High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - The Second Half is Upon Us

Episode Date: July 12, 2019

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz are back as they get you set for the second half. Talk most important players for the second half, trade deadline thoughts and more! See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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High Hopes!. 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, a recording in my basement with my daughter asleep and thus a little bit lighter lower key yo there but i i do have to you know i tried to give at least a bit of a yo here because on the other line here of course at, at his home, Jackie Big Time. The one, the only.

Oh, come on. Congrats to our buddy. How about it? Jack Fritz, the new producer of the afternoon show with John Marks and I, Grease Mazel Tov, buddy. Ah, thanks, man. I appreciate it. I couldn't stop laughing at your little yo there. It was a yo that was not intended to wake your

daughter and in and the impending cries was something that i don't want you to deal with yeah well i don't want you to deal with it either because my wife is sleeping so if she cries you're gonna have to wait for me to go take care of her for a bit you can hear the little monitor in the background for people so pretty exciting stuff here jack i think I think I'm going to do my best to not wake her up. She's a pretty good sleeper. Well, while you are dealing with your baby, Alec Bohm, homeward again, baby. So speaking of babies, Alec Bohm is all of our babies. Yes, very true.

I do love Zoe Moore, but don't get me wrong, Alec. I'm a big fan. Well, I love Zoe too, but I love Alec Baltimore. Trust me, Jack, we all know where your love lies, man. We all know. My worry is that with this new big shot gig you got, that you're not going to have as much time to troll for high school batters and find out what some what some 16 year old,

the Phillies signs hands look like when he's swinging the bat. I mean, I don't know. It could, it could hurt the, uh, the product Jack. Well,

listen, all you are doing right now is, is summing up my own fears. Cause listen, the big dog has to get really involved in this show. And I can't be looking at 16-year-old prospect's hands. I can't be breaking down Jamari Baylor tape. I mean, listen, before this gig, that was my thing,

and now I've got to change. And I don't like changing, James. I'm anti-change. I'm not looking forward to it. Oh, I think we know that about you, Jack. I think we know you're anti-change i'm not looking forward to it oh i think we know that about you jack i think we know you're anti-change um first of all welcome to you know the rest of us who have to you know produce a show full-time and you know that that they uh have to invest a lot of time into and then still bring it for the high hopes family but you know the rest of us like everyone else that

produces radio get there well there are two people on this podcast and they both do it so you know what can i say jack all right um no it's very exciting and and don't worry jack will still find a way that they're there he'll find a 25th hour in the day to make sure he still does all this stuff that that he loves and we we we find slightly annoying but we love him so we we slightly annoying, but we love him. So we, we let him go, you know,

let him get away with it. The real question is, is, is the afternoon show crowd ready for some, for some Jamari Baylor tape breakdown? Like that's, that's what everyone's wondering. No,

no, nope, nope, nope. You're very lucky that the high OPS crowd is the high OPS listeners are the best listeners in the world and thus they care but no i i think that's a good way to uh make a bad version fresh jack that's sad yeah well you know what else is sad not having phillies baseball luckily that's almost over

buddy dude i can't handle it i i miss the phillies so much and i i don't like i don't really care if they're playing bad like i just love watching the phillies and i miss the phillies and like i just it's a part of my night like it's like something i do i it just i felt like weird i didn't know what to do with my night no i mean falling in love with the baseball team is so much different than falling in love with any other sport because every single night and like it feels like you grow with these guys that's that's what made the whole the whole Rollins Utley uh uh Howard Hamels run so special because like we watch them every single night like it was every single night it was like I'm gonna watch my guys like they're my guys and and if it's nice getting back to that with some of these guys that are legit cornerstone

pieces but even like four days without him feels like too long. Like four days without the Phillies feels like the longest week of my life, honestly. I'm so with you, man. It's been absolutely brutal trying to get through this week. But luckily they're back, man. And I don't know if it's going to be super fun getting Corbin, Strasburg, and Scherzer, but we'll look ahead to that in a minute. But all right, let's talk some Phillies. Oh, and by the way, real quick, because we always wait and always forget, High Hopes Night, pin tweet, check it out, come hang

at the ballpark with us. It's going to be awesome, fun. They're playing the Padres, who right now are two games behind the Phillies for that second wildcard spot. But definitely get on that. All right, Jack, let's talk a little second half because obviously, and I hate not being in the room with you. I know that sounds weird, but it just feels awkward not being in the room with you, Jack. I know. I'm probably the first person in the history of the planet to say I wish I were in the room with you, Jack. I guess in some ways it's nice,

but a little second half here. Let's, uh, kind of where you at with this team heading into the second half that obviously it's kind of a weird thing. Cause they're, they're a wildcard team technically if the season ended today, you know, that'll they'll trope, but you know, we all have watched them for the last month and a half. We all see the holes we all know how you know how many issues they have had and how many holes they have to fill to really compete and then also

we know that there are teams like the dodgers who are just way better so where you at with this team right now well i i don't love that the phillies are going to start 85% Jake Arrieta on Sunday. Like, that's where we're at with this Phillies team. Yeah, I don't get that either. It's not great. Like, there's nothing. Again, Scherzer. I'm excited to see what Damian Jones is going to do at AAA.

Apparently he's getting called up or whatever. Like, I'm excited for that. But the fact that Arrieta at 85% who is already bad is the Phillies' best option over any options in the minor leagues or whatever is just – it's so damning when you're looking at this team as a possible playoff contender. And obviously right now, if the season ended, the Phillies would be in the playoffs. But also like a month ago when they were starting to struggle, it was like, well, they're in first place.

Well, guess what? They fell out of first also like a month ago when they're starting to struggle it was like well they're in first place well guess what they fell in first place in a month so who really cares if they were in first place at that point or whatever so i just think we have to honestly look at this team um but i i feel really good about the offense i know uh it's been the main trope of a lot of people that the offense is is stagnant and it's been inconsistent but i just think that they've turned a nice little corner here. I know they've played the Mets in a lot of those games, but just in watching them, it feels like they've been more aggressive. I think Kingery at the leadoff spot, I know it's his average. I didn't even realize it.

It's dropped a lot. Below 300, yeah. It's like 292 or something like that. Yeah, which I understand that, you know, for people who don't really watch the games, that that's a concern. But when you watch the games, the guy's still hitting the ball hard. It's not like last year when I was like, oh, my God, is this guy ever going to get a hit again?

But he's hitting the ball really hard. And I just like watching the Astros tonight and watching the Rangers, like obviously it's the first game of the second half, and watching George Springer swing the first pitch and just try to do damage on it, that's what I want on my leadoff hitter. And Kingery, I think, is a guy that's going to do that. So I think the offense is turning a corner. Robertson's throwing this week, apparently.

He's throwing to guys. I think today he's actually scheduled to start throwing to guys and just seeing how everything felt. If you can get him back to go with Tommy Hunter to go with Adam Morgan being back now. Jose Alvarez has been good for a little bit. I think the bullpen is starting to take shape. And there are more starting pitcher options than I was anticipating. And I think they're not going to have to give up too much.

And I think they're going to be able to get a pretty good pitcher at this deadline. Yeah, I hope you're right about that they're not giving up too much part i look where i'm at with this team is is a lot of what you said i think that i don't have any thought yeah and again it's baseball so you never know what can happen but i don't expect this team to be a legitimate World Series contender this season. So when you go into the trade deadline and look at what they can do, whether it's – I think the idea of a deal for someone who's under team control for multiple years is interesting because that's someone who can help now and help later.

But I just – I don't – as we both have talked a lot about, I don't think that mortgaging the future or going all in, as we like to say it, um, is worthwhile for this year. But I do think there are moves that they can make that can help. And I think that even though, you know, we've talked about how frustrating they've been and, and yes, there's still a wild card team right now, but it doesn't feel like it and all that. I do think that if, like you said, if the offense really is starting to turn it around and we can

get, you know, a Bryce, I think that any Phillies fan should agree that from a player perspective, we all know with the pitching issues, but if Bryce Harper can just be hot streak, Bryce Harper for a month and a half, like the wonders it would do for this team, but just that alone. But I think that in terms of, of from, from a perspective of where the team is at heading into the trade, I do think that, I think that we kind of underrate the idea of the wild card.

It would be a really great accomplishment for this team to win a wild card. And I feel like there's just almost a stigma where it's like, oh, you're not winning the NL East. Look, the Braves are a really good baseball team. They're better than the Phillies right now. They're younger and better. But this team hasn't made the playoffs since 2011. And I think that with some moves that might not cripple them for the future

or go all in, or moves for good players, but who they can have for multiple years and maybe give up more for that, I think that the Phillies can still make some noise this year and have a meaningful season. You know what I mean, Jack? Oh, totally agreed. And I agree with you completely that I think the second wild – like even making the second wild card, whatever,

I think that is being completely underrated by a lot of people in this fan base. Totally. Not only because – well, think about it. The 07 Phillies, I mean, the guys who were on the 08 team talk about how 07 was so important just from the standpoint of getting there and learning how to win together and all that and i think what we're discounting what we're discounting with making the wild card is that there's so much lead up and so much excitement in that final month of the season to make the wild card and if you if you if you fall out of it

and and whatnot like who feels good about heading into next year's Philly season? Like if you're in the wild card and you're in the hunt and you're competing every single night, like that just adds a different level of fan entertainment, fan excitement. And even if you just make the wild card and if you happen to lose in a one game playoff, and even if you just make the wild card and if you happen to lose in a one-game playoff, and even if you win and then play the Dodgers in a five-game series, that doesn't matter. That does not matter because in the end, you're getting reps for your young guys. You're getting meaningful September baseball for your young guys. And having another offseason of not playoff baseball and not good baseball heading into an offseason is only going to make this fan base even more disappointed.

And I just think that to capitalize on fan excitement and to capitalize on team growth, going for the second wild card is very, very important. It is very important from the standpoint of getting this team those important reps. And I just think that is being very, very undersold by just like selling at a deadline or doing other things. Like it may help the future or whatnot, but there's not enough pieces on this team to sell off to where that like to where like it's going to make that much of a difference. Like we talked about Real Muto, but that was never like that was never like I want to trade Real Muto was more of the standpoint of, could they do it if they fall out of this? They haven't signed him to an extension yet.

Um, even though we said if they go like two and 10 over the first 12 games before the, you know, if they just tank, you know, right, right, right, right, right. But, but I just, I just think that that second wild card and getting this, this team thinking in that mindset and listen, if they're going to make the second wild card, it's probably going to be on the backs of Bryce Harper, Reese Hoskins, JT Romito anyway. And if you get those guys to get comfortable in that ballpark with their new teammates, that is just so much more massive

than what the Phillies can really do at the deadline. I'm just all in on adding marginal upgrades to this team like the fringe guys that can they can help us like they can help this year but going forward i just i'm really excited for the second half i know like a lot of people aren't but i'm very curious to see how this team um comes out i totally agree with you and i think you hit the the two most important things obviously i think it's really important for the fan base, like you said. But I think most importantly, it's important for the players, just like you said, not even just the playoff games themselves, but that chase to be in it in September against a bunch

of teams fighting for that spot and to win those tough games in September. I mean, those essentially come down to playoff games a lot of times. So, you know, you get a, it's not just like, Oh, if they go to a one game wild card and lose, it wasn't worth it. It's like, no, it's that whole experience for the team to get that kind of, you know, all those reps and that all matters and, and finishing out a one 62, as we saw last year, like matters, you know, all those reps and that all matters and, and finishing out a one 62, as we saw last year, like matters, you know? So I, I'm, I think you nailed it. I'm, I'm totally with you. Um, all right. In that vein, I want to throw a couple of things at you in terms of, of second half thoughts. I think, look, and, and I think the pitching obviously is as an issue, but would you

agree with me that if, if there's one player on the team right now who can have the biggest impact on the second half by by turning it up it's Bryce Harper can we both agree on that yeah and and ultimately I think it's on Bryce I mean I don't want to put too much pressure on the guy but what we talked about all throughout this offseason and the beginning of this season was that this is now his team like in Washington it was never totally his team like it was but he was still the guy that was viewed as the phenom and there was already Zimmerman there and and older guys in that locker room Worth Scherzer um but now when he's here it's him it's Real Muto it's Hoskins like those are the the three guys I mean you'd like Arrieta to be in that mix, but I just don't think he can do it.

And Bryce Harper, so I was looking at the second half numbers, second half splits or whatever, and 2016 was so bad for Bryce. He batted 226 in the second half. So his overall second half splits in his career, he's a career 280 hitter with a 380 obp um and 872 ops and that's factoring in that's factoring in a complete second half where he batted 226 um in 2016 like he is if you take out that season the guy is a really really solid second half performer and what i think we've seen heading into the All-Star break is a guy that is

starting to figure it out, starting to feel comfortable. He finally has a routine, a setup that he can go back to every single night and can repeat. I don't think that's the way it was for the first two months of the season. But I think this last month he's really found a swing that he can use and a swing that he can repeat over and over again. So it feels like it's a lot on Bryce now he's the 330 million dollar man and I think he's ready for it I I honestly I cannot wait to see what Bryce is going to bring us in the second

half because I think it it has a chance to be monstrous yeah and we've seen when he gets on those runs how massive they can be and how they can carry a team carry an offense and also you hope like we know how competitive he is we see it on an every night basis uh for someone who has made the all-star team every single year in his career except one where he was injured you can't tell me that this dude who's this competitive isn't at home thinking. Oh, dude, totally agree. So you hope that fuels him and all that stuff. I'm with you, Jack.

I feel bullish about him. Dude, Bryce Harper is one of the most prideful guys in baseball. And the reason why I hated Bryce for most of his career was I thought he was a cocky, arrogant guy. And I just think that when you have, he does have that air of a little bit of cockiness, which is, I mean, I don't blame him. He's been a prodigy since he was 16. He was called the LeBron of baseball and on the cover of Sports Illustrated when he was 16.

I mean, you know. That dude, let's just lay it out, James. That dude just signed a $330 million contract in a brand new city supposed to lift them to new heights and be his team, and he did not make the All-Star team in an All-Star game where he is featured in every single freaking ad. I was watching LB Network and Fox or whatever leading up to the All-Star game. Every single one of them had a a bryce harper like

promo in it that has got to be embarrassing for a guy that is as good as bryce harper and i just i just don't think baseball is ready for what the real bryce harper is going to look like i love it i know i'm with you and and i really do think he's the chip is on the shoulder and it's going to come um but all right so with that in mind with harper um firing this one off of you who is the on the team now who is the most important non-bryce harper person player or person to this team's success in the second half nick pivetta what What an on-brand answer that is, buddy. But is it a lie? I mean, think about it. I mean, it's fair.

I totally get it. This team needs one of their starters to step up outside of Nola. Aaron Nola is back to being the Aaron Nola we saw last year. I was worried that we're never going to see it, but the guy is just totally locked in. He's awesome. Yeah, I mean, thank God, dude. I was not ready for it.

Dude, it was the one thing we were counting on. We were like, everything else, we don't know what's going to happen, but at least Sarah Nola's awesome. Can we get playoff Nola? Like, that was the one thing we were counting on. It was, it like hurt for a while there. Yeah, I mean, listen, if we can get seven innings, less than two runs of Nola, I mean, I think

that's where we're at from the kids. So, listen, with Nola being back, Eflin's struggling a little bit. Velasquez is Velasquez. Jake Garrett has bone spurs in his elbow, but apparently he's the best thing they have. It's on Nick,

man. I think the offense is going to be fine. I think Real Medo, I mean, dude, Real Medo his last seven games, I think he's batting 400. have it's it's on nick man i think the offense is gonna be fine i think realmuto i mean dude realmuto his last seven games i think he's batting 400 so hopefully he's starting to figure it out bryce is figuring out hoskins is hoskins like the offense will be fine they finally found a leadoff hitter it's it's on pivetta to figure it out the bullpen's getting healthier um This is the second half. If you can trade for a Lance Lynn type, if you can trade for a Roark type, bring in a guy that's going to fill up six or seven innings and keep you in ballgames and let the offense figure it out,

and Pavetta can take that little bit of a step forward. He doesn't have to be breakout Pavetta. Just give me solid Pavetta. I'm not even asking for the moon. I'm not even asking for a top 10 Cy Young winner, Nick Pavetta. Just give me freaking six innings and 300 less. Like, that's all I'm asking for, Nick. If we can get that from Pavetta,

I just think that's the biggest thing this team could ask for going forward. Look, I think the answer has to be either Pavetta or Afflin, depending on which way you lean. And I think, obviously, you know, you're going to go Pavetta. And I personally, not to be too on brand for the podcast, I think Pavetta is the right answer because we know what Pavetta's upside is. And as much as Eflin, and I think that Eflin, I think he's going to be solid. I think he'll get back to being all right.

I don't think he's going to be as good as he was earlier in the season. But like Pavetta has at least the stuff to really go on stretches where he can dominate. And we've seen it. We've seen it this season. Even with all the horrendous starts we've seen from this guy, he's had the best non-Aaron Nola starts on the team for the most part other than that little stretch Eflin had with the complete games.

But Pavetta has at least shown the ability to be that. So, look, whether it's Pavetta or Eflin, one of these two guys has to do something. And like you said, look, I like Tanner Roark. The Reds in it still, and that's part of why the next couple weeks are going to be so important because – James, can the NL Central just stop? It's so annoying, dude.

So it's in the history, I believe in the history, since they changed these divisions, it is the second smallest lead between all five teams since they did it. Four and a half games separates them all. I mean, those teams stink. Like the Reds stink. The Pirates stink. I agree.

I guess they all just rake. Yeah. Well, the Reds actually are an interesting one because all the underlying numbers, I mean, they're a plus 27 in terms of run differential. They have the best starting staff in the National League by most metrics. Like it's really great in terms of just performance this season. Obviously, they're not. But, yeah, the Reds are a weird one.

They're an interesting one, but it's a weird, like, so we'll get to that in a sec because I do want to kind of look at the teams and what's bunched up and talk about who we do think is real and who's not. But I agree with that answer.

I got two more quick ones for you. I just want to fire you. One, who is the most important position to fill in a trade outside of a starting pitcher? So if they can get a starting pitcher, if you can fill one other spot, what is it? Well, I mean, it's either center field or third base pretty much. Right, and King or the other one. I agree.

I think the idea of filling third base is the key yeah i would getting franco off the field is the key i would say that third base is more important because i think there's actually decent third base options whereas center field i don't feel as great about the center field options um i could boom be the third baseman if he keeps us up i don't think they'd do that but if they get desperate enough and and and and bring him boom for a a playoff run i wouldn't be totally shocked um but yeah it's it's either third base center field kingery's been good i would rather have kingery stay in center field me too i've been so impressed with him man like for someone who's learning on the fly out there he gets really good reads on balls he seems to take pretty good routes sometimes you know it seems like he he kind of missteps a little bit but i've been really impressed with him covers a lot

of ground yeah he's he's really good out there and i think he's only getting better like like this is exactly what we saw last year at shortstop with kingery was wow the first month this guy this guy can't play shortstop and then by september it was like this guy can play shortstop every day totally totally um so yeah i i i would rather keep kingery at centerfield i see the thing the thing is that I think he can play center field, and I think his natural instincts take over, whereas third base, I just don't. I've never liked his arm from third base,

and I just think that he has a better chance of thriving in center field than third base. And again, if you can get Mikel Franco off the freaking field, it's a win. Please. That is agree. Mine is obviously get Franco off the freaking field, it's a win. Please. That is – agree. Mine is obviously get Franco off the field. I'd love to see them. Obviously, I had a backup catcher just to get rid of Andrew Knapp.

Well, hey, hey, hey, hey, guess what? What? Now, are you sitting down? I am. I'm actually sitting down, yes. Okay, you're sitting down, and Zoe's not crying because I'm pretty sure her dad might be crying in a second. Are you ready for this? JT Romito had his second daughter tonight,

which means might hit the paternity list, which means starting that. Well, it's hard for me to, I can't get mad at you, JT. Congratulations. I have a daughter as well.

Very cool, man. Wow. I'm so excited. I have a daughter as well. Very cool. Man. Wow. I'm so excited to have Philly's baseball back. You got to do that to me, Jack. All right. For the first time in my life, I am anti-paternity leave, JT. I agree.

Get back. It's your second, right? I mean, your first one, I get it. Listen, your first one was playing for the Marlins. This is a real sports town, JT. So, listen, you're first one's playing for the Marlins. This is a real sports town, JT. So, listen, buddy. Listen, you are not forcing us to play, to watch, and the Phillies physically play and your net for like three days.

Yeah, I can't do that. Please, please, man. Especially, it's not like this isn't an important series or anything like that. But, you know, whatever. All right, one more I want to fire you, and then we're going to look at the teams around the Phillies and get to, you know, what's coming up. But, um, and we have a lot of time for the trade deadline. This is not cemented in stone or anything, you know, we'll talk about it coming up and it depends on what

happens with them and a bunch of teams. And I do think there's going to be a really interesting, aggressive trade deadline because of the getting rid of the waivers deadline, August 31st. Teams have to make the moves they want to make by then and have to, more teams will be in it. It's going to be really interesting. But if you had to, as of now, it's July 11th right now in the evening. If you had to pick one player who is not a Philly right now, who will be a Philly by July, you know, by August 1st, who would you say? A player that I want or a player that I think?

That you guess, not who you want. Who do you think? Just a shot in the dark type of, I think this move makes sense and I could really see this happen. I think, I think think my head says Miner. Miner or Lance Lynn. I've heard little birdies saying that the Rangers have been all over the Philly system recently.

So I think that's one to monitor. I think, like, dude, I cannot take the the people that say well the rangers and the diamondbacks might not sell it's like come on man like they're gonna sell like who are we trying to fool here so um i think it's gonna be minor i think it's gonna be uh or or lance lynn or whatever if i could if i could have my dream, it's still Granke. And I know the whole he can't pitch in big markets thing or whatever. I understand all that stuff. But I'm so frustrated.

I will be very frustrated if he gets traded to another big market team and a big market team goes over the luxury tax or whatever like i don't i i i want i want to get granky and not give up the amount of prospects i think it's going to cost to get other people for a pitcher that is still really really good like i the granky trade if he can if he can handle pitching in philly and i understand he had to vet all that stuff the granky trade is the perfect trade it's only money he's still really good you won't have to give up the prospects and he helps you for the next two seasons after this season like it's such a perfect trade this is a big market team i want them to act like a big market team but if you're telling me today i think it's going to be a trade for one of the Rangers guys. Yeah. I, uh, so I, in terms of, uh, I agree with you on the cranky thing. I think that,

you know, as we've talked a lot about the only advantage that the Phillies have over the Braves over other teams like that is that they can spend money. They're a big market team, be a big boy, go out and be a big boy. And Zach crankke like you said i agree the diamondbacks i i look they're definitely not going to be buyers no matter if they're in it or not and i think that no matter what if they find someone to take that granke contract they would do it um so i'm with you i think that's the exact type of move i think i i don't make as much light of the him pitching in philly thing he really is a weird dude and we are an intense city with our athletes as we see. So that worries me a little bit,

but it wouldn't stop me from doing it. But it would give me a touch of pause. But for me, I think if I had to pick one name, and I think it makes sense in the sense that when I've looked at this, and this is all, again, depending on them not falling out of it, as we've talked about. But I think that a move for someone who has more than a year of control

just makes so much more sense because, you know, I don't know. And I think, like, this could be an addition to a row arc or something like that. I could see that type of or those types of moves happening as well. But I just feel like Matthew Boyd is someone they want. I feel like there's been noise around it. We saw Jim Bowden say it. Todd Zaleky referred to it recently. Like it just feels like, look, they want a lefty thing forever. He's under control for the next three years, I think. Right. So I just feel, and I know that would be something

where they give up more, and, you know, we don't want them to go all in for this year, but I think that three extra years of team control, you know, that's the kind of guy you would give up Medina for, or something like that. So if I had to bet on one guy, I would bet on Matthew Boyd. Yeah, I actually, what was the trade today? It was like Haisley williams and

medina and like man i think i i think i'd do that i would definitely do it i i i would i think i think how i think spencer howard was turning into an untouchable prospect i would i would much rather trade medina than howard yeah totally agree with you and i'm pretty sure boys not free agents until 2023 actually so oh even longer wow so like i i i would love a boy trade um and if i don't have to give up if i don't have to give up that package is so fair for him um and the other one that i think stark laid out what or starker Bowden, I think it was Stark. He laid out Medina and Eflin for Trevor Bauer. Oh, buddy.

Bauer is through next year, right? He's got one more year. Yeah, but then you're losing Eflin, which you don't really want to do. Yeah, and also Bauer has said the whole thing about the one-year mercenary contracts. Correct. Also, you want to talk about different dudes. Yeah. I really – I'm not a big Bauer guy.

Just like on the surface. He's really good. He's an ass, but he's really good. He's just an ass. Like he's just an ass. He's a D. Like he just acts like he is the greatest thing that's ever happened to pitching. But at the same time, he's also, like, for someone like you,

who freaking loves pitching, like, this is a guy who, like, studies his spin rate, studies it, like, he, like, talks about, like, what he's like, I think I had the second best curveball in the league last year, like, that type of stuff. Like, he's like a pitching nerd. And also he's nasty. So I think that'd be an interesting move as well um boyd's the move though it's a move because of how long you would have him under control i think

and because it's it's it's a lot of strikeouts and he'll age well like he's already 28 right late bloomer but like he's got a nice easy delivery. It's all deception. You know, it was like mid-90s, right? 93, 94, that type of stuff. But he just is really hard to pick up, it seems. I totally agree. And he's not walking anyone, and he's striking out a ton of guys. Like Matthew Boyd is top five or top six in the American League in strikeouts.

Yeah, and he's a guy. The trade for Matthew Boyd, it would remind me a lot of the cliff lee trade i mean something like a someone who breaks out late you know he won the young that year for cleveland but that's uh oh i like that yeah i'm just looking at it now um Now, like Cliff Lee. So with the Indians in, let's go 2009. He was striking out only 6.3. Boyd is striking out almost 12 per nine. 2007. Right, but I'm looking at 09 when they traded him. Oh, I got you.

I got you. Okay. I got you. He's only striking out 6.3 per nine, but he was walking two per nine. And Boyd right now is striking out 11.9 per nine and walking 1.7 per nine. That's ridiculous. He is really, really solid. And if you look at the ERA plus, I mean, Matthew Boyd and Cliff Lee are pretty much identical

in when they got traded. So, another late bloomer. But if you can give me a guy that strikes out a lot of guys and doesn't walk any, I mean, that's the Phillies are looking for at this point. It's all Kapler talks about now. If you listen to him talk, he's all about the, just give me a guy that can throw strikes and I'll take it and see what we can get.

While he's being forced to deal with a bone spurs, Jake Arrieta has already been horrendous. I'm sure his standards are low right now. They definitely are. They definitely are. So the Boyd trade would be really interesting. And if all you have to give up is Medina, Haseley and Williams,

you have to do it. That's a win. That's a win for the Phillies. Yeah, I agree. All right. Real quick. I just want to go through the teams you mentioned and you already,

Diamondbacks, you already said not, you know, you don't expect them right. Real quick. I just want to go through the teams we mentioned and you already diamond backs. You already said not, you know, you don't expect them to say in it, who I want you to tell me who you think is a real contender with the Phillies. If we're going to say, and again, anything can happen. It's baseball. Maybe the Phillies make a couple of great moves and go on a magical run and pass the Braves. But let's say the Braves win the national East looking at the teams and

we'll say the Cubs win the central though. That's a team that could fluctuate, and the Dodgers are – I think they've already won the NOS. I think they clinched already, Jack. Of the teams surrounding you, I want you to tell me who you think is, like, a real competitor for this Phillies team, who's going to be there in September with them and who's not. I'll just fire them off at you.

I think we both agree the Nationals are legit. Too much talent. I mean, too much blue-chip chip talent and the pitching staff is the pitching staff so yeah and a couple bullpen trades and they could be in really great shape uh brewers yes just because i think the offense is is legit and if they at a start of this month um and yeah i'll buy i'll buy stock in ben harris oh look at you there you go uh also i mean look they they went to a game seven last year in the NLCS. I mean, there's someone who's been there.

And, you know, you know that we were just talking about how important those reps in September are for the Phillies. This is a team that's done that and whatnot. So I do think that matters. Diamondbacks, you've already said, out. Yep. Okay. Padres out. Yep.

I think so as well. Cardinals, interesting one. Yep I think so as well Cardinals Interesting one So they're weird Because if you look at their starting staff Or their whole pitching staff in general

On fan graphs They have the lowest WOBA Of all the pitching staff What? Lowest WOBA allowed, yeah Right, so like By WOBA's standards They've had the best pitching staff in baseball

So But like on paper it's not that great of a pitching staff so um i think they're good but i think the phillies are better i agree with you uh rockies i like the rockies a lot i know they're not i know they're not playing that well and i looked at kyle freeland's triple a stats the other day and got depressed um but but i think i think that i think the Rockies are good. I think so too. I think another team that made it to the playoffs last year has talent.

I mean, look, they had four all-stars, and you look at all those guys' numbers, it's like, how are you guys not better? I mean, with Arenado and Dahl and Blackman and just all story. I mean, they're just really talented offensively. And they've got talent pitching, but obviously it hasn't all come together. And they also, when you look at it as the fact they started three and 12, it's also pretty impressive where they're at as well.

So they've played much better baseball after that start too. And I think we both agree, the Pirates, the Reds, none of those teams. No worries. I think the Reds are okay. Like I said with this stuff before, but I'm not worried about the Reds, none of those teams, no worries? I think the Reds are okay. Like I said with this stuff before, but I'm not worried about the Reds, but they are at least someone to monitor, I think, more than the Pirates or some of the other teams you mentioned. Yeah, I totally agree.

And, I mean, no one else – I mean, I can't believe the Giants have 41 wins. The Giants are 41 and 40. I mean, and they're definitely going to sell because they have no chance. But they're five and a half back of the wild card spot it's crazy the national league is not is really nuts this year well nationally just deep like there's just there's a ton of solid teams well and again for the trade deadline that's gonna matter like whether or not you know like maybe teams like the diamondbacks or whatever like maybe they're look if they're in a wild card spot on july 31st like maybe they're not buyers but it's hard to sell to your fan base that you're selling off pieces when you're a wild card team on july 31st so well without that trade the august

31st i do think it does make a difference because i think teams have to make a more definitive gut check decision earlier. I mean, listen, I agree with you from the fan base standpoint if you're playing in a city that matters. But do you think Phoenix fans are calling up sports radio being like, I can't believe. Okay, this is fair. I can't believe the Diamondbacks are selling at the deadline. They're not putting the pressure on their teams like all the Northeast Corridor teams. No, it's fair. I can't believe the Diamondbacks are selling at the deadline. They're not putting the pressure on their teams like all the Northeast corridor teams.

No, it's fair. But I do think, look, the next couple weeks are interesting. Look, if the Diamondbacks win. And again, the Diamondbacks are just an example of some of these other teams that if teams get hot, different teams might be involved in selling, buying, and all that. So it's going to be an interesting couple weeks. And And obviously we'll talk about the trade deadline and all that coming up. Before we get to really the only thing you wanted to talk about here today, let's quickly talk about the National Series. Just coming in here, obviously two or three, we all know

what it is, but a real important two or three in my mind, when you look at who they're going up against from a pitching perspective, you look at the Dodgers coming to town after that. And just from a confidence level, man, for a team that is really only beating the Mets over the last, you know, month plus, it feels like, where are you at with this series coming up here? I am excited and nervous at the same time so nervous because dude we're going we're going strasburg corbin scherzer like if if they take two or three like we always say i feel really good about this team going forward and if they

show fight and the offense shows it's turned a corner, like that's just massive for this team with the Dodgers coming into town. But like, I, I, I'm not going to lie to you and say, I feel great. I mean,

well, I mean, here's the thing. Other than the night Nola goes and that's a night where he's going against, is he going to Strasburg? I think, right. Is it Corbin?

Okay. Corbin. Well, either way. So you would say Nola is the advantage of a Corbin, but not by like a ton. Corbin's great. And then the other two nights,

the Nationals have a massive advantage going in. Well, yeah. It's Pavetta versus Strasburg, and I know that maybe it was, I think it was you that said that Pavetta's going to turn into what Strasburg was supposed to be this year. Oh, yeah. Yeah, that sounds right.

And then it's Max Scherzer versus 85% of Jake Arrieta. 85% of Jake Arrieta and 100% of Jake Arrieta. Isn't that good? So Scherzer has been like on an epic run. Dude. Like he's always great, but like he's been particularly great over the last month plus. Dude, Scherzer has had the best month of his career. I knew he'd been great. Is it really the best month of his career? That's amazing. It was the best month of his career is that I I knew he'd been great I didn't really is it really the best month of his career that's amazing it was the

best month of yeah I knew he had been insane that's awesome wow or not awesome no awesome because he's so great but not awesome for the Phillies yes that is fair Jack yeah well honestly I was thinking about this watching the all-star game like Scherzer and Verlander are I just think they're gonna be good till their 40s like they're so they're they're this generation's dolan ryan this generation is roger clemens like power pitchers that are able to sustain it it's so weird like it's so weird the the difference in pitchers like it seems like bum garden has fallen off it seems like arietta well arietta has definitely fallen off but then there's guys like scherzer and and verlander which are just unbelievable it's a great point heading into their late 30s early 40s like it's like it's weird the

variance between pitchers it's it's wild and look scherzer is really becoming one of the greats we've ever seen in front of us with this you know kind of later in his career just being even better than he was before i mean uh he's won what three cy young's now back to back uh at one point he's started the all-star game three times i mean he's a he's a uh no doubt about it surefire hall of famer and really turning into one of the better pitchers of our time and uh it's crazy verlander or scherzer scherzer both are really i was talking about scherzer but verlander is too verlander is a no doubt hall of famer and um my favorite verlander thing though is that he leads the league in in home runs allowed and yet

he's got like a mid two era it's just been awesome well because the because the astros are are smart and they figured out that solo home runs don't really matter. Totally. Totally. All right. So two or three, hopefully. We've gone the whole pod. We are both tired and need to get out of here. So, Jack, energize us at the end here with your Futures Game Talk. I can't believe we made it this long without talking about it.

I can't believe we didn't energize. I appreciate you for not overtaking the rest of the podcast with Futures Game Talk. I mean, do you want me to talk about Boehm's inside-out swing that resulted in... Listen, that ball smoked. I think all three of his balls were smoked. He only got one hit, but I think he hit the ball well. Listen, man, I don't know what you're expecting, but I always leave the Futures game more disappointed than excited.

I'm obviously excited about Boehm, but just seeing all these teams that are – This is my take here. They're all better than the Phillies, and they have better farm systems. That's the frustrating part. It's like we have Alec Boehm. I cannot wait for Alec Boehm. I think Alec Boehm is going to be amazing. And, yes, Mickey Moniak did

did have a return from the IL tonight thank God with a hamstring problem and he doubled and what not which is great I'm very excited for Mickey Moniak but like like there's a different level with these other teams like the Dodgers who

obviously are way better than the Phillies just called up Alex Verdugo who who's been awesome for them, and Dustin Mays there. And they have freaking Lux and freaking all these talented guys still left, not to mention all the depth they already have. How about like the freaking Padres, who have maybe the best young player in baseball, him and Acuna and Guerrero.

You could fight it out. But Fernando Tatis, who looks like an absolute future superstar. And then they've got like three pitchers who are better than anything the Phillies have in the Futures game. I mean, Mackenzie Gore. This guy's ridiculous. Are we serious? Mackenzie Gore is so freaking good, man. And then the freaking Braves have the freaking, I'm cursing you, Christian Pashy.

That kid is like a top 10 prospect. They've got like 10,000 top 100 pitching prospects in the majors and minors. It's just, Jack, it was my big, I'm really annoyed. I came away way more angry than I realized I was about the lack of high end talent, like no doubt about them, you know, studs type of guys. And of course, then you see Wander Franco, who's best prospect in baseball, who for the frigging raise. Of course, it's the raise. I just I really that was my real thought about the futures game was I was how disappointed

I was. I'm really and I'm excited for bomb but, like, man, it's disappointing. I couldn't agree more. And I just hope the Phillies understand, and I think they're starting to understand. I keep saying this, and I really do think they're starting to understand that player development and scouting and and using the the analytics and whatever to to find underrated talent and and develop that talent is the single it is the single most important thing in baseball

right now there's nothing more important than using your resources being a big market team sure we you and i both want the phillies to use their big market team this and bring in a zach granke but ultimately zach granke is is not gonna like win the teams win this team a world series and he's gonna help a lot but like all literally literally all that matters is player development scouting and using the numbers to to to bring in the correct prospects and international scouting it is it is the only thing that matters and the fact that the affiliates went into this international scouting period with the amount of money that they have i understand they're going to use it a lot on uh yowzer garcia or i don't i'm not really totally sure how to say it but it's in my head it's Yowzer.

I'm sure you'll know before anybody else does. You'll find a way to call his family and figure it out because you have to know. But it's just watching the Futures game, seeing the amount of talent, even watching the AAA game. There was no Phillies in the AAA All-Star game, which is also frustrating. I think they get it. I think there is young talent in the minor leagues or in the lower level of the minor leagues,

and there's interesting arms. But just start getting it right and start figuring it out because it's literally all that matters. A hundred percent agree. It's all that matters. I don't care what happens to the trade deadline because if you want to be successful for a long time in major league baseball right now, it is like player development is the wild,

wild west. It's all that matters. Yeah. Look at the Braves. I just mentioned, I didn't even mention Acuna and Albies and Riley and guys are even in the majors already. I can't even,

I can't even, I can't even. Before we go too far, listen, can I just, this is going to, I don't even. Before we go too far, listen. Can I just? This is going to. I don't care if this backfires. Uh-oh.

Austin Riley is a fraud. That dude is not. That guy is not good. Well, he's definitely been better than people expected. Let me just tell you something. Let me just tell you something. There's no way. There's no freaking way that a guy that has 10 walks in 202 plate appearances

is going to be a long time good major league baseball player like teams are going to figure out how to combat his aggressiveness and get him out i'm just saying like there's no freaking way that you can have that many walks and only have a 312 OBP and be as good of an offensive player as Austin Riley has been. It's not going to last. They should trade him immediately. I like it. Alright, final thoughts. Because it is definitely

time to go to bed. My final thought is that Spencer Howard had pitched four innings the other day, struck out seven and only allowed one hit. He is a better pitching prospect than six of Sanchez. And I just think that we need to be more excited about him. And I wish he didn't get hurt because I keep being ready right now. And I think that he would be on a quicker track to the big leagues than he's at. And they're going to baby his arm, which is fine.

They should. I mean, he's a legit, legit prospect. But everyone's wondering where the pitching talent is or whatever. Spencer Howard is the pitching talent, and I think that guy is going to be an absolute horse for this team. Yeah, I'm with you. I love Spencer Howard. He's the him and Bob, the two untouchable guys for me,

no matter what kind of happens. My final thought, joked around about it before, but in all seriousness, I speak for High Hopes Nation. We're very excited for afternoon show producer Jack. It's really awesome stuff, man. Jack was my intern back in the day in another life at another station. Was my intern back in the day in another life at another station. Got an opportunity at WIP and just frigging killed it.

And deserves it. And he has assured me that he will not let his performance here slip. So you, Hyatt Station, will have to help me hold him to that. We'll call him out when he isn't bringing it. But you'll make it happen. I believe in you, buddy. But seriously, congrats. And if you haven't told Jack congrats, tell him congrats. You can do that by rating and reviewing the podcast.

Leave a review telling Jack congrats because it'll make his day. But seriously, buddy, we're really happy for you. It's awesome. Dude, it is so weird when we think about our history. Let's go inside the podcast for a second if we're going to do this. Yeah, sure. Why not? So before I started interning at another station,

I was following James on Twitter, and I saw a tweet about a baseball show. I was like, well, I mean mean if he's a baseball guy i i was at the point where like i just wanted anyone to talk baseball with because most baseball talk was dead at that point because it was 2015 um which the only intrigue around the phillies was what are they gonna get in a hamels trade and it turns out they got nothing in a hamels trade unbelievable but i remember the first day James walked over and introduced himself. I was like, you're the baseball guy, right?

And you're like, yeah, I am. That might have been the first time anyone had ever called me the baseball guy. It probably made my life. Yeah, I have no idea. But from that point forward, we would talk baseball. And just like it's crazy how three years later, like everything works out. And, listen, if that never happened, the people don't get high hopes. It's exactly right.

I think about that all the time. And things worked out the way they were supposed to. Yes. And now high hopes is here and uh am i worried about my not being able to scout uh the the 16 year old prospects and their hands yes i'm worried but we'll be i i promise i promise that i will try not to bring it up on the afternoon show because I don't want to get fired. But I will save all talk of players' hands and Rapsodo cameras for this podcast. I think that is an incredibly smart career decision. All right.

Well, congrats to Fritz. We love him. Just know while I'm producing the afternoon show, I'm only thinking about Rapsodo cameras. Yes. And high hopes because that's all we ever think about and care about. And listen, if you want to celebrate with me and James. Oh, yeah. Do it at the game with us.

Come to High Hopes on August 17th. Oh, great idea. Let's make it a High Hopes slash celebrating the rising comet-like star that is Jack Fritz. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. No, I had to. No, seriously, coming out with us is going to be super fun. August 17th, our pinned tweets. All right.

Seriously, though, really excited for Jack. It's going to be awesome. And it won't affect Ty Hopes at all. We'll still figure it out one way or another. It's just going to be later at night. Yeah, that's pretty much what it's going to be. We'll just have to record later at night. And it is what it is.

All right. But seriously, have to record later tonight. And it is what it is. All right. But seriously, congrats, Fritz. Hopefully the Phillies don't not win two of three or don't struggle here against the Nats and get going. But either way, we'll be back Monday. We'll hopefully be talking about a positive series. But I don't know. Fingers crossed, Fritzy.

Fingers crossed. Yeah, I think that's all you can do at this point. Fingers crossed, Fritzy. Fingers crossed. Yeah, I think that's all you can do at this point. Fingers crossed. They got their three horses going against Pavetta, Nola, and 85% of Jake Arrieta. And at least they have the – Philly's got the Dodgers coming to town after, so a nice puff matchup after that.

It's a nice little break. All right. Well, we'll talk about that and hopefully a good series against the Nets either way. We'll definitely be here on Monday. So for Fritz, I'm Seltzer we'll see you later 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 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. It is 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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