High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - The High Hopes Phillies Podcast: They're Talking Goldschmidt, Eh?

Episode Date: November 27, 2018

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz are doing a reaction pod to what was a crazy Monday for Phillies rumors. First, JP Morosi says that they won't wait for Harper/Machado, then Jayson Stark drops the bombshell that they almost aquired Paul Goldschmidt. A loaded show.  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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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. I am James Seltzer and I am with a man who, though we were supposed to record tomorrow afternoon after the midday show,

he couldn't wait. We are recording Monday night because Jack Fritz was that insane and hyped up to talk Phillies and to talk to you guys. So Fritzy, what do you have to say for yourself? There was so much momentum today around the Phillies. You wake up and you see the John Marossi thing and you're like, oh my God, this is a good start to the day. And then not only like maybe a half hour later comes out with with Jason Stark dropping the absolute bombshell that the Phillies had they were they were exchanging names with the Diamondbacks like that's something they were exchanging well that's it yeah that's like a legitimate step in a process

you know what I mean it's not just like uh oh hey, let us know what you're doing with Goldschmidt. It's like, no, we will give you this for that. You're absolutely right. Yeah, and we'll get right into it. But I believe the Santana thing. I also don't blame the Diamondbacks for saying no to that because they're looking to shed salary rather than bring on salary. And adding in Santana doesn't really make much sense unless maybe it's in an offset of a cranky deal or something like that but the fact that you know

Eflin's name was in it and and Stark got enough enough information that there was other young prospects involved it feels like there's some decent traction there no no question about it and we'll get to another Stark bomb from uh from late last week or over the weekend or whatever it was uh as well a little later but let's start with the goldschmidt stuff because like you said that was kind of the news of the day and pretty much the reason that jack moved our uh recording time up um i had to get it we had to do this podcast i was done well it was so many because we were legit set to do it at 2 o'clock after my show tomorrow. And literally, I keep getting texts from Jack today going, I really want to record.

We got to do High Hopes. I need to do High Hopes. The people need High Hopes. And I'm like, all right, man. We were set for tomorrow, but let me see what I can do. And now it's 8.30 on a Monday night, and we're rocking out for people. I couldn't wait a whole other day to talk about the Goldschmidt deal. Let's jump into it real quick.

You mentioned Greinke, for those who don't know. Obviously, he's 35 years old, but also owed, what, $96 million or something like that? $105 million. $105 million, even worse, over the next three years. Certainly, in wake of the Jay Garriotta deal, that is certainly something I think a lot of us would be gun shy about. But Jack, let's start with Goldschmidt. And first, the fact that the Phillies were in on him to begin with. And then, like, what do you do? I mean, we've already got issues with first baseman.

And I know Santana, you know, they would move him. And Goldschmidt, one year left on his deal at $14.5 million. But obviously someone they could look to re-sign, would have money to re-sign no matter what they do this offseason. What do you think about this whole situation from a macro perspective? Yeah, I mean, anytime you get a chance to add in Paul Goldschmidt, you kind of have to do it. And I understand people are like, well, Hoskins is your first baseman.

I understand, but Paul Goldschmidt is a freaking monster. I mean, since 2013, every single year he's batted.301 with a.406 OBP, and he's been a consistent 30-100 guy. Like, adding that guy to this lineup is insane, coupled with the fact that you're probably going to bring in Bryce Harper, and you have Goldschmidt. Harper is a dream. And then you have Hoskins. I can't even, Jack.

I can't even. I know. So you have Hoskins, who obviously wouldn't move back to first base. But, like, if you're adding in Paul Goldschmidt, get your ass back to left, Reese. Like, I don't even. I know. So you have Hoskins who obviously wouldn't move back to first base. But, like, if you're adding in Paul Goldschmidt, get your ass back to left, Rhys. Like, I don't care. Like, get back to left field. Now, with Santana, if they add in Goldschmidt, like, just trade him for some kind of reliever. Try to get rid of that money as best as you can.

You don't need Carlos Santana at that point. I still think he has value in the league. But if you're getting Paul Goldschmidt, just get rid of Carlos Santana for whatever it takes. All your leverage is pretty much gone. I'm good. I'm good with moving Santana for whatever to open up a spot for Goldschmidt. And also,

I don't want to go too crazy here, but I think there's a legitimate chance that Goldschmidt could play third base. If Carlos Santana can play third base a little bit, Paul Goldschmidt is one of the best first base defenders in the entire league, and I was watching some of his defensive highlights today. The guy's a cat over there, James Dalton.

I agree with you. He is terrific. I was going to bring that up if you didn't, but there is nothing I love more than the fact that you were watching Paul Goldschmidt defensive highlights. You are such a nerd, and I love it. I was very nerdy today. I didn't leave my couch.

I mean, that's like next-level nerdiness type stuff. I didn't leave my couch for a couple hours. Well, and to your point, though, look, regardless of we don't know whether he can or can't, obviously we could suppose when you look at how agile and how athletic and how good he is as a first baseman that he could potentially handle the hot corner. And I do think he played some outfield to minors. I could be wrong about that. But like you said, look, it's one of the reasons he's the first baseman

with the most stolen bases in baseball every year. He's not like your average first baseman from an athletic perspective. And the Phillies have shown that they will go outside the box. They will not let something as silly as, can he play third base, be a reason not to bring in a top 15 hitter in the game, 10 hitter in the game. Certainly top 10 over the last five years, you wonder, going forward. Still the last, you know, five years, you wonder, you know, going forward, still obviously not Subaru, was he 31, 32? So I look, Jack, I think you hit it on the head when you when you open it up and said, whether it's Hoskins going back to left field or them getting creative or whatever, you have a chance to go get Paul Goldschmidt. When a team like the Diamondbacks is so clearly willing to just sell right now,

they are looking to shed salary. And Goldschmidt only a year left on his deal, not an asset that might be as valuable if they had traded him a year ago or something. I think this is a spot where you get a chance to get that guy in here, even if it's for a year. And then, like you said, him and Harper together, that's the kind of thing where they'll be able to pay him. I just love the idea of saying,

hey, there is a premier talent that, for some reason, we have an opportunity to get. Let's try and get him. Yeah, and it's not like the Santana thing where you're bringing in a guy who I think has value but obviously the 226 batting average and you're like you're adding Paul Goldschmidt and moving like I said a top 10 hitter in the game over the last five years purely statistically speaking no question yeah and obviously with the Hoskins thing it does kind

of stink because you put him back in left field but there's there's the the offensive upside of a lineup with Hoskins Harper and and Goldschmidt is is ridiculous and you don't really have a choice but to but to go after him now the question is what does a what does a package for Goldschmidt look like it's and it's a great question i know you uh you wrote an uh article on wip with a potential uh trade package that's how bored i was and and i love that about you the nerdiness continues but uh it's a great question because i think you kind of hit on something interesting there when we're talking about what the diamondbacks are doing right now it really does seem like and from what they've said shedding salary is almost as big a concern as rebuilding and what they get in return so the philly is one of the teams in a unique position as we've talked about where not only do they have a lot of money to go out and

sign big name free agents but they can afford to take on a contractor too if if that's something that could get a deal done that really favors them from a baseball perspective. Yeah, and I'm – And Granke's the – he's the wild card, right? I mean, like, again, that $105 million for a 35-year-old with three years left to play, not to mention a 35-year-old who has proven to be very finicky in terms of where he wants to pitch, where he likes to live, how he goes about his business, all that type of stuff.

Yeah, and if I'm the Phillies, my main goal this offseason is to take on salary so it reduces the amount of prospects you have to give up or player-wise. So if it is taking back a cranky, if it's one of those things, it's something you kind of have to do with the money that you have so you're not giving up more more prospects more players in that situation like obviously as a three years 105 million dollars left or 104.5 whatever if you if they pay what five million dollars of that which i think sounds fair that's three years 90 million they're paying down 15 million of the contract like that's something i would do because i think granky

i know he's 35 but he to me he could age He could age well. I think he ages very well. He's already aging well. We saw it at one bad year, was it two years ago, and has really bounced back from it. Everyone thought he was kind of done then, and I think it was the first year of the contract with Arizona, and then two really nice years back-to-back. Yeah, and obviously he's not going to be the guy that we saw

at the height of his powers, but it's not like an Arrieta thing where all the signs are there that this guy is pretty much washed. I don't think that's the case with Zach Granke. I think Granke is a guy that maybe it's only 88 to 91 now, but he's such a smart, advanced pitcher that he uses his changeup. It's a Bugs Bunny changeup that guys just have never been able to square up. He still has the off speed, and now he added in that Ephus pitch. Like, Granke to me is a guy that

obviously has a massive overpay, but three years, $90 million. And with Arrieta coming off the books possibly after this year, that frees up some money for an expensive older guy like Granke. So I'm in.

If it takes that to get back Goldschmidt and you don't have to give up your top level prospect guys, I like that plan a lot more than say, listen, we gotta give up Medina, Boehm, or Haseley, and also major leaguers. Because if you're bringing back Granke, you're not gonna be giving

up as much. Because look, if you're evaluating that deal, you're getting back Granke, who's gonna be a massive cost, and you have Goldschmidt on a one-year deal. That's a lot of risk that a team has to take on. And, you're getting back Cranky, who is going to be a massive cost, and you have Goldschmidt on a one-year deal. That's a lot of risk that a team has to take on. If you're the Phillies, you take that risk because of the money you have and for the players, Paul Goldschmidt, but the D-backs are not going to get what they're looking for back

in a value in a Paul Goldschmidt trade. Yeah, like I said, especially with only one year left on his deal, it's a one-year thing. It's maybe if they wait till the deadline, they could get more from a team that's in the race. But it would be smart of a team to go after him now and get a full season of him. And like you said, look, the Granke deal,

I do think he will age well. I agree with that. But it does certainly limit Arizona's asking power if that's something they want to include. Because I agree with you. I would much rather... By the way, we just totally skip because we have so much to get to.

We're skipping over bugs, money curve ball, but we're going to get back to that someday. Um, but, uh, we have too much to get to Jack, too much important stuff to talk about.

But, um, yeah, I'm with you. Cause I do think you're right. That, um, the type of package,

if they're looking in terms of prospects, they would want, it would certainly be one of those guys, a Medina or a bomb. And I think you'd much rather find a way to take on salary and give up some slightly lower level prospects than those guys. And, use that as a way to,

to get Goldschmidt in here for a year and, and really stack the deck from an offensive perspective. Yeah. Um, so Jack, what, like what, what, realistic, before we move on from Goldschmidt, how realistic do you think this is? Is this something that Phillies fans should be legit excited about? We get excited about all of it, but is it something where it's a pipe dream

or do you feel like this is something that maybe could happen? My gut's telling me it doesn't happen. It just feels like it's a weird fit, and maybe the kicker really was Santana being added into the deal. I would be surprised if that was the case, but the fact that the deal didn't get done right then and there, it feels like if you're trying to gauge who would have leaked that, it feels more like an Arizona leak than it does a Phillies leak.

So maybe they want a little bit more from the Phillies and if they leak it to a fan base that is as rabid as this fan base is, maybe it puts pressure on the team to add in more to the deal. But the deal I laid out on 94WIP.com, I think it made a lot

of sense. I mean, it was Medina, Oduble. Who else did I lay out on that deal? I forget my own deal. That's how good of a deal it was. That means it's a great one. That's the sign of a great deal. First off, Eflin was the guy who was starting the whole deal. Of course.

Which I was shocked. Aren't you kind of shocked that Zac Eflin was the headline of a deal? I was, but you think back to the Machado at the trade deadline stuff. And it seems like, and, and I think it's fair to say that you could say Eflin second, you know,

struggles over portions of second half were due to, to, you know, a larger earnings limit than usual and all that type of stuff. But it does seem like he's more highly regarded around the game than we regarded him or than I think we still regard him. Yeah, and listen, if Eflin's going to be the guy that's going to headline a deal, I'm very happy with it.

Very happy. If you want to believe in Zac Eflin as a possible three-starter, by all means do it. I mean, I like Eflin with his fastball. We saw last year his fastball up in the zone seemed to be a game-changer for him. But still, his off-speed pitches probably aren't good enough. So, listen, if you want to take a shot on Eflin's upside, he's only 24, maybe you can figure it out.

That's fine. I would just rather keep Pavetta and maybe not Vince Velasquez around. But the deal that I laid out was Eflin, Medina, Oduble, and Archimedes Gamboa. So the Diamondbacks basically get Zach Eflin, who if he's already being the headliner in a deal, I don't know why they would take him off the table. It feels like the Diamondbacks seem semi-interested in him. Adonis Medina, he's going to get traded this offseason. He was in the Machado deal at the deadline last year.

I think he is a guy that they're going to put in every single trade package this offseason and try to get some high upside pieces to come back and put with Harper or Machado. And it feels like Medina is the guy that everyone is just like, this is the guy we're giving away. He has the upside of being a number two starter. And if it's in a deal for Goldschmidt, I'm happy. If it's to the Mariners in an Edwin Diaz and Gene Segura trade, I'm happy. If it's to the Royals for Whit Merrifield, I'm happy.

I think Medina is going to be the headliner in some kind of major trade for the Phillies this offseason. The Diamondbacks get back an actual pitching prospect, which they never seem to have. And then Oduble is obviously this is a sell low on Oduble, but you're kind of getting out from him if you don't believe in him long term. And for the Diamondbacks, you're getting a guy on a valuable contract who had one super down year but was very valuable before that. And you have an A.J. Pollock replacement, which A.J. Pollock is obviously a free agent, always banged up, but he's not going back to Arizona. I don't even think it would cost that much, Jack. I think that, look, I think it's the type of trade proposal I would think if we had a year and a half of Goldschmidt left.

Even with a year left, I don't think there's any other team on the market, especially a thin market in terms of who needs a first baseman in terms of contending teams and all that. I just don't know if Arizona's going to get what they want for Goldschmidt. And I think that they might be forced to resort to a type of deal where they get less because they give a granky away with it like we talked about. But I do agree with the premise that Adonis Medina is likely to, if he has major league success, it be with another franchise, not with the Phillies,

because I do think he is one of those guys whose names are on all these types of trades. And like you said, whether it's a Merrifield or a Goldschmidt deal or whatever, I think Medina is the type of name who you will see going somewhere else or maybe another deal we talked about as well. Or we will talk about as well i mean but um still some other names and i i know that um jack would would talk about paul goldschmidt for the entire podcast and then we would be done the podcast and then jack would be texting me about paul goldschmidt but there's more to get to jack so yeah it just is so important okay it's

very important and i'm with you i think it's probably unlikely to happen because of like you said i think the fit and the likelihood that i think that what the phillies will give up will if they're the best deal on the market i think that arizona might still consider waiting till the trade deadline they're just so many variables but another team in addition the diamondbacks that is tearing it down as they say already traded james paxton the yankees we were on the outside of that one but uh phil is linked to a couple mariners one that i mentioned in my off-season plan is you've been uh we'll get to that too as you've been coming around on things you ripped me for when i made them during my off-season plan.

Sometimes you got to rip, James. Yeah, yeah. And then, like I just said, you go back and then you're like, oh, wait, he was right. My bad. Listen, man, I watched the tape. I had to watch the tape. Me and Hugh Jackson both have to watch the tape. I think that's fair.

And I did that on some free agents. That's good. And your takes before were Hugh Jackson-like. Shut up. Edwin Diaz, the guy I mentioned, I said I was very in for trying to make a play for him. And then, of course, Gene Segura, who it feels like has bounced around to many a team and yet always consistent and certainly had some big-time years as well. consistent and certainly had some big time years as well. What do you think of those two names and what it might take to get them if the Phillies are really interested in getting one or both of them?

Well, obviously Edwin Diaz is amazing. I mean, 57 saves last year, a 195 ERA. I mean, he's 25, which is great. He has four years of team control left. So you don't have to worry about that. He might be the best relief pitcher asset, just pure asset in baseball right now, or one of the best relief pitcher assets in baseball right now. Yeah, and if you're comparing him, I think this is the most fair comparison,

is to the Craig Kimball trade, to the Padres, because they're both the same age, both 25. to the Padres because they're both the same age, both 25. And in that deal, it was like the number 30-some prospect, 50-some prospect, and like 70-ish prospect for Craig Kimbrell. And in a trade for Edwin Diaz now, I think he can work in some major league talent and work in, obviously, Adonis Mentina and some other guys. It's going to take a lot, but I think they're going to be more willing to part with major league guys. Like when I look at the guys on the Phillies roster right now who are expendable,

it's Cesar, Franco, and Oduble. I would say the most three that seem to make the most sense from being expendable. And when I look at the Mariners, they already have Dee Gordon at second base. I don't see Cesar really being a fit there and plus Robinson Cano, whatever happens with that. He may play first or they may trade him, whatever. And third base

they have Kyle Seeker who they already have a big contract to so they won't be looking for Franco there. Oduble makes the most sense for, again, for a team that does not want to spend big as a small market team. Oduble can come in, go to Seattle, and hopefully be a valuable player. So maybe him, Medina.

Again, I think him and Medina are the headlines of any deal. But if I'm going to go for Edwin Diaz, I don't want to give up a crazy package for a reliever. I love relievers, and I think they're very important in today's day and age. If I'm doing this deal, I really want Gene Segura in the deal as well like I I want Segura to be in the deal so you can get some kind of player value back and you're not just spending a crazy amount of prospect and player value on an Edwin Diaz yeah and look I think that's fair uh look either way though I think I think Edwin Diaz like you you said, four years of control. What he's done already, what he's shown already.

I mean, as electric as electric gets in terms of stuff and watching that dude pitch. And like you said, 57 saves for a team that, you know, if I'd never have to talk about Philly's back end of the bullpen, ninth inning, save type of problems. Again, it would be the greatest thing that ever happened to me in my life. But, and he's just a guy who, though, like you said, with four years of control and is such a valuable asset in my mind and someone who you can really, with Sir Anthony and him, you can kind of like lock down the next four years of your back end of your bullpen or whatever of your bullpen. And that's not even talking about some of the other guys they could bring in. But

I do understand your point because it feels like a lot to give up those type of prospects for a relief pitcher only type deal. And listen. And Segura would be helpful. He's a shortstop, a really good player, been around the block, and I just think you would have to give up a little more to get Segura in the deal is the thing. And I think I'm fine with that because Segura is under a cheap contract until 2022. He's on a good team-friendly contract until 2022. He's batted 300 out of the last three years. He batted 300 every single year. A two-time All-Star during that time. Plays a

good shortstop, a solid shortstop. Also, he played second base for the Diamondbacks in 2016. So if you need to move him there... He's played almost a full season's worth of game at second base I think over his career. Close to it. Right. Doesn't strike out.

To me, he's a valuable offensive piece, and I would almost rather go after him than a Whit Merrifield because I think Merrifield is a guy that's going to cost a lot more prospect-wise. Whit Merrifield, I think, has one more year until he becomes arbitration eligible, and he's also two years older than Segura, and he's not that much better where you can't go after a Dean Segura. So I would rather overpay for Edwin Diaz and Dean Segura. And, and, and that's the back of your bullpen and also your shortstop, um, for the next four years, four years, that gives you a nice little window. You, you give away the high upside

prospects. You add in a Harper. Uh, it feels Harper. It feels like it's a good plan. Look, I'm with you. Like I said, I like Segura. Someone who has produced pretty much everywhere he's gone. A very sound defensive shortstop. Maybe not the best, but solid. Gets the job done. Gets the job done. Look, which is more than we could say for a lot of what we saw last year.

But Diaz would be the real prize if any deal with that. And like I said, I mentioned him in my perfect off-season plan as someone who I think whatever you pay for him, it's probably worth it. He's that type of talent. I'm just shocked. Do you think he's actually available? I don't know.

That's my thing. I feel like it's one of those things where it's the oh everyone's available and then you ask for Edwin Diaz and they're like yeah give us Reese Hoskins, Sixo Sanchez and Adonis Medina you know like I like not literally but the kind of thing where everyone's available but some guys might be available but no team is going to pay what it costs to get them but who knows I mean look if a guy like Edwin Diaz actually is available and they are willing to trade him, that's certainly someone I would want my team kicking the tires on and seeing what they could do. Jack, you mentioned Merrifield real quick

before we move on. You said you would prefer Segura over Merrifield because I think I kind of agree just in terms of value versus the cost, position, defensive ability. I know Merrifield plays multiple positions. He's certainly a better hitter, probably a better base runner at this point. But Segura, like you said, cheap contract. You don't have to worry about those arbitration years, and you would have to give up less to get him in theory, even if he's part of a Diaz deal.

Yeah, and I love Whitmer. I think he's a very good player, and obviously it hurts to say no. But Gene Segura is a comparable player and obviously would cost less prospect-wise. And I don't know what Whitmer's next contract is really going to be. It could be a pretty big deal for a guy going into his mid-30s it was also a super late bloomer so I'll take a guy I'll take I'll take Gigi Segura I mean he led the majors and hits I think what three three years ago so um doesn't have problems striking out uh has batted over 300 with 340 OBP like a very valuable player and uh sorry wit but but we're, we're taking Segura.

See you wit. All right. Couple more things to get to. Obviously we've talked a ton about Harper and Machado and those kind of being the focal points of what the Phillies will do this off season. And of course we all are, we are all at the point where if for some reason Bryce Harper didn't sign with the Phillies, we would be catastrophic. That's how sure we are. We're going to get it.

But but interesting report from John Marossi. Was it today or yesterday? This morning. Yeah. Yeah. That saying that the Phillies aren't going to wait for those guys, that they are going to go about their business, as it were, if those guys don't give them answers. Which, look, it's easy for the Phillies to say that if it is real because they can afford to wait money-wise. They can sign those guys and do the other things and are probably planning to.

And also probably feel pretty good about getting Harper to begin with. But what did you make of that whole thing from Rossi? Yeah, so Rossi said, for weeks, the baseball industry has identified the Phillies as a probable destination for Bryce Harper, Mavichado, or both, but what if the Phillies spend aggressively this offseason and yet land neither? That scenario is very much in play. He labels

it out and it says, he ends it with, in practice, that approach means the Phillies could sign a starting pitcher, closer, and an outfielder who costs less than Harper. Sources say the Phillies have interest in starters Patrick Corbin, nathan nevaldi and jay hap uh closers craig we've talked about you know a lot on this show obviously right closers craig kimbrell and zach britain and outfielders michael brantley and aj pollock so basically i guess what he's laying out is that they're not going to wait around for harper Machado to make the decision. They're going to go out and be aggressive starting now.

And I think that's a good thing because, one, it puts pressure on those guys to make a decision. Them not waiting around is showing that they're not going to just wait hand and foot for what these guys are going to do. And in reality, they have so many holes and so many decisions they have to make on players. They can't wait all offseason because then so many decisions they have to make on players like them they can't wait all offseason because then the players that they need to trade ultimately are going to start losing value like franco cesar oduble those kind of guys are going to start losing value the longer they wait into into free agency because guys are going to pick teams so they need to act now

and i don't think this means that they're going to like screw themselves in a harper machado thing because they can still just add them in, no problem. But they need to start figuring out the rest of their roster and not miss out on guys because they're waiting for Harper or Machado. Yeah, I agree philosophically, but I think this is one of those situations where they are – I think they're mutually exclusive, these two things. I think that what the –, look, they are,

they have said, we have heard so many things there. They are willing to try and get both those guys. They're willing to try and get one of those guys in Corbin and other guys and this and that they can afford to go out and sign other guys, make other moves with the either belief or thought they might know they're going to get one of those two guys or expect to get one of those two guys or just hoping that they do.

So they are in a position where they can afford to do that. Like they're not going to, if Bryce Harper and or Manny Machado or their first choice or whatever it really is, wants to come here, they are coming here. No matter what the Phillies do before then, this is not like it may be seemingly to some in public an ultimatum or something. It's not. It's not at all. This is not a we're not going to sign you guys because we're going to go sign A.J. Pollock and Michael Brantley instead. Maybe, look, if it were a situation where they believe Harper's not coming here, then that could be a way to go about, you know,

kind of camouflaging that and doing other things. But that's not the read I get. I think this is just one of those spots where they're just going to be aggressive. And, you know, their weight. And I think that, look, like I said before, Jack, I think it's like you said when we talked about the Nightingale thing that Harper to the Phillies feels like the worst-kept secret in baseball. So I think that likely they are operating from the perspective

that they believe they're going to get Bryce Harper and they can go about their business. Yeah, and hopefully a part of this is like, hey, man, two weeks, Las Vegas, let's end it. Let's not let this drag on. We'll give you whatever. We'll give you obviously $400 million, whatever it takes. Please just sign

sign fast or faster um and i think today i think it was a little bit of a putting on the pressure but i agree with you ultimately it's not gonna really change much of the uh of their outcomes um all right jack uh and um actually real quick uh before we uh before we move on to to smooth their action i mentioned this before, and we have to at least touch on it. The other Stark bomb that came out, what was it, over the weekend? Yeah, it was like Friday. It was Friday.

Yeah. Oh, yeah, the Phillies. Something that you and I have talked about, my friend, mostly in a fun, dreamlike way. But Harper and Trout Jack may be a real thing yeah i mean stark did it he said it but he didn't really say it i don't know i wish i was more excited reading it like i left it feeling like yeah i mean this is kind of the general consensus and which is what we've talked about you and i've expected this we've talked about the potential for that just because they're in on

harper doesn't mean that if they can get mike trout they're not going to try and get mike trout we've talked about trout wine to come home the no trade guys we've had a million conversations about this but still one of those things when you see a guy like jason stark put it out there like that like i think there's there's something to be taken away however small it is and also like i love how he's trying to say how, well, they may not be able to afford it. It's like, dude, like Jason, let's talk for a second. They're going to pay for Harper and Trout if it's possible. So let's just relax on the whole, well, they may not be able to afford it thing. They would definitely be able to afford it.

And yeah, the whole Trout thing is interesting. Obviously there's a lot of people on Twitter and a lot of people on Philly's Twitter that poo-poo any kind of idea to Mike Trout coming to Philadelphia. And it's funny, like they all poo-poo it, and everyone in the national media is kind of like, yeah, no, there's legs to it. So obviously it's a major pipe dream to believe that Mike Trout will come home and play for the Phillies.

But he's so much different than almost any other athlete that I've ever seen. It's not ridiculous. It's not ridiculous is the point. It's just not. Like, it's just not. Like, whether or not it happens, it is not an absurd thing to say. It's not like just saying, like, oh, that guy's from here, so he's definitely going to want to play here.

It's a different situation. It feels like a unique situation with this particular guy in this situation. And especially because Stark labeled that he wants to win eventually, which is a good thing. I would hope that he would want to win sometime and not get swept up. And at that time. Thanks, Jason. Dynamite dropping, Jason.

And at that time, when the Phillies either are, well, let's say two years from now, the Phillies will have Harper. They'll start looking like a top flight contender in the National League. If Mike Trout sees that and says, hey, I'm also from there. I love being around the area. All that stuff. And I get to play for a winner. Like, I don't know.

I think he'd be more willing to come home. I said this many times. I'm coming home. Oh, my God. The city would melt. But I'm just saying that the most thing that sticks out to me when we talk about Mike Trout and when we talk about him being from Philadelphia, he was in the Angels organization when the Phillies got Roy Halladay.

He was in the Angels organization when the Phillies got Roy Halladay. And Mike Trout came running downstairs and said to his dad, Dad, we got Roy Halladay. And his dad said, The Angels got Roy Halladay? And he said, No, the Phillies got Roy Halladay. Like, that to me is a guy that would love to come home and be viewed as a savior. He sees how Carson Wentz is handled here. He sees how Joel Embiid is handled here. Now you bring in Mike Trout and add him to Bryce Harper,

and for all these people that are like, well, he doesn't want to come under the scrutiny of Philadelphia, it's like, dude, Chase Utley was garbage his last two years here, and he will forever be revered and never boot in this town. And Mike Trout coming here would be Chase Utley on steroids with the amount of love that guy would get. So I don't think he has to worry about any outside pressures and not bringing a championship to Philadelphia. The city just wants to see Mike Trout play in Philadelphia because he's the best player in baseball.

He's semi from here, even though Millville is like, what, 70 miles away. I just think it's so much different than any other case. And for everyone to just like poo-p poo it i i don't know what they're looking at yeah i'm 100 with you i think it is it's like look like i said it might not happen but there is certainly reason to believe that it could from all the things jack laid out i'm from the situation in los angeles an angels team that really doesn't have a path towards contending any time in the near future. And trading a guy like Mike Chowd, especially if he doesn't want to be there,

if they're not going to compete, is really the type of situation where you don't want to not have that guy, but that's the only way to really start your franchise over again. And the one thing, and this is kind of tricky, but there's a small part of me that doesn't really want to go after Goldschmidt or Machado. Oh, me too. Don't wait for Trout. Same thing.

I'm not saying don't get Paul Goldschmidt. If you can get Paul Goldschmidt, don't get Manny Machado. There is a part of me that is semi-worried it would take them out of the Trout sweepstakes if they go. Because I don't think you can have three $40 million a year guys. Right. But Goldschmidt wouldn't if it ends up being a one-year type deal.

But that would also hinder what you pay for him. But it's a really interesting situation, Jack. And, look, I don't think it's crazy, especially if Jason Stark is putting it out there. It's not like he doesn't – Jason stark is not a clickbait guy yeah you know like there's at least something there all right so it did feel like a middleton leak it felt like uh it feels like like mike trout is almost middleton's white whale a lot like holiday was ruben's white whale it kind of feels the same kind of way. Well, it feels like Trout is all of our white whale.

He should be. All right. CJ Kron claimed off waivers. Jack wanted to make sure we mentioned that. It thins out the first base market, I suppose, with the Twins for Santana, maybe. Yeah, the Twins made a lot of sense for Santana. I think this was one of those not really necessary, but I love the deep baseball call there. This is interesting. Quickly as well, the Braves make a couple moves today. Brian McCann, who cares?

Everyone's talking about it matters. Brian McCann's been done for years now. He can't catch up to a fastball. Yeah, dude, he can't catch up to a fastball. He's breaking down. But Josh Donaldson on a one-year deal, I think that's a fine move. Yeah, it's formally known as..., I think that's a fine move. Yeah. It's formally known as something we talked about as a potential move.

The Phillies, we would like to see the Phillies. Yeah, it's now known as the JJ Redick contract. So the one-year $23 million severe overpay. But it makes sense to the Braves because they have Austin Riley coming up. If Donaldson looks like an MVP caliber, Josh Donaldson, which I don't think he is, I would be shocked if he returns to MVP. Oh, I really doubt it. Right, but I still think he's a valuable player. I think he's a good player still in today's league.

I don't think it's enough. I don't think he'll play well enough to where they trade Austin Riley, but it does give them some ability to kind of ease Austin Riley into being the third baseman there. So I don't have to just throw him in there and expect him to carry or help out a team that's competing for a World Series next year for the Braves. But the Phillies really couldn't make a move on Donaldson with Franco still on the roster or Santana still on the roster. So I'm not going to kill them for going after him.

And yeah, it wasn't the right time for a Donaldson move for this team. No, it was the right time for the Braves. That was a smart signing by them. And I always say, and I know $23 million is a lot of money, and he could break down and play 80 games. I could certainly see that happening. But I'm a big there's no such thing as a bad one-year deal type of guy. Yeah, buddy.

You might lose some money on one, but they're always a good risk in my book. Fritzie, all right, final thing before we get out of here, a total pivot from what we've been talking about. And on the outline, Fritzie just put Hall of Fame voters. I'm thinking that this is not a positive comment about Hall of Fame voters, Jeff. I hate Hall of Fame voters. I do too. I hate the whole thing.

I'm so mad about it all. I always forget how much I hate Hall of Fame voters i do too and i hate the whole thing i'm so mad about it i always forget how much i hate hall of fame voters until right about now when when the hall of fame ballots start coming out and i was enraged this morning uh let me let me go find who this fraud was uh anthony reiber okay anthony reiber laid out his ballot and And on his ballot, he has, well, first off, he has correctly, he has Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens. He has Edgar Martinez and Mike Musina. He has, alright, this is where it gets

real. Well, first off, Curt Schilling is an absolute Hall of Famer, and he'll probably get in when he passes away, which won't be for a while, I don't think. But Curt Schilling is an absolute lock Hall of Famer. I understand he's a terrible human being, but there's a lot of bad human beings in baseball.

And that guy, for 10 years, there was no one I'd rather have in a big moment. Yeah, I think we both agree. He's a Hall of Fame caliber player. He's just such an a-hole. But this fraud puts in, first off, he puts in Omar Vizquel, which is embarrassing. I mean, if you're going to

put in a glorified freddie galvis go ahead and and if you want to that's not fair i don't think omar viskell's all famer glorified way better galvis way better baseball player first of all you're you're young you don't remember omar viskell playing he was not a hall of famer don't get me wrong but he was a good baseball player and he was the him and ozzy smith are hands down the two best defensive shortstops oh and andrelton simmons of course the three best defensive shortstops i've ever seen in my lifetime so omar viskell was as smooth as it gets and he wasn't like a good hitter but he ended his career and i know he played a while but he had like 2,800 hits or something he was a really solid baseball 24 years he compiled 2,800 hits or something. He was a really solid baseball player. In 24 years, he compiled 2,800 hits. Congratulations.

Anyway. He's better than Freddy Galvez. Anyway, the biggest, most egregious thing on this ballot is that he has Andy Pettit in the Hall of Fame and Roy Halladay not. Which, just quit talking about baseball. Like, you should have your baseball voting card revoked. What has Andy pettit done to get into the into the hall of fame first off he's a steroid guy so if you're gonna put an andy pettit you better get ready to put in everyone else because he's just as big of a

offender as those guys were and also he which to this person's credit does seem like you said they have bonds and clubs and he also has he also has man ram which is good but at the same time andy pettit is first off not even in the same category as kurt schilling and is not better than roy halliday at no point in his career was he ever nowhere close he's nowhere close to either he was never a top four voter like i just i don't get this fascination with putting andy pettit in the hall of fame it is now my main goal in my life is to keep Andy Pettit out of the Hall of Fame because all these baseball writers are obsessed with putting him in. And then I see this... For what it's worth,

I don't think he's going to get in. He shouldn't even sit the ballot. He shouldn't sit the ballot. What has Andy Pettit done? Well, Placido Polanco's on the ballot. I think Andy Pettit is fine to put him on the ballot. He's actually getting votes. I mean, I saw another ballot today who has Clemens, Pettit, and Sosa on the ballot i think andy pettit is fine to put him on the ballot he's actually getting votes i mean i saw another ballot today uh who has who has clemens pettit and sosa on the ballot but not barry bonds like what what is what is your justification well that's just stupid i i hate

hall of fame voters it's like well here's that's and that's the issue and it's the whole thing and i've said this a million times this is one of my like number one passion topics in sports is how, how absurd it is to try and make these moral judgments when nobody has any idea how many people were on it, who was on it, when they were on it. And to say, Oh, uh, yeah, yeah, you weren't on it, but, but you were, and you were, and you weren't. The point is you either put none of them in and whitewash the entire era, or you put in the ones who deserve it, period. End of story.

Bonds is a Hall of Famer. Clemens is a Hall of Famer. It's a joke. It is a complete and total joke. It is a joke. It's a museum. This place is a museum to tell the history of baseball. It's a joke. It is a joke. It's a museum. This place is a museum to tell the history of baseball. It's a joke. Let me label

for you right now who are absolute stone-lock Hall of Famers in the Jack Fritz Hall of Fame voting, which would be perfect unlike these people. Bonds, Clemens, Halliday, Edgar Martinez, Manny Ramirez, Mariano, Schilling, and Larry Walker.

That's my eight. Those are the Hall of Famers. I don't put Musina in. You could do 10. I know, but that's the eight. If I had to put 10, I'm picking Musina, and I'm picking Musina, and I'm picking Musina and I guess Todd Helton. I think those are my—no, I think it's nine. I think it's those nine.

All right. The nine you named. Did you say Roland? No. He's close. He's close, but— I don't know if he is or isn't. He's really close.

He never finished top ten in MVP voting. I think that matters. It's really interesting I think the nine you name for me are all hall of famers like Larry Walker's a hall of famer to me you seen as a hall of famer to me shilling obviously the big names shilling is to me the big names you said um so yeah I think uh I I co-sign the Jack Fritz Hall of Fame vote. If Mariano Rivera does not get unanimous 100% vote, just ban the whole thing. Well, I mean, that's another of my things, too. It's like this whole process where it's the percentage of votes and it takes people this many years. You're either a Hall of Famer or you're not. I know. percentage of votes and, and it takes people this many years or whatever.

You're either a Hall of Famer or you're not. I know. There's nothing that happens after your career that makes you more of a Hall of Famer. It's so ridiculous and so silly, but yeah, I, I, I'm with you. I hate this whole thing, but yes, I think Mo should be a unanimous Hall of Famer. I also thought that, you know, there've been other guys who I've thought should be unanimous Hall of Famers. Like, uh, I don't know. Jeter should have been unanimous Hall of Famer. I also thought that, you know, there have been other guys who I've thought should be unanimous Hall of Famers

like, I don't know, Jeter should have been unanimous Hall of Famer. He wasn't. Not just Yankees either. I mean, Griffey was just right there. I think Barry Bond should be unanimous Hall of Famer, but, you know, that's the world we live in, Jack. Yeah, it's unfortunate.

So, just the whole Hall of Fame thing just makes me so mad. And every time I get so triggered by these Hall of Fame ballots because, like, imagine voting for Andy Pettit over Roy Halladay. Like, what is that? What is that? I can't. I can't. I can't do that.

That is something that I will not allow myself to even imagine, Jack. That's a world I don't want to live in. It's the darkest timeline, Jack. It is. It is. All right. This was fun. I'm happy.

Are we doing final thoughts? We moved the time up. Yeah, I'm getting there. I'm leading into the final thoughts. All right. How did I make sure? You are like jacked up on this. What I was going to say is this has been fun.

I enjoy myself. I'm happy to move this up forward. Rate and review the podcast. It makes Jack happy. And Jack, what is your final thought? My final thought is that I have come around to the idea of Zach Britton. Thank you. This is a big moment for me.

You're welcome. This is a big moment. You skewered me i think people should go back and listen to the zach britain but i said i want zach britain justin no i've never won that guy i'm terrible well here's where i came around zach britain it's a pretty good impression by the way i think i think i nailed that uh i don't think he did at all but um zach britain so in his final month with the yankees, he didn't allow a single run. He had a.88 batting average against,.08 batting average against.

The fastball location was much, much better. And he's coming off an ACL injury. And when you're coming off an ACL injury, it's harder to push off that leg. And I think by the end of the season, his location was much, much better. They were not putting him in high leverage spots early in his Yankees career. But he started getting in them in games late in the season.

So, Britton, I'm more in on. I still don't want a severe overpay, but the guy's only 30. He'll be pitching in his age 31 season next year. The fastball is still 94 to 96. The movement was all back, all that fun stuff. Now he's a full year removed off of the ACL injury. So, I'm more in on britain than i was i still don't think i like the idea of three years 45 that seems like a pretty high payment but if i

can do three years between 30 and 35 and make it between 10 and 12 million a year i i would much rather do that than then go after andrew miller because i think andrew miller is washed i mean andrew miller in his last month with the Indians has 6.3 ERA. He was on the DL for three different injuries last year. That is not a good trend. And even if it's two years, $20 million, I'm just concerned that you're definitely paying for prior performance. And I think he's going to break down and continue to break down.

And his fastball was 91. And everything was getting ripped from the video I was watching today. So I don't really like the idea of Andrew Miller. I understand the idea that you want to bring him in because he can go the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, whatever. Whatever Gabe Kapler needs, Andrew Miller can do it. I just don't think he can do it anymore. I love that your two-minute final thought was just more Phillies talk. That's terrific.

Great job, Jack. Jack can't help himself. I'm sure we'll be podcasting. If there's an emergency pod, we'll be there, but I'm sure we'll be podcasting sooner than we scheduled for because Jack will bug out again. My final thought as I sit and watch Monday Night Football as we talk here, and I lose a fantasy matchup because stupid Lamar Miller runs for 97 yards.

Anyone who's listening to this podcast, and certainly at this point this deep in the podcast, is a massive baseball fan and a massive Phillies fan. And maybe plays fantasy football because everyone plays fantasy football, it seems like. If you are one of those people who is not playing fantasy baseball, you're doing it wrong. Fantasy baseball, as I am watching this and thinking about how annoyed I am

with fantasy football, a PSA to everyone out there, and I'm sure you're already all smart enough to play fantasy baseball and enjoy it way more than fantasy football, but fantasy baseball is so much better than fantasy football. It's not even close. It's like chess and checkers, not even a parable so if you don't play fantasy baseball and you're a big enough fan to be listening to this right now start playing fantasy baseball and maybe maybe we'll even do a high hopes fantasy baseball league oh jack see

look at look at some serious serious baseballers i like this all right yeah if you'd be interested in that tweet at us let us know because uh because that would certainly be something i would be interested in uh as uh jack and i both can't get enough fancy baseball as you know we can't get a baseball that's why we're talking now and not tomorrow all right um again rate and review the podcast we really appreciate it we'll be back soon emergency or not or both either way uh for fritz i'meltzer. We'll talk right back. This is 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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