High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - The Perfect Trade Deadline Pod

Episode Date: July 30, 2026

We are only a few days away from the MLB Trade Deadline and the High Hopes podcast has some ideas to fix the ailing Phillies. James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to the Phils getting swept in Miami before presenting both of their Perfect Deadlines. Presented by Miller Lite.To purchase Ring The Bell by Jack Fritz and Kevin Reavy go to RingTheBellBook.com

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The crowd is singing high hope. I feel a little less alone. edition of the I Ops podcast, sponsored by Miller Light, official partner of the Philadelphia affiliates. Tastes like Miller Time, Philadelphia, celebrate responsibly. Coming out with us at Lascala's fire on August 13 in the Northeast.

We got High Hopes Night for the Field of Dreams game. We're going to have baseball movie trivia. It's going to be a blast. Please coming out with us. We can all be together. There will be trades by then. It'll be better. That's the best I got.

We'll get to the perfect deadline later, which will be fun. It should have been, it should have been just a fun pod coming off like two or three from a Marlin scene that had lost 12 straight. But instead, they get swept. And the quote unquote cold war between Dave Dumbrowski and Bryce Harper are like missiles firing all over the place. It's not cold anymore. Matt Gell is writing stories about how like, guess what? Don't like each other. Like it is I mean Harper comes out and says what he says we need help

Manningly comes out and just absolutely crushes Hart I can't believe Mattingly came out and said what he did I understand it from the organization perspective I understand Bryce we're gonna get into all of it we'll get to the deadline later but here's where I'm at Jack and it it it's hard to say that the low point of the season could be today when the manager got fired at 9 and 19 or 10 and 19 or whatever but it feels like this is like the second low point of the season. Yeah.

My feeling is this is now combustible. I didn't think that the DeBrowski Harper thing would trickle over and, you know, turn it to something that could legitimately harm the team. I felt that they would be able to, well, Harper really, put it aside and say it happened, but let's go win. He keeps bringing it up, you know, and he keeps putting pressure on Debrosey, almost like getting one back at him,

which is a tad annoying, but I also understand it. Yeah, I fully agree. It's his legacy that's on the line. Like, that's the thing that... And he's right. Like, he's right. They need help.

Like, what he is saying is fully true. We'll get into the teammates, stuff and all that, but this team as constitute right now is absolutely not good enough. It's not. And it's not so much about him being right. I think we all agree that he's right. It's just, is this the right way to go up?

I agree. He should have put it on himself more and all that. But like I am okay and we'll just dive right into it. I'm okay with Bryce saying what he said. Like I think he should have said found a way that like maybe put it more on himself. And to say like I understand the aspect of the teammates part of it. I get that. But,

but we're talking about if they're making trades, guys won't be on the playoff roster anyway. Like I'm sorry Gabriel Rinconis if this hurts your feelings. But I can't have you on my playoff roster. Like I am sorry, Seth Johnson coming into the tie game in the seventh inning, Seth Johnson. Down to. Oh, yeah. Oh, sorry, up to.

They're up to. Excuse me, not even tie. Up to. Yes. Bowling comes in the tie game. And when bowling should have been up to, whatever. Like, I can't, these guys aren't going to be on the roster anyway. Who cares?

I'm sorry if Bryce Harper hurt your feeling, Seth Johnson, but you're not a part of my team. Like, you can't be. So, like, I get that there is a little bit of a culture teammate issue with the way Bryce said it. I don't think he handled it perfectly, but I also appreciate Bryce trying to put a little pressure on the front office to do something when, I mean, not that I even know if they should do something. But, you know,

like, I'm torn on this whole thing, but I, I'm not upset with Bryce for saying what he said. I just don't think he said it the best way he could have said it. Yeah. So, all right,

so I feel a couple things. So I, I am okay with him putting pressure on the front office, two things. I also think it is a little, bit, I think it's a little bit for show because I think they're going to anyway. And I feel like, and that's what Mattingly said. Madingley said, everyone knows you don't need to say it, which, which I get.

Yeah. So, so I was okay with Bryce doing it. I thought it was mostly a nothing burger. My big issue. And, you know, let me kind of just throw this out there. Like, in listening to Maddenly like three or four times, it eventually hit me and why I do feel like that this is combustible is if I'm Bryce Harper and I heard Don Maddenley say that, I think he thinks that I'm an idiot. And with the way he said, these guys just want to be

GMs. They want to spend everyone's money. They don't really understand, you know, what it takes to build a team or or what these guys do from the like prospect wise. They just want to trade every prospect. If I'm Bryce Harper, that's an insult to my intelligence. and Bryce is someone who pays attention to every level of the minor leagues. He wants to make sure that they are a healthy organization. I'm sure he's frustrated that there hasn't been more talent coming up through the pipeline to supplement the rest of the roster. I actually don't believe that Price is one of those players that wants to trade every prospect

in order to win now. I think he cares about the health of an organization. He actually has said multiple times that I understand we can't trade every prospect because we need those guys to come up and help us. I think he's fully aware of that. And in Maddenly almost, almost belittling Bryce's knowledge of that, that is where I think that this has the combustibility factor to it, because now that is, I think that was a shot below the belt a little bit too much.

And a little guy, a little bit too personal. And I would be offended if I was Bryce of like, you really think I'm so, I'm dumb enough that I don't understand that I can't. spend everyone's money and trade like really so and and to me it sounded like don was parroting something that dembrowski had told him yeah that's a concern yeah and especially look when don't son is in the front office like there is that whether or not there's a true thing there like there's always going to be that impression that those their family members of course they speak that they could be coming from dave and them like i can understand if you're a player and you see that you could

have that type of impression you know well and And this is something Maddenley was very, Don, not Preston. Yeah, yeah. He was concerned about coming in. Yeah, yeah. Very conscious of the locker room is a sacred place. I have to make sure that these guys understand that I'm not going to just run to Preston if there's anything wrong. You know, if there's anything that, and I'm not going to just take whatever the front office says and bring it down here.

And in what he said makes it feel like if I was Bryce that there may have been a breach of trust from, from, from, from, that standpoint because that's what it sounded like. It was surprising to hear. I don't know if I've ever heard a manager. I was shocked. I was talking about they don't understand. Players don't understand what's like to be a GM. And when he says GM, people made,

I think people jumped to the Preston thing. I do think that he's talking more about Dembrowski and GM's just the easy thing to say. I think he was absolutely talking about Dembrowski there for sure. It's just easier to say GM than president. Manningly's whole career until like the last decade, those guys are GMs. You know what I mean? This is a new thing calling them presidents and stuff. When he says GM, he's talking about the, I think, the classic, I would agree.

So for the first time, because when they lost the series and obviously I swept, that was horrendous. And, and got swept and also had a one-nothing loss in there where they look like crap. And then also up six nothing yesterday. And N, we do have to mention, I know he said at the top, but got swept by a team that had lost 12 straight coming in. Like, that is part of the story. Yeah, for sure. And we'll get more to the game and what. But obviously this is. Do we have to? Yeah. Well, this is the biggest story. And, you know, teams can handle ruts. Teams, teams can handle down periods. And like the Yankees had lost 11 to 13 heading into the All-Star break. The Red Sox obviously have been dreadful, then ripped off 12 straight. Like there's plenty. 15 straight to Red So there's still two months of baseball left. Like how they're everything going on right now is is small potatoes. It's. It's.

stocks it's knowing it's about the worst timing possible heading into the trade deadline but but a thing like this is something that i think could actually like sink the season i hope it doesn't obviously uh and i do think that winning can cure all but for the first time like those comments really they really didn't sit well with me and and don maddenly is definitely seemingly in i don't give a bleat territory i'm an interim manager. I'm Don Maddenly. And if I'm back next year, great. If not,

whatever. And with the way that Gelb wrote it out, about how the relationship has not been repaired between those two. Let me, let me quickly, before you go on, let me read the one line in the thing that really stood out to me. This is from the Gelb article. He wrote this. Neither Harper nor Dombrowski,

two powerful men with huge egos, particularly cares for the, other. They should probably figure it out. Really? I mean, that's in a source, like, reported article, he's saying these guys don't like each other, is what he is saying. And that is, to your point, Jack, today's the first time I thought is Bryce Harper going to be here in two years. You know, I know we've had those kind of like, I never really bought into that. Like, this is the first time, if there's a real, especially because one other thing we should mention in this article, which is a whole other angle on this, like, Gelb implies in the article that Dave Browski is on the verge of a

contract extension. That is something that is said in this article. And if Harper and Dombrovskar at this point in season, like how does this get better? How do they fix this moving forward? This feels like a, to your point, like a real, a real moment for these two guys, for this organization, for how this plays out moving forward for potentially choosing one of those guys moving forward. Yeah. And he also, well, the one thing that I think could be a flying the ointment there because on the surface i agree it's like holy cow what this might turn into him or me i think the one thing is that gilb also said immediately after that they're going to probably put out what their succession plan is yes so if if bryce knows that there's a expiration

but but but what if it i get it but so debraussi signed through next year now right so let's say they let's say they had two more years to that or just uh you know it could be three but let's say they had two i mean then like at what point brice is two years left at that point i don't like does even care what the succession plan is? Like you're talking about when like does it, I guarantee you that each year of Bryce Harper's career is the most important or is more important than the next because each year he's getting older. Like right now, next year, year.

Like those are the most important years to Bryce because those years where he knows he has the best highest likelihood of being good of contributing of helping him get there. So I agree with you. But I also don't know that if they say Nebraska's here two more years, then it's Preston, like that solves the issue for Harper, you know? I think what Harper would want to hear is Debrowski's out after the next year. You know what I mean? Well, I'll tell you one podcast who adores that idea.

I think it'd be this podcast. Oh, yeah, buddy. Give it. Please. Right now. I would do it. I'm stepping down for the trade deadline. Manning will takeover.

I'll be like, thank you. Because honestly, like, that's my issue with this, too, is I do not like the Dombowski part of this because I think Bryce is right. see we need help. I mean, you look back at this past off season and you know how it down I was. I gave him an F. And I feel so vindicated in my giving them an F. I mean, they were going to sign college or college forward. That's good. Every other move they made has been bad. Every single one. I mean, you go through the, I know he got hurt, but Brad Keller stunk and then got hurt. Is that for 13 to 16 months? Whatever. That's a lost contract. J.T. resigning. Like,

he's a good defensive player. He's fine. But we're talking about 15 million a year for JT. It's not like it's a good contract. Outside of that, I mean, Adolus, I mean, it got hurt, but also struggled up until, I mean, like, none of these moves on top of the fact that they ran it back to begin with. And to the Harper point, like, again,

like you've said this so many times, but Harper, each night he gets in the line up and he sees up, there's my 650 OPS behind me. Sweet. Again, again, again, night after night. It's like, I would be annoyed with Dombrowski too, man. We know how desperately Bryce Harper wants. to win a championship.

It's the, I believe the thing that matters most of this guy in the world. And he is a very finite amount of time left to do that, very finite, compared to the 14 years he's been in the league. Like, he's at the end. And when,

when year after year after year, Alec Bone still hits behind you. Like, I'm, again, I am not like, Bryce is 100% right. I think he handled it poorly, but I do philosophically agree with where Bryce is coming.

Yeah, I think we all. And it is, it's been an interesting Bryce season. It's been a lot more. Yeah. Well, that's the annoying part too. It's like Bryce has been good all year. And then he has the down slump in this when it's happening.

So it's allowing a lot of people be like, well, Bryce is playing the crap too. And it's like, yeah, but he has an all year, you know. Well, I think that is the, again, there's been a lot of dumb reactions to the, to the Bryce thing. The one being, whoa, he's it in 160 this month. So what is he have to say? It's like, he also helped climb.

He was one of the biggest reasons why they climbed that. of a 9 and 19 hole. When he made the All-Star team, he made a 9-12 OPS. Yes, he has had a bad month. Those things happen. It's like worst stretch as a Philly or third worst-stretched as a Philly, whatever.

I don't know what to tell you. But, yeah, this, and I think the biggest thing that has to happen, the biggest thing that has to happen. And I don't know if we talked about this in the off-season when this whole thing kind of started. But there has to be a Pat Crocey, Larry Brown, Alan Iverson, type meeting with Middleton,

Nimburski, and Harper. I'm sure they may have tried or I don't know if they have had a meeting. I think there was some report. Well, there was report prior to the season that after all this stuff happened whenever that they met, it was in the Inquirer. I think it was Scott Lobber, but I'm not 100% sure.

But the inquiry reported that those guys got in a room. We don't know patent that it was a productive or whatever, you know? Yeah. So, you know, and I'm sure Debrowski's like, all, we'll keep it in the house. And then now Harper's like, well, guess what? I think you need to make a move with the trade deadline. I know, right? Well, so that part, it's like, but then Mattingley goes over the top and takes it

even further out of house. And it's like, and I get it. Bryce did it. Bryce brought out of house, but it's like, you know how this guy reacts. You know what? Like, he's a prima donna. Like, it's okay. He's been famous since he's 16 years old. He's lived in a different life than other people. Like these people are not normal. I always say this with like these famous. Like Tom Cruise has been world famous and he's like 25 years old. Like, yeah, not that surprising. He's not a normal. human like you know it's just you you do have to meet people where they're at you know what i'm saying and yeah bryce is certainly a different cat and i did love the uh hey i brought my uh alfield glove just i know he is really because oh and the other thing that i wanted to bring up is

because you brought it up and i don't it's it's not that it's not fair but like he's talked three or four times before Tuesday night and the whole time he said I have to play better like I'm going through a bad stretch like I think people always jump to he's not taking any accountability

for any it's like he has talked three times heading into the trade deadline in each article now this is the only one that was on camera like he went through deep throws an entire slump with with Galvin Zalecki and like the beat reporters the other day

so he is taking kind of it's not but it's also the reason why they have to make a trade and they need to go get a bat or two bats is I understand the stars have to be stars. But as I've said, I don't know, countless times on this podcast. You know, Ryan Howard did not hit a home run until game three of the World Series in 2008. Other guys stepped up. Victorino stepped up. Worst stepped up. Matt Starr stepped up. Like whoever, yes. So the point of going to get bats is not, you can't say

three guys that they carry you to a championship. It's just, Not realistic. One of those guys, Brandon Marsh. Like, I love Marsh. But, like, are we sure Brandon Marsh is the locked hit in the playoffs? Of course not. What are we talking about here? The only guys you can almost put it on is a starting pitcher.

You know, Hamils, 08, Lee, 09, Wheeler in 22, where it's like that they can pitch you to a win. They can pitch you to two wins in a series because they're that good. I just think hitting's opposite. I think hitting's totally different. You have to find other bats that can just lengthen the lineup. out and give you more chances with real bats to have a moment in the postseason. The biggest hit last year in the World Series was Miguel Rojas. It was not Otani, Betts, Freeman, T. Oscar.

It was not those guys. You're right. So that's why when people say the stars have to be stars, I think it's just a, I don't disagree, but I just think it's an age-old thing to say when it doesn't always bear out that way. And I don't know how realistic it is. I mean, think about the series that they played, we played against the Dodgers, right? Who had the biggest hits in that? I mean, Tay Oscar in that first game with the Homer.

I mean, they didn't, Otani didn't. Kike, that's my point, though. It wasn't Otani. It wasn't Bet. It wasn't Freeman, really. Like, it was the other guys lifting it up and coming through and stuff matters. You're so right, dude. Yeah.

So, yeah, I'm definitely nervous. I wish they were playing better because I think that you want to be hearing this. I think there'd be more of a groundswell for them to go out and do something. Now it feels like they have to do something to just salvage this thing. But man, they're playing right now, I think we said it last pocket, but they're playing right now, like they're just waiting for something to happen, which is exactly what they were doing was they were waiting to get Rob Thompson fired. And that's an annoying way to play. Now at the same time, like, the 1-0 game was brutal. I was proud of the way they fought back Monday

and with the way that Wheeler pitched and, you know, being able to... And look, Duran blowing a game. It's like, you know. It just sucks. I mean, it's a cherry on top of what has been a horrible stretch. It's like, okay, you actually fought back. You showed good grit. You got an insurance run.

Yeah, I know. Seven. I know you're right. You play good situational baseball on, at least on offense. Defense is always a mystery. Adventure, yes. And then, you know, Duran does that. And then they come out to flayed.

And then yesterday, oh, my God. Does six, nine. nothing. You have Lazzardo on the mound. That game has to be done. That has to be over. That has to be, like, that has to be shut down. And the fact that they blew that, I had to be a somber, somber playing. Oh my God, that flight must have been horrible, dude. I want to get to the weekend. One last thing on this. Just I want to reiterate, because I don't want it to be like full, like, I do have issues with the way Bryce did it. Like, I want to hammer. I'm like, I'm not like just saying,

Gay Bryce, you were right. Like I do agree, especially if they don't make certain moves, if there are guys who have to be on the club later, like I'm sure it sucks. If Gabriel and Kronis is on the club and Bryce talked about him not, you know,

theoretically, I'm not and he has to be here. Like, I get that that can great problems, but to Jack's point, I think they're going to make moves. I don't think those guys will be on the roster. But I don't,

I just want to make it like, I'm not like fully like, Bryce, you're perfect. Like I do take issue with the way he did it. I just am more okay with what he said because of where they're at. And, and that I believe it's true.

And this is the other thing is, and I agree with you, I'm not making a million excuses for Bryce because I... Yeah, I just didn't want it to come off that way, you know? But the other thing is, I don't know how much these guys, like, pay attention to that stuff. I just don't, you know?

I think that, I think Bryce has almost gotten to a point where it's just Bryce being Bryce, you know, and like up up my head. I don't think they're walking in. I don't think Seth Johnson or whatever's walking in there. Can you believe what Bryce said, jerk? Yeah. Or he kind of side-eyes Bryce.

He's just trying to get out. Yeah, yeah, yeah, he's just side-eyeding Bryce in the way in. I think there's a balance between telling the truth, which he did, and also accepting the reality as to where they are. People made it seem like he was talking about not the bottom of the roster in a way. Like, they haven't won a game by their fifth starter since May 18th. Yeah. They have to pitch Seth John. Well, again, they don't have to pitch Seth Johnson.

down or up to in a uh with an off day the next day but they're they're deficient in the bullpen not part of that is because of how they have managed the starting pitching and and and gilbroed in that article and it's it's a really i mean it's fun and also sicken thing to point out but you sadly said you know brian zela cruz is the right fielder now and they believe in them they're giving a lot of runway he wasn't an option until five days ago i know that has using the minor leagues until five days ago, 10 days ago, whatever it was when he got brought up and started playing. Yeah. This is, this is a world series, a team with world series aspirations. And they are now convinced or whatever that Brian Dela Cruz can actually be the, the answer to their right-handed

hitting outfielder issues. And there's no bigger lock than he's going to have a huge, you know, three games here. Yeah. He already is. He's been good. He's been their best hitter. And they're going to be like, you know what? We're good. We're good. We got our guy. We got our guy. We got our guy. So it is a, it is a, it's a dark time. Right now it's definitely a dark and just fascinating kind of almost like a crescendo or a climax point for this team of what are they going to do and how are they going to climb out of this? And are they going to be okay? Because I do think, I still believe this. I believe that they are a well executed deadline away from still being one of the better teams in baseball.

I mean, they're going through a rut at a bad. time. But if Dave can crush this deadline, like he crushed last year's deadline. And actually in the trade department, I think he's been heating up a little bit. He's been better. Yeah, much better than signings. That's for sure. Yeah, the signings 100%. Disaster. The Keller things were really unfortunate. It's unfortunate. But, you know, Caba for Lizardo, uh, Duran. Doe hoppy for Mars trade looking great now and now it is. Yeah. It's in the moment, not as good. But I'm just talking like in the last, since last offseat, you know. Yeah. Both trades. at the trade deadline last year were awesome

Lazardo Derek Hill yeah you're right so that gives me some hope that gives me some hope heading into the most important deadline of our lives for lives we'll get to that deadline in a minute let's look back at the I was about to say weekend Monday through Wednesday series

look we've already kind of touched on it a bit but but look I like I wanted to come out of the Nola game being like wow all right Aaron nice little outing for you, buddy. You know, look pretty good. One run. You know, home run.

That was it. And no hit, no hitting in that one. Obviously, I think yesterday it was really, I can't decide what's worse. Teams lose 12 straight. You're up 7.5. You blow that one in the ninth with a closure. It wasn't given up, it was blown one save all year.

Hasn't given it. First time he's given up five hits in it in a game. Then you just show up with nothing the next day and get completely shut down. Then you're up six. Like, Jack, they found a way to lose this three game series. each of the three games in almost equally, I mean, the last one was the worst, but almost equally painful ways

that are all completely different. It's unbelievable. Yeah, I mean, we're back to Lone Depot Park is the House of Horrors for this team. Oh, I hate that place. I saw your 19 to 11 tweet, fully agree.

That was a great tweet by you. So 19 to 11, Starly Marte off of Brandon and Workman. That was definitely, right? Yeah, no, that was the 2020 series when I lost five. Yeah, it started with Paschae, right? Didn't they win the one game

on the Paschae Homer? and then it just fell apart after? Was that they tied it or so I can't remember? No, they want, they get with it. Pasha gave them the lead and they won. That was a Friday before the All-Star break, and then they lost Saturday and Sunday, but the Friday felt like the emotional lift and whatever.

Yeah. So yes, we're back on, on Marlins Park is the worst place on Earth. And sorry, Lone Depot Park. So a couple things that stick out. Tuesday, and you're going to hate this. Oh, oh. They did hit the ball hard. It just happened to right at people.

Mark C made a, Marcy made a play in center team. Okay. It is what it is. I will say that freaking ballpark, man. Fly balls just go to die there. It is, I hate watching games there.

Why would you ever build a big ballpark? It's so not fun to watch baseball there. It's like so many flyouts. Like that one March it, like it didn't even go that deep. It's like I, it's an annoying place to watch a baseball. It's not fun.

It's like, oh, another flyout, fun to watch. good stuff, guys. You really built this part great. I'm not saying build a bandbox, like Yankee Stadium, where it's just like you get so many cheap home runs. But like,

isn't it so much more fun with like the dimensions of CBP? Of course. Where home runs are home runs. You can score a lot of runs. It's not such an advantage that you don't have good pitching. I mean, the Phillies have had great pitching while being at CBP. It's just like, what's the point of building a big ballpark?

Who's that fun for? And it's like, that's just, it's pointless. So Monday, the big concern was obviously Wheeler. And I thought it was... The velocity down. It was nice after the game, I guess, that he said the ball just wasn't coming out well. I wonder if he's going through a little bit of a dead arm period after he has come back, you know, on fire from the surgery.

I wonder if now we're dealing with a little bit of fatigue. This was actually my fear with him before I watched all the minor league starts and got even more fearful. My real fear with him was, Kenny, is he going to get tired? hired throughout the season because he maybe didn't have the most the all season any normally yeah yeah so that was my other fear so you know we'll kind of I guess monitor that situation when he pitches over the weekend um and Baltimore was a place that blasted him what was that two years ago yeah seven runs I think it was yeah like four homers or something I was nuts four homers yes definitely four homers I remember that so we'll see where he is hopefully

he's fine he apparently was sick but I appreciate after the game he was like that had nothing to do with it although I'm sure it had something to do with it well I think him talking after the game alone was a good sign. You know, the fact, I think if he was really hurt in any way, he's not talking. Sure. It was like very concerning when the, I think Gell tweeted that there was a, the Phillies brass met the dugout and said you're out of here. Well, that's what I mean.

When that happened in the moment, it's like, this is bad, hearing him speak after I felt better. Yeah. So that was something to monitor off of that. Duran not worried about it all. It was annoying because of the bullpen actually did their job in the middle portion and somehow get that game close. That was, that was great.

A miracle. A miracle. It was like five shutout. And then let's get to yesterday. The Seth Johnson decision. I mean, is that, let me ask you this and then you can go deep. Is that Manningley's worst move as a manager so far? Like in game, I mean.

Well, there's been a couple. I mean, I think you can almost pick them out, you know, pulling Wheeler, pulling Sanchez, you know, can't decide what to do with Nola. There's been a plethora, you know what I say, in the last month and a half. I mean, that buzz said it last night, our good friend, Dan Wilson. It was Gerardi-esque. It was... Did you see Buzz's tweet?

Buzz really went for it. He said combining the comments he made about Harper and that the Johnson decision in that game, he thought it was the worst day if Phillies manager has had in a long time is what he tweeted. I was like, wow, Gus. It's almost like when Kapler, remember when Gabe before the games

told the reporters that, hey, I benched Caesar today. Oh, yeah. Or Cesar. And then they went to Cesar. And they were like, Hey, did you get benched? And he's like, no, he just said I had an off day. Yeah, what are you talking about?

Such a good day. So I'm this game. Right now I could go for a little gay one with you. Oh my gosh, he was something. He is a passionate man. This is a message to the Phillies front office that I know you're busy and I'm sure that there's are possible. Oh, do they have anything going on right now?

Trace me out. For the sake of the franchise, just please DFA, Seth Johnson. Don Maddenly wakes up every morning. He wakes up every morning. And when his eyes open and he's looking at the ceiling, do you want to know what Don Mattingly does, James? I think he's not yet seven. How can I get Seth Johnson in this game tonight?

I don't care if it's a one-run lead. I don't care if we're down one. At least I'm going to warm him up. Hey, the camera's going to pan to him. And it's going to say, hey, why is Seth Johnson up for the? Sixth day in a row. I don't know, because I'm going to find a way to get him in a baseball game. For the sake of the franchise, you have to send him down.

Like, don't allow him in the building. And it's nothing against Seth, who seems like a good kid. But every time he's on the mound, it reminds me of Casper the ghost. Why does he always look so afraid of... Well, that's what I was going to say. It's like, he doesn't want to be in there. Mattingly finds a way to put him in said. It's like, no, no, no, I'm good.

Like, every time he steps in the mound, you could see it in his face. I very rarely watch pictures and feel, and maybe I'm projecting, obviously. But I very rarely Jack can woke him and they look afraid. Like he has a look of like, I don't think I can get these guys out. Like yesterday, do you think when that inning was falling apart in front of our eyes, the bullpen phone rings, it's Caleb. And the bullpen coach goes, hey, Seth, get up. You think Seth in his head is like, oh, God, no.

Yeah, I do. A little bit. A part of him is, yeah. he is the most overmatched trying to be a leverage arm on a team that's trying to win a freaking world series than I have ever seen. Like the bullpins of the last couple years haven't had this. Like they haven't had, like, I guess Brogden. I guess the one year of Brogden. Sure, sure.

Where it was like he's just batting practice. But I don't think, well, maybe in the beginning they tried. But at least Brogden had had some success at the major league level prior to that. I mean, St. Johnson's never done anything in the majors. I don't think they try to shove down your throat that Connor Brogden was a leverage arm. The manager does not understand what leverage situations are. That is an easy spot, and I don't care that Bolin allowed a run in the next inning. Who knows how it goes if he is in the game in the seventh where he should have been

because it's more important to hold the lead rather than blow the lead. And I tell you what, I would rather have Bolin against the top of the Marlins lineup. Like if Bolin was ready, he's facing Otto Lopez there instead of it being Lazzardo, the fourth time through. That is, it's malpractice. It's right there in front of you. It is Bolin there to hold the lead and you figure out the eighth and then you get the ball to Duran, hopefully still with lead. But the most important thing you can do is still hold the lead. and that is what didn't happen yesterday.

So I know they were down guys. I get it. They were down Kirkering. They were down Alvarado. They were down some dudes. But you had Bolin with an off day. You get him in the seventh. You even could bring him back out for the eighth if he got that last out.

And you figure it out from there. You have Mesa up for lefties. And you don't have this just dreadful feeling in the city today because the manager does not understand leverage situations. He just doesn't. Yeah, I got nothing to add. I think he's said it perfectly. And it's the biggest, Madingley, I think is other than, you know, these comments, which I don't like, I think Madigan has done a pretty damn good job since taking over the one area where he is, to your point, consistently seem to have some issues, is the bullpen stuff. And we know how important that is in the playoffs. I mean,

I think the single biggest reason most Phillies fans wanted Rob Thompson gone was because of bullpen decisions that he made in the playoffs. You know, like if they had to pick their biggest reason. So. And Ben Thompson was much better. Yeah, he was. Much better. You're right. Yeah, I agree with that.

I agree with that. All right. We're going to get the perfect deadline in a second. Shout out to the Holmaville in. Today show is sponsored by Miller Light and the homovill in. I think I'm saying that right. Holm-M-E-Vil. Humaville, right?

As it may, Humeville? Humeville. I think you're right. I think it's the Humevill Inn. So shout out the Humeville Inn. Check out the Humeville Inn for every Phillies game and enjoy $3.25 Miller Lights, $4,000 shandy Dress and enjoy their signature housemaid Chilly Miller Lights for Phil's Win, Celebrate Responsibly. Are you going to get the deadline in one second?

I'll ask you one quick question before we dive in. How concerned are you about the Padres and just the general decreasing of the players? off lead for a wildcard spot. Because obviously the Braves are pulling away, the Brewers, the Cubs, the whole thing. Yeah, yeah. Overall, I still don't have too much concern about them missing the playoffs. I think if they missed the playoffs,

it would be because of them, not because of anyone else. If they miss playoffs is because they crater and they can't pull themselves out of this and write the ship and figure it out. There's the teams behind them, I don't have much fear at all. I mean, the Padres have been up and down all year, uh, offensively.

Tax and Merrill's heating up, Fernando Tz is heating up. Ty France is at a sneaky good year for them. I always like Ty Fants. I know. And they're getting Musgrove back in Pivera. But I think they're what? They're two and five out of the break. Well, they won five straight, I thought.

Hadn't they? I thought I saw some of the two and five out of the break, but, you know, I could be wrong. But the teams behind them, at least as it stands right now, you know, the nationals, they're kind of like they're hanging around but can they stay in it oh no you're right they're seven and three in their last time yeah i thought so yeah it's the cardinals it's the nationals it's the pirates it's the i agree with you none of those teams scare me much but the pod it's just getting close that's why i mentioned about yeah yeah yeah no it's 100% 100% and we'll see the debacks can can hold on all throughout the year they've been so hot and cold and obviously when they can get

hot. They're, they're great. But yeah, I mean, the Padres have been just set up weird here. But of those teams, they are certainly the team that you would be the most you're keeping an eye on. I agree. And, you know, thank you for mention the Diamondbacks with the twins and, you know, all these other teams that would have been great trade candidates that had just decided to turn it on right before the deadline. The Red Sox did it. It could not have played out more annoyingly in terms of like the buyer seller of it all. Well, even the Astros. Even the Astros. I know. And I have an aster on my list. So do I.

Okay. Good. All right. Let's type it. Let's do a little perfect deadline. I will go first as always because I am the appetizer leading up to the main course. And I have no illusions about what people are here for. I'm going to end up with the prospects.

I really just went for guys. I don't have a great feel for the farm system in terms of you have a much better feel for the value of those guys on the market. All right. So I gave three options as an outfielder. I'm going to say my favorite, but I gave multiple options. there. I did the same thing with relievers. I threw a couple starters in, but like, I'm, I'm focusing on hitters and relievers in my perfect deadline. I know they need all three.

I just, they're not making all, I mean, maybe they can make all three happen, but I'm, I'm, I'm focusing on getting a bat and a reliever, potentially two relievers is what I'm focusing on my perfect deadline. My top guy, we, so pretty much all these names we've talked about over the course of this deadline, other deadlines moving up. But I have two guys in the outfield, and one is a clear trade candidate. The other is on a team that is in the American Lincoln kind of competing. Heliot Ramos is a name we brought up a ton of times. Can play both corner outfield spots.

The thing about him is he has three years of club control after this. It made me four. He is under contract. He's 26 years old. My guess is he costs a lot. So I don't know how viable he is, but the Giants will be sellers. He is someone who

again plays both outfield positions, gives you some versatility, good fielder, good bat. You know, not a ton of power, but a I think he's in like close to 280, something like that. Like I really like Heliot Ramos. I just have no idea what he costs, Jack. Yeah, it's tough because of the, of the control that he has. In the age, 26.

26. He probably costs too much, right? Unless he doesn't walk a lot, which, you know, this team is the worst OBP in baseball, and he has a 305 OBP. You're right. That's a good point. Yeah, 303 OBP for the team, so he's slightly better, though. Oh, yeah, yeah, he'll fix the issues.

He'll fix the issues. But yeah, I've always been in L.A. Ramos guy. I think there's been a little bit too much. There's been a big downturn and how people feel about him, but I still think he is a good hitter. He's, and the Giants are a team that you could theoretically put together a package of, you know, Ramos,

if you want to go all in, right, if you wanted to push a gauge trade, you know, if you wanted to go Ramos and then he could choose either Ray or Eric Miller, who would both make sense. But Ramos is a good name. Okay. I mean, I'm not going to do a deadline

and not, I don't know what the Mariners plan is. they're like three out or something like that, but they've been terrible. They're probably going to compete, but I'm not going to let a perfect deadline go without trading for Randy a Roserina, just out of like history, out of nostalgia. I mean, it would be perfect. Like every year, if they had had Randy freaking a Rums of Raina on this team, we would be having different discussions about this baseball team, Jack. Like, has anyone, if they could have just gotten him a few years ago, could have been more

perfect? Like, it's such a shame. He was the, it was the Oscar and him a couple years ago. Yeah. a 24 deadline and they ended up not getting either one of those guys. All right. Now I will go with the name that I think is most likely to come to the Phillies. I would not be super excited about it, but I guess he makes sense from the platoon perspective

or whatever. But I think Lane Thomas is going to be a Philly if I had to bet. I know. I know. Would have been more exciting a couple years ago. That's not my per. I'm just giving you, I think. My name's that Ramos and a Rosary.

Those are the two bats I'm going for. But the thing about a Rosarena, too, assuming the Mariners, I don't know what the Mariners play is, but it is the last year of his deal. He would be a rental. He would be something he wouldn't have to give as much up for because of that. So I'm going for a potential guy who can control or a rental. Those are my two guys at outfield. Yeah. And Lane Thomas does does feel very Phillies.

Just feels it, right? And his OPS, OPS against lefties is still good. It's hovering around 800. He does have 10 home runs on the year. He's got a hose out there in the field. So, yeah, I think I'll get to it. I think there's three guys that are Phillies. It's either going to be Varshow, Lane Thomas, or Taylor Ward.

Yeah, Taylor Ward was the other one I thought of, but I figured Taylor Ward would probably make an appearance. I would leave Taylor Ward off mine. All right. I had two starting pitcher names. Like, I didn't really go deep on the starting pitchers. I'm assuming you did some more work on the pitchers. I think the most likely pit guy out there, the name has been out there,

but Brady Singer just makes a lot of sense. I'm not super excited about it. Tell me this. In the last year of his deal, there is an option for next year. I don't know that it's going to vest. Maybe there's some wiggle room there. It's a lot of money for the rest of the season,

and he hasn't been good. What do you think? Like a Rosarena Luis Castillo package where they pick up money. Luis Garcia has not been good. No. Just done? He's cooked. Well, I looked it up because I thought the same thing,

to be completely honest with you. it's the money that I just hate. So is it the, is the vesting going to vest? That's what I couldn't figure out. If the vesting is going to vest, but if I'm getting them both for the rest of the season

and that's it, that's a different discussion. It's a vesting option if he pitches 180 innings. And it's only like 95 or something, right? Well, but the best thing is, it's in 2028. It's not now. Oh, I'm sorry.

I read it wrong. All right, that changes everything. My bad. I am sorry. So we signed through for 207, no matter what. Yeah, yeah. Something million.

25 million. Yes. Forget I said it. I'm taking it off. I read it. That's a bad job. All right. I'm going to get to my relievers.

And I think there's one team and it's really upsetting. And you've mentioned it before, Jack, but I mean, you got to go after Mets, right? I mean, they just, I mean, it's so there are three Mets. I want two of them. I'm trading the Mets for Luke Weaver, your guy who's been really good. He's got another year of $12 million. I think that's manageable, especially with the Keller issue. You're not going to have Keller next year.

I think that makes sense to add Weaver and be willing to. pay another year of it. I think it's a question of what you're willing to spend. I think AJ Minter costs Lex. I think Brooks Raleigh costs more. Raleigh is also in a, he is not signed through next year. So I'm like, I'm fine with going. This is kind of my theme with this with a lot of these guys is I don't, I know they've

talked about wanting club control. I don't care. I don't care. I mean, I care. But if I'm making moves, I would rather give up less from a prospect perspective and have guys for the rest of the season and then figure out in the off season, then worry about trying to build my club moving forward. So I like the idea of these guys

were only on half of your deals outside of Weaver. The name I said from the Astros, who I think is interesting, and he's been bad this year, but he is in the last year of his deal, and we know in the World Series, Brian O'Brien Wooped our butts. Yeah.

He's been bad this year. He was great. The first year he's been bad. Like, I would be willing to see if the Astros would part with him. And half a season left, another theme with me. Half season guys,

I know that's not with the Phillies. But that's what I'm into. I think you could get up Brayu for not that much from an Astros team that is in it, but not in it, in and out. I think there's at least a chance there, comparative to what you would have paid a year ago. Wow.

Yeah, he has been horrible this year. Horrible. Bad, but he's Brian Abraeu. I know. And it's the first year being bad. Yeah, my fear with always that his first year being bad also like.

Is the beginning of the end? He's only 29, but yeah, a lot of innings on that are. A lot of innings on that arm. And then again, I don't know what this would cost. You're going to have to kind of,

parse this out for me. But the last one, I feel like of all the guys I've said, this guy costs the least. Okay. He's on a horrible team. He's almost my age,

Jack. I'll take Kirby Yates, man. I trust that guy more than I trust Seth Johnson or whatever. 39 years old. I don't care.

You can't solid this year. Finally bring him home. I mean, it's been like eight years of us asking, seven years of us asking for Kirby Hates to come here. Nothing better.

I've always done for Kirby Hats. He can't. No, like Brad Bacheco. That's my point. That's my point. So, like, I want that type of, I'm philosophically, as you can tell from my names, like, I am much more in giving up guys out of our top 10 prospects and packages of them

or whatever. I'm willing to give up some good prospects, but guys weren't the top end stuff for half years of guys rather than giving up gauge wood for multiple years of guys. Yeah. Well, and I think the Phillies, I think if I had to just read the tea leaves and say if my, my guts telling me. I think they're going to make four or five trades. Wow.

No, they're not going to be, I think it's four or five. Like of what I'm talking about, like the smaller. Yeah, yeah. Which is probably the smart move for this team. Honestly, I've been thinking about so much, Jack, coming into this perfect deadline, just doing it philosophically where are we at as a team. And it's a, we've talked so much about it all in or not. I think it really is more on the margins.

I don't think this team is good enough to bet your top prospects and, you know, give it all up. But I do think this team has a chance if you can make some smart moves. Again, let's not forget the best player on the team arguably last year after the trade deadline was a guy they didn't give up, like, what did they give up for Harrison Bader? I don't even remember that I know you do. Henry Mendez, please respect them. Okay, but that's my point, right?

Like, that's the type of trade they could make. They could give up that type of guy and get someone like Bader. And Bader could be as good for half a season as someone who gets costs a lot more. I'm not saying they will. You have to get the right guys. But it's not always the big ticket moves that end up being the best moves. To the point about Miguel Rolls before. Well, and look at the,

they have the 21 Braves it. I'm not saying like the whole outfield. Yeah, you're absolutely right. The Braves made five trades and they, they hit. Jock, Duvall, Solero, Rosario, Richard Rodriguez. Dude, that was the World Series MVP in the NLCS MVP.

Rosario and Solair came from those deadline moves where they gave up nothing. Yep. By the way, Henry. By the way, Soler was on my list, but it's just like, where the hell you play him? But like, he makes sense, too. He stands. He stands in right field. That's where he plays.

He stands there. Yes, he stands there. By the way, Henry Mendez is in AAA right now for the twins, hitting 307 with an 837 opium. Oh, terrific. Thanks for that. Good. Good. Great.

All right. Well, maybe you can't get anyone for nothing. Yep. Exactly right. All right. All right. All right. All right.

So I have my perfect deadline and what I think will happen. Okay. I got to be honest. I think this is my favorite perfect deadline I've ever put this I think I I built I think I built a world series team I love this thank you yeah so my first trade is I am trading Alec Bohm oh hold on oh no thank you thank you what did we get nothing anyway great trade you did it I'm trading Alec Baum trading Justin Crawford

Wow. I'm trading Andrew Painter. Hold up, dude. What? You're doing what? And I'm trading Cody Balker to the Houston Astros for ESOC Paredes and Josh Ader. Wow. Wow.

Take that. Take that. It's a big boy move, buddy. Crawford and Painter, gone. The two of the top three guys we talk so much about, gone. See ya. I'm getting Hader for all next year. I'm getting Paredes all of next year.

Parades is an upgrade, even in the field. And at the plate, ESOC Paredes. Come on home. Come on home. And it gives you a nice little stopgap. You don't have to rush back, Aidan Miller. Parades are bust.

Anyway. Do you worry at all about trading Painter? Crawford, I don't think he's like that much less of a value than he was before he's been okay. But I would say that Painter, as opposed to the beginning of the year or whatever, his value is absolutely lower. Do you worry it all about like selling low on painter? Or is this more of a, I'm concerned about painter and math?

Well, it could be getting out while you still get. That's what I mean. Yeah, that's why I was, yeah. Yeah, so I think it's a, it's a little bit of both. I don't, I don't know which one I feel more. I don't love the idea of selling low on painter, but also. If he's not good, then you're getting what you can get for him. Yeah, I get it.

I get it. The point is you're concerned about his future if you're making this trick. Well, yeah. Yeah. I mean, and you can send him our version of Forrest Whitley while I still have talent. You're right. All right. The second trade. I'm trading Gage Wood. Whoa. Whoa. You are. Wow. Watch this. Okay. Watch this. Okay. I'm trading Gage Wood. Brian Rincon.

And Alex McFarland. Oh, man. You are, wow, the baby boys. To the Blue Jays for Kevin Gosman, Dalton Varsho, and Jeff Hoffman. Whoa. I mean, you just remade the team. So, so here's my- Completely different baseball team now. Oh, no. So here's my case.

Here's my case. Here's my case. Hoffman is on a pretty bad deal. And I think the Blue Jays are concerned about getting, they're not worried about shedding salary, but if they can get, I think they can shed 40 million or maybe like 30-some million. They can get, their draft pick won't move back 10 spots.

So if they're going to lose anyway, they might as well shed as much salary as they can. So if Hoffman, you're taking on that contract, it should cost a little bit less prospect-wise. I understand I put Gage Wood on, but you're getting Dalton Varsho, who I still believe is a platinum level. Yeah, one of the best center fielderers in the sport.

Yeah. So I'm getting that. And I'm getting Kevin Gosman, who is kind of like their version of Nola, who would take the ball or 50th and is, he's not as good as he used to be, but he's still better than Nola. Yeah, exactly.

He's definitely better than Nola. And Hoffman, by the way, since he's been removed from the closing role as a 1.33 ERA, He is still 98th percent on Chase, 90th percent on K percentage. So there's a lot of good under the hood with Jeff Hoffman. So it's a hefty price. I think Brian McGraths trade anyway. Alex McFarlane is a reliever.

Woods the big one there, obviously. But, you know, I'm taking a chance. I'm taking a chance on getting three guys that I think would change the team. My next trade. Whoa, buddy. Oh, yeah, we're going. We're going for it. The next trade is Brad Bacheco, Pond.

and Griffin Bulkholder, other baby boyd, to the Colorado Rockies for Jake McCarthy. So he is my, he is my, is my, is that enough? Maybe. I'm not sure. I'm not sure where Jake McCarthy's value is. Yeah, there's still upside, but yeah, yeah, yeah. And he hasn't been that good for the last couple years until this year.

Also, there's some Rocky, you know, home road splits thing with him. But if I go Varsha McCarthy, Marsh, and the outfield, it's a pretty damn good defensive outfield. So, and McCarthy's been really, really good at the plate this year. And then the final one, and this is just a, is for the sickos out there, is I am trading Matthew Fisher and one, one, Vian, Vienccio. For Mr. Minor League Minute guy, you gutted the bar, gutted it, just took a freaking, like, axe to it. What the hell?

Yeah, Jackie Dombrovsky. Jackie Dombrowski. So Matthew Fisher and Juan via Vincenzi. to the Orioles for Tyler O'Neill and Jordan Westberg. Now. Tyler O'Neill, finally. Tyler O'Neill, the reason why I think they made this. Jordan Westberg is the guy ever going to play?

No, but he could play. He could play. Theoretically, he could once again play baseball. But you're taking him on an ultimate bylaw. He is going through Tommy John surgery. But man, when he plays, I think he is. I love Jordan Westberg. I love him too.

And Tyler O'Neill's owed $16 million for next year. I'm thinking it's going to be prorated anyway. So whatever. And he does provide me the platoon with him and Marsh in the outfield with a real right-handed power bat. So I believe I've built a World Series caliber roster. My bullpen is now Duran, Hader, Bolin, Kirkering. Good luck. My lineup has J.T. Harper, Stott, Turn.

Bernard Parade is Marsh Varsho McCarthy with Tyler O'Neill off the bench. And my rotation is now set as well. It's a phenomenal job you did, dude. Honestly, this is easily your best trade deadline ever. Now, to be fair, you gutted the system and you just said, let's go. Phenomenal. But very different from mine, which is like trade a little bit to get guys who are done at the end of the year.

But, but here's what I didn't do. I didn't trade Ramon. I didn't trade Aden and I didn't trade Francisco Runtaria. All right. I think you did an amazing job. Last thing before we get out of here

because I do have my what I think will happen real quick. Oh yeah, yeah, okay, real quick because you mentioned Marquez, are you concerned

that Jason Stark said he thinks he's the player most likely to be traded on the Phillies. I didn't see that until you just told me. Stark tweeted it out, yeah. So Alex coffee, I think it was Alice,

or no, Charlotte. It might have been Charlotte, Furness, I believe. No, Charlotte Barnes. Yeah, she wrote a piece. That was her, yeah. She wrote a piece

and then Jason Stark quote tweeted it and said, I think Marquez is the most likely affiliate to get traded. Oh, well, awesome. The bridge on my way to work is looking more and more appealing by the second. All right. So what do you think will happen?

So I would trade Gage before I trade Ramon Marquez. I want that on the record. Anyway, here's what I think will happen. These are my realistic trades, I guess. So this is my, so I think I would trade like Matthew Fisher, Alex McFarland, Brian Brincon, and then one of Balker, Heredia, or Burke Holder to the Blue Jays for Varsho and Hoffman.

So I think, I think, and Marosi just tweeted that the Phillies and Blue Jays are emerging as trade candidates. So, like, I think Hoffman's on the table. I think they want Dalton Varsho. If I had to guess of the outbuilders they want the most, I believe that it's Dalton Varshow. And then Gosman makes a lot of sense. Bieber, I was ready to just throw my support behind that. Yeah, just awful, awful. Maybe the worst start his career, yeah.

Scherzer? Quick question, though, if you do it that way, where does Crawford play? Because if it's that trade and not Crawford getting traded for Varsho, Varsho would obviously play center. Where do you put, you move Crawford to right? Can you play left and then Martian right? Yes. Okay. Okay.

Cool. So that's what I think they'll do that trade. And then I did like Via Vincencio and Pond to the Royals for Seth Lugo. I think that's... So I own, when I put Brady Singer on here in Louis Ciccio, I almost put another slashing through Seth Lugo in there just because of it's fits what I'm talking about, but I didn't. But I thought about it.

Yeah, Seth Lugo is somewhat, he is like the, he is the middleman's, I guess, version of what I want them to do with Clay Holmes, where he can start, but also has pitched out of the bullpen and did for a long time. Many times, yep. So he is someone who could start and then go to the bullpen. And then the last one was just Brad Bajako for Brooks Raley. Dude, I want Brooks Rale. Like, I think that makes so much sense.

Half a season, guys had a sub two ERA, like another lefty in here. Like, I really like them. Yeah. And Alvarado is heated up a little bit, so maybe he can still be your leverage lefty, and Brooks Raleigh can be in the middle there. I would also take Brazabon if they can find a way. And obviously, Mints or Luke Weaver, we've talked about. But the Mets have a lot of pieces that I want to playhouse being one of them.

You got me excited. I came in very bum today, and you've got me, you've lifted me up, Jack. That's the goal. That is the goal. Can I do one thing before we get out of here? I know you got a couple minutes. Yeah, yeah, I got a couple minutes. The, because it's turning into a thing.

I love Zach Netto. I am concerned. Me too. As to why the angels who have no star power don't have much draw are willing to move and seemingly being aggressive about moving a guy that has three and a half years left of team control, who has been one of the most productive short stops in the game. Offensively, at least. Offensive.

Like, defense is weird. He's fine. He's fine. I'm just saying like when you're saying most productive, it's offensively. you're talking. Yeah. So Warmonger, who I love on Twitter, and he's a high hopes guy. Hey. He, um, he's convinced he's one of the better defensive short stops in the game. Just from the standpoint of he, uh, like he's the best, I guess, at turning double plays. Oh! Oh! What? And then I guess DRS and OAA both like him a lot. So I never watch Zach Netto and

think that's Lindor. I watch so little angels, dude. Like of all, you know, the second TV, the, the angels find their way onto my second TV as little as any team in baseball. Yeah, and I'm not staying up for much West Coast baseball these days. So, so it's just, it's more like, I hope that's true more than I know that's true about Zach Netto. I love the player. I think the case for it would be that he's young, he's been in a dreadful organization, that he just might need a breath of fresh air. Maybe, maybe him not batting lead off and instead batting fourth here or fifth, or fifth, take some pressure off of him from the standpoint of, you know, he has to be one of the guys out in in L.A. And he's been asked to do that from a young age, maybe coming here with a little less

pressure, he can just go go be Zach Netto. Because he can go be Zach Netto, dude. I mean, that's a 30-30 guy. He has 30-30 upside. He's done 25. 25. He's, he's legit. But, man, it's just he, he has some chase issues. I watched one at that last night. He swung at a slider 10 feet out of the zone. I was like, can't do it. We love that here. Yeah. Can't do it. Um, and it's, it's going to cost a pretty penny for short. If they, if they trade Francisco Renteria in a Zach Netto thing, which, which passed in the agents are looking for. Oh, God, dude. I will not be cool with that. I would find a new

franchise. I, I, I, like, no interest, no interest. So, like, if you want to, if you want to trade gauge and painter and. you know, make a competitive package without putting Francisco in there. Fine. I'm fine with the upside play. There is some legitimate concern for me with trading for Zach Nato. I totally agree quickly because I got to go. But if they do trade for Zack Netto, does trade just go to the outfield?

Like right away? What did they do? What passed and said was Turner second base and stop third. Okay. But then I don't know what they do with Bohn. I mean, unless it's a deal. You must be if they're going to do that, right? Yeah.

I mean, look, rats. Yeah. Look, boom, I think any team will take both. It's half a season, right? Like, you know, just take them on. Who cares? But that, that is interesting. All right, I'm going to go.

We will be back. Who they have, they have, uh, Orioles. Oh, they got to handle business, man. Seriously, can you freaking go into Baltimore and win some games, right? Well, two or three. Okay. I think that's fair. All right.

We'll be back after the series. Until that, he's free some cells. As the U.S. Ben's national team takes center stage at a home world cup. Make sure you're listening to call it what you want. Part of the CBS Sports Podcast Network, where you can join me, I'm Jimmy Conrad, alongside Charlie Davies, Tony Miola, Marcelo Balboa, and Benny Fieldhover

throughout this tournament for previews, instant reactions, and analysis of every U.S. match. Then all summer, we're back every Tuesday and Thursday covering all things U.S. men's national team. Download and follow, call it what you want, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.