High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - The Phillies Punted the Season but We're Here to Talk About It

Episode Date: August 1, 2019

Sure, the Phillies punted the season but James Seltzer and Jack Fritz are here to recap it. They also took 2 of 3 from the Giants. Baseball.  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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Only at HomeSense. Hi, this is Bryson Stott, first round draft pick of the Philadelphia Phillies, and you're listening to the High Hopes Podcast with James Seltzer and Jack Fritz. This is the High Hopes Podcast. High Hopes. It's a bunch of baseball nerds talking about the Philadelphia Phillies on Radio.com and sports radio 94 WIP. Yo! It is another edition of the High Hopes podcast.

The not Jason Vargas and Corey Dickerson emergency pod because they were not worthy. We could call it that. They were not worthy. Should we call it? We should not. I mean, this is the same reaction that the people got on the Bryce Harper's Coming Here podcast. Is that so?

Yeah. Do you want me to just gush for an hour about that 317 average of Corey Dickerson? Corey Dickerson should realistically be this team's leadoff hitter, though. We're being dead serious. The leadoff hitter has been horrible for the Phillies. Put Corey Dickerson in the leadoff role. Yeah, he has to play every day. Don't care.

Am I going to completely ignore his groin injury? You're darn right I am. And all the other injuries that seem to always keep him off the field, but... You're not worried about that. Hey! A little credit here. There was someone who said in his perfect trade deadline, go get me Corey Dickerson.

Wow. It wasn't you. What a perfect deadline it is. Are you happy that this is a perfect deadline? That was the least perfect move of all the perfect moves I said, but hey, I'll take it. All right, listen, not enough people in this business,

when they get something right, do people let them know that they got something right? Here's me saying, James, good call on the Corey Dickerson thing. Thanks, buddy. Good job. You're just adding more credibility

to this podcast. That's what I needed to have. More and more every single day. I needed it. I needed it. As we're recording a different time, there's a whole different world for me. I'm the one who had to deal with traffic to drive back in here. You're just freaking hanging.

I hate to see this. Just finish your show, just chilling. I'm all fired up and angry. My wife has to put my daughter to bed, which normally I do. She's super psyched. Everyone's psyched about this. Hate to see this. Meanwhile,

I would have been here four hours early before my show. So this is the, once again. Don't spin this around, Jack. This isn't about you. I'll make it about me and you know it. There's not one person better in Philadelphia media than making this about them. Oh, it is your magic power.

Your superpower. Me and Howard Eskin. You are really good at it. Really good at it. Two and three, which is good. Two and three. Listen, just keep winning series, man.

It's a beautiful thing. They need to sweep the White Sox, by the way. We'll get to that. There was a lot of people talking like, man, the Giants are so bad. Well, guess what? That team was 18 and five

heading into that game. Oh, yeah. They've been the best team in baseball over the last month. And listen, that team stinks. I don't know how they went on that run. They have Mike Yastrzemski batting fourth. Yeah.

It's not good. I know. He's not even the son of Carlos Yastrzemski. He's the grandson. And he's not even good. That's the issue. And, of course, the Phillies mixed in their usual demoralizing loss. All right.

We'll get through it. Let's start with the trade deadline because I think that's obviously the bigger news now. Jack. It wasn't very exciting, man. It wasn't very exciting. It's the opposite of exciting. And I'm like, I'm just so disappointed. Like, not even that they didn't do anything, but like the fact that we're even in this

situation where they were in a situation not to do anything, that sucks. We were talking about how this should be playoff NOLA and Bryce Horowitz going to take us there and JT Real Muto and deepest lineup in the NL. Yeah, remember that. Remember that. Someone on this podcast, not me,

predicted a breakout Pavetta that would carry this rotation. So just the fact that we're in this scenario where their biggest trade deadline is Corey Dickerson and Jason Vargas.

Jason Vargas. All right, and I am so- Varg-ass. Yeah, you're damn right. You're damn right. That's good work by you,

Jack. Look at you. That's why you're big time these days. You know, just rising up the ranks. you just listened to two to six today?

Yeah, well, you were only on for like five to six today. You only made the most of it. You did. It was a really impressive hour of radio. Dude, I'm so tired of people acting like Jason Vargas is some awesome upgrade. I know everyone in the rotation sucks.

I get it. Other than Cliff Smiley and obviously Aaron Nolan. Clifton? Clifton Smiley. Clifton Pfeiffer Smiley. The one and only Clifton Smiley. I'm so tiredfeiffer Smiley. The one and only Clifton Smiley. I'm so tired of people being like, ho, ho, they got Jason Vargas.

He's good. He's not good. Listen, don't throw your host under the bus like that. I did. I totally did. I very much did. Richie was gushing about Jason Vargas. Maybe the last time someone gushed about Jason Vargas that much,

it was in Kansas City in 2016, 2015. He was an all-star that year and people didn't gush about him. It was more like, I don't know how the hell this is happening. He's our one all-star? He's not good. I think Vargas, at worst, is a major league guy that can give you five to six innings. Who didn't want to go into the trade deadline

and come out with an innings eater to solve our starting pitching rotation issue? Jason Vargas is probably their third best pitcher right now, which is embarrassing. Well, it's embarrassing to think that Drew Smiley- Drew Smiley's their number two. Yes. Yeah. He had an eight ERA, over eight in Texas.

Yep. I mean, really? Yep. And I, really? Yep. And I like Drew Smiley. Again, I've owned him on numerous fantasy teams. Big fan. I used to buy, listen, some are blaming Drew, I almost said Drew Pavetta, Drew Smiley's downfall because I believe so much in 2015 Drew Smiley.

Well, it's very likely that's what it was. Drew Smiley hasn't even recovered. It's taken drew smiley three years just to recover from longer to recover from the tommy john surgery or your belief in him probably your belief in him definitely me like tommy john's nothing buddy that's like nothing is it yeah to talk about the fritz jinx all right so let's talk about let all right we'll get to dickerson in a sec where there's not a ton to say about mike moran and blake parker i look, Parker's got stuff.

He just never seems to put it together. I saw him today. He was like, what, 91? He used to be like 94. Yeah, he used to be mid-90s with like a hammer. That's not even talking about his curveball. Yeah. Alright, let's focus on the

starters first. Let's start with Cliff Smiley and then we'll get to Vargas. How real is it? Because, again, it's two starts, and we do the whole, like, you can overreact to two starts, but he's looked really good in two starts, granted against two not-so-great offenses. But, you know, Megan Montemore tweeted out the usage, the Chris Young getting his imprint on him.

He's throwing more break and stuff, less fastball. How real? Look, we're not talking about one run every 13 innings he pitches, but maybe. How real is Smiley? I don't know. I mean, I don't want to buy in too much because the track record is a track record. And because I've been burned too many times.

No, and because I'm not a big fan of 92 and relying on junk. Oh, can't wait to talk about Jason Vargas. He's a big fan of 86. Yeah, the Phillies love of guys that don't strike people out. I can't believe you're not on the Phillies yet. I mean, you're a perfect fit with your 80 mile per hour style. I'll get the job done. And freaking Mike Morin's 71 mile an hour change up.

But the thing that makes him really good is that, again, no matter what, he will throw whatever pitch he wants whenever he wants. And throw him for strikes. And throw him for strikes. And that's a key. And he completely... What a novel concept. Crazy idea. He completely ditched his changeup.

So his changeup was getting... He started at 0%. He's not thrown a changeup yet. I mean, his changeup's not a percent destroyed he's not thrown a change which is good i mean his change is not a good thing yeah um his curve his curveball is like a screwball goes the opposite way which you don't see from a lefty ever um but the the ultimate equalizer is the cutter like right now instead of like it'll come out the same arm slot as fastball but his fastball is 92 93 which is a slight uptick from what it was with te. So he'll be 92-93, same arm slot. He'll go into lefties or into righties, and then he'll break out a cutter from the same arm slot,

and it'll be like 87, but it'll cut right off the barrel. The key to pitching and the key to being a great, consistent pitcher is just getting your ball at the last second to move that much more off of the barrel. And what he does well is he'll throw that cutter and it'll get in in in into righties and it it looks like how cliff used to pitch it does it does like the way he pitches he even looks a little bit like him he's got that kind of thin face uh the same like glove yeah the glove dip. Even the arm slot looks the same. It is pretty crazy. We rip game for that, and I still will rip game for that,

but I at least get it. I understand where he was coming from in terms of the way he looks when he pitches. Both pitched in Arkansas? Yeah. That's a good point, too. Look at this. Cliff Smiley. Cliff Smiley.

I hope it continues. Drew Smiley is a guy that, listen mean Drew Smiley is a guy that listen Drew Smiley is a guy that had a like a pretty decent prospect category yes and he has shown it

in the majors he was a good pitcher for the Rays like he has shown him that he can have success in the major leagues which is more than you can say

for some other guys right so so if he keeps having that cutter if he can keep continuing to throw three pitches for strikes

inducing the soft contact which has the key. I like how much he's pitched up in the zone with his stuff. I didn't expect that. But he's just peppering the top of the zone, and guys are swinging underneath of it and just doing nothing with it. So, you know, forcing fastballs up, 92-93 up. That's what they love to do.

And if you get that cutter in on righty's hands, like that's a hard thing to match up wise. And then the curveball that moves in a way that most lefty curveballs just don't move. So I don't want to give a fuse of praise, but this is a plan of success, and this is a guy that Chris Young will love because Chris Young loves guys

that can throw a 2-1 curveball for a striker, a 2-1 cutter. And induce some contact and all that. And just in any count, keep guys off balance, and Smiley through two starts induce free contact and all that. And just in any count, keep guys off balance. And Smiley, through two starts, has been able to do that. Well, let's take a minute here, Jack, because it is August 2nd. And for the first time all season, Chris Young has done something.

Yes. Something. Chris Young, throw more of the off-speed stuff, Drew. You did it, buddy. Well. One of these. One of these. Gabe gave him a lot of credit for the cutter, apparently. But I think he was already working on the cutter with the Brewers.

I'm giving Chris Young credit. I'm trying to give the guy some credit here. This is few and far between the opportunities to give Chris Young credit. Everyone else has gotten worse, but Drew Smiley. Imagine what he could do with Vargas. Speaking of which. Vargas. Vargas?

Vargas. Talk to me about Vargas I just I don't like him I hate I hate his image I hate his look I hate the middle school Science teacher thing

He's got going on I hate the whole thing With the reporter It's like really That guy That's the guy Tough guy Fake tough guy

Tough guy Jason Vargas I mean I don't know Can you think of anyone In baseball you'd be less scared of if they were coming at you than Jason Vargas? Drew Smiley. Sure. Yes.

Sure. He is very mild-mannered. Actually, his whole team is pretty unscary. I guess Altuve, tiny. But anyway. Yeah. Well, tiny guys. I still think I'd be more scared of Altuve than Vargas.

I would definitely be more scared of Altuve than Vargas. For sure. But Vargas. You might not know this. What? You fought Jose Altuve? I don't look, definitely more scared about Altuve than Vargas. For sure. But Vargas... You might not know this. What, you fought Jose Altuve? I don't look at Jack as you commented on earlier before we were on the air

talking about how young I look. I'm older than Jason Vargas. Wow. I know. That's a bad indictment for Jason Vargas. He looks way older. You are younger than Nelson Cruz.

Miracles. Somehow. He looks like he's like 50. Soon enough, I'll be the oldest of all the baseball players. I'm a baseball player. Like for you, that's got to be pretty sad because, I mean, you've started being older than Olympians in 1980. But like the first time I was older than like Olympians,

it was like weird. Like it was like, or like the MLB player draft being in the 2000s. Just wait, Jack. Just wait until there are like 15 guys in sports who you're like, I'm younger than them. Wait until we're doing this. Keep playing, Tom Brady. Just keep going, buddy.

That's your last hope. Are you older than Romo? I don't know. Probably. Same age. You guys have the same energy level? Yeah. Yeah?

Yeah. I'm a lot like Tony. Yeah. All right. Terrible big golfer. You don't even want to talk about Vargas. No, I'm a lot like Tony. Yeah, all right. Terrible big golfer. You don't even want to talk about Vargas. No, I'm a terrible golfer. I don't like Jason Vargas.

He just bores me from a standpoint of like, it's such an unsexy move. It's one of those moves that's like awesome. It's the most unsexy move. You stole the fifth starter from the Mets after they traded for Marcus Stroman. I know, I know. Like, that's what sucks about this. Like, you traded for, listen, the Mets after they traded for Marcus Stroman. I know. That's what sucks about this.

You traded for... Listen, the Mets suck, right? And we just traded for a guy that they're basically getting rid of and also took on money. They're worried about the luxury tax still, which is annoying. I'm so annoyed about the luxury tax thing, man.

So now, as it will be set, maybe they sign a guy and they move up to 10. They were the 11th in payroll when it's all said and done after the trade deadline. 11th. 11th, man. Yep.

That's some BS, man. I know. Jack Middleton, sorry, buddy. Demoted back to John. He's definitely John Middleton. He is John Middleton right now. He is John Middleton. I can't get over this quote.

This was in the Enquir around when harper signed this is what john middleton said apparently this got bores like the like do you throw the apparently in there it is apparently but i'm not sure he actually said i don't know if he did john middleton certainly don't think he believes it i said scott i'm not interested in talking about marketing dollars tickets sold billboards concessions. I said, there's only one reason I'm talking to you, and that's because I believe this guy can help us win, and that's all I care about.

I've made enough money in my life. I don't need to make more. My franchise value has risen dramatically over the last 25 years. I don't need it to rise more. I'm here to win. I think your guy can help me win, and that's all I want to talk about. Bull crap. Yep.

Bull crap. Yeah. Bull crap. Actions speak louder than words, John. win and that's all i want to talk about bull crap yep bull crap yeah bull crap i next year actions speak louder than words john and it's it is it is embarrassing what they did this deadline it is it is utterly embarrassing like i am so frustrated that they are they are essentially just punting the season by not you're telling me you couldn't give away archimedes gamboa for a starter like these these tenorowark went for nothing like give up you can give up nothing just punting the season by not, you're telling me you couldn't give away Archimedes Gamboa for a starter? Like, these teams, Tanner Roark went for nothing. Just give up,

you can give up nothing and you don't have to, Tanner Roark, Mike Leak, like, these guys aren't good, but they're better than Vargas. You could have gotten Alex Wood, the Reds aren't going

to resign Alex Wood. Like, there was moves to be made that aren't going to kill your prospect value-wise. Like, you can just bring them in and have them help this team. Like, Archimedes Gamboa

was on the 40-man roster, he's not going to be on the 40 man roster suck me in the 40 man roster next year why don't you flip that guy for something like why wouldn't you make a move to like at least give these guys a freaking chance like these guys like actually they're actually playing good baseball right now like i think the offense like real muto's starting to get going a little bit i mean the real muto hot streak is here like this is the guy we freaking traded he's been great hoskins hot streak is is looking like it's here he's taking great swings. Harper's been fine. But those 3-4-5, Kingery had a huge day today. The 3-4-5, Kingery, the offense as a whole is finally starting to show some things. Plus, Jay Bruce apparently close to a return.

Corey Dickerson, fine. Corey Dickerson's a 300 hitter, so that'll help there. And he's a guy they don't have. They don't have a lot of guys like Corey Dickerson. And they just said, no. We're just going to go with Nola, Smiley, four innings of Jake Arrieta,

Jason freaking Vargas, and banking on Vince Velasquez for the sixth year in a row. It's embarrassing. I am so frustrated with where this team is at. You didn't have to give up anything to get a help on this team and at least give them a freaking chance. It's the wild card. Sure, you're going to lose

the Dodgers if you don't win that game, but getting there is important. And you did not have to just essentially punt the season and give this stupid freaking well, if we don't, we don't, and this is the guys we're going to go with and just completely kill all fan expectations. There's just no buzz around the team anymore and they're going to get trounced

by the Eagles. Oh yeah, football's back and it's going to wane, man. Because no one believes in this team, though. If the front office doesn't believe in this team, why do they believe in this team? And it kills the clubhouse morale. That was where I was going to go. That's so frustrating.

I mean, they're saying, the front office said to the players, yeah, we don't believe in you guys. Point blank. Then why did you trade for JT Romito? Why did you open up this window if you're not going to go more in? I don't give a crap if it's the second wild card or even the first wild card. Give this team a chance. I don't think they're amazing.

Well, we talked about it. It matters from reps' perspective, from so many different perspectives. It matters to make the playoffs. I just don't get it. I don't get it. You're more negative than I am about this. It blows my mind. Because, listen, what are you going to do in the offseason?

Well, that's what we talked about last time. The issue that they still need to fix this pitching staff. It's not going anywhere. No. And your ace, Drew Smiley, is not going to be back next year. And you're going to sign a potentially soon-to-be-over-the-hill mad bum. You're going to give Garrett Cole $200-plus million. Which is great.

Do it. I don't think they're going to. Why would I believe it? Jack Middleton's not real. If Jack Middleton were a real thing, I would say, yeah, look what we did with Garrett Cole and we're in great shape. No one's Cole and we'll figure it out. Steinbrenner of the South.

You heard that? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I'm with you. I think I'm less frustrated than you just because I saw this coming. I'm not surprised at all. But it's just stupid.

It's stupid. Yeah. From multiple angles, from the fan angle, clubhouse angle, and team, like, just giving them a chance. Yeah. I think all the angles, like, all the important angles, you know? They're saying they don't believe in them. They're saying to the fan base, sorry.

Go Eagles. They're saying actually go Eagles. Go Birds. They said go Birds. Go check them out. They're good. They're coming up. They're going to win the Super Bowls.

You should watch those guys. Yeah. And again, I do think're going to win the Super Bowls. You should watch those guys. Yeah. And again, I do think you can't underrate the clubhouse. Think about if you're Gabe Kapler, who theoretically his job could be on the line whether he makes the playoffs or not. I think there's a real chance that if he doesn't make the playoffs, it all depends on how it plays out and all that. And we know that there are a lot of things that are not his fault.

I mean, he's lost his three best relievers, four if you want to call Tommy Hunter the fourth. I mean, Neshek has barely pitched this year. Robertson pitched two innings. Sir Anthony was supposed to be the guy, has done, you know, obviously didn't pitch well and then done for the season. I mean, I understand that this is not Gabe's fault

in a lot of ways. And we've talked about the issues we have with Gabe, but Gabe's job is on the line here. They're not going to have a lame duck manager next year. They're going to either have to give him a contract or see ya. Yeah.

And if they don't make the playoffs, I think they say see ya. And if he goes to his front office and you guys are acting like you guys have a ton of job security,

which apparently they do. Well, it seems like they do. They just got contract extensions. Clint Jack and McPhail acted this deadline like two guys that had job security.

100%. And they are. There are two guys who had job security. 100%. And they are. They're two guys who have job security. Whatever we think, they have job security. And John Middleton's not going to pay two GMs or two team presidents. No. So they're not going anywhere. Especially after the last time he spoke publicly.

And look, I don't need owners to speak during the season, whatever. But the last time John Middleton spoke publicly, he was talking about how Matt Klintak's a frigging genius. And now this guy, oh, what an objectively excellent offseason and all that crap. John Middleton, it sounded like Klintak was his lost son that he had just found. He's like, I love this guy. So he's not going anywhere. Never talk to Kyle Blum, I guess.

You're right. He acted. I know, right? Why would you talk to him? Insanely bright mind. He's running one of the best organizations in baseball. Two of the men there. No, anytime you can bring in two guys from the Orioles and one from the Angels, you just

got to do it. Two very forward-thinking franchises that totally aren't imprecatory. You just got to do it. You just have to do it. Have to do it. So, I mean, like, and then if you're Gabe and you're sitting at this trade deadline, you're like, well, this sucks. I guess they don't care if I'm here much longer.

I mean, there's so many implications of it that makes it so... And look, you hope it's a major league type thing where they go in there and they put a Matt Klintak thing up and they start peeling off the pieces. I don't think anyone needs to see that. I would rather it be McPhail. I would personally rather it be McPhail. Like, just to see that smug face and them throwing darts at it.

But, like, what else can you think? Jack, you are, as we've discussed, a former superstar, a baseball player, like a real true baseball player. When you think of baseball, you think of Ritz. How would you feel?

How would you feel if you're in that locker room and you know that you are tied for the wild card for the most part, day in, day out, a game back, half game back, half game up,

wherever you're at, you've been at, and they're just like, eh, here's Jason Vargas. Go win. What if they just beat up Jason Vargas the second he walks into the clubhouse? They're like, really? They sent a message that way.

That would be a message sent like, we don't like this. We beat him up for you. Oh, God. Can't wait to see him pitch consistently in Citizens Bank Park because I'm sure his fly ball stuff is going to play well there. His road splits are horrible. Yeah, I know. Horrible. He has over 60 RA on the road.

It'll be great, though. Bring him in. Yeah. Boy genius found him. Yeah, if I was in a clubhouse, I'd just be like, especially with the way they talked before the deadline, Real Muto's like, we got the guys. We're good.

Harper, all of them came out and said it. The most damning thing is Harper said in that documentary, Chasing Harper or whatever, when he was like, I went to John and I said, are you going to make the necessary moves if we're in this to help us win? And he said yes. And the first season came up short. It's a great point.

So you have Harper. You have Real Moto. You have Hoskins. Hoskins said literally the night before the trade deadline, we think we got the horses in here to make a run. And to just essentially just spit in the face of that and give them Corey Dickerson, another outfielder, which is great, good player, but does nothing.

We don't want to besmirch Corey Dickerson. That was a fine move. Getting Corey Dickerson for nothing is nice. That's a nice move. It can't be your best move. It can't be the only move that matters. They did sign Dan Straley. Dan Straley for Luis Castillo. Who won that trade?

Oh, God. Was that? Oh, God. That's what the Marlins trade? The Marlins trade with Luis Castillo? Yeah. Who won? Who won that trade? Which is the worst trade? That or Fernando Rodney for Chris Paddock? Fernando Rodney for Chris Paddock. I don't know, man. It's close. Luis Castillo is disgusting. Luis Castillo is better than Chris Pad paddock right now but i think paddock could be better down there

either way you think about all the the talent the marlins just shipped out i mean we're not even talking about yellage and all that other stuff it's unbelievable it's insane it's um it's really unbelievable kayla smith they have him now like unfortunately jose fernandez shocked they didn't trade him at the deadline i mean jose fernandez like it was horrible um but like imagine if they had Jose Fernandez, Luis Castillo, Chris Paddock, Kayla Smith. I guess that's the one thing we can say is, thank God we're not the Marlins.

Well, thank God we're not trading away superstars. The only player we've really lost is Domingo Santana, Jonathan Villar. Here's the problem, Jack. You need to develop superstars to be able to trade them away. That would be nice. They're not done that well, man. That's what I'm saying, though.

That's what's so embarrassing about where they are. This is year four of Klontac. Mm-hmm. And you're telling me the depth on this team is so bad that we have to go

sign Drew Smiley off the street? Yeah, and how about you're telling me that you don't have a top, like Alec Baum, probably a top 50 prospect depending on where you look. Spencer Howard should be.

Spencer Howard should be, but you're telling me that after four years and three of them sucking. Horrible. That's the best you got? Yeah. And I'm looking at the Padres

who have brought up to tease who's clearly a superstar. Paddock. All these other guys, they just traded for Zach Gallin. Like, why not? Or no, it's a Diamondbacks. Still, I would like Zach Gallin here.

Look at all these teams that did these. Look at the Braves. That's why the Braves were able to go out and get Chris Martin and freaking Shane Green, and now they have a great bullpen all of a sudden, and they can just give Colby Allard away. Colby Allard would be like the third best prospect in the system. Like, what are we doing here, Jack?

Year four. It's year freaking four of this. It's brutal, man. It's really disappointing. I will give him credit. The Rubin stuff takes a while to dig yourself out of. No question. Especially from an infrastructure standpoint.

They built the academy in Dominican. That stuff takes time. Yes, and building a baseball program takes a ton of time. Takes a ton of time. They had to build an analytics department from scratch. They had a plant, remember? Yeah. Yeah.

They had to do it from scratch, so I'm with you. They had to build Phil. a plant, remember? Yeah. Yeah. They had to do it from scratch. So I'm with you. They had to build Phil. They call it Phil. Phil. Yeah. Yeah. Phil needs to start putting in some work.

Fill in the freaking bamboo from Brad should go hang together, put out the pasture. I just think it's so, I can't believe that this is where this team is at after, it's four years. It should not take this long to to at least get some major league talent in here like it just should and and the guys that the guys are the core of this team um you know kingery nola hoskins they're all drafted by rube it's true they're all drafted by rube you're right you're right i know i'm right yeah hazley is the only one yeah hazley's the only one everyone else on the team that's homegrown was rude. Wow.

It's damning. You think? Yeah. It keeps me up in that. It really does. Yeah. Be a better organization. Yeah, I agree.

And that's where you really, again, we're talking about- The root of this whole thing. That's what I mean. That's the root of this whole thing. And that's why you look at, it's one of those things where it's like, the Braves are way better now. They're also going to be way better unless things change. They still have talent they're bringing up. They have so much major league talent that's young.

They haven't even brought up Ian Anderson or Christian Pash. Yes. Pash is a top 10 prospect in baseball. And then they have just pitchers and pitchers. Like Luis Gajara is like a top 100 prospect. He's like, oh, we don't even need that guy. Like, come on. Yeah, I just, it's bad.

The point of the whole thing is that it's bad. I understand that it takes time. And that's why. I will say, like, I'm very encouraged by, obviously we're O-Chart guys, but the hitters in the minor leagues have all, like the guys that were their guys, outside of Luis Garcia,

have all done well. They've started to take nice steps forward, all their guys. So that's a big development. The pitching is just behind. The pitching is Spencer Howard, Franklin Morales, and I'm not sure who else. That's great. Damon Jones, hopefully, he's been okay in AAA.

Adonis Medina, someday. Yeah, someday. Damon Jones hopefully he's been okay in AAA but Adonis Medina someday yeah someday yeah so this is so on the surface this trade deadline sucks because they didn't get this team

that they opened a window for a chance to at least try for a playoff spot and to caveat there like we're not even talking about them going and getting a minor or a ray or whatever

I'm just talking about them getting Tanner Roark I'm talking about them getting Mike Leak I'm talking about them going out and getting and again, goes back to not signing Dallas Keiko, which was still a mistake. Still stupid.

You could have done, they made moves on the margins to help this team, but there were better moves on the margins, more moves on the margins that they could have made without giving up anything for the future. And they had to sign Blake Parker off the street, Mike Morin off the street. Off the street, man. Off of a Twins bullpen that they're trying to...

Both guys. I know. They're trying to find anyone that could be good for them. They went out and traded for Sergio Romo. They went out and traded. Like, they're making moves. For Sam Dyson. Sam Dyson.

Really? Sam Dyson? Got a great spin rate on his fastball. Yeah, look, he's a fine pitcher. Sam Dyson's a fine... Look, he'd be our second best reliever here. I mean, come on. I get it.

I mean, I get they didn't believe in this team. And if you look at this team... Very clearly. And I think it's, in some ways, what they did is pragmatic. The idea of not... We didn't want them to go all in. We said that a hundred times. There's two things. They could have done a better job of working the margins. They could have still traded

for a controllable starter because they're going to have to make the same trade this offseason. Or, yeah, or pony up for Garrett Cole or whatever. Right. Or Zach Wheeler. Or whoever. Yes, Wheeler. Sure. It was awesome today. And two, you didn't have to give up one of your coveted prospects for

someone to help this team this year. That's the point. That's the frustration. That's where I'm at that I'm just like, that's embarrassing. Then you're just showing that your whole offseason was a failure. Yeah. You are. I was told it was objectively excellent, Jack. Objectively excellent.

Yeah. That's what I was told. All right. What other thing? And this is not on the trade deadline, but we've talked a lot about it in here. And the one message that they keep hammering home and Clint, you know, that the guys who are here are going to have to be the ones, you know, it was hammering on prior to the deadline now obviously more true but we need more gabe said it today as well yeah all right i will say it's time it's time to stop defending bryce

harper like bryce harper's gotta step up we need more bryce harper is like a little boring to watch these days man all he does is walk which is great and helpful, but it's time. We are in the final third of the season here. There's 50-something games left. It's time for Bryce Harper. I mean, we keep saying, oh, he's going to put him on their back for a month. He'll be the best player in baseball for a month. Whenever you're ready.

Yeah. Ready for you, Bryce. Let's go. I know. I can't do it. I can't. I love him. I know. I can't rip's go i can't i just i know i can't do it i can't i love him i know i can't rip him i can't rip him he's unrippable for me okay he and that's fair look this is not ripping this is he needs to step it up he needs we need more and everyone knows that i agree and the thing is like no kind of sucks is like i'm seeing you with these awesome headbands and like

just completely swagged out it's like oh if were great, it would be so much fun. Oh, it would be so cool. The fanatic headband was fun and cool, but if he were playing awesome, we'd be like, everyone in Philly would be rocking him. It would be awesome. People would be walking down the street with him. Yes.

But that's not happening. 18 home runs at this point, it's bad. It's really bad. The Juice Baseballs, are they playing in Philly? That's what I mean. What is going on? Are we the only team without Juice Baseballs? I'm serious.

The freaking Twins have like 600 home runs this year. What is happening, man? Kettle Marte has more home runs. Kettle Marte. Kettle Marte has way more. He's got like 24, 25 or something. Freddie Galvis might catch him this year. Oh, stop.

I'm being serious. I know you are. Max Kepler has 30 home runs. Max Kepler's a nice hitter. Max Kepler has 30 home runs. Well, that's a nice hitter. Max Kepler has 30 home runs. Well, that's baseball today. Apparently, we didn't get the juice baseballs. Freddie Galvis has 16 home runs.

Oh, God. Jack, is there anything worse that can happen for you personally than Freddie Galvis hitting more home runs? I've been through a Pavetta demotion. You've been through a lot this year. I've been through an Altair release. Yeah. Freddie Galvis out-homerering Bryce Harper would be the end.

It would break you. It would be the end for me. It would break you. I loathe Freddie Gavis. You know. I loathe that player. Anyone who's ever heard you talk knows that. If he surpasses my superstar in right field in home runs.

You mean your defensive superstar? Defensive ace. Your exceedingly overpaid defensive superstar. That's the only reason he was brought here. As far as defense. Some are saying that. You won't say it. I'll say it, Bryce.

It's time. Please, for the love of God. Yeah, I need it, man. Lift a baseball. We need it. Yes, lift a baseball. And in doing so, lift a team, okay? Because they're not going to win without you.

That's just what it is. And once we find a new hitting coach, maybe you'll... Yeah. Look, if nothing else, no matter what happens, Mailey's got to go. Well, I told you last episode, all the coaching contracts are up. Good.

Peace. Peace be to you, Johnny. Won't miss you, Johnny. Peace. You will never be Jag Mailey. All right, no. Jack's a reserve for alphas. Yes, and clearly not an alpha.

All right. But I am. Thank you. Your name is Jack, so sure. All right. Anything else on the trade deadline? Do you want more? No.

Yeah, I don't have anything else. I really don't. I hate it. All right. They won two of three. Yes. Also, for one second, though. Oh, wait, no.

But Zach Greinke probably wouldn't have weighed his no trade clause. But they're eating like 24 million of that contract. I know. second though oh wait no but zach cranky probably wouldn't have weighed his no trade clause but they're eating like 24 million of that contract i know i i think that of course the dude gary can you remember i i was trying to think of the last time and and what i came up with was was holiday lee hamels but the last time a team had such an awesome top three i can't believe you're leaving oswalt i said top. How do you not know Oswald's better than Hamels? Sure.

Fine. You want to go Oswald? No, I don't care. Okay. Either way, when was the last time a team had this type of three? Scherzer, Strasburg, Corbin.

Close. Not as good, though. I mean, this is unbelievable. This is unbelievable. I mean, what are we doing here? I mean, Garrett Cole's probably going to win

the Cy Young this year and Verlander and Drag you have both won Cy Young and Brian Cashman sat on his hands yeah well it's your guy man well he can't evaluate

by training he's like Clint Zach well it sounds like they it does sound for what it's worth to put a bow on the trade deadline

thing that for the controllable starters it seems like teams were just Marcus Stroman somehow was the unicorn can't get I've cursed like six times today it's because you're controllable starters it seems like teams were just marcus stroman somehow was the unicorn

can't get i can't i've cursed like six times today because you're in the jack's probably edited most of these out by the time you hear this i've cursed like six times today i can't stop myself that's because you're in traffic i i'm just i'm in a mood jack i'm in a mood um like the stroman deal was the unicorn deal. It's unbelievable that deal happened, but it does seem like, I mean, the Yankees offered Clint Frazier for Robbie Ray and the Dimebacks were like, give us three more prospects.

It's like, what? Yeah, it's shocking. You got that guy for one more year? Clint Frazier's a really good ball player. Yeah, I thought.

What are you doing? I thought it was going to be, I thought the players were going to get it for cheaper. I didn't think it was going to be this crazy. after the Stroman deal. Yeah, and it felt like there wasn't that many teams buying and that these guys, but teams just don't want to get rid of their controllable starters. And that's why those guys didn't go.

We saw none of the guys we talked about other than Bauer and Stroman, who obviously went before. And the Boyd thing. I mean, Boyd, they must have been asking for the moon. The moon. Boyd, Ray, Miner, Lin. All these guys we talked about on teams that, I mean, the Rangers are done. They're cooked.

They're hanging on to Miner and Lin. I mean, I get hanging on to Lin. He's got two more years left, and he's inside young competition. I mean, he's been amazing. But you don't trade Mike Miner and Lynn I mean I get hanging on to Lynn he's got two more years left and he's like inside young competition I mean he's been amazing but like you don't trade Mike Miner really? With Mike Miner's injury history over his career you don't trade Mike Miner? He's 31 years old John Daniels is a smart dude like he's a smart guy

Maybe they think they get more in the offseason? It's possible. Maybe? That's the only way you look at it He's like eh I'll just take advantage of Klintak in the offseason it'll be fine what i don't get what i don't get about the trade deadline is if you have a expiring guy why don't you just move oh it makes no sense and i get look the giant situation like if it were me i would have traded bum garner and will smith i get why they didn't they're they're in it and it's bocci's last year and it's bum garner is a franchise hero and all

that i can understand it you could sell that to me, but for other teams that are out of it, what are you doing? Why was Alex Woodcapped on the Reds? Exactly. That's an exact, perfect type of example.

Why? These guys must not play fantasy baseball. They don't. I would have sold. Me too. Big sell guy. I just don't get it.

I actually miss selling in fantasy. I'm so good at fantasy baseball that I miss selling. My team's too good this year to sell. I really want to. Selling is great. It's so good at fancy baseball that I miss selling. My team's too good this year to sell. I really want to. Selling is great.

It's so much fun. Then you got these freaking stars for the next five years, and you're like, ha-ha. Hire us. Yeah. Yeah, seriously. I mean, come on. All right. Two or three.

Not much to say. They had to take two or three. They took two or three. They have to sweep the White Sox, Jack. Yeah. Although the White Sox are frisky, man. Like 46 and 60. I like them. You sweep the White Sox, Jack. Yeah. Although the White Sox are frisky, man. Like 46 and 60. I like them.

You're a White Sox guy? Well, they're probably who's been their best player this year, Yomankata, out just on the I.L. So that's huge. Oh, that's sad.

Not for us. But I wanted to see what Yom looks like. Trust me, I own him in one of my fantasy leagues. I'm not psyched about Yomankata being on the I.L. I'm happy about it

for the next three days. Yeah, I'm not as excited about it. The White Sox were a lot more fun about a month ago. Dude, they're rolling Ross Detweiler out in this series. Ross Detweiler?

Former Nationals game? They are rolling Ross Detweiler out against Boots. And look, for what it's worth, and again, so sad to say this,

but having Vargas, Nolan, Smiley go in this series means you've got your three best pitchers going. They got their aces? They got their aces? They got their aces going this series? Unbelievable.

Yeah, they were a lot more fun. Also, I didn't realize Eloy Jimenez down to 233. Yeah, he hasn't been good. Yeah. The White Sox will eventually be good. And imagine if they did not give away Fernando Tatis Jr. Yeah. Can you imagine?

It's a great point. Eloy and Kopech and Yone. That Yone trade was Tatis Jr. Yeah. Can you imagine? It's a great point. Eloy and Kopech and Yone and that Yone trade was a great trade. Yeah. Well, I mean,

it helped the Red Sox too. It was a good trade for both teams. Well, the rare trade that's good for both sides. Yeah. Which I think that

it was interesting that Bauer three-team deal. I actually, the Reds was the one that surprised me the most, but I thought the Indians getting Fran Mille and Puig was outstanding

from their end. I love the Bajas. And I, that's what I was about to say, I totally get the, taking Fran Meehl and Puig was outstanding from their end. I love the Badgers. That's what I was about to say. I totally get the... Taking Taylor Trammell for... Really? Yeah. He's a top 15 prospect coming into the season. I know he's having a down year, but I thought I really understood what those teams were doing. So I thought that was the funnest

trade of the deadline. Yeah. What a lame deadline. I really expected with the whole August thing, the change, no more trades. I expected more action. I think though next year they have to move to mid-August, right?

Like there's yes, there's no doubt about it's too it's too didn't know if they're in or out too early. Yeah, it's too early. It ended up being a massive disappointment.

Well, there's a lot of trades. I mean, if Greinke doesn't get traded, I mean, who's the biggest name that went? I mean, Bauer the day before but Castellanos

on deadline day Castellanos might be the biggest name. Shane Green. Yeah, think about that. Not great. Not great. God, I'm still annoyed. Shane Green and Chris Martin make the Braves, and then Melanson, whatever, but Shane Green and Chris Martin make that bullpen a lot better.

Also, I didn't like the moves the Nats made were just weird. Daniel Hudson's a good pitcher. Hunter Strickland stinks. Elias is fine. He's a good pitcher. He's okay. okay look their bullpen was so bad that those three guys

will help them but yeah I didn't think it was a you know the Braves did really well of course they have a bunch of

Astros guys running them I know delightful who why would you want why would you want guys in your front office

from really smart teams when you can have guys from the Angels and Orioles? Yeah, I think I'd rather take the eighth guy in the Astros front office and just say, screw it, it'll work. You're our guy. Yeah.

Hopefully Josh Bonifay knows what he's doing. Yeah. Which I think he does. All right, so two or three, anything from the Giants series that you need to touch on? Yeah, I mean, Real Immunity was really good. I don't know if I said this last week or on the air. I think his bat path is just really good right now.

He's starting to create some launch. Big bat path guy. It just looks better. It looks more strong. I love Adam Haisley. I do too. I'm glad I didn't trade him. I'm falling for that guy.

He's a guy that will just- Handsome fella too. What? Handsome fella too. The Phillies are a great looking team. They're a good a good looking team that is fair if only they could hit as much as they look getting there you're getting back to barrel delphia um we have never been in the first week of the season it was barrel delphia that's about it um but like even i think it was friday night or jesus christ i think think it was Tuesday night or maybe

Wednesday night. One of those. Game? Which game? I don't know. I'm not sure. I actually don't know which game it was, but it was. We'll excuse it.

Runners on maybe first or second or maybe just second. And he is, he's got two outs or whatever or one out. And he just puts the ball on a play on a pitch that was too close to call for a strike uh or too close not to take too close to take gotcha he put it there you go nailed it he just he just poked it right into the shortstop nailed it and it was like it was a hard play for the shortstop but he made a nice play on it but he got the the the bat on the ball um and he consistently puts the barrel to the baseball the strikeouts have gone down um and i just he's a guy that's a slow starter a lot of levels and i think he's just started to find himself and um i hope that when i hope when dickerson is good to go and jay bruce is good to go i hope it's hazelian center

dickerson and left although for some reason clem tech said that he thinks dickerson can play center field i saw it too asinine i mean he's played at 27 games in his entire career. And he won a gold glove in left field. Let's just leave him in left field. Not that we're saying the gold glove is the best of both worlds. The only thing that matters. Freddie Giles never won one, so I'm going to keep using it. I don't know. When Raphael Palmeira won one when he played like 25 games in the field, I was like,

eh, it's probably not that great. But the point is, Corey Dickerson's very... What are we talking about? 1999? Jesus, dude. I understand it was in your 30s, but can you just move to a new decade? Corey Dickerson. Good fielder. Good player... I mean, what are we talking about? 1999. Jesus, dude. I understand it was in your 30s, but can you just move to a new decade? Corey Dickerson. Good fielder. Good player.

I mean, look, you want Bruce probably playing more than Dickerson, I would think. Maybe. Jay Bruce, here's the thing, and he's got to come back and play in the oblique as unsurprising, not a month, whatever it is, as expected with obliques.

But, I mean, Jay Bruce was so good. I think he earns the benefit of the doubt with how good he's been since he's been here. Regardless, one of those guys in left field, Taisley in center, Kingery at third. Please. Done with the Michael Island. Riding that out. Yes. Just drop a bomb on Michael Island and let it

sink into nothingness forever. It's very sad. It is. Alright. Any other note bag thoughts before mean should i should i talk about them should i talk about them you need me to talk about them go for it you need me to i think everyone let me just put this psa out for everyone i think no one needs to do but do it sometimes elite relievers allow home runs josh hater has a home run problem this year i love that you texted me you're like josh hater let up a home run problem this year I love that you texted me You're like Josh Hader let up a home run

Well it's because my mentions are on fire It's like oh my god It's a freaking It's a solo home run They won the game Like you know They won the game Brennan Bell

I thought that ball I was surprised the ball went out I didn't think it was hit that hard No it carried It definitely carried It felt like that I feel like he's had a couple bad innings Against the Giants

And otherwise pretty good That was a bad inning He let two solo home runs. Like, sue him. All right? Relax. Everyone relax. He's amazing.

Maybe don't say top 10 reliever in this sport. You can't prove that I said that. It's a tease for my final thought, actually. Oh, no. Yeah. So, no back. I don't have anything else. Okay, good.

Yeah, no. That was my final thought. No one needed it. Oh, that was your final thought? So, we're all done with you? I got nothing else to say. Okay, so, uh, note back. I don't have anything else. Okay, good. Yeah, no, that was my final thought. Oh, that was your final, so we're all done with you? Yeah, I got nothing else to say. Okay, good. I was so mad at the trade deadline that I had nothing else. Nice lead-in to my final thought. Jack, I gotta call you out, man. Oh, what do I do now? I can't just let these things

go by when, we keep it real with the IOPs listeners. As you always say, you will never lie to them. Yes. Jack, in a conversation with a couple people on Twitter, tweeted out in a music discussion, just because I would win American Idol by singing Drops of Jupiter or calling all angels doesn't mean they're in my rotation as a response to someone's Eddie Likes Train. Jack, I think the IOPs audience knows that you would not win it was anything it was singing drops of jupiter jack you have to get off that corner it was not my day it

was a awful it was not my day it was one of the worst angels come on man not you know i'm getting them to turn the chair around simon cowell when i? Oh, no. Call me at the end of the podcast. I had to. End of the podcast. Give me five minutes in this podcast. You're getting an angel, an angelic performance. It's ridiculous. All right.

My voice is hoarse. You can redeem yourself down the road here. No. Maybe if we get to a certain number of rate and reviews. I don't want to do it again. Rate and review the podcast. We can have Jackson calling all angels. That could be your redemption, is that not doing Drops of Jupiter, which was clearly

out of your register. Like, listen. Try, you know. Can't hit the notes I used to, baby. I don't even know what calling all angels is. Maybe you don't have it by Train? Oh, it's a Train song as well? Yeah.

Yeah. I don't know. I only know Drops of Jupiter from Train. Oh, come on. Meet Virginia? No. I can't wait to meet Virginia. I only know Drops of Jupiter from Train Oh, come on, Meet Virginia? No I can't wait to meet Virginia Yeah, yeah, yeah

Oh, you're lame I swear to God I don't know it I'm sure there's another Train song I know Oh, Train's great, man The Train takes are coming out You can't stop this, Train That's it, we're done Oh, High Hopes Night, august 17 i'm sure people

turned out tuned it out already they're gonna miss at least you edited out my six curses for them i only counted two so uh you know i was i was embellishing a little bit okay it was two it was two and then it was a almost one where i did a yeah type of thing but didn't actually get it out all right i'm quick on the dump button. You don't mess around. Jack, it's a family podcast. Yes, we're a family podcast. We try. Sometimes they slip out and Jack helps me out

on the back end. High Hopes Night. High Hopes Night, August 17th. Our pinned tweets. Check it out. Rate and review the podcast. Until next week. Wow. Don't sound so exasperated. I am pretty exasperated, Jack. Where's Jack Middleton when you need him? Alright. Until next week. He's Don't sound so exasperated. I am pretty exasperated, Jack. Where's Jack Middleton when you need him?

All right. Until next week. He's Fred Sampselzer. All-star closer, Kenley Jansen. We have a question. What's the best podcast of all time?

Baseball isn't boring, baby. I'm Rob Bradford and every single day I'm sitting down with the biggest names to show you this great game is the greatest game it's my podcast it's my passion it's a cause i started more than two years ago and it's now the most prolific national daily baseball pod there is another fact so jump aboard the bib express follow and listen to baseball isn't boring

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