High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - The High Hopes Phillies Podcast: Which Offensive Philosophy Do You Want the Phils to Model Themselves After?

Episode Date: October 24, 2018

The Red Sox and Dodgers are in the World Series and James Seltzer and Jack Fritz are asking which approach you would prefer the Phillies model themselves after. They also take Twitter questions and more! 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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so your business insurance should be too. Contact a licensed TD Insurance advisor to learn more. 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, another off-season edition as we wind our way through October watching a World Series without the Phillies in it, sadly. We'll get into all that, the Manny Machado of it all, but first, of course, I'm James Seltzer. Let me welcome in my co-host, future radio superstar. If you're not busy on halloween check out my guy doing his first show on wip

the one and only mr jack fritz fritzy listen uh i'm gonna open the show we're gonna talk a lot about jd davis we'll get into jd davis later i'm thinking i'm thinking a whole two hours on how the phillies should pursue jd davis a winning show i think so i think it's what people want to tune into and listen uh i would be lying if i said i wasn't nervous but i also want the city of philadelphia and people surrounding that to understand that this is the next 40 years of your life like like this is he is not lacking for confidence folks it's like it's like listen you're gonna be listening to the big dog over here for the next 40 years of your life so you might as well start listening on wednesday night you know a lot of you probably have kids out there.

It's going to be your first Halloween. Listen, frankly, no one cares about your kids. Listen in to WIP for what some are saying, the most important radio show in the last two years, three years? Yeah, I think so. Some are. Here's the thing. You don't want to not be the one who doesn't remember

that first Jack Fritz show 40 years down the line. Correct. When you're telling your kids about it. When he's winning Marconi Awards in a way. Right. And when you're bouncing your grandkids. I was there when Jack Fritz took the air for the first time.

When you're bouncing your grandkid on your knee, you can say, do you remember Jack Fritz's first show? He died today. Seriously, though. Support our guy. Support Fritzie. And if you have any Phillies things you want to talk about, please, because I do not want to talk about the Eagles for four hours.

I would love to talk some Phillies. Well, that's the beautiful thing about the IOPs podcast. That's what we do here. We talk about the most important team in Philly. No one cares about the Eagles that much. Yeah, screw the Eagles. Thank you for the Super Bowl. Alright, let's dive in, Fritzy. A lot to talk about. We've got some great questions coming up.

But obviously, let's start with the World Series. We're going to get into Manny Machado in a second. But thoughts on the World Series? Just to start, obviously, only one game in. But how are you feeling about a little Dodgers-Red Sox? I think if the Dodgers had any chance of winning the series, they should have won that game last night. Because you have Price tonight, and I think the Dodgers have a good

chance against Price. Listen, first off, I hate David Price. I've always hated David Price. This is a long-held Jackford's take here. So I bet on the Astros last series and I bet on them in the game that he shoved. And of course, it was

like, this freaking guy. Worst case scenario for you. This freaking guy who's won one playoff game in his entire freaking career and has an ERA over six in the playoffs, like, comes out for the first time in his entire career, finds a freaking change-up, which he's never had.

And the Astros, who I thought were a machine, get shut down by David Price. I did too, for what it's worth. I thought they were a machine. Like, not unbeatable, but, like, kind what it's worth. I thought they were a machine. Like, not unbeatable, but like, kind of unbeatable. And you know what was interesting is that, like,

watching the Astros, I was like, who am I really afraid of on this team besides Springer, Altuve, and Bregman? Like, I was shocked. Yeah, it's like you have Marwin Gonzalez playing while you're like, Tyler White, guys like that. It's not as scary as you think it is. When I was watching the Indian series, I was like, wow, they look like a juggernaut. But really, it's those three guys.

And then Marlon Gonzalez was biting on every single curveball. And Yuli Gurriel is a fine player. McCann just has no pop left. I don't even know why they play him anymore. Bad leader, man. Yeah, it was just a bunch of guys. And I was surprised by how much the Red Sox just throttled that team yeah they were by far the better team it wasn't even close god i don't want the red sox to win the world series again jack yeah but it's cool though

no what no no no but it's cool it's cool it's cool having uh games at family park again i agree big big time games like i love cold weather baseball if there's one thing i can watch the rest of my life it's cold weather baseball. If there's one thing I can watch the rest of my life, it's cold weather baseball. Because there's just something different about it. The ball doesn't travel as much. I like seeing guys at the Battle of the Elements blowing their hands. It's just like, that's playoff baseball. And in Boston, in Fenway Park, I just felt like it was such a great moment for baseball.

And it was Kershaw versus Sale. Oh, yeah. And it was great. I love World Series games at Fenway Park. I know everyone hates the Red Sox, whatever. I love the 0-4 Red Sox. The Red Sox. Me too.

I think we all love the 0-4 Red Sox. It's a shame this bullshit run that Boston's been on. It's ruined everything. It really has. Because in 0-4, I mean, up until that point with, of course, in my lifetime, the Phillies never winning a World Series, obviously, until 2008. In 2004, that was one of my great baseball moments just because I hated the Yankees. My Yankees hate is so deep and so passionate that up until the Phillies,

obviously the 93 Phillies were right there, but up until the Phillies won the World Series, two of my three or four greatest baseball moments was the 0-4 red sox coming back against the yankees and luis gonzalez hitting that little blooper up the middle to beat the yankees in game seven i hate the fucking yankees but now i hate the red sox and it's a shame because i used to like him and i don't but i'm with you a playoff baseball venue family it'd be nice to see a game seven that they lose there i'm down with that that's cool that the dodgers like it's kershaw

is such a bummer man i just want that guy to go out and dominate in with that. That's cool. The Dodgers, like... Kershaw is such a bummer, man. I just want that guy to go out and dominate in a World Series game. He's got a 4-5 ERA in the postseason. Which, like... And I don't want to...

I want to see Clinton Kershaw succeed so bad in the postseason. It's all I want. I desperately want it. But I think his... It kind of feels like it.

Oh! There he is. Look at this guy walking in. Fuck you guys. You just do the podcast now and don't even ask me is Look at this guy walking in Fuck you guys You just do the podcast now And don't even ask me Because I'm never available But fuck you guys

This is your fault Come hang out with us You should shirk your afternoon show And come hang out with us Jack Fritz is by far The biggest star To come on the Philly radio scene We were just talking about that

He said And I don't know how long His line to people We were hyping up his show His solo show coming up, and he said, get ready for the next 40 years of your life. That's what he said. He said, you don't want to miss the show because then you weren't there

in the next 40 years when Jack Fritz is everything. Well, I'll say this, that I've already lost my fastball and I'm just about to turn 42. There's a noticeable difference with me from my 30s, and I think kids do that to you too, but you're going to, like, that won't be you at all, because nothing's going to change you. You're Jack. Nothing will change Jack Fritz.

He feels so comfortable when he's with his wife, the most genuine in his life when he's with his wife. I'm scared to death when I'm with my wife. After his baseball skills got refined in high school, that's what I heard. It was. I would have bet my life that the baseball was being referenced like that when he sprouted to being 6'1".

Oh, yeah. And he went from just being bus friends to being real friends. That was a beautiful thing, you know? Yeah. Because they were just bus friends before. And she was really nice. And I liked her. That's a good one.

Philly.com by the way no no dude no you are Jack congratulations you are you're literally my hero you are I'm serious man I'm so proud of you I am too and you deserve it there's no other way around it they could have brought somebody else in and said hey let's give this guy

the show but I think the audience that's used to hearing you and Joe will be much more willing to tune in or stay because you're there. So congratulations. And I'll be listening in between giving out candy and taking the kids out. I have nothing to say about the Phillies either right now.

No, neither do we. We're talking about the World Series. There's nothing to say. Did you watch last night? I didn't watch the end, but I was flipping back and forth with the Sixers. The Red Sox, I've never seen a manager do everything right like Cora's been doing this year. Yeah, he's been white hot, man. White hot. So they'll probably fall apart next year because there'll be a fight or something, but Cora is a stud and a star, and the Dodgers have no chance.

Oh, wow. I like that. Sox in five. God, it's so annoying, though. I'm tired of the Sox. I will say like One of the One of the reads I had wrong With the Astro series Was that

I thought the Red Sox bullpen Was gonna fall apart And I understand Matt Barnes has been good And the guy who Like Brazier Like he looks like

He looks like he just always Is about to sneeze Yep Totally see that Like he's just He's a real odd looking dude. Mm-hmm. But Cora's ability

to bring in Porcello, bring in Evaldi was something I didn't see coming. Porcello's been great. Porcello's been really, and Evaldi, I mean,

like 101. I mean, Evaldi makes more sense there. I mean, Evaldi, you could see, you know, if you didn't think Evaldi

was going to be a starter, you could, I mean, that guy was a lock to be a reliever. It feels, it feels so, it feels good to be dead right about think Evaldi was going to be a starter, that guy was a lock to be a reliever. It feels good to be dead right about Nathan Evaldi. You've been long, long on the Nathan Evaldi bandwagon. You have long been on the Nathan Evaldi bandwagon. I know.

I was thinking about things I was right about and things I was wrong about when it comes to pitching. I was wondering if you would actually admit that there were things you were wrong about. Hold up. There it is. So I was thinking dead right about Nathan Evaldi. I was trying to you would actually admit that there were things you were wrong about. Hold up. Hold up. Got it. Yes. Yes.

Yes. So I was thinking dead right about Nathan. I was trying to assess my Pavetta because it was either it's going to be he's Nathan Evaldi or he's Ethan Martin. Oh, no. Not Ethan Martin. I loved Ethan Martin, man. He was a nasty splitter, man.

He should have been better than he was. It should have been better than he was. Also, on my refined baseball skills. I just want to say. Yeah. For those who don't know, that was the Philly.com article about Jack and Jill. Check it out if you have time. It's certainly worth your read.

It's a good read. And it's maybe the sappiest read. It's a good read. So what do you want me to say, man? We've got a long story. And she asked about every freaking question. Okay? And also, you're critiquing not only first grade Jack.

What am I supposed to say in first grade deep? I thought she was cute, and I thought she was funny, and I thought she was nice. What do you want me to say? Okay? And then you're critiquing middle school Jack, who was in a very weird transition in his life, where I was good at baseball, not great at baseball. I was good. I had seven solos in the middle school choir.

Oh, yeah, you're a singer. Before we were recording, Jack asked me if I'd seen a Star is Born, and like well first of all i don't really like movies weird take second of all he's like i love singing i'm like what are you talking about you love singing you love singing yeah well here's the thing is that i convinced myself i am being dead serious i could go on the voice and sing uh uh uh what the freaking song is it? Oh, Drops of Jupiter. I could go on The Voice and sing Drops of Jupiter and 1,000% get their chairs around. Really? I've never been more confident in anything in my life.

I would get them to turn around. Give us a little Drops of Jupiter. No, I'm not going to do that. But Refined Baseball goes, I went from 5'8 to 6'1, got in good shape, fastballs up to 81 miles an hour, and the rest is history. Jill is like stud stud yeah and then i wasn't a complete and i wasn't a complete loser anymore lullabies i stopped i

stopped being in the choir and started focusing on pitching and that's where i uh that's where i really turned into me so you could have been on the voice you could have been a star but now you're just doing a radio show at six o'clock on right and people are looking forward to the next 40 years of their life. Maybe we'll get some drops of Jupiter at some point. Alright, Sox and baseball. World Series we discussed. I'm with you. I would say Red Sox and Six. I don't feel great about it.

I think they probably win it back at home. But regardless, I hope the Dodgers win. I hope we're wrong. I've watched them this whole postseason and it just seems like there's something off there. And it's like the staff's been okay. What do you think about Hinch and Ryu? Two years? Look.

Two years, 20 million? I'm a big Ryu fan. He's clearly super talented. Love that he's a lefty. Always hurt. Yeah, always hurt. Always hurt. I know.

I mean, it's like the first stretch of, like, two months he's put together in years. And look what he's done. He has, like, a 190 already. He's been amazing. I know. It sucks. It sucks. I mean, a year, I'd give him a year for sure i would take one of course i'll take a shot in avaldi would you give a three-year deal to avaldi three years 50 million to avaldi no 28 he's 28 all right maybe there's 101 maybe i would consider it i

like i think avaldi has upside it's crazy avaldvaldi's gone from a guy that was looking maybe at a one-year deal. To someone who's going to get paid. He's going to get three years. And I think- Look, what's his name? Freaking can't throw a strike out in a- Tyler Chatwood got four years, 50, whatever million. We're not going to bring up Tyler Chatwood.

No, we're not. That's a sensitive moment for both of us. Yeah, we both were, holy hell, that guy. That didn't work. And guess who signed him? Theo! The fraud Theo. Oh, God. All right, Manny Machado. We got to talk about this. Yes. vote for holy hell that guy that didn't work and guess who signed him the fraud theo oh god all right manny machado we gotta talk about this yes this has all happened since the last time you and

i talked on this show first and foremost let's start with the not my cup of tea so if for those who haven't heard manny machado comes out and basically when asked about not hustling down to first base says I'm not that guy I'm not Johnny Hustle it's not my cup of tea those remarks didn't go over well in Philadelphia Jack listen I could just I couldn't wait to hear

what Angela was going to say it was almost like Manny was like Angela I got you bro you can just have fun go crazy as Jack Buck would say go crazy It was almost like Manny was like, Angela, I got you, bro. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm going to say this for you so you can just have fun. Give me that. Go crazy. As Jack Buck would say, go crazy.

So when it happened, and it's not even the hustle thing. It is frustrating that he's not going to hustle in the playoffs. Of all times, right? I know. It's like, yeah, look, I get it. 160 games is a long season. That's why I'm always, I get it when people don't hustle. I would love if everyone were Mike Trott. And even Mike Trott, I'm sure, doesn games is a long season. That's why I'm always, I get it when people don't hustle. Like, I would love if everyone were Mike Trout. And even Mike Trout, I'm sure, doesn't hustle every single play.

But I would love if guys do that. It's not realistic. If you're down 10-0 and it's August 30th and you've played 120 straight days or whatever it is, like, I get it. It happens. But like you said, Jack, I mean, it's playoffs. I know. And he was just so smug about

it jerk about it i know i know and it didn't it really didn't sit well with me and then he spiked uh jesus aguilar oh god what a bush league move that was and you know it's just like i was watching him i was like do i really do i really trust giving this guy 10 years 300 million dollars and it made me it made me think like, I don't think he's a winning player. I don't know if he can win with Manny Machado. Like, it just doesn't... I mean, he's batting cleanup in the World Series. He is. And he's had

a great playoffs from an offensive perspective. I understand. For what it's worth. And played pretty solid defense. By the way, the Dodgers have made him into a good defender. A great defender, yeah. Using analytics. He's been great. They were like, because the Orioles never told him where to play. Of course not.

They were just like, go out there and play shortstop. Figure it out. The Dodgers were like, no, we have this pitcher. He likes to pitch here, stand there. Yeah. And he's been, shockingly, way better defensively. It's crazy. I do hate, though.

I do hate the one-handed. Me too. When his hands aren't together. It's a pet peeve. Fundamentals. But then he grabbed his crotch in Milwaukee. Oh, like... Me too. When his hands aren't together. It's just, it's a pet peeve. Fundamentals. But then he grabbed his crotch in Milwaukee. Oh yeah, he did. And I have really enjoyed the Manny Machado heel turn.

It's great! He's such an asshole! And he doesn't care! He's like, come at me, Milwaukee! I know. And he's doing the same thing in Boston now. Good for him. I know.

Here's my take on it. I would still give him $300 million. I have said from the beginning we both have i think you might have actually said machado first while i was yelling for harper but we've both changed my for a while been on the the harper over machado take and i feel incredibly strongly about that for all the reasons i said before and just as much now but if bryce harper wants to go play for someone else and you can't get him, I'd still pay Manny Machado. My biggest issue is not the content of what he's saying.

It's not that he's saying he's not going to hustle or whatever because whatever. I hate that. It's not my style, but he is an amazing hitter and amazing player. My issue is with the pure stupidity to actually say that out loud. I mean, how dumb can you be, man? Like, what is, so that bothers me. I'm worried he might be an idiot.

That's my big issue with Manny Machado. Again, I'd still pay him. I don't know if I feel great about it. I'm hoping you can get him cheaper. You know, maybe it knocks a little bit of the price tag off. All it takes is one team, though. So would you still give him $300 million? Yeah.

Or whatever it takes to get him theoretically in that range, whatever. What worries me is that there's been a couple of Heyman reports about how the Phillies might be the only team willing to go $300 million. And that's not great. I don't like that. Don't be fighting against yourself for it. Right. Don't be fighting against yourself for it. Right.

And I don't like the idea that they're the team that's going to go all out for Manny Machado, whereas all these other teams are kind of like, yeah, we'll take him. I don't know if we're going to kill ourselves for him. I agree. That doesn't sit too well with me. However, he's Manny Machado. He's Manny Machado. He's Manny Machado.

He's batting cleanup in the World Series right now. The other thing is, I'm trying to think of the general Philadelphia fan. I don't think he cares. The one thing that bothers me is I don't think he cares about, I don't care what fans think, doesn't really matter, but I don't think he cares about what city he goes to. I agree with you. He only cares about money. Well, I think we're seeing that.

I mean, look, to not care enough to say that out loud to a reporter, to anybody, I mean, that is, it is, I can't even explain it. It's so stupid. I know. And it's just so careless. And it's, I hope his agent slapped him in the head after. I was like, moron, what are you doing? And I don't think Harper would ever do that.

I think Harper would love to play in front of the fans here. I agree. I think Harper feeds off it. I think Harper cares about that type of thing. And look, Harper just plays harder. I mean, Harper is a Johnny Hustle guy. It's just who he is. That dude wants to win desperately at all costs. And that's

what we love here. And look, there is no question Bryce Harper is the prize of this free agent class, and it has just been made more and more apparent with the playoffs. Yeah, and I was thinking today, and I was thinking today and I was thinking last week when this all went down, I would almost rather punt this offseason, get

Harper, well not punt, I would rather just go all in on Harper, not try to get both and then sign like Aronado next year. I would love that. I mean, you know, Nolan Aronado is my guy. I've been upset. Aronado's a team guy. Ar Arenado's sucked it up in Colorado for years on bad

teams, and he said, hey, I want to win. They finally made a little bit of a commitment, try and put a bull's-bid together for him. They go to the playoffs this year. Nolan Arenado is the best defensive third baseman in baseball. He's one of the best hitters in baseball. The home road splits are not nearly as worrisome as some people make

them out to be. The power is real either place. I love Nolan Arenado. I think I would rather go all out on Harper, try whatever I can to get him, not worry about going after Machado and then going after Arenado next year or even Rendon next year. I support that plan. I think both are. Arenado, to me, is a guy that lives and dies with baseball.

I agree. And wants to win no matter what. You can see it in the way he plays. So is Bryce Harper. I want a team full of guys. I don't want to sound too old school or whatever, but I want guys who want to win the world. Totally.

When I watch Manny Machado, I don't think he cares about winning. I think he cares about getting paid. Numbers, paid, whatever. And Ray Dindra, actually, on the Midday show last week was talking about the art machado thing and he said that he had spoken to a can't remember if it was an agent or a scout scout that's what it was and he said that he had real questions about after he got paid if if he would care with manny machado and he's like bryce harborough care bryce harborough wants to win no matter what yep and ultimately just to on an even more it's not like, like you said, it doesn't matter

ultimately how they interact with the fans. You want it to be good, but you also just want to win. It would be nice if we could get a guy who's a Philly guy. And Bryce Harper's a Philly guy. He's the type of guy who we will love here. Even though people think he's not a Philly guy? I don't get that at all. It's just because he's a national.

That's it. And they're like, oh, I hate that dude. And because he's on Sports Illustrated at 16 and all that stuff. Yeah. Guess why? Because he's a national. That's it. And they're like, oh, I hate that dude. And because he's on Sports Illustrated at 16 and all that stuff. Yeah, guess why? Because he's fucking awesome. I know. That's why he was on Sports Illustrated when he was 16. Because he was the LeBron of baseball and it actually happened. Other than Mike Draft. Well, he's not as good as LeBron.

But you know what I mean. Right. You know what I mean. And who knows? He's 26. He's 26 years old and he's a free agent. This is unheard of type stuff. I know. I'm with you. If I'm the Phillies, my, my number one,

number two, number three, number four, number five, number six, whatever you want to say. Priority this off season is sign price. Yeah.

And I just, I just want guys that I know are there to win. And I just, I don't fully trust that Manny Machado is here to win a world series. And I think if I'm identifying free agents, guys, I'm prioritizing, I'm free agents, guys I'm prioritizing. I'm prioritizing Harper and I'm prioritizing Nolan Arenado next year. Because I think those are guys that are here to win

big. And I just don't trust that Manny Machado is that guy. That is the new official platform of the High Ups podcast. Alright, Fritzy, you asked us some questions. We got some questions. You got anything else in the World Series or on any takes you want to get out there real quick? About the World Series? Or just baseball takes before

we get to the questions. I don't think Dave Roberts is a good manager. I don't know what to think of Dave Roberts. And look, it's one of those things where the Dodgers are so everything they do from the top down is in unison. Dave Roberts is doing what

Andrew Friedman wants him to do, what the front office wants him to do. They're all working together. So it's hard to tell what is Dave Roberts' decisions and what are organizational decisions. Yep. But I agree with you. He doesn't seem great in the moment. Yeah.

And like last night's decision to pull Baez and go to Alex Wood. And it was a smart move by, it was a risky move, really, by Alex Gore to take out Rafael Devers, who has been a machine in the playoffs. Really, you know, he's killing his fantasy value next year because he's going to go way higher.

And I wanted to target him later. It's a bummer. I know. I hate when guys do that. He's like your classic down year after a breakout year. Of course he is. It's Xander Bogarts after that first year

and then everyone drafts him in the second, third round, and then he stinks. Yep. All right. First one from P. Gunther. P. Gun! Stick with me. If you could have signed either one at age 25 for 7 to 10 years,

would you have picked Ken Griffey Jr. or Adrian Beltre? Ooh! That's a really fun question. Yeah, because most people would say Ken Griffey Jr. Immediately, but you also have to think about the fact that Griffey did get hurt. And Adrian Beltre has been a long, you know, you would have that guy for the next, what do you say, age 25? So you have Adrian Beltre for the next 15 years contributing every single year, putting

up numbers for you, playing a premium defensive position. I'll still say Ken Griffey Jr. because those years before he got hurt were so special. When did he start getting hurt? Like mid-30s, early to mid-30s. Okay, so it's seven to ten years. Seven to ten years. You would miss the end of it. I forgot seven to ten years part of that.

So you get ten great years of Beltre. You get five elite years from Griffey and then five-ish. Hit or miss years. And I think the eliteness of those years makes me go Griffey but it's a really fun hypothetical. And then he says I'll take Beltre just because I like longevity.

Now pretend you're a Phillies fan which I mean we are Phillies fans that's why we're here. Yeah we don't have to pretend for that one. Apply the hustle factor. Is this stay away from a shadow crowd that serious thanks so is he trying to say that he's asking you no no he's just asking this is the second two-part okay because i was like griffey hustled i don't know no it's a two-part question the second part of the question

is now pretend you're a phillies fan implied the hustle factor is this stay away from a shadow crowd that serious which we basically just we just talked about yeah no we both would still sign manny machado though we feel a little worse about it than we did. If we had to rank them, right? If we had to rank free agents in the next two draft classes, or next two free agent classes. Rank them. It's Harper, Arenado, Machado for me.

Harper, Arenado, Rendon, Machado? Well, look, we're getting into a Rendon costs $120 million and Machado costs $300 million or whatever type of thing. I'd take Rendon. That's what I'm saying. I'm saying if we're talking pure player, I will take Machado. In terms of what it would cost,

I think Rendon will probably be a better deal. From Joe Cornick, if you had to bet $100 on one player being the opening day starter at one position next year besides Nola at pitching and Hoskins wherever, Alfaro a catcher, Cesar at second base, Kingergate shortstop. He's going Oduble in center field, which he says

is crazy really since he didn't even start an opening day this year. Yeah, I mean, I think the correct answer is Jorge a catcher, right? I think that's the most likely. We've talked a lot about how it's really hard to look at this team and say oh, they're going to be there at that position. I still think that Carlos Santana will be at first base next year.

He might not. You know, obviously Hoskins, we don't know left field, first base. You know that Reese Hoskins will be in the starting lineup. I am pretty sure that Carlos Santana will be in the starting lineup. I think if I had to bet on a player in a position, though, look, because we don't know who Cesar is. As of right now, you'd guess he's probably back, but he might not be.

I could see them wanting to put Kingery at short. You could see Kingery at second. You could see Kingery at short. There's a lot all over the place, especially if we're talking about adding an outfielder, potentially, if they do sign Harper. So I'll say Alfaro at catcher. I'll say Santana at third base. Oh, I love it.

Bang. Love it. Bang. From JT, which of the final two organizations would you want the Phillies to model after? I know they're both analytically driven, but they are slightly different in their approaches and philosophies. Dodgers use matchups. Boston uses set roles. It's a really great question.

And I think, look, I think it's all talent dependent. It's a really hard thing to say. And, I mean, both have built their organization with a lot of, I mean, you look at that, I mean, other than J.D. Martinez, you look at, like you said, Devers, Betts, Bogart. I mean, they have developed some talent, man. Like some high-end Ben Attendee. These are all guys who came up

through their system. The Dodgers, you look at guys like Chris Taylor, Max Muncy, they have an ability to find these gems out of nowhere who no one sees coming. So it's a really different kind of way of building things, but both have developed guys. And it's two completely different offensive approaches. Yeah, big time. Whereas the Dodgers are patient and and we'll work grind out pitchers and all that

fun stuff whereas the red sox are we're gonna attack yeah look in a basic sense i'd rather be the red sox and the dodgers i think that i'd rather have talented guys who i'm going to put in my lineup and play every day because i know those guys are awesome and i want them playing every day yeah and for as much as awesome and I want them playing every day. Yeah, and for as much as I do believe in that you're a baseball player, you can go out and play different positions and it won't affect you at the plate,

there is something to knowing where you're going to be all day, every day. And really, I prefer the Red Sox style of see your pitch, hit your pitch. Yep, I agree with you. And this is going to be, this is my main take for the Red Sox style of see your pitch, hit your pitch. I agree with you. And this is going to be my main take for the day. Main take of the day here.

This is a big deal, folks. And what makes me mad is that I've been squatting on this for like a week and I haven't been able to talk about it because I haven't done a podcast in a while. Is that I'm worried that the Phillies are... They got into the... their offensive approach

too late like I think offense in baseball is changing right in front of our eyes and I think you're seeing with teams like the Indians the Astros the Rays the Red Sox where they used to be this patient grind you out and then try to get to the bullpen kind of offense and

this year they all flipped and they turn into aggressive and we're going to hunt pitches and attack and drive the ball in the gaps and stuff. And I know the Phillies are much like the Dodgers. Basically, the Phillies are the AAA Dodgers. They have guys playing all over the field. They will wait you out.

And they're all about launch. And they're trying to launch everything. And I understand how great launch angle is and how it's led to breakouts to guys like Justin Turner. Or Max Mun guys like Justin Turner and Max Muncy we just mentioned Max Muncy Cody Bellinger uh Jack Peterson yes Monty Grandol these guys are all launch guys but I think pitching

has advanced so much to a point to where they know how to get out Longrangle guys and it's fastballs up in the zone and it's sliders down in it like or sliders all over the place like I just think that pitching has gotten so advanced to a point to where that offensive

approach is going to be played out I think in a few years. Watching the Dodgers all postseason and watching the Yankees as well because the Yankees are the same kind of thing. It felt like I was watching the Phillies all over again where it was like a freaking pop-up.

It's just, like the two-strike approach, like I understand strikeouts don't matter as much, but the Red Sox and Astros are trying to put the ball in play with two strikes. They're trying to,

like I think almost that the Phillies might have been too late going to this offensive approach and I'm worried that it's going to be played out by the time that they get these star players in here. I think it's a really fascinating take.

I think a few things about it. One, I think part of the wisdom that led to this kind of movement in baseball from an offensive perspective was the idea that you want to get into bullpens and tear apart through bullpens. We're also starting to see, I mean, look, as more pitchers come up and bullpens become more specialized, bullpen pitchers are really good now. I mean, it's tough. You don't always want to get to a bullpen.

You can match up guys against particular guys who are perfect for their strengths and vice versa. So I think that's an interesting angle on this. Yeah. I think that's an interesting angle on this. Yeah. I think more so I am a big believer in the idea of not doing something so much to, like, what's the spite your thumb phrase? That phrase about this in the sense of, like, you can't be so committed to an offensive approach

that might not work for all your players. We talked about it a ton with Scott Kingery this year. Yep. There are certain guys who to be successful they need to go up and swing the bat they need to go up and do what they do if they see a pitch they want to hit they need to be able to go after that that hit i think it is way more important to tailor your approach around your talent tailor your approach around particular guys Not everyone on the team has to approach things this way just because that's the way we do it.

I think when I've watched the Dodgers and hopefully the Phillies get to a point where their offense is on paper as good as the Dodgers or even the Yankees. I've been frustrated watching them because it's hard for that type of offensive approach to break out of a slump.

Absolutely. We saw it all year. Because it's all about home runs. You need home runs. And if you don't have home runs, there's just nothing there. There's no stringing together an inning. You know, like a single here, a walk there, another single, another double. We don't see that with this Phillies team. And I think that's hard.

I feel like that part of the game. That was what Boston, other than the New Year's home run, that was what Boston did last night. That's what they did that first hard. I just, I feel like that part of the game that That was what Boston, other than the New Year's was what Boston did last night. That's what they did. That first inning, double, single, boom, run, quick, like just getting, like, nibbling at Kershaw. Single, run, you know what I mean? That type of stuff, we don't see that nearly enough.

I know, and I just, my main worry is that they're behind, and they got this offensive approach as it's being phased out of baseball, and they just fired all these hitting coaches. They fired all these guys and they seem like they're really committing to it. Organizationally committing. Which I'm worried about. I think that is a fair take. It's something

to monitor and more importantly, look, we need them to be able to adjust if it's not working. I think that's the big key is not committing so full force that if it's not working, we're still going to do it just because that's what we do yep that's where teams fail and obviously if they get better players it doesn't really matter i think we can all agree on that but i will say like watching their guys in

the postseason seems like they struggle more uh and i'm watching the yankees and dodgers it's like they struggle a lot when things get tough okay um from adam arnold um what changes do you expect from capital this year in terms of defensive shifts? What prospects could come up this year? Will they help the defense? Look, I mean, defensive shifts, that's an unanswerable question. I would assume, knowing how detail-oriented

and numbers-oriented this team is, that they are going to sift through a ton of data from this season. They're going to look at their pitchers. They're going to look at Nola. They're going to look at Arrieta. They're going to look at Pavetta, the guys they expect to be a part of that rotation next year.

And they're going to say, all right, what were the tendencies? What happened? What happened versus this type of or what happened versus that type of? There's going to be a lot of data analysis here, and I think they're going to base their shifts off that, right? I mean, that's what we've seen from this organization. They're going to look at the numbers. What does the numbers tell them to do? That's what they're going to do. Yeah, and their shifts, I know that they were

bad for the first, like, three months of the season um and i think they must have changed their their uh algorithm because they were they were league average the rest of the year much better yeah and it was weird because uh there's a quote earlier this season where like they were basing their defensive shifts off of the last their batters last like 30 at bats or something that's insane which is which is like a really small sample size. Why would they do that? Yeah, it didn't make any sense. I'm not sure I believe that. And that's so silly. Like, you're data analysts.

Like, you're going to look at a 30-bat sample size? I mean, that is like atrocious. It was really small. It's not like they're going to stop shifting. Kapler would never do that. No one in baseball is. Unless Rob Manfred says, hey, you can't shift anymore. That's the only way there's topic. What do you think about

limiting pitching changes? I love it. I've said this for a long time. I absolutely have no problem with limiting pitching changes. I think it's important for the game, the way we're headed. I like it. I used to hate it, but I like it. And you're a big National League D8 strategy guy.

How much strategy is it if you say, hey, you got six pitchers? That's where you can use this game. However you want to use them, use them, but you got six pitchers. I know. I mean, that's fascinating, right? And of course, extra innings, you account for that. You say you can add a pitcher, two pitchers, whatever it is, or unlimited and extra innings, whatever you want to do.

But I think that would add so much interest to the game, to the strategy, and it would really help the game from an enjoyable-to-watch perspective. Yep. And another thing, sorry to come around on it, I used to hate the idea of a pitch clock because pitchers is just very mental and all that stuff. But when I watch minor league baseball, they have no problem just taking the ball and going.

And it really, like last night, so last night was like a three-hour, 40-some-minute game, I think. Jeff Passan said that if they instituted a 20-second pitch clock, Just taking the ball and going. And it really, like last night, so last night was like a three hour, 40 something minute game, I think. Jeff Passon said that if they instituted a 20 second pitch clock, it would have shed 20 minutes off of game time. That's massive. I mean, that's a big deal. It is a big deal.

Look, I've always been pro pitch clock too, because I'm not a pitcher like you. Well, 20 seconds is fine. Yeah. Look. You just can't, you have to be on the same page as the catcher. Right. Because you have no time. Yeah.

But again, I'm fine with any of that type of stuff that doesn't change the integrity of what the sport is. I'm all for it. Yeah. And I just think, you know, the pitching changes thing makes sense to me. And you don't need, like, it doesn't have to become so specialized that it just slows everything down. You shouldn't have three pitchers pitch an inning.

You shouldn't have, like, that type of stuff. It'll change. I'm confident that baseball is going to change. Look, Rob Manford wants it to change. He'll find a way. Any prospects coming up next year?

I mean, it's going to be mostly pitching guys. I mean, like, hitting-wise, off the top of my head, like, Haseley. Haseley's really the only

name that comes to mind. Only exciting one. Or at least, yeah, anyone who's going to really help. I mean, there's no one super exciting right now. I'll say Pujols. I like Jose Pujols. I hope they protect him in the 40-man.

Although I did read a story about my boy Joey Manessis. They're probably not going to protect him in the 40-man. Oh, no! I know. So whoever goes to the next is getting... You said he's the most important person on the freaking team. Some would say. Some. Some would say. From

BC at Trip to the Mound, does watching the Dodgers in the playoffs remind you of the 2018 Phillies or is it just me? Adherence to the data over gut at times, pulling bias in favor of what musical chairs, defensive positioning results in worse overall run prevention. That said, it got them this far. Yeah, we talked about that. Look, Kapler came from the Dodgers. They're very similar in the way they go about their business. The Dodgers just have better players. That's a big takeaway there.

All right, from Casey Young. Which free agent should the Phillies target under 15 million AAV? That's a great question. There aren't a ton of the guys in that range who get you excited. We mentioned, who did we mention before? We mentioned a pitcher before who could be in that general range. Garrett? Garrett, yeah.

Charlie Morton. I'm sorry, yeah. Charlie Morton's an interesting name in that range for me. Look, they loved him before they brought him in. Didn't work out. He's shown that he can pitch some injury issues. I like Charlie Morton a little bit. Eovaldi was the name you mentioned.

He's going to be in that range. I got a name for you. Ooh, fired at me. What do you think about Jed Lowry? Sure. Jed Lowry can play multiple positions. Multiple positions. Coming off his best year of his career at 33 or 34, whatever.

35. So you don't love that. But I think he's a fine utility type. But look, if you want Jed Lowry to be your Estrebo Cabrera this year or something like that, yeah, I'm totally okay with that. And if you move on from Franco, he can play from some third base if you don't give a shot. Obviously the injury issues and all that, but that's something. I think that's an interesting

name. If you lose out on Harper, you know, look, A.J. Pollock is out there. I think he probably gets a little more than that, but the injuries... No, no, no, no. No interest in A.J. Pollock. A.J. Pollock's such a good player when he's healthy. Yeah, then you lose him for two months. It's great.

I know. Marwin, we mentioned. He can play a bunch of positions. I'm not a big Marwin fan, personally. He had a bad offensive season. I know he can play everywhere, and Jose Otuve has said he's a better second baseman than him, but I think this playoffs he got exposed,

and he can't hang off a curveball. I mean, look, in that general range, Jay Happ probably has a year or two left. He's going to be in that range. You get him for a one-two-year deal. I don't hate it. So I know a lot of people in this town are like, well, I would love to bring back Wilson Ramos.

I don't want to bring back Wilson Ramos because I want to go after his Monte Grandal. Ooh, I don't know if Dodgers fans will let... Oh, wait, no, they're totally fine with that. Never mind. I don't care. No, I'm with you. I'm joking. I don't care that he's had a let oh wait no they're totally fine with that I don't care I don't care that he's had a terrible defensive I think he's a good defensive catcher

he's a great defensive catcher and he fits exactly what their profile is he's younger and I don't think again I mean the Dodgers played Austin Barnes and him together a lot it could be the same thing here with Alfaro I like Grandal I would rather have Grandal than Wilson Ramos,

who I think should just go to an AL team and be a DH slash part-time catcher. Yeah, Wilson Ramos is just too infuriating. Like, you just don't know when he could play and all that stuff. And also, I have no interest in Andrew Knapp. I don't want to watch Andrew Knapp ever again. Never in my life. Look, Grandal's a nice player. I think Grandal will probably, someone will pay him to be their everyday all-the-time catcher,

and I think if you're coming here, look, I don't think they're going to just throw Alfaro out. No, they never would. Exactly. So, look, I really like it. And look, it might be one of those things where the market plays out that way and you can get him for a one-year deal or something. Sure.

I think he'll probably get third year. I'm guessing. I'm just saying, like, that's the only way I see the Phillies being in on Yosemite Grandel. Yeah. Either way, it's going to be absolutely fantastic. Yeah. It's going to be great.

And there's a lot of interesting names. You know, guys, Brian Dozierzier I don't really want Brian Dozier but those are the types of Nate like there are guys out there who people know but I'm with you I'm higher AJ Pollock than you are Leonis Martin as a as an extra yeah I look at you know they're guys

they're guys but I think the 15 million AV under is it's hard to focus on those until you know what happens with the over guys, the Bryce Harpers and whatnot. Right. That's the real heart of what we're trying to do here this offseason. Yes, but however, I think Jed Lowry would be a very good addition. I would too.

Look, he's a good player. He's been in the league forever. He plays multiple positions. I don't hate Jed Lowry at all. I'm fine with it. All right, everybody, please, please listen to Jack Fritz. Six o'clock, Halloween. You're not going to have trick-or-treat.

Instead of playing Halloween music, play WFP. I love that. Play Jack Fritz. He'll sing to you. We just found out. There's seven solos. Yes, a lot of solos. Drops of Jupiter coming.

I'll be home for Christmas. All those solos. Drops of Jupiter coming. I'll be home for Christmas. All those solos. Drops of Jupiter. Yeah, that's what would turn the chairs around in The Voice. Is that Train? Is that Train?

Yeah, it's Train. Big Train guy? No, that song's fire though. They're terrible. Well, they have three good songs. Yeah, I don't know. Meet Virginia?

Yeah, no. Come on, man. No. It's a song of a whole generation. I just want to hear you sing Drops of Jupiter now. I know, but it's all I want now. It's the only thing I want. If we get to 100 reviews.

Oh, people, do you hear this? We're at 92. If we get to 100 reviews, I will sing the chorus of Drops of Jupiter. Oh my God. All right, so now we don't have a choice. Please, rate and review the podcast. If for no other reason than to hear this performance that would make CeeLo Green

and whoever else is on The Voice turn their chair. I don't even know if he's on The Voice anymore. I don't think he is. I think he was done in like season two. Yeah, well, when I think of The Voice, I think of CeeLo Green. How about that? All right, any final thoughts for a team?

Sox in five and again Boston you love to see the city get another championship I just think about those 15 year old kids or 20 year old kids who don't know any other life but titles I hate those kids

I just hate Boston in general Boston is what I want Philadelphia to be they're smart, they're innovative, and it's just like... Oh, come on. Look at this Boston kneecap sucking. Oh, I love them. God, they're a bunch of stuck-up assholes out there. They are because they've won so much.

That could be us. We're going to be miserable all the time. Wanting to fire every coach. Rate and review the podcast so we can hear drops of Jupiter. Screw Boston. I hope they lose. You can screw Boston all you want but that's what you want Philadelphia to be sports wise. Sports wise yes. Otherwise

no. I don't care about the culture of Boston. I care about their sports teams. Well I can agree with that. I would love to have double digit championships over a decade. And four thinking franchises. Alright. Rate and review the podcast for drops of Jupiter for Jack Fritz. Again, listen to Jack Fritz.

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