High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - The High Hopes Phillies Podcast: Still on Cloud 9 With Harper and Bounceback Arrieta?

Episode Date: March 7, 2019

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz are back and still glowing about Bryce Harper and his first week in Philadelphia. The guys talk more roster construction, what they've seen in Spring Training and more! They also urge you to join them at the ballpark on April 6th to support a good cause! 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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to beat your personal best, keep chasing it. Drive your ambition. Mitsubishi Motors. 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. 94 WIP. Yo, it is another edition of Bryce Harper's favorite podcast.

It is the High Hopes podcast. He knew. Jack, you peaked as a human. Oh, yeah, no. There's nothing else that could come from this kid. It's over. Okay. Okay.

Okay. Let's start with the most amazing person who has ever walked into Philadelphia here. The best first impression in the history of any city ever. No one could have come in and become more of a Philly guy the moment he started talking. And Jack. And Jack. He knew about HarperLent. He knew about HarperLent.

He has absolutely crushed the job interview. It's too good to be true, man. It does feel too good to be true. It really does. Today, I was sitting at home, and I got a buffalo chicken cheese steak for lunch. And I was sitting there watching his live stream. And it was just like, I'm watching live streams of a guy facing some scrub minor le minor leaguer and it's like this is the most important thing going on in my life like it is the reason like if you were like well why does he why does he cost more than than manny machado

where i'm sure he's a better player or whatever like this is why he costs yeah i think it's more than pretty clear than manny machado like like sports center was doing a live stream of bryce harper they're they're live They're taking his live press conferences. Like, the Phillies are the talk of the baseball world. And it is just like, for as excited as I am about Bryce Harper, like, him rejuvenating this fan base has been amazing. I mean, they've sold like 300,000 tickets. It's absurd.

The highest selling jersey in 24 hours, 48 hours, every hour is possible. It keeps being in the history of sports. It is unbelievable. No, that's not but this sport's dead. No one cares about baseball anymore. Seriously, it's pretty cool and I love that you mentioned that because in the

Lost podcast that maybe someday we'll put out there, but the podcast we did right before Rice Harper signed, and it is a Thursday, by the way. So we're monitoring. We're monitoring. Things are going to happen. They always do.

Dallas Cutco may or may not be a Philly by the end of the day. Might be. And we're going to get into that, too, assuming he doesn't sign while we're doing this. But look, in that podcast, you talked about the Phillies having an opportunity to take over this city this is what we're talking this is what we're talking about and and it's happening like this immediately an it is unreal the amount of of love and positivity especially after such a long drawn out process

and the way Bryce Harper has come in here man man, and obviously you and I and anyone who listens to this podcast losing their mind with the I Hope stuff. And I had a buddy text me his huge news for Jack and the guy he does a podcast with. So that's always fun. Yeah. But outside of that, just everything, man. It's not just that type of connection to this podcast. It's talking about the Royay number and how he's

the last person who should wear it. Saying he doesn't want to take Michael Franco's number because he's a freaking teammate. Knowing the Flyers were an expansion team that won a cup a few years after. Did I not say he was going to mention the I knew he was going to mention the Flyers. Unbelievable. And the talking about being the anti-LeBron

not wanting to, people talking about is he going to the Yankees? Is he going to the Dodgers, and the want to win. And of course, and we'll dive into it, the fact that he's openly soliciting Mike Trout to come to Philly. No one could have ever, ever done better. I mean, he's perfect, Jack. I wanted to start weeping during that press conference. I know, dude. It was the most perfect press conference I've ever heard in my entire life.

And let me just say something right off the bat. Please. Philadelphia is a baseball town mass with a football team. I like it. Look at that! 2011, 2007 to 2011, the Phillies were a way bigger deal than the Eagles. The only reason the Eagles are even more popular

in quotations than the Phillies is because they play once a week. And they have an excuse to go down there. I like this take right here. Listen, this is a baseball town. It's always been a baseball town. The Phillies have been around since 1883.

They have? Cute with the 1930s. Eagles. I'm just saying that like, dude, dude, listen, that's what I meant by the Phillies had a chance to just grasp this town

and take it over. And in signing Bryce Harper, I don't think they realized what they were doing. Dude, I think it's gone way better than they could have ever imagined. And by the way, if you have like a three-year opt-out or a five-year opt-out, the reaction is not like this. It's a totally different thing. Dude, he signed a 13-year contract with no opt-outs. He said, I'm coming to Philly and I'm never leaving. I'm going to the Hall of Fame as a Philly.

I'm hitting my 500th home run as a Philly. 600th. And 600th. Both. 700? Entering his prime, Jack. Entering his prime in this ballpark. But I'm being dead serious.

If he averages 32 home runs until he's 36 years old, he's going to get over 600. Which is crazy. That's all it takes. And that's the thing too. The guy's going to roll out of bed in 32 home runs. It's unbelievable how young he is, man. It's unbelievable. We are getting this guy entering his prime. He's not even in his prime yet.

And you know what else? I was thinking about this today. If he does not have that bad first half, he probably costs $400 million. Oh, he does. Massive, and because of the injury. You know, I mean, like, and that's the thing with Harper. When he has those slumps, they're explainable. Like, you can find reasons for it, whether it was the shift, adjusting to that.

Injuries have hurt him. A lot of last year was the launch angle stuff. And he tried to do a launch angle movement, and watching him, it just kind of he looked like he was in a funk. And then, listen, for every Phillies fan out there, you know the old saying, an apple a day keeps a doctor away? A Harper highlight tape a day.

It really does keep the doctor away. Listen, I don't re-watch movies. I'll re-watch Harper highlights. You're wearing a Bryce Harper jersey right now. It's baby blue. Literally. And it is gorgeous. You're the first person I've seen in a Bryce Harper jersey.

You didn't mess around at all. Yeah, I didn't care. It was like $150. It was the most important. Best money ever spent. Yeah. You've worn it twice in three days. Yeah, no.

I'm never taking it off. If I could sleep with it, I would. You can. I know. I don't sleep with my shirt on. That's fair. I'm not a big guy like that. I mean, I am a big guy, but not that kind of guy.

And I'm watching his highlights from last year in 2018. And you could just see the second half adjustments where he was kind of getting a little too handsy, a little too movement. And the second half, everything toned down. It was way smoother. And the one thing I was worried about in watching Harper, I think it's actually a legit concern that no one's

really brought up, is how violent his swing is. It's the only concern I have. It's the only concern. Because when you're talking about longevity, you know, it is the type of thing where he swings so violently and so hard that that will at some point lead to wear and tear to injuries. That type of stuff does happen.

It's my only concern. And it's a minor one when you look at the upside and all that type of stuff. But I do think it's something worth bringing up. But the ball does just naturally fly off. It pops off. I mean, it's one of those cliches, right? The sound of the ball off the bat. Oh, it's a different sound.

It's a different sound. You can hear it. The pop is awesome. Oh, it's a different sound. It's a different sound. You can hear it. The pop is awesome. Oh, my God. When the Phillies posted that first batting practice, I was just like, oh, so that's what a real power hitter sounds like. And then I go hear Michael Franco's, and it's like, bat. It's like, bat.

It's like, meow. Meanwhile, Harper's like, pat. There's a difference. Harper's schwack, and Franco's like, meow. Michael Franco is a soft contact king he is i can't i can't take it not oh bryce is bryce's bryce just wakes up and thinks about mashing he is amazing i just i love him i just again the mashing that that's up but then also, again, I don't think... Look, you and I were leading the Harper to Philadelphia bus for years. And we wanted him more than anything else in the world.

But none of us, none of us could have imagined that he'd be this good off the field, too. Because the on-the-field stuff we know. But obviously the press conference, but the family stuff. They're talking about wanting to... He's like, when he said, my kids, when I have kids, they're going to be from Philly, and that's going to mean something, I got chills. I'm like, look at this guy. He got chills.

He's us. He's one of us. He got chills. He said he got goosebumps during it. It just feels like... And it feels authentic. He's so committed, man. Do you remember when Chip Kelly said, we're from Philadelphia and we fight?

Oh, yeah, of course. I was like, ah, come on. That was the first moment where I was committed, man. Do you remember when Chip Kelly said, we're from Philadelphia and we fight? Oh, yeah, of course. I was like, ah, come on. That was the first moment where I was like, listen. You're the least Philadelphia person I've ever seen in my life. And when Harper says it, I'm just like, I believe you. I believe everything he says. And maybe- Look, I'm sure he's well coached up.

He's polished. Yes. Very clearly. This guy's been the face of the sports since he was 16. Very clearly. And it's exactly right. He was on the cover of Sports Illustrated. This guy knows how the face of the sports since he was 16. Very clearly. And it's exactly right. He was on the cover of Sports Illustrated. This guy knows how to talk to the media, and he was certainly well prepared.

Scott Boris is a smart guy. I'm sure he was made sure he was prepared. But I'm with you, Jack. It goes a step further. Like, there's real genuineness to what he's saying. And especially when he's talking about family and how much that stuff matters to him and all that. It feels real. family and how much that stuff matters to him and all that.

It feels real. Isn't the most, the most, the most shocking thing from everything that's gone on so far from the press conference to coming on Marks and Reese has been like, it's so much different than the perception I thought of him. Well, that's the thing is he's a soft speaker. Like who,

he is so different from what you see on the field, that guy to the guy sitting at the press conference or sitting with Marks and Reese. He's humble. He's soft-spoken. He seems thoughtful, introspective. And then he gets on the field and he's an asshole. And I love it. And he's definitely grown up from the, that's a clown question, bro.

Totally. I mean, he was 21 when that happened or whatever. And 20 when that happened. I mean, it was 20. Yeah, because it was going to Canada. The question was about, are you going to drink? It was a clown question. It's like, are you going to drink?

Because the legal age is 18 up there? It's like, all right, thanks buddy. And doesn't drink. And he doesn't drink too. He's a Mormon. So yeah,

that too. But yeah, no, it's just like, it's been, it's been an awesome week. Like the, the job interview

to the city of Philadelphia, the not taking an opt out or anything and saying he wants to raise his kids here. Like he might actually visit Malvern Prep with his kids.

Yeah. Yes. I do wonder like, where's he, where's he wants to raise his kids here, he might actually visit Malvern Prep with his kids. Yeah. Yes. I do wonder, where's he going to settle down? Listen, Westchester's a great area. Look at you. Listen, the Ruston High School's right there. City guy, come on. A some say baseball powerhouse.

Come hang in the city with me, Bryce. I was going to say we'll go get drinks, but never mind. Yeah, well, you can come. We'll go get some juice or something. It'll be fun. We'll go get some juice or something. It'll be fun. We'll go get some juice. But it's just, it's been amazing. And he's gave himself definitely a bit of a grace period.

It's a really good point. If he had the opt-out or whatever, and he doesn't- Or even if he just didn't come in as strong as he did after the prolonged- I mean, you know. I mean, how many people were calling up WIP, were on Twitter just saying, screw this guy. He's playing us. We don't you know. I mean, how many people were calling up WIP, were on Twitter just saying, screw this guy. He's playing us. We don't want him. All that stuff. And obviously he signs and everyone changes their tune. But I do think that

if it weren't for how great he's been, there could have been some lingering type of animosity, especially with a slow start. No, I agree. And that won't be the case anymore. I swear to God, James, I once a day close my eyes and think about how opening day is going to feel. Can I just lay out my perfect opening day for Bryce Harper?

Yes. Aaron Nola, 1-2-3 inning. Move forward. No, no, no. This is just taking the field. Oh, you're going for the jump. Gotcha. No, no.

We already know the bow in right field. We want that. We're getting there. We're getting there. I'm jumping the gun here. I'm excited. It's exciting. We're talking about Bryce Harper taking the field for the Phillies We want that. We're getting there. We're getting there. I'm jumping the gun here. I'm excited. It's exciting. We're talking about Bryce Harper taking the field for the Phillies on opening day.

Sorry. Go ahead. Go ahead. So it's probably going to be what? 35, 40 degrees? It'll feel like a million. It's going to be amazing in there. But yes.

Let's say 40 degrees. And you know the guys are going to come in, the national anthem and whatever. And then Dan Baker's going to say, and now taking the field, a 2019 Philadelphia Phillies! And then Harper is going to make his slow trot out to right field. The crowd's going to slowly start parting

like the Sea of Red or whatever. That would happen in the Bible or something. Moses, what he did. That guy. In my version of the Bible, that's Moses, what he did. The Red Sea. That guy. It was good. That guy. In my version of the Bible, that's how it works. I would like to read the Jack Fritz Bible someday. Harper comes, a slow jog out to right.

Fans slowly start standing up into a crescendo. And then he's just like, he goes out there, and then all the fans in right field are doing, we're not worthy. And they're all just bowing to Bryce Harper. And he bows down to them. And then everyone the fans in right field are doing, we're not worthy. And they're all just bowing to Bryce Harper. And he bows down to them. And then everyone's just crying. Babies are being baptized in the right field bleachers.

Babies are being made. People are just openly just going at it in the stands. It's pure euphoria. I mean, if you thought Dollar Beer Night in Cleveland in the 1970s was a party, wait till opening day, right field. It's just gonna be it's just gonna be four hours, well,

three hours of just grown man tears, baby tears, wife tears, like everyone hugging. It's gonna be like Woodstock in right field. It's gonna be amazing. It's gonna be like Woodstock. And I. It's going to be amazing. It's going to be like Woodstock. And I truly, like, we're going to opening day, obviously. I'm just going to use my press pass and go, I'm not paying for tickets.

These are crazy now, by the way. Shout out to the Phillies. Why do you sign Bryce Harper? Oh, yeah. He's already paid back, what, $15 million in his contract? That's unbelievable, man. And we said that. Look, we said that on the field stuff, we prefer Harper because of the ceiling and all that type of stuff.

But you can't quantify that. He's the face of the sport. And then now the way he's come in, it's just made it so much more dramatic. Like you said, with the Trout stuff, which we'll obviously get into. And the Phillies, Middleton's interview with Angelo, the Phillies are like frontpageespin.com. They are the center of the sporting world

right now. I know. Jack! We told you. Jack! You should have signed him earlier. And here's the thing, too. When you look at it, take a step back, and it might not be done. Look, we'll get to Keiko and Kimbrel and all that stuff, but when you step back, and you remember the discussions that we had, obviously talking about Harper and all that,

but we went in and said, this is the most important off season in the history of the franchise. And Jack, they not only had the best off season in the history of the franchise, they had one of the best off seasons in the history of baseball. They added three all-stars from last year. I mean, it is. And the best catcher in baseball that the history of baseball. They added three All-Stars from last year. I mean, it is...

And the best catcher in baseball that no one talks about. It's an overhaul. It's an overhaul. A complete overhaul that has made you an instant World Series contender. Oh, how about MLB's Twitter account tweeting out, who had a better off-season, the Yankees or the Phillies? And the Phillies have, like, Harper, Real, Muto, McCutcheon, Segura. And theirs is, like, Tullo, James Paxton.

I mean, that's the thing. It's so silly, like, trying to say, like, oh, the Mets had a better offseason. What? What? Robinson Cano? I like Edwin Diaz, but you're relying on Jed Lowry? I mean. Well, Edwin Diaz didn't even sign to a contract extension.

Truth, yeah. Insanity. Why trade for, why give up those assets for the guy if you're going to just say. Atta boy, Brody. Yeah. Well, there's a team to beat in the NBA. Maybe hire an agent who has no idea how to run a team. By the way, have we learned our lesson

with Rob Palenka and Brody Van Wagenen? You thought we would have. You thought we would have. Stop hiring agents. Yes, especially, and we mentioned this at the time, but the fact that Chaim Bloom was the other guy up for that job. If they had hired Chaim Bloom, I would have been really upset because that guy is a brilliant baseball mind

who's been with the Rays for a while, like a lot of smart baseball minds. That guy would have been a great general manager. I'm so happy they went with Van Wagen. Well, what if they hired Ruben? Would have been fine with that, dude, Jackie. It was funny that— We're finally out of the mess that Ruben left us in. It was funny that—are we doing a Mets podcast now?

It feels like—the funniest part of the whole Mets process was knowing we interview with them and Ruben wanted to and they said no. We're good. We're good. We're good. We're good. All right. So I want to rank the most important parts of the Bryce Harper signing.

Okay. Number one, playoff NOLA. We are going to see. We are going to see. Also, by the way, talking about knowing your audience, how about Harper saying, you know, one of the best reasons, one of the biggest reasons I came here is I don't have to face aaron nola anymore it's like give me more yeah well give it to me and i wanted to have a follow-up question and say well now you're gonna face max scherzer so let's relax that's fine it's cool i mean nola's obviously better by the way

by the way nola's first start against the cardinals was I just forgot how much I loved him. He is magical and we've said this before, but he is the closest thing to Nick Foles when it comes to like, I trust that guy. Totally. Everything's going to slow down in a moment. We talk about it all the time, that Boston start, the biggest start he made last year in terms of the time and the moment and all that. And that

Washington start where he struck out Harper Lee in the game. Every time it was a big start, he, and it wasn't just that he pitched well. It's that as people who watched every single start Aaron Nola had last year, he looked like, eye test-wise, there was something extra. Yes. Like that Boston game was as good a game I've seen a Phillies pitcher pitch since Hamels in the playoffs.

Like, I don't know. Well, no hitter. It's no hitter. Since Halliday. Since Halliday. Well, no, no, no, but Hamels, no hitter. Oh, and Hamels, no hitter. Yeah, duh, I forgot about Hamels, no hitter. But you I don't know. Well, no hitter. Since Halliday. Well, no, no, no, but Hamill's no hitter. Oh, and Hamill's no hitter. Yeah, duh, I forgot about Hamill's no hitter.

But you know what I mean? It was that type of performance and his ability to manipulate the ball and also just... It was a good preview of the World Series. Yes. Yeah. Yes.

Yes. Let's go. I know. No, but don't you have this... I had this vision of like, first off, Bucs calling the game. Joe Bucs, of course, calling the game. Of course. And it's like, you know, probably 930 against, what are they playing?

Brewers? Feels like a Brewers kind of game in South Philly. Raleigh Tiles going. Like, he has first and second two outs in the seventh inning. He's trying to get through it. The Phillies have a two-nothing lead. Jeremy Jeffress on the hill? No, no, no.

The Phillies are. Oh, I got you. Nole on the hill. No, no, no. The Phillies are... Oh, I got you. Nola on the hill. Nola on the mound. First and second. Two outs. Okay. Rally towel's going.

Christian Yellich at the plate? Sure, Yellich at the plate. Let's get real here. Yeah, no, I want a left-handed to the plate. That's a good call by you. Okay. And it's a one-two count. First and second.

Yellich at the plate. Nola on the mound. A two-seam running fastball starts at his frickin' shoulder and ends up in the middle of the plate. Nola gets him. And then Buck goes, and Nola's through seven. Oh, my God. I think about that. I think about that one today.

All right, so playoff Nola, one. Playoff Nola is number one. Number two is that Nick Pavetta's biggest crutch, which was Bryce Harper, which Bryce Harper batted.333,.538 OBP, 1,100 OPS, and two homers off of Nick Pavetta. Nick Pavetta's ERA just went down a little bit more, so breakout Pavetta is even more incoming. And Harper mentions Pavetta in the introductory press conference.

He did. And shout out to JT Romuto, who said, he's got nasty stuff. That was like right up Jack's alleyway. And then he said Vince Velasquez had disgusting stuff and whatever. Well, you know, we take what we like and we throw the rest away. The first most important part of the Bryce Harper signing is one, playoff NOLA, two, breakout Pavetta. How it affects Nick Pavetta, of course.

Yes. And three is having Bryce Harper on the field. The worst list of all time. I love it. I love it. Can I say something? Yeah, love it. Can I say something? Yeah, of course. Can I say something?

That's why we're here, Jack. Listen, if you- Can I say something? By the way, this is the type of thing that Jack will do through text. He texts me earlier today and he goes, can we talk about something? And I'm like, yeah. Like, sounds serious. What is it?

He just goes, Bryce Harper's a filly. And I'm like, yes, I know. Well, speaking of that, if you want to get the best reaction out of people, just send them, do this to your friends or maybe your parents, and say, hey, mom, can we talk about something? And then when they text back, like, sure, honey. It really works. Whatever you need.

Drop them with Bryce Harper's a Philly. And then wait for the reaction. It is truly remarkable. So, listen, if you want to take part in my fun little game that I created for myself, take a screenshot of that on iHealthSpot. I think it'd be funny to see. Or as someone who has been the recipient of this many times without the Bryce Harper's affiliate, always something similarly either obvious or inane in that spot.

I can tell you it's funny because at first you're like, now I know you, so now I don't. But you're like, oh, God, what's wrong? And then when you say something like that, you're just so happy that nothing is wrong that you're like, oh, yeah, great. It's fun. I texted Ryan Spader last night, and I was like, hey, can we talk about something serious?

He was like, sure, brother. And I said, Bryce Harper's a great guy. Follow Asus Spader on Twitter, by the way. Among the best follows in baseball Twitter all kinds of fun stats he tweeted out one

earlier today I think it was Tony Gwing could have gone 0 for his next like 1192 at bats and still be over 300 for his career he tweeted out something

he tweeted out something that Joey Votto could go hitless in his next 2000 sum of bats and have a higher career OBP than Billy Hamilton.

See, this stuff is great. Like, this stuff is great. So follow Asus Bay on Twitter. He's a great follow. And the other thing I was thinking about is that, I don't know why I thought of this, but I was thinking about the Dodgers negotiations. And I just had this thought, and I don't know if John...

You didn't know Bryce wants to go to LA though, right? Right. Did you know that? He's actually wearing Philly stuff now. Yes, he wants to be in LA. I'm not sure he's a Philly yet. I'm not sure he wants to go to LA though, right? Did you know that? He's actually wearing Philly stuff now. Yes, he wants to be in LA. I'm not sure he's a Philly yet. I'm not sure he wants to be a Philly. I've had this thought that Jonathan Broxson was handling the Dodgers negotiations.

What? And the Phillies took him deep again. Into the night, baby! I didn't know where you were going with that, but that was good. That was strong. I don't know if Jonathan Broxson that, but that was good. That was strong. I don't know if Jonathan Broxson is handling the Los Angeles Dodgers negotiations, but in my mind he was. And Matt Sayers, Chooch, and J-Roll just owned him once again and got Bryce Harper.

Here's another question for you. Yes. Who pulls off Bryce Harper's helmet when he hits a home run? I'm going to say Reese. Reese? Because he's going to be batting after. No, no, no. Batting after. No, it can't be Reese because Reese is going to be walking up to say Reese. Reese? Because he's going to be batting after. No, no, no. Batting after.

No, it can't be Reese. Because Reese is going to walk onto the plate. This is when he gets to the dugout. Oh, when he gets to the dugout. You've seen it. Yeah, when they rip it off. Yeah, okay. And he whips back his beautiful mane.

Yeah, good call. He really does have a majestic mane. It's a beautiful head of hair, man. Well, that's just so funny, too, going back to your point about the images of this guy. You see him, you think of him as this way, and then you hear him talk and you hear what he has to say, and he's so not that guy. Loved his answer where he said that would kick his ass if he rested on his laurels. I thought that was pretty good, too.

Listen, Bryce, I totally understand, but you're not a super hustle guy. Let's not act like you're Chase Utley reincarnated. It can be a time here's the thing when he's gotten he goes hard but yes the bryce harper will not run every single ball right so let's just and i hey guess what little something to tell you other than maybe chase utley and trout and trout which is true he does nobody runs every ball out it's just the way of the sport no no no and i i don't care yeah i just want to say Bryce, let's not act like you're something you're not. You have

had dog in it moments before and you were pretty bad on right field last year. You weren't sliding for anything. So back to your question. Who pulls off his helmet? I feel pretty good about it. Seems like a fun dude. Batting in front of him so we'll be back by then.

Gene Segura. Segura! Fun dude, man. Okay. Looks like he's got some spunk, a little attitude. I like it. I like Segura. I can see, I have two candidates. I've seen the video of when he came to the Phillies of him celebrating.

He looked like he's a fun guy. That guy really likes being in the Phillies. I know. And that was before we got Bryce Harper and Romulo. By the way, Gene Segura, player comp. Placido Polanco. What do you think? I think he's... Hitting-wise. Hitting-wise, obviously, because he's a better fielder Gene Segura, player comp. Placido Polanco. What do you think? I think he's...

Hitting-wise. Hitting-wise, obviously, because he's a better fielder. Segura. I think he's a better hitter than Polanco, but I think... Polanco's a career 300 hitter. Polanco's... I mean, Segura's close to that. I think...

All right. It's a fair point in that I think Polanco is somewhat underrated when you think about him historically. I put that comp on Twitter and people were mad at me. I think Segura does more is what I'm trying to say. Segura's a little faster. Maybe more pop? Like a touch more pop.

I think it's a solid comp. I think they just seem like different players, but when you actually just look at the numbers, I'll bet you it's actually pretty close. Well, they have the same kind of like the bad, like it's out a little bit, and they have the same inside-out swing. I think Segura just seems more athletic than Polanco,

just from the fielding and all that type of stuff. Definitely a way smaller head. Yeah, too bad. Although, although, all right. As most do. Bigger question. Okay. These are great.

Who's got a bigger ass, Gene Segura or Antonio Bastardo? I mean, Antonio Bastardo, obviously. Is he a Kardashian? He could be. He qualifies from an Aspers back. I mean, if that's the only qualification, yes. Segura's thick, I'm being honest. Yeah, he is thick.

He's thicker than you would think. He's going to make a nice second baseman in like two years. I'm so excited. I'm so excited. Dude, Gene Segura and I understand. We haven't even talked about in a macro sense. Gene Segura is almost an afterthought for Phillies fans of this offseason. And he's such a good player.

He's going to be so much more fun to watch than Scott Kingery at short or whoever you want to throw out there. Dude, he's such a breath of fresh air. Just watching these spring training games. He hits. He hits the ball. He hits it all the time. He doesn't strike out.

It's unbelievable. A guy who actually makes contact all the time. It really is a breath of fresh air. That is the way people are going to feel about Segura. Yeah, and obviously the new way of putting together lineups is having one of your best players batting, too. But I just think not having Gene Segura be your two-hitter is such a waste of Gene Segura. He has to be the two. I feel when we make these, and you and I have done this. We've texted them to each other. I just think not having Gene Segura be your two-hole hitter is such a waste of Gene Segura. He has to be the two.

I feel when we make these, and you and I have done this, we've texted each other, we've done it on Twitter all the time, the ideal lineup, and I know we've gone back and forth, every single lineup I have made has Segura in the two-hole. It just makes too much sense. It's the spot for him. He doesn't strike out. He's not a great- He'll move runners over for you. He does all the stuff you want from a two-hole hitter.

And he's not a great OBP guy, so having him lower in the lineup just hurts his value. But I was thinking the other day, just watching the lineup kind of play itself out, I know this is kind of obvious, but their 1-6 is going to be ridiculous. It's going to be absurd, man. Just from a hard-to-get-out standpoint,

like Cesar Hernandez was, I think, fourth or fifth in baseball in pitches seen per plate appearance last year. He's probably going to be the leadoff hitter. I thought about this the other day. I'd rather have him be my leadoff hitter because I know he's going to at least grind pitchers out. And I'll have him be my leadoff hitter because I think McCutcheon can actually do more damage in the six hole. And I'm fine with that.

I think, look, McCutcheon can still get on base, obviously, at a 421 OB with the Yankees last year as a leadoff guy for them. So I'd be fine either way, but it seems like Kapler wants Cesar to be his leadoff hitter anyway, and I'm fine either way. I do agree with you that if, because if Cesar's not the one, we both agree he's got to be nine, you know, for the way we want to structure a lineup, and McCutcheon can be a six-year-old

for you. You know, he can drive some runs for you. Exactly. And he looks great, by the way. Dude, I'm... They might have found a steal. Might have got a little steal. I feel the same way. We haven't talked about him as well. He seems motivated to, like, I'm going to get back to MVP. Not MVP level, but like really elite level play. He's only 32.

Yeah, I think he might. Is he 32? I thought he was 31. Yeah, but the point is there's still some baseball left in Andrew McCutcheon. His bat looks quick. And we haven't even, you know, just from a macro perspective, the fact that that guy's going to come in and, look, I know we sometimes go overboard with leadership and all that type of stuff, but, I mean, Andrew McCutcheon's one of the best people in the sport.

Yes. And he's someone who, like you said, has won an MVP. He's been to the playoffs. He's done all this type of stuff. He's the type of guy they need in this locker. They don't have guys like that in this locker. And it does, having McCutcheon does take the pressure off of Reese and I think Harper as well. As a face of the franchise.

And look, Harper is the face of the franchise, face of baseball. He seems to be welcoming that too, which is awesome. Which he didn't do in Washington. No. No. And I think that's part of because, look, if you go somewhere when you're 19 or whatever and you're playing with a lot of the same people over the years, and guys like Scherzer are there pretty much the whole time you're there,

and worse there until the end. And I think it's one of those things where in a lot of people's eyes, you're kind of always that 19-year-old kid. Even if you're Bryce Harper, even if you win the MVP and all that, they still kind of look at you as the young dude. Whereas when you come here as the $330 million guy, as the face of the franchise, I think everyone, even the McCutcheons of the world,

and obviously McCutcheon, more stature in terms of longevity in the game, vet, all that, but I think that they just look at Harper differently. They look at him as someone coming in to be a leader. So I think it's an interesting thing to bring up, though, for sure. For sure. So the one through through six like you have hernandez who is a pitches per plate appearance monster like he sees a lot uh you have segura who's a 300 hitter who moves guys along who doesn't strike out as the fourth hardest guy

to strike out in baseball last year then you have harper in three hole which is also nice by the way because uh sees are a switch too so you can get that kind of yeah you know right lefty right lefty thing going more yeah so either harper h Hoskins in the three or four hole. I think it's Harper for me, personally. Okay. And Hoskins in the four is the way I would do it. It's probably better for Harper to be in the three because he has a way higher chance.

But he has a higher chance to get on base. That's what I was going to say, a higher chance to get on base. Right, and then you have Hoskins in the four hole, who saw the most pitches per plate appearance last year. Then you have Real Muto, who I think people just forget is on the Phillies sometimes, who is amazing. And also someone who, when you look at it, first of all, his numbers for just being a catcher make him elite because catchers don't hit that well ever anymore.

It's just a lost position, it seems like, from an offensive perspective. But I don't think people understand, Miami might be the worst park to hit in baseball. It is a cavern down there. His numbers are going to improve coming into season. He might be a 25-25 guy this year. 25 doubles, 25 homers. Yeah, he could be. And he also runs a little bit, or at least used to. Didn't as much last year. He might not steal bases the way

he used to, but he's a good running catcher. He'll take first to third. He'll be aggressive on the base pass. I know that's a minor thing, but he's just, he's such the total package. Yes. Real Muto, as a player. And at that position, there is no one else in baseball as a total package anymore. And then the six hitter, Brian McCutcheon.

It's amazing. He was number 10 in pitcher's team for plate appearance last year. 400 plus OBP with the Yankees. Think about how tough that is for pitchers, man. I know. Think about that stretch. I know. And then if you get locked in. And then 400-plus OVP with the Yankees. Think about how tough that is for pitchers, man. I know. Think about that stretch. I know. And then if you get locked in.

And then if you get Odubel. Oh, my God. If Odubel can be. If he's locked in. I mean, they could lead baseball in runs. I mean, the Red Sox, the Yankees, there are some serious lineups out there. This is built just like the 018. It could be that good a lineup.

It's really good. You have Nola being the faraway ace. Yep. It does have a lot of similarities. Yeah. And then they have the back of the far away ace. Yep. It does have a lot of similarities. Yeah. And then they have the back of the bullpen with Sir Anthony and Robertson. I don't know if Robertson's going to go 48 for 48. It would be nice, but I don't think he's going to do that.

And then the lineup, I mean, you have two 35 plus home run guys batting three or four. Man. I know. Don't get too excited. Well, every once in a while it just hits you when you're talking about it, when you're thinking about it. It just hits you and it's like, holy, you know what, man? Like, holy crap. We are not only a real baseball team, but a real contending baseball team that is fun with youth and talent and guys you want to root for.

And it's just, it's too good to be true, Jack. That's like what I keep coming back to. I know. And they're fun. They're a fun team to watch. It's been such a bummer over the last eight years. It's been such a bummer to be a Phillies fan for the last eight years. I know. And now it's like Was it all worth it? Yes! Of course it was! What if I told you

five years ago Bryce Harper's going to be a Philly? I mean, we told each other like two years ago so not that far away. But yeah, no. Look, I know, man. Dude, I used to hate Bryce Harper years ago, so not that far away. But yeah, no. Look, I know, man. Dude, I used to hate Bryce Harper. Like, I used to love him. I always liked him. I didn't like him because he was a national, but I always liked the dude. I liked the fire he had.

I liked when he's going, how great he could be. Obviously, you don't like any national, but I never hated Harper the same way. And I get it. I think, you know, look, he's a national. I have no problem hating him when he's there. But I never had that kind of same vit And I get it. I think, look, he's a national. I have no problem hating him when he's there. But I never had that kind of same vitriol for him. I always liked him. Nah, he was like the blowing kisser.

I get it. Most people, I think I'm probably on the other side of this. I think a lot of people are probably on your side. Yeah, the blowing kisses to the pitchers in the minor leagues and then Hamels plunking him. When he squared up on Hunter Strickland, I was like, all right. Because Hunter Strickland was an asshole. I hate him. And that was such a Bush was like, alright. Because Hunter Strickland was an asshole. I hate him.

And that was such a Bush League thing to do. Because he owned him. Buster Posey didn't even have his back. His own catcher was like, go, do it. I'm not taking that asshole's back. That's not surprising from Buster Posey. I appreciate it. Harper's a man, dude.

This is so friggin exciting man this is so exciting I can't believe he's ours he's ours every day every day I wake up every bat for the rest of Bryce Harper's career

we're gonna be rooting for him he's gonna be our guy he's gonna go in the Hall of Fame as a Philly you can't say it enough which is crazy we can just keep saying that which is crazy

which is crazy and let me get to the I forgot to leave this out this is actually like a serious best part about this deal okay is that oh you weren't serious about Pavetta break I mean you know I was being dead serious And let me get to the, I forgot to leave this out. This is actually a serious best part about this deal. Okay. Is that. Oh, you weren't serious about Pavetta Break?

I mean, you know I was being dead serious, but this is one that people won't make fun of me for. Everything just makes sense now. And they don't have to rely on these prospects coming up and being the saviors. They can just supplant the older talent with the young talent and keep things moving. Hey! All right, hold on, hold on. John, let me ask you a very important question. Johnny Marks walking in the studio.

What was Harper's face when you asked him about Harper Lynn? He looked over at me and was like, oh, yeah, I knew about that. He was excited. You could tell in the answer that he was excited. Say, oh, I know about that thing. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Something clicked in his head where it was like, yeah. Did he say his sister or his friend told him his sister?

Sister, yeah. Yeah, like he. I've listened to the clip like once. Yeah, sure. Yeah, no, he was genuinely excited that he was paying attention. I mean, he was paying attention to what was going on. So congrats to the High Hopes podcast for starting Harper Lent. Thank you for bringing it up.

I mean, you and Ike are our heroes forever. That was so cool. Yeah, but it was. I mean, it was relevant, but still, it was neat. It was relevant. It was. All right, I got to go. I got to go.

I got to go. Oh, bummer. But yeah, I mean,. It was relevant. It was. All right, I got to go. I got to go. I got to go. Oh, bummer. But yeah, I mean, shout out to those guys. And then shout out for wearing your high-oat shirt with the picture with Bryce Harper. Listen, Bryce, this is an open invitation. Come on the podcast. Yeah, I mean, you already know it's your favorite podcast. It's the only one you've heard of in Philadelphia, obviously, because it got brought up to you

and you knew about Harperland. So, you know, we love you. Yeah. Come on, Bryce. I literally only thought about you for four months. You were wearing your jersey. Yes. Multiple days in a row.

Every day for the rest of my life. Watching highlights. And I did buy a 2X just in case I put on more weight. Aw, Jackie. Yeah. I figured I might fill out. You've got to go the other way. You've got to go the other way and say, you know, I'm going to grow into this the right

way. I was being realistic. You are drinking beer again. So, yeah, that's a good point. So, hold on. Let me get back to my point. Yes. Like, the difference between how the Phillies are built right now

versus after the run in 11, they are a way more functioning powerhouse to where they're not going to, I don't think the Phillies are, they might not make the playoffs for a year or whatever, but it's not going to be this super downturn that we saw after 2011 because like like they they have boom ready to go they

have to get the only prospect they gave up this offseason was six though yeah and while I love six though and he I hope he blossoms into Pedro Martinez jr. and they don't pay him in

four years so he can come back and be and be our adopted son again that's when they don't pay him right that's that's another point I just think that they're in such a healthy position

and adding Harper, everything just fits into place now. When I watched them in the spring training, it was like they need that one more thumper to really make this thing going. Now Hoskins is back at first. Cesar and Kingery at second. That will eventually work its way out and Kingery will be your second baseman.

Segura at shortstop. He is an actual living shortstop, which is crazy to see. He has a guy who knows how to play the position. He can physically hit a baseball, unlike their last two shortstops. Franco, obviously, whatever, third. But if Boehm progresses, Boehm could be here next year. And if you add Alec freaking Boehm, who Chris Bryant, J.D. Martinez mixed together as your

sixth hole guy. Hold on. Chris Bryant and J.D. Mikey's arms are in the air. Good. Okay. It's good. But I'm just saying that if you add him, he's another top three talent that you can add to this team.

You have Adam Haisley, who looks like Brian Giles reincarnated, which is a Joe Giglio comp, which I thought was amazing. I was a big Brian Giles guy back in the day. A little roided up. Who wasn't back in the day. Honest to God, his swing looks like Utley's, and if you have him, he can supplant McCutcheon in left field. McCutcheon's going to be here for three more

years, and this is what I was saying. If you want to go after Trout, and sure, Harper's contract's great. It's $26 million, but you're going to have to pay Reese. You have Nola. You cannot be paying $50 million for Andrew McCutcheon. You know what I mean? They need to have cheap talent on this roster if they're going to bring in Mike Trout. So, you Haseley ready to go on left.

I think he's going to be a fantastic major leaguer. I know I said a couple months ago that Moniak's better than Haseley. He's not. Oh, back on the Haseley train. Haseley's back-to-ball skills are elite, and he is borderline untouchable for me right now. Wow. Wow, he's back. The power has become unlocked.

Jason Ochart, I don't know if he even talked to him yet. I don't know if he talked to Adam Haseley yet, but in my mind, it's. Jason Ochart, I don't know if he even talked to him yet. I don't know if he talked to Adam Hazley yet, but in my mind, it's all Jason Ochart. It's why he's broken out. Also, most important offseason moves. Harper, Ochart, everything else. But you have Hazley going to be ready to go on left field. If Moniak can be used in a trade, or it could be even pretty good,

you have Herrera in center who's a cheap contract. If if they move on from him maybe hazley plays center field mccutcheon plays left or moniac's ready to go he can play center or mike trout or mike trout like it's just we know mike trout's gonna play center everything well and then i play corner outfield but like 32 but everything everything he's a good enough fielder by the way like and just a smart enough center fielder where i think you could play it past his prime, so to speak. But yes, eventually. Everyone moves. But it's just everything has fallen into place and they didn't have to give up much to assemble

this team. Obviously they gave up six though, but they still have high level prospects in Medina and Howard and Jojo Romero. I don't know why they would sign Dallas Kleckle when Jojo Romero is just as good. I love when you just drop these takes in, like the bomb one there. You're just as good. You just squeeze you just drop these takes in, like the bomb one there. You're just as good.

You just squeeze them right in there. Everything is just falling directly into place and the next decade, the Phillies are going to own the 2020s. They're going to freaking demolish the 2020s. And when Mike Trout comes back to the city... Which is happening. As you said, the moment we did the Bryce

Harper podcast, before Bryce Harper even started publicly recruiting him, before Jim Bowden said it's happening, before all of the- What was Bowden doing? He was listening to our podcast and literally quoting you. I think he quoted you on the podcast. Look, we believe Mike Trout's going to be there, and we'll get into that in a sec, but I think your point is really strong, Jack.

And it's part of what we talked about last week, the idea of the core that they have now is all around the same age for the most part. Obviously, McCutcheon a little older, but you talk about Hoskins, Romito, Harper, Nola, a little younger, but like right age. Kingery. Herrera. And then I think the great thing with not only do they have these guys coming up, but you alluded to it with Moniak, they have the ability to supplement the major league roster.

They have so much quantity of guys and talent in the minor leagues, and maybe they don't have the Vladger Juniors or the Fernando Tatises or the super high-end guys, but they have a lot of good players. And that's the type of stuff you need to put together packages, whether it's Baumgartner at the trade deadline or this or that like it gives them so much flexibility from a roster construction standpoint both having young guys who can come out and fill in but also having those assets that you can use for trades for whatever to supplement the roster as well and oh by the way the genius gm they have doesn't hurt either moving into the future king King, it's okay.

As a podcast to anyone who's listened to this for a long time, and maybe we've got some new listeners, welcome. You'll find out we're a family here. We love you. We love you. We just haven't met you, but we love you. We love you. If you're listening to this podcast, we love you.

But we have long, long been on that kind of corner, as it were. So, you know, Jack, I... Best GM in the city? Like, it's just, it's so nice, and John Middleton has done it nonstop. It's so nice to finally not feel like we're alone. You know what I mean? To finally feel like, oh yeah, Matt Klintak is good.

We were right. Matt Klintak is good. He, like the Segura trade, he flipped J.P. Crawford, who we're not sure can even hit, and Carlos Santana, a horrible contract. And a horrible fit, more than anything. I think Carlos

Santana, we both do, was kind of derided more than he deserved here, but it's because it forced Hoskins. That's the great thing about that trade, and when you hear a lot of executives or whatever all these people talk about, it's that a lot of people think it was the best move the Phillies made all offseason because it filled so many holes with one move. It made everything fall into place.

You have Hoskins back to first. Pazos. James Pazos, which is the most important part of the trade. You have him. You have Sigur Ritz at shortstop just making everything smoother. Obviously, it kind of supplanted Kingery, but listen, we got to make sure Kingery can play first for making a spot for him. Yes.

And I still do believe in Kingery long term. I don't know what he's going to be, but I believe there's something there. But look, also to your point, while they are young and growing together, this is a team that has expectations this season. So it's a balancing act. We're trying to figure out what Kingery is, but also making sure you win baseball games. But Klintak, he kept the books open for this offseason.

He planned for this offseason. And he is, like, I don't want them signing anyone to any more three-year deals until Mike Trout's definitely not coming. Like, I don't want Keuchel. Like, unless it's a two-year with an option for a third year or something like that. Like, keep the books open as long as you can. Like, I'm cool with that. Well the books open as long as you can.

I'm cool with that. Well, again, especially because you think about the youth they've got, whether it's obviously we're all in a Pavetta, but you hope Eflin. You find out what Eflin is. You find out, and I think we all know what Velasquez is, but you find out, and you still have options. You have the trade deadline. Guys like Madison Baumgartner, when the Giants are 20 games under 500 at the trade deadline, and him leaving at the end

of the season, he's going to get traded. There will be guys that you can add to supplement to find out after you find out where those guys are, as opposed to bringing Keuchel in now, and yeah, you get a full season of him, but I think that you also don't get to find out what some of these guys are as well, too. Right, right.

So I don't think it's a bad plan. I mean, listen, do people forget the only reason this team was good last year is because of the starting rotation? It's so funny because all you hear

is like, yeah, they're good everywhere but this pitching is going to be a real problem. It's like, the pitching was the only reason they won 80 games last year. I know.

Like, all year long it was like, the pitching staff is carrying this squad. I know. It's crazy. Better defense by them this year, too,

which is going to help. Yes, which is going to lead the Pavetta breakout. Because watching him last year was just so annoying. It's crazy. Better defense by them this year, too, which is going to help. Yes, which is going to lead the Pavetta breakout. Because watching him last year, it was just so annoying. It was all their fault. It wasn't his fault at all. A couple times it was, but I agree with you. But no, the defense will be way improved.

And I'm cool going into this season without Dallas Keuchel. Do I think he would help? Probably. He would. He would help. Let's take the money, take the years, all that out. This season, right now, Dallas Keuchel is a better option than Vince Velasquez or whatever. I mean, he is. 77% of his ground balls last year turned into outs. That's a ridiculous number.

It's really high. So, listen, he would make them better. I fully understand that. But would I rather not? I don't know if Keuchkle's going to be great. So I'd rather just see if Baumgartner bounces back and then take a shot on him at the deadline. Or a Robbie Ray trade. Like a Robbie Ray, I watched him yesterday.

Yeah, you're finally on Giglio's side on this one. I don't love Robbie Ray. I can't. Look, the stuff's there and all that. He had one good season. One good season. One good season. And it wasn't even last season.

Now let me ask you something. Do you trade Williams as soon as possible or do you wait until the deadline? I think I understand the idea to trade him as soon as possible and you might get more value for him. But I think that it really, for me, it's dependent upon health. I don't know if Roman Quinn's going to start the season. I don't know if O'Double's going to be ready to go. People have brought that up to me, and I really don't get it.

Because Nick Williams can't play center anyway. He's a bat. He's a bat off the bench. I mean, look, you could move, theoretically, if you had to, you could move Harper to center field for a couple innings if you had to, type of thing. And regardless, I think it's more that when you look at this Philly team's bench bats, if you're just forgetting positional ability,

I mean, Nick Williams is their best pinch hitter. He's the best pinch hitter. But he's also, you can get something for value from him. Can you? And that's what it comes down to. It's all dependent upon what his value is. If you go to the deadline. What are you getting for Nick Williams right now?

Who's giving you anything for Nick Williams? If you go to the deadline and he's your pinch hitter your whole first half of the season, then he has absolutely no value because you're not playing him anymore. I think you forget that he's Babe Ruth when he pinch hits, Jack. Right, but that's just not the best allocation of Nick Williams. I would rather use him in a trade. If you can get something for him, I'm fine with that. I just don't know what you're getting from him.

Would you put him in a Robbie Ray trade this second? Sure, and I'm not a huge Robbie Ray guy. It depends on what the other pieces are. But, yeah, if you can use Nick Williams to get a starter, sure. I'm just worried that when it comes to the deadline that he's going to have zero value. Like, zero value. Which is possible if he's not playing. Like, yeah, that's fair.

I just don't know if he has much more than that now. I don't know what his value is. It's kind of fair. I'm worried about just having nothing for him at that point because the Phillies obviously would have to get rid of him and whatever and I think if they can get a starter for him I think that's more value than him pinch hitting late in games like I would rather. Sure but if you're going to get like a

B level prospect for him I think it's more value to have him pinch hitting Okay but I'm yeah that's fair I'm using him in a starter deal. Right and that's fair and look if you're going to get a bullpen arm for him that you think can help or whatever, fine. Will Harris? Will Smith. Will Smith. Will Smith. Will Smith, yeah. Will Smith. Also, I haven't

really mentioned, but I really do think they did a really nice job with this pen, too. Obviously, Alvarez we haven't talked a lot about, but I like that move a lot. Nicasio gave up a Luis Garcia for him. That's what I mean. I never wanted to see Luis Garcia pitch for the Phillies ever again! And they actually got something for him.

Well, it's crazy that... Pazos, Nicasio. I mean, they did a nice under-the-radar job with the pen, too. Well, it's crazy that... It's crazy that Edebra Ramos is like their sixth best right-hander at this point. Yeah, he was their best pitcher at times last year in the pen. And Arano's like not even... He's like an afterthought at this point.

Yeah, remember Arano was like 30-something consecutive scores. I mean, you know, and I think we've talked about it, but we're both very in on this for Anthony. Full breakout season. Oh, he's- Like a full year,

good to go, prepared for the grind. He's going to be all-star. He's going to be an all-star. There's a little- I think the Phillies might have five all-stars this year. Well, I think it's just

dependent on how they select the all-star team, but he will be talented enough to be an all-star. If he's not closing, if he's not saving games, you know- Well, Hader was an all-star. No,'s not closing, if he's not saving games, you know. Well, Hader was an all-star.

No, I know. It can happen. Hader also had like a 50% strikeout rate. Let's not get carried away. By the way, Jordan Hicks is striking out 31 batters per nine right now. I mean, the dude throws 105 miles an hour or whatever. He was disgusting against the Phillies the other day. Dude, if he can harness it, obviously the sky's the limit for that guy from a reliever standpoint. For sure.

All right. Any other roster type things? We'll get into spring training in a sec. And obviously a Los Angeles Angels outfielder. Currently, not for long. A few more years. Any other kind of roster discussion points you wanted to hit on before we move on? Kimbrough, by the way.

You think they're in on Kimbrough at all? I mean, obviously, if he's going to take a one or two-year deal, maybe. No, I don't think so. I think so, too. I think it's very unlikely. Yeah, I think they're good. I think they're fine on Kimbrough. I think Keiko more likely than Kimbrough is what I'd say.

Yeah, I would say that. I would try to trade Nick Williams now on a Robbie Ray trade. I think it's about where I'm at. I think it's about where I'm at. Oh, and my guy to pull off Harper's helmet is Scott Kingery. Oh, I like that. That could be his job. Just, oh, you got to worry about Scott.

Pull Bryce's helmet off. Our little bad boy. He's a hair guy, too. He's got the kind of popped up hair. I like that. All right. Spring training, Jack. You have been, you've had the ability to watch.

These games are usually during my show, so it's hard for me to watch these games. I've not caught as much spring training as I would like. What have you been seeing? I want to start with Arrieta. So I have pretty much excommunicated myself from Jake Arrieta. As has the rest of Philadelphia, Jack. It's a pretty common theme, I would say. By the way, it was this time last week that Bryce Weber signed with the Phillies.

It's 256. Oh, wow, really? Yeah. Oh, my God. Remember Wednesday last week? I was like, we're not getting them. I wasn't. I never wavered.

I just, I didn't get it. I was like, why do I believe the rumors? Why am I not going to believe the rumors before and believe this stuff now? Regardless, I think vast majority of people, again not going to believe the rumors before and believe this stuff now? Regardless, I think vast majority of people, again, they played taps on Marks and Rees the day before he signed. I know. It was crazy. So, happy anniversary to the best week of my life. Oh, what a week.

What a week! But, Arrieta, I tell you what, man. Did you know that Bryce Harper has heard of the High Ups podcast? Yes. Okay. I just want to make sure. Okay. Did I black out when he said that. You're darn you're darn right. I just texting each other in all caps.

What is happening. I know. So Arrieta man I watched the start on Sunday I went back and rewatched it. He threw three perfect innings and I had a guy down there telling me he's

hitting 94 which is I mean that's huge which is remarkable. That's huge. And he just looked he looked way more comfortable. The one thing, whenever I watched Arrieta last year, and I know he has the crossfire

motion, but I thought he cut himself off too much when he was trying to finish. Yesterday he was smooth getting, he got fully through his rotation. And last year I never thought he really did that. I thought he was cutting himself off and it really hurt his ability to get glove side. So in the start against the Twins twins he was getting inside on lefties easily

And it wasn't like Nola's fastball where it comes all the way back But it was close enough to where like he needs that pitch and I think from a tunneling perspective I think he should just I don't want him to throw his slider curveball Whatever it is as much as as as like last year cuz I think I think his future right now is a is a Sinker ball or change up guy or like a split where they both tunnel from the same

arm slot so where like he has a two seam that comes in at 94 but can also split it a little bit on his fingers and it comes in at like 85, 86

and I think that's a better plan for an attack because I think last year guys just spit all over his splitter because I don't think he never really had a chance to being in a strike zone

because I don't think he could throw for strikes I think that was a part of his mechanics. And this year it seems like he went into this offseason and he wanted to figure out his fastball location because fastball location is the most important thing in pitching. It just sets up everything else. And what was

most encouraging about Sunday was that he was dotting his fastball. Like wherever he wanted to put it, he was putting it. And when I watched him last year, he had no problem getting inside the righties, but once lefties came up, it was just like Lefties murdered him last year. They're just spitting on everything. He couldn't get inside, he couldn't scare them at all.

And then if he can have a tumbling little splitter away to lefties, it's game over. I mean, look, 94, if he's hitting 94 at all, I mean, that's huge. Right. And just the way it was an easy 94. Like last year when he got to 94, it was like he's really.

Effort. Yeah, yeah. It was an easy 94. So if they can get Arrieta to bounce back and be some semblance of the 16 Arrieta, he doesn't have to be 15 Arrieta. I mean, that's the type of thing that could win them the World Series. Like it's like that big a deal. If Jake Arrieta can actually be a two for them, and I would say I'll take him as a three.

Give me a classic three from Arrieta, and it's a big deal. Look, I think it's one of those things where there aren't going to be many Phillies fans who are going to believe that because of what they saw last year until they actually see it with their eyes. But it is one of those things where it's not outlandish to make the case. The torn meniscus certainly plays a role. You look at the second half. The short spring training last year, coming in late.

There are reasons to say, oh, maybe it wasn't just a velocity dip. Maybe he's not cooked. Maybe these other factors. And again, he's never going to be a 2015 guy again. That's just done. But I think there is a real chance that he could have a bounce back season, and that would be massive for this team. Just be

0-4 Derek Lowe. You're asking for a little bit here, right? 0-4 Derek Lowe is a hero for Boston. Be a sinker ball change up guy. Who pitches amazing in big games. I think Derek Lowe didn't have the swing and miss stuff that Arrieta can have.

And I don't think Arrieta's sinker ball is as hard as Lowe's, obviously. But I like the idea. If he could be a guy who gets a bunch of 60% ground balls or something crazy like that. Can get the ball on the ground. And he will definitely help with better defense. He's going to be the person to help the most. He is the pitcher who is helping. Pavetta too, but I think more so Arrieta,

especially with the mentality and all that. I felt like, look, he complained about the defense so much last year. Felt the shifts, obviously that famous quote that he had about the shifts and all that. I do think it affected him mentally as well. So I think just, I mean, you're a pitcher. If you have guys back there you know are going to have your back, you're just a little bit more comfortable pitching. For sure.

So, listen, I think he's going to have a good season. I'm actually more in on Jake Arrieta than I thought I was going to be. So I was really impressed. I thought he looked great. And he was actually fooling guys. And he was setting up pitches. He was tunneling. I was all in.

I really did thoroughly enjoy it. Larry Boa said yesterday his stuff looks unbelievable. I heard that, yeah. So I'm really happy with Arrieta. Now, Pavetta. So Pavetta touched 99, which I almost fell off my chair. For as excited as I am about Bryce Harper, it was the same reaction when Pavetta hit 99. So it was 99,

but man, was he all over the place. And the one thing I realized, and I don't know if it was on purpose or if it was not on purpose or he was just jittery. I couldn't tell

if it was jitters or a plan. He was much quicker to the plate. And I like the idea of him becoming much quicker to the plate because it kind of jumps on hitters.

And last year, when you're as slow and as deliberate as he is, guys can kind of sit back and jump on you rather than speed it up a little bit get the momentum going down the mound it just helps you get down the mound faster and I thought that was a little

bit better but it did hurt his location also had no feel for the curveball but that's fine it was spring training start one the pitch we have to talk about is the freaking change up it was to Matt Carpenter to a lefty it fell right off the table to talk about is the freaking changeup. It was to Matt Carpenter, to a lefty.

It fell right off the table. Thing of beauty. For as much as it fell off the table, I also fell off the table. Of course you did. For how good that changeup was. If he can harness that, it's a difference between the Phillies going to the NLCS and the World Series. That's a strong statement. He looked okay.

I was kind of disappointed with his fastball location. But the stuff was there. Yeah, I couldn't tell if it was the jitters or not. We'll see how spring training- First start. Look, first start. He was definitely jacked up. And it's spring training.

Yes. I'm not going to freak out one way or the other, but obviously we are very excited about Pavetta here. That's the Pavetta report. It was- It's got to be a weekly thing now. Speaking of which, we're starting with two weeks. Two shows a week, baby.

That is coming up. We're going to start doing two shows a week. It's time. We had to. Yeah. We should have. Two shows a week, baby. That is coming up. We're going to start doing two shows a week. It's time. We had to. Yeah, we should have done two shows this week. We should have. That was our fault. It's mea culpa.

That's why we're going extra long for this one, haven't we? Yeah, we're going very long. Yeah. We're already an hour in. Are we really? Yeah, 55. Oh, I don't care. Whatever.

Keep going. Pavetta was okay, but 99 and the changeup was encouraging. McCutcheon was swinging a hot bat. He looks great. He looks like we're going to get a version of post-MVP McCutcheon,

not wash McCutcheon. And again, preface with spring training. Spring training, but whatever. Gene Secord does not strike out. JT Romito's amazing.

I did see that at home, he murdered that baseball. Yeah, Sir Anthony's going to be an all-star. And that Romito's amazing. I did see that home read. He murdered that baseball. Yeah, Sir Anthony's going to be an all-star. And that's all I got. Cole Irvin reminds me of J-Hap. Even though I don't love Cole Irvin, he reminds me of J-Hap. I like the comp.

I like the comp. J-Hap took a while to figure it out, too. You get all your hypotheticals out, too? I don't know. We'll work on it. Figure some more in there. Alright. Philly Loaded? Ph don't know. We'll work on it. We'll figure some more in there. All right. Philly Loaded? Philly Loaded.

So I actually had that written down too. I think we have to determine that Philly Loaded. What is it? So it's obviously the loading and then loaded.

They're part and parcel. Right. But this is the official high hopes definition of Philly Loaded. Okay. Good.

Sunday, there's a one o'clock Eagles game against the Giants. Heading over to the ballpark for an 8.30 Philly's playoff game. Oh, buddy! Philly will be loaded at that point. Oh, buddy. Oh, man. 1 o'clock bird straight into a playoff game. I'm so excited.

Remember that? That's Philly loaded. Remember what that felt like? That is Philly loaded. Okay, I can get down with thatoff game. I'm so excited. Remember that? That's Philly Loaded. Remember what that felt like? Ah. That is Philly Loaded. Okay. I can get down with that. Yeah.

I'm Philly Loaded. Yeah. Well, Philly will be loaded. That's for sure. Well, we all are. If we can drink a beer again, Jack, we're good to go, baby. Be hammered. All right.

A few other things. Trout. Trout. Yeah. Let's just do it. Trout. Trout. So, Mike Trout.

Mike Trout. Mike Trout. First of all, I think you made a great point. I love the tweet you had. You said, you're like, guys, let's think about this for a second. Mike Trout solicited Bryce Harper to come to the Phillies while he's playing for another team in Major League Baseball. I mean, that in and of itself is so astounding to think about. And then Harper comes here and

first of all, alludes to it in the press conference. Like, you know, there's a guy coming up in 2020 blah, blah, blah. It's like, oh my God, he mentioned that's so cool. Then he goes on Mark's reason is just like blatant. He's like, you're crazy if you don't think I'm going after Mike Trout. And then he says, I said what I said. Jack!

Jack! Jack! I have to call Bryce Harper Jack Harper If Bryce Harper Gets Mike Trout here Build him a statue Like

Oh man Like it's just unbelievable Like Mike Trout Mike Trout Who plays for the Angels Was basically selling Bryce Harper On playing in Philadelphia

Like it's Do Angels fans realize that They don't have any fans So they wouldn't But if they did How could you not? Well like What's funny is

I tweeted yesterday All 12 Angels fans Are mad at Bryce Harper And everyone's like Well actually They had better attendance In the Phillies It's like yeah

Because it's a transplant city And when the Red Sox And Yankees And big market teams Come to LA They fill the stadium And because the Phillies Have been horrendous

For years What are we talking about? And who wouldn't want to go see Shohei Otani and Mike Trout? Sure. Like, congratulations. You have 12 fans. No one cares about you. I've been to that stadium, by the way.

Yeah, to watch Not the Angels. But it's just like- I saw the Angels. For a long time. But like, Mike Trout was like, hey, yeah, go to Philly, and I'll be there in two years. There is no doubt- 100%. There is no doubt in my mind that Mike Trout was like,

listen, if you sign there, I'm coming. I'll put it this way. You and I, for two years, the entirety of this podcast, were sure that Bryce Harper was going to be a Philly. I'm like 100 times more confident than Mike Trout is. I don't see any world where Mike Trout isn't. I don't care if the Angels offer him 10 for 500. I think he's coming here.

So he tabled the offer him 10 for 500. I think he's coming here. So he tabled the contract extension. But yeah, I don't think he wants to be there. He tabled the contract extension. They're not talking about it until after the season. They only have a year and a half of him at that point. All right, so here's the question. When do you trade for him? Because you can obviously wait the two years.

Like Harper's saying, I'm going to court him, and he'll come here. He'll sign here in two years. But we can get him sooner. We can get him sooner. And especially if it's a situation where, whether public or not, where he goes to the Angels and says, hey, so I'm signing with the Phillies after 2020, so trade me there.

Cool? Yeah, I mean, that's definitely the thing that I understand in your scenario, just that so not Mike Trout. Yeah, your scenario, it's just that's so not Mike Trout. Yeah, it's not his style. It's so not Mike Trout. It's not his style. It's just not. Right, and he's just

not that kind of guy, so everyone's like, well, he could demand trades. I don't think he's gonna do that. I agree. Unless he discreetly says, I'm not resigning here. Well, that's what I think

could happen. I think what could happen is he'd say, I'm not resigning here. Find your best deal and I'll tell you which one I'll accept and then the Phillies

will be one of those best deals. I feel like Mike would do them a service being like, listen, I'm not going to resign here. Do the best you can do in a deal. I don't want to leave you guys with nothing. I think that's the way Mike Trout goes about it because he's not a bad guy. He's a little bad. And look, the Angels drafted

him. They gave him his start. They've paid him a lot of money. It seems like Mike Trout would not be one to just be like, alright, screw you guys. I'm out. I agree with you. Not going to stay there, but I do think he will be up front with them about it. Yes. And it could even be this trade deadline.

I don't think it'll be this trade deadline. It could be. I think it'll be I mean, that would probably be peak value, but either way. I mean, look, if you're the Angels, you should trade him as soon as you can. Assuming you know, which it really feels like there's no chance he resigns there. I mean, immediately. The second you can.

We'll see. You get more time with him. You get more value out of him. But what I think people don't understand when they're talking about- It's also hard to trade the best players in spots. When you're talking about trading the best player in baseball, and especially a guy like Mike Trout, what a lot of people don't understand, and everyone's like, well, you're going to have to give up everything for him. It's like, that's not the case. No.

He has a full no-trade clause. That was my point, is they don't have to give up everything. So he has to, not only do they have to find a deal for him, he also has to prove wherever he goes. So he can turn down wherever, and just force his way to Philly the same way Giancarlo Stanton did, and it turns into Starling Castro

and nothing else for Giancarlo Stanton. So I don't think it would be that bad, but will I trade them Herrera, Boehm, Medina, and like Hazley or Moniak? That's my deal. Right now.

I'll do it right now. Listen, if you go to the Angels and say, find a better deal than that. Sure. Because they can't. Because Mike Trout's only, it's either here or the Yankees. Like, really, that's realistic. And he has to approve of every trade that he gets traded to. Or every trade that gets brought to him. So it's not going to cost him. People are like, well, it's going to cost him Nola and Hoskins.

I thought that was asinine. Like, asinine. They just wait two years. Like, they're not trading Aaron Nola. You have Aaron Nola to be your ace to win with Mike Trout. Right. Not to trade for Mike Trout. That's the other great part about the Bryce Harper signing is, obviously, it's Bryce Harper.

But, like, now it's not we have to wait two years for Trout. Like, now it's like. We can have fun now and then. Here's the difference. It goes from, hey, Mike, come put us over the top versus, hey, Mike, come save us. And that's a way better scenario for Mike Trout to walk into. Because I think if it was Mike Trout save us, then there's a pressure of the whole region on him. And now it's like, hey, let's build baseball's first super team.

Totally. No, and that's really what it feels like. And Harper's already the face of the sport, so Trout can kind of just be Mike Trout. Be Mike Trout. Mike Trout doesn't want to be the face of the sport. He would be if he wanted to be. He's the best player, bar none.out doesn't want to be the face of the sport. He would be if he wanted to be. He's the best player, bar none. He doesn't want to be.

He's made it very clear. Rob Manfred freaking called him out for it. Rob Manfred, which was crazy. But Rob Manfred was like, yeah, if Mike wants to be more of a star, he's got to help us. Mike Trout and Bryce Harper would form baseball's first super team, and it would be the best thing for the sport. It would be the best thing for baseball. And while Manfred may have sent a letter to the Phillies yesterday, he's probably super team, and it would be the best thing for the sport. It would be the best thing for baseball. And while Manfred may have sent a letter to the Phillies yesterday,

he's probably saying, keep doing it. Dude, he is jacked. Manfred, there is nothing he wants more. Again, there's a reason it was the number one headline on ESPN. All right? There's a reason that this stuff happens in basketball, and people talk about the NBA all the time. Like, this works.

It creates awareness. It creates excitement. It creates eyes on your sport. Right. And, this works. It creates awareness. It creates excitement. It creates eyes on your sport. Right. And that's good. It's great. It's great. So shout out to Bryce Harper for saving baseball.

You save baseball in this town and save baseball overall. So I love him. Keep tampering. I love him so much. Listen, the High Host podcast will pay all of your tampering fees. Oh, done. Yes. We might need some help from listeners.

But regardless, I might love Bryce Harper more than any non-family member that I have. Like, I love him so much. Yeah. He feels like a friend of the pod already. I love you, Bryce. Come on the pod, buddy. Come on the pod. But yeah, Trout in two years.

Listen, whenever they can, if they want to trade for him, it's fine. If not, just wait because he's coming anyway. I'm good with it. He's coming. Look, I think Bryce Harper doesn't. Just the fact that Bryce Harper is doing all this stuff, the fact that he talked about them talking, the fact that he's being so open about it. Look, it has to at least tell you that these guys have talked about it.

That's the point. It has to tell you they've talked about it. It's not just Bryce Harper being like, ha ha, buddy, I'm going to go say something crazier. They have talked about it. And they're at least talking. That's the point. It has to tell you they've talked about it. It's something that has, it's not just Bryce Hart being like haha buddy I'm gonna go say something crazy here. They've talked about it. It's a real thing. All people are like oh Trout's never coming here. You're wrong. Like he, look things can happen we never know. Like I said, the Angels

might offer him 10 years, 500 million and the union says bro, you're taking that contract. We don't care. You're setting records. You're whatever. I think it is incredibly likely he's here and and just to say that it's it's never gonna happen is just a dumb thing to say because it's it's very likely going to happen and i will say it's more realistic now for sure significantly more getting bryce harper opened up the door even more even more what didn't getting

bryce harper do what hasn't this done for us, for this franchise, for this family? It is just, again, and that's the, we talked about it. It's really like all these moves in tandem are so perfect together. It's a team that's put together that makes sense together. Harper being that piece that you needed to really feel great about the offseason. But just this one guy, man, and what he's done and what he represents for us as Phillies fans. He's rejuvenated a fan base.

Overnight. Like that. It's, again, like you said, the Phillies are the most popular thing in Philadelphia right now. They're the number one thing. We've talked about Bryce Harper for a month now. I know. Dude, Nick Foles left and no one cared.

No one cared. Brandon Graham got re-signed to a three-year extension. No one cared. Jason Kelsey, Lane Johnson. No one cares because Bryce Harper is here. Last night, the Sixers lost, and we had all the reaction on the station at night. And everyone was like, man, I'm so upset. But we got Bryce Harper.

Literally, we got three calls, and they were like, yeah, the Sixers lost suck, but we have Bryce Harper. And Rob Ellis kept being like, you're damn right we do. You're damn right we do. Jack, this is awesome. I know. This is really good. All right, a couple things we got to mention. Yes.

Coming up, April 2nd. April 6th. April 6th. April 2nd is the first game in Washington. April 2nd is the first game in Washington. Maybe there's something coming up there, too. You're not going, but there's a strong chance that I'm going. Oh, really?

With the fans of Philly Trips. Oh, well, maybe I can make it happen, too. Okay, but we leave at noon. Oh, well, then I'll have my show, so thank you. So that's the only tough part. But me and Joe Giglio, we may be going. So if you look for the fans of Philly Trip, you'll hear within the next 24 hours if we can go. But April 6th, we are definitely going. So if you look for the fans of Philly Trip, you'll hear within the next 24 hours if we can go. But April 6th,

we are definitely going. Right, so April 6th. So there's a foundation called Not to Washington, Citizens Bank Park. It's against the Twins. It's April 6th. It's the Fightin' Frankie Foundation. So it's a family from my area, a kid that I grew up playing baseball with. His name is Nick Felicioni

and he lost his brother to drug addiction or whatever. So they're doing a night at the ballpark, April 6th. They've blocked out 500 tickets. They've sold 400. No, they've sold 380 of them. So there's 120 tickets left. They're only $20. So if you look at tickets now, it's like, holy smokes.

Way more than that. My friend bought a 17-game pack, and they're $35 at face value. Now, they're going for $139. That's like the old days. Yeah, but, you know, you don't need Bryce Harper here. Anyway, well, baseball's dead, so. So, baseball's dead. So, if you go on my Twitter page, and James will tweet it out as well.

I am going to tweet it out. So, if you go to my Twitter page, James will tweet it out. It's my pinned tweet. If you go on there, follow the link location. If you want to just look it up yourself, it's, wait,

I think I have, whatever, it's phillies.com slash Frankie. And we are going to be there. And we will be there. We will be there together at a baseball game.

Right. It supports a great cause. It's a 205 game, a fun day game on a Saturday. Yeah. So, $20 tickets,

it's absolute steel. Come hang with us. You can hang with us. It's like a mini High Hopes night. We're going to do High Hopes nights. This is like a preview. You get an extra High Hope night for $20. So let's lay this out. One, helping a great cause.

Striking out addiction is their hashtag. It's a great cause. Many friends have had issues. It is a great cause. Helping with that. You hang out with us. And our dope wives. Yes. Jill and Emily in attendance.

Yeah. I think my parents are going. So maybe you'll see the people behind the operation, even though they don't like sports. Papa Fritz. He doesn't know anything about baseball, so don't ask him about it. And $20 tickets. What more could you ask for? You really can't. And again,

a fun Saturday at the ballpark to see them beat the Twins. It's going to be awesome. Right. $20 tickets. Come, hang out. I'll tweet it out. Jack's pin tweet.

That's going to be awesome. It'll be our first game of the year together, all that stuff, of many more coming. And we will be at opening day. We will be, yeah. We won't be in the stands, per se. But hey, if we have a meetup point,

we'll let you know. I'm just going to be, I don't even want to be. I hate the press box. I like having the press pass. I hate the press box. James, James. When Bryce Hart makes that first run out to right field, I'm not going to be in the press box.

Well, Jack, I believe the, do you remember the last time we were in the press box together? I got yelled at for clapping because I can't be in a press box. I'm a fan and I can't hold it in. It's just who I am. Some would say me and James are the most objective Phillies. Yes. Phillies, right?

It's objective, the right word. We're very objective. Yes, I would say so. So seriously, coming out, it's going to be awesome. And you get to go to a Phillies game. Yeah, let's do it. A win. Fritzy, final thought.

Final thought. This is very on brand for me. This whole podcast has been on brand for you, but yes. The Phillies signed Miguel Tejada Jr. last week. It was the same day as Bryce Harper signing. Actually, is that Miguel Tejada's kid? Yes. Get out of here.

Yeah, no, they signed him. He was a big Miggy guy. He won me a fantasy title one year. When he was all rooted up? Yeah, we had like 150 RBI. He led the league in RBI. I was like, what is happening right now? Yeah, it was great.

So they signed Miguel Tejada Jr. on the same day as the Bryce Harper signing, which is more important, you say? For what it's worth, as a general rule and everything specific, I do like kids of former ballplayers as professional athletes. I think there's an extra thing of growing up around teams, doing all that stuff. I think it matters. Obviously, you need talent, but I do like that. Right, and that's my main point, is that the Phillies signed a former MVP's kid.

Love it. And look how that's turned out for the Blue Jays. It's true. I mean, seriously. Vlad Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette. It's the best hitter to come up in the—I mean, and Bichette's great, too. And BGO's kid. I mean, Vlad Guerrero Jr., if you haven't seen him play, and he'll probably be up like

a couple weeks into April, because of stupid service time issues. It's the worst. But maybe the best minor league hitter ever. Legitimately ever. He's Meggie reincarnated. It's pretty amazing. Yeah, he's ridiculous. So Miguel Deata Jr., I think that's an important sign. He was signed last year by the White Sox, but got busted for PEDs like pops.

Nice. I don't care. Give me the PED, guys. Me too. I don't care. Come on. Listen, he's big. He's big, tall, and has strong hands. I don't care. Give me the PED, guys. Me too. I don't care. Come on. Listen, he's big. He's big, tall, and has strong hands.

I'm all in. That's all you need. That's all I need. Jack Fritz Jr. over there. That's all I need. So that is my final thought, I think. Let me make sure I have nothing else written down here. But yeah, this has been the longest podcast of my life, but it's also been the best podcast

of my entire life. And again, we did it because we owed you two this week. We should have done it. We're doing two next week, and then from then on, just two this week. We should've done it. We're doing two next week and then from then on, just two a week. Right. That's how we roll.

Right. And rate and review the podcast as always. It really makes Jack happy. Yes. And spread the word. And spread the word. Yeah.

You know. If you have a friend that's looking for an actually insightful and fun baseball podcast, just send them our way. Like those friends of yours who were just out on the Phillies

for the last eight years and they're back now. And they already bought their Bryce Harper jersey. Just say, okay way. Like those friends of yours who were just out on the Phillies for the last eight years and they're back now. And they already bought their Bryce Harper jersey. Just say okay. Listen to these guys. By the way, that's one thing. There's one thing. Listen, I don't care if you're a bandwagon Oh, I don't care. Come on in. I want Citizens Bank Park full again. Look, they stunk

for a long time. Baseball is 162 games. When your team is 30 games under 500 in August like, really? I don't blame you. I understand it that's tough to watch right i get it come on back welcome back come on back give me some rally to be a part of the high hopes family um so definitely rate and review the podcast again april 6th check out the tweets and uh we'll mention it next week and the week after and all that as well but um uh please please come out and meet us.

We would love to meet you guys. We'll be wearing our High Hope shirts. Just like the shirt that- Well, it's probably a little cold. Just like underneath. We'll make it work. It is the shirt that is featured in a picture with Bryce Harden or Maggie, whatever.

Never forget. Bryce, we love you. Your favorite podcast. And again, I just, what a week, man. What a week. What a week. It's been a week. What a week. It's been a week of just dunking on people.

It's just the best week. I told you, Tucker, works here, our good buddy Tucker, described our last podcast as a 35-minute victory lap, and I thought

that was pretty good. Well, this is now 115, this is an hour and 15 minutes of victory laps. rate and review the pod. We'll be back Monday.

We're coming back sooner. So two pods next week and all that. So for Fritz, I'm Salazar. Thanks for listening. We'll be right back. The greatest game. 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.

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