's going to help with so many things.

Starting pitchers might stay in games deeper. You know, you'll see less issues with pitching changes. You might have relievers go longer. I mean, this is just better. It's going to speed the game up. It does all these types of things. It does not speed the game up. Well, right, because of the hitting.

But it will in other ways in the sense that you might have less pitching changes. Starting pitchers go longer. All that type of stuff. You don't have to pull your starting pitcher. Pitchers will go longer, which I am always pro for. Yes. But the games will theoretically last longer. They might. They might not. But AL baseball is...

I do not like watching AL baseball. Why? I think it is so boring. Like, it is like... It's just not... There's no thought process. It's like, here's our lineup. Go pitch. Don't worry about anything else. It's boring. I get bored watching AL baseball. Wow. That's a bad take. It's just not that fun for me. I get bored watching AL baseball. Wow. That's a bad take.

It's just not that fun for me. I get bored watching pitchers hit. It's awful. Bing, bang, boom. And then you get the awesome strategy late in the game. It's awesome. But it's so much fun. It's fun to actually think about it. You're not having that much awesome strategy. It doesn't happen that often. It's not like...

It's either an obvious decision... I'll romanticize about it. You are romanticizing about it. You are romanticizing about it. You're thinking of something that is not real. It's baseball for dummies. No, it is so simple. Like this is not the best manager in baseball is an American League manager.

Who? Terry Francona. Terry Francona just sits there on his arse. What did he do in the playoffs? Are you kidding me? He changed the way people use relievers. Oh, because he had one ridiculously awesome weapon in Andrew Miller. Did he change the way people use relievers?

Yeah. Yeah? He did. But also did. He did. Totally changed the way people look at it. What does that have to do with the... He did in the American League.

All this freaking strategy that's the most... That's the number one strategy change like that you're talking about that has happened. And they didn't have to pull them. And it was in the American League. But they didn't have to pull them. As long as it didn't work because they didn't have to pull them. Great. No.

Yes. That's awesome. I don't need to see bad hitters hit. It has nothing to do with it. This is so romanticized. Oh, my God. It's so like, let's double switch it. It's amazing.

It's not. It's not amazing. All right. Let's talk about the other ones. So the other ones are- Bad take. It's not a bad take. amazing. Let's talk about the other ones. So the other ones are... Bad take. It's not a bad take. I love it.

You hate it. Whatever. We're not going to agree on it, so we might as well move on. I agree. I don't like the three batters thing. That one I'm less in on. I don't hate it. I'm not...

If it happens, I'm fine. I just don't like the idea that a pitcher comes in and gives up two home runs. He's got to face another batter. Like that seems silly to me, but I'm okay with it. It's not the end of the world. I think it will speed up games. I think that's something that will change strategy. I mean, these are types of things where you have to really be smart about how you use

your pitchers. It's going to move the game along. Yeah. I really believe that. Which ultimately I'm okay with. Yeah. I'm really okay with it. Yeah.

It's going to move the game along. They need to move the game along. Right. It needs to be a little faster. Perfectly fine with it. I think it's good. I think it's good. I agree. Rather two than three, but whatever. I agree, but I'm okay with it. What was the other one? Pitch clock? Fine, we've talked about that.

We're okay with it. It works in the minor leagues. I don't love... The roster sizes is one thing. They're talking about, what, 28? 26. 26, and then up into 26, but 28 in thing they're talking about what 28 or 26 26 and then up in 26 but 28 in September they're talking about as well so I'm happy with either of those things we've discussed adding a roster spot an extra spot I have no problem with it totally fine creates another job creates a little more flexibility I'm fine with it I don't think it changes much the pitch clock is I'm just saying if it's gonna work you, you need to make sure that your pitcher and catcher are on the same page.

You don't have time. You don't have time for it. Yeah, it would help to have the best catcher in baseball, wouldn't it? Sure does. Yeah, buddy. And then they're also thinking about moving the... The mound down. The mound down.

What do you think about that one? That's an interesting one to me. Look, I am all for the belief that just because something was instituted in the late 1800s and that's just the way it's done is a silly reason to keep things the way they are. So I'm fine with them looking into this. How do you feel about it? You're a pitcher, you know? Well, it would definitely reduce break on curveballs and stuff.

It would highly reduce that, I would say. It would probably drop drop velos a little bit i do think they need to do something they need to do something to combat the velocity movement absolutely because it's just too hard to hit now and that's why the launch angle stuff happens because like i'm not gonna hit four singles in a row here like i i need to do something else um if it if studies do come out and show that it can help reduce arm injuries which uh it seems a little specious to me but it's not totally unbelievable because when we were If studies do come out and show that it can help reduce arm injuries, which... It seems a little specious to me, but...

Well, it's not totally unbelievable because when we were... The big thing right now in pitching is flat grounds because it takes a lot of stress off your arm. Sure. I guess. So maybe if that works, that could be something. I'm for it. Listen, they lowered the amount in 1968 to combat things.

You have to adjust to the athletes in today's game. Absolutely. Like 97 to 99 is just like it's just too hard to hit. It makes it there's too many strikeouts and I think the game has too many strikeouts. It's a fact. It's just it's not you want to talk about what's not fun to watch. Watching guys

strike out 15, 16, 17 times in a game is not fun. Yeah. So it may affect the spin rates and whatnot, but I think ultimately if you can get more pace of play, more action, I think everything they're doing so far this offseason would help increase rate of play, except for the DH and all that stuff.

I think it's all good. I think it all makes a lot of sense. I would say, especially for the DH, I know they've talked about inserting it this year I don't think that's fair. It's way too fast. We just gave it

a curl of Santana. That's what I mean. I think you have to give teams an off season to prepare for this type of thing. So I mean look especially if we give

the Mets an advantage which I don't like the Robinson Cano thing all of a sudden that would look like a much better deal. And there's a lot that's another thing

about the Real Muto trade I forget if we talked about it I feel like I blacked out but if they go to a DH thing about the Real Muto trade. I forget if we talked about it. I feel like I blacked out. But if they go to a DH and you need Real Muto to play first and Hoskins can be your DH, you got a little excited about it, didn't you? You moved the whole mic around. My mic just got a little limp on me. Nice.

You should not be limp after this. No, nothing else is, just the mic. So, yeah. So that's another thing. If he can play first base, then that lengthens out the line. You clearly blacked out because you didn't mention it. I did black out. I barely, I don't remember anything about this podcast except for being said.

Oh, it wasn't very good anyway. Yeah, it was a bad podcast. It was not great, but it was an exciting one. We're excited. So that's really on there. So good. Okay. Forgive us, wonderful loyalists.

By the way, real quick, before we forget, shout out to all the freaking amazing people who listen to this podcast. You have no idea the joy that Jack and I had watching all your videos and all the stuff. The shirts will be coming. Send the list to Ava today. We love you. We legit love you. You are all awesome.

It made our week. We couldn't believe it. The response was so great. Yeah, it's really cool. You're all awesome people. It's really cool. It feels like we're building a legit like philly's community here it's like a family here and and that's what we want it to be we we love baseball and i'm sure if you listen to this you can tell like we're we love baseball we love the phillies and we it's

really cool to know that there's so many of you out there who love baseball like we do and want to enjoy it with us so so we're really grateful about really only the beginning i hope we can come out to the uh get a thing together for the ballpark this year yes uh that would be amazing uh but yeah the response to the t-shirts were crazy and again hopefully you all don't you know just bail after this awful podcast we just recorded so hopefully you guys realize that you know we were just a little excited but we do have one more thing that we need our loyal listeners to help with. It is Philly's Lent. I love this.

I don't know how you want to call it. Philly's Lent or Sacrifice. I mean, I'm Jewish, but I'll roll with Lent. I would have said Philly's Yom Kippur, but that's fine. I've never participated in Lent, so I don't really know what it is. It's either Philly's Lent or Sacrifice to the Baseball Guys. Yes. Everyone has to give up something until Bryce Harper is a Philly.

So we, as this community, we can put the pressure on the Phillies to get this deal done. Yep. So, listen, High Hopes community, send us a video of what you are giving up for Phillies Lent or the sacrifice to the baseball gods, whatever you want to call it. I'll be the first one to say this. I'm giving up for Philly's Lent or the sacrifice to the baseball gods, whatever you want to call it, I'll be the first one to say this. I'm giving up beer. What? Giving up beer until... This is how... Listen,

Matt Klintak, I know you've had a great day, but listen to this part very closely. I love beer. You do love beer. I love beer. You love beer. Oh, look at this. Ike Reese? Ike Reese in the house. Initial thoughts on the trade? I love it, brother. I love it. We're on. Oh, look at this. Ike Reese? Ike Reese in the house. Initial thoughts on the trade? I love it, brother. I love it.

We're on our way to the pennant. That's what I'm talking about right there. Official baseball expert Ike Reese. Expert. With his commentary. 2014 Phillies Fantasy Camp MVP as a consolation prize on a loser team. All right, Ike. They need you on the radio.

You're back on the air. Thank you for your insight. We love it. I don't need me anymore All right, Ike, they need you on the radio. You're back on the air. Thank you for your insight. We love it. I don't need me anymore. We'll take you if you want to go with us instead of this show. Enjoy that coffee, by the way. It's new coffee. I brought it this morning.

It's from Jack. He's really excited about it. Look at that. I grease me. We'll take I grease, just not turtle. No. That's the philosophy of the High Oaks podcast. Yes.

So I love this idea. Yeah, so listen, Matt Glantzak, I love beer. Jack loves beer. Like a little creepy with his love of beer. Like he will take pictures of a beer and be like, if you tried this beer, it's so good. Yeah. So I'm giving it up until you sign Bryce Harper. Wow.

That's how serious I am. Wow. That's how serious I am. Bring him back. Bring him here. Partner him with his best friend and let's go win a World Series. I am willing to put this out there too. I will also give

up beer with you. Wow. It's done. I wasn't even expecting it. I'm just stopping it and I love beer. But I'm also going to do this. I'm going to take a step further. Not just on giving up something but I'm going to offer something out. Bryce. Not Zoe. Zoe related. Bryce. Bryce, I know you're listening.

Yes. Zoe doesn't have a Phillies onesie yet. I'm just saying. There's a chance that it could be any player. If you sign, I will get a Bryce Harper onesie jersey for Zoe and I will take a picture. I'll send it to you. Not that you care. That's how big it is. I will get a Bryce Harper onesie jersey for Zoe, and I will take a picture. I'll send it to you.

Not that you care. That's how big it is. I will dress my daughter after you, Bryce. Nice. I mean, come on. Nice. Right? What a day.

I know. All right. So if you have something that you would like. I will dress my daughter after you. Think about that, Bryce. I thought you were going to say, I'm going to name my son Bryce, but we'll take this one. No, I don't think I'm going to have another child.

I think it's one and done. Wow. Only child? You can get me. I was an only child. It looks how great I turned out. All right think I'm going to have another child. I think it's one and done. Only child? You can get me. I was the only child. It looks how great I turned out. All right. I'm having another child, guys.

Make sure I need another one. So if you want to send us what you're giving up for Philly's Lent or Sacrifice of the Baseball Guys. No beer. I'm not drinking beer. I'm not drinking beer. You better sign soon. I'm not going to be psyched about this.

Yes. I love beer. So send us whatever you're thinking. I think it'd be funny. Yeah. And let's let's put the pressure on the phillies to get this done because we have to we have to do our part here because it's time real mutos here it's official at least thank god it happened during the podcast here because we were stressing the world i mean that got in one way in that it was awesome that we got to know what it was and talk about it. Not thank God in the other way in that it created our worst podcast yet, but we're okay with that. I think people understand.

JT Romito's here. JT Romito. Give us a little break. I know. Let's catch some baseball, baby. I know. I'm so jacked. He is officially.

Remember when you ranted before? That was pretty good. I thought it was a good rant. I thought it was a really good rant. All right. Bryce, just do this. I can't just do this i can't drink beer jack can't drink beer zoe is naked waiting for a jersey yes so and john bartra needs to get here in here in 10 minutes all right well we're out uh final thoughts jack uh my final thoughts is unfortunately frank robinson passed away today oh no during the

during the podcast oh god what, there's so many things. I know. This is like, as. Frank Robinson was a goat. Frank Robinson, I believe, the only guy to win the MVP in both leagues. Yes. I'm almost positive. I'm pretty sure.

So, RIP Frank Robinson, a baseball goat. A inner circle Hall of Famer, Frank Robinson. Yes. A baseball goat. A inner circle Hall of Famer, Frank Robinson. Yes. So, and just final thought, Matt Klintzak is the best GM in Philadelphia. And he proved that once again today.

Well, Elton Brand has something to say about that. Howie, the genius, has something to say about that. Yeah, well, man. Do they have a World Series caliber team right now? Here's the thing, Matt. I'll be willing to go that far when i can drink beer again you know what i'm saying yes you know what i'm saying um again my final thought just one more time you all are the most amazing wonderful listeners um we are so appreciative of you and the response we got for the t-shirts i'm sure we'll get some response for for the harper land

but more so just how awesome you guys are and how much we appreciate you guys being a part of this because we couldn't do it without you. We do it for you and with you and all that. So just thank you again. All right, Jack. Hopefully the next time we talk, we'll be drinking beer. Bryce, let's do this. All right, buddy.

All-star closer, Kenley Jansen. We have a question. What's the best podcast of all time? Baseball isn't boring, baby. I'm Rob Bradford, and every single day I'm sitting down with the biggest names to show you this great game is the greatest game. It's my podcast. It's my passion.

It's a cause I started more than two years ago and is now the most prolific national daily baseball pod there is. Another fact. So jump aboard the BIB 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.