High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - They're Done

Episode Date: September 5, 2019

The Phillies season is all but over and James Seltzer and Jack Fritz are here to talk about it.  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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My plan starts with soil health. And part of mine includes biodiversity. Why care so much? Because Canadian dairy farmers hold themselves to higher standards. That's what's behind the blue cow logo. Dairy Farmers of Canada. 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. That was like a deflated balloon. Another edition of the High Hopes Podcast.

Jack, I feel like we should play taps. I did play taps. Did you? Yeah. It feels like that. Look, it's so funny because it has been so much anger and disappointment and frustration and we'll get into why because i have a lot of thoughts on this but jack i think the biggest takeaway from the last couple games here against

the reds the series against the mets before that this team's just not that good man they're just not that good that's sad i know it's a bummer man but they're just not that good, man. They're just not that good. That's sad. I know. It's a bummer, man, but they're just not that good. The first two games of the series, I'm like, all right. Yeah. I was like, here we go. Oh, you were back in?

What a shocker. Oh, my God. I was all in. The easiest back in there is. I was all in. And they came back. This is what pisses me off, is that they come back 5-0 last night. And it's like, boom, let's go.

Let's roll. Let's go on a run. This is time. And then they do, boom, let's go. Let's roll. Let's go on a run. Like, this is time. And then they do the same bleep all the time. Well, the last two games were really like microcosms of the season. We saw the same thing that we've seen over multiple game stretches, the inability to carry on momentum, the inability to go on any sort of run. We saw it in those two specific games, today's game and yesterday's game.

Down 5-0, storm back 5-0, and then they can't build on that momentum. How do you get that J. Bruce home run and then not score another run that game? How does that happen? How do you today tie it up 3-3, get that real Muto Homer in the eighth? It should be electric in that dugout. You're in a playoff chase. And then the three innings without runs. And then some dude named Irvin who I never heard of before this series.

Freaking it's a walk-off. I just don't get it. I don't get how they can never build on anything. That Bruce Holm run was like, that was the best I've seen the dugout in forever. Yes. I was tearing up just watching it. Then how do you not score a run? And I get that the bullpen fine.

The bullpen is what they are. They suck. It's fine. So they give up runs. I get that part of it.. The bullpen is what they are. They suck. It's fine. So they give up runs. I get that part of it. But how is how is they just done after that? How do they not mount anything offensively after that Bruce home run? I don't get it.

By the way, listeners of this fine podcast, James Seltzer is drinking a seltzer right now. I am. I am. I love it. Vintage seltzer. This is like some this is hardcore seltzer. This is not like

La Croix Or any of the fancy stuff I always said La Croix See I used to too My wife gets really mad at me Because She's not cultured? No well apparently

It actually is La Croix Apparently it rhymes with enjoy That's their slogan Which she told me And I didn't know It's La Croix I know My wife is very rarely wrong

About things she feels Super confident about But I took three years of French And I'm just gonna say La le quoi and say that I did take four years of French. Let's roll with that. The point is, this is not any of that foo-foo, whatever. This is like the hardcore seltzer.

That's like your granddad's seltzer right there. Yes, this is exactly. I think my granddad used to drink that seltzer. Yes. This is one of the few things that's still like 30 cents a can or whatever. Oh, back when you were a kid, you got them for what, five cents? Well done. Thank you. 5 cents? Well done. Thank you. Well done.

For the Phillies. Nice to be in studio. We haven't done this in a while. I said screw it, I'm coming in. We've got to see each other. We've got to talk to each other. On this final Phillies On the end of the Phillies season. We need to see each other.

So they are allergic to capitalizing on any sort of the Philly season. We need to see each other. So, they are allergic to capitalizing on any sort of momentum. It's unreal. They won more than five games all year. That's a thing. Like, how crazy is that?

How crazy is that? Like, how crazy is that? One of the five games in a row. Yes, yes, of course. They've obviously won more than five games this year. But how crazy is that? Every other team,

even the frickin' Mets, like, have a, your Mets had 15 to 17, but like, nine to 10, 12 to 14. You don't even have to win more than five in a row if you could just string together multiple five-game win streaks. Or multiple four-game win streaks. They can't even do that.

It's always a freaking, and I think that's why. I think that's why, like, look, ultimately, again, especially when you factor in the injuries, and we said it. Right here, you can go back and check the I Hopes podcast when Andrew McCutcheon went down. Don't check our other takes. Yeah, no. I'm saying check this specific one. There's no Pavetta takes. Who?

We both said we didn't know if this team could overcome the injury of McCutcheon. And it felt like a lot of people, not necessarily the High Hopes listeners, but a lot of people when I or you said that was like, come on, it's just one player. But I think we've just seen that he was a massive part both on and off the field and then the bullpen injuries the underperformance of the pitchers we should have seen this coming is my point jack this is something where we're so upset and frustrated and with good reason because we're fans and that's what we do but we shouldn't be surprised matt klintzak said this is a top 10-ish starting rotation. Objectively excellent offseason.

If he thought that this team had a top 10 starting rotation, even with breakout Pavetta. It's a real worry. Even with. I hope he was BSing us. I hope he was lying. Are you serious? Yeah, it's bad.

You're going off of your defense being a tad better than last year is the reason why you have a top 10 starting rotation? He said they had a top 10 starting rotation. I know. Are you freaking kidding me? Oh! That was you that time! It's embarrassing.

It is embarrassing. Like, even if Pavetta broke out like a lot of people, not me, expecting him to break out, expecting him to break out, like, you're really going to go bank on Jake Arrieta? Like, you're really going to bank on Zach Evelyn and Vince Velasquez? Vince Velasquez for the fourth year in a row? They have no idea how to watch pitching. They have no idea how to do it. How can you objectively excellent whatever Klintex say?

How could you even solder that sentence? It's ridiculous. It is. It's ridiculous. And then last night you get the NOLA. You have a five-run lead. You come back from five. Are you kidding me get the NOLA. You have a five-run lead. You come back from five. Are you kidding me?

Aaron NOLA? Are you tired? You can't handle the workload? When they need you the most. That's what's frustrating. That's what's frustrating. We've talked a lot about playoff NOLA and how we expect him to be that guy in a big game who's just calm under pressure and all that.

But when they've needed him the most, he hasn't come through enough. The brave series from early in the year. And that's when it was like Saturday night. They, that, that elite, he blew that lead. And even on a run app,

like right after that, that was great. But like, man, why? Every day I wake up, roll over. I asked myself why,

why, why is this feeling the way it is? Well, they kill me. They kill me. Well, I was dead today. I was, I was last night. I was myself why. Why? Why is this feeling the way it is? They kill me. They kill me. I was dead today. Last night, I was dead. Today, killed.

Extra dead. Actually dead. Right. Like the season. Last night, I was like when a car hits a deer and they're still a little breathing. Today, the other car came. Yeah. I can't not buy into them because I love them so much.

I know. I'll sweep the Mets and you're back. I just love them. I just love them. And like, the offense is finally like, I like the offense for the most part. They just, there are too many spots where they don't come, like we just talked about. Like, again, and you can't blame the staff for today's loss. The pitching staff allowed three runs for 10 innings you have to beat the reds when the staff holds up for three runs in

10 innings there are too many spots like that again the 11 to 5 loss which was really an 11 to 1 loss 1 1 through 7 how like there are too many spots like that where they just they can't muster it up in spots where they need it. And I agree. On the whole, they've been better. There are actually guys you can count on. But it just feels like too many times that they can't ever sustain success in games and over portions of games. Yeah. I mean, coming back from 5-0 in the J. Bruce home run, that should have been a nail in the coffin for the Reds. The Reds stink.

The Reds are horrible. I don't even know 50% of the guys on their team. Who is this Irvin dude? Phil Irvin. Phil Irvin, really? Look, and again, this comes back to what I was talking about before. I feel like part of why this team has been so angering, frustrating, depressing, whatever you want to say, is because they keep doing this.

Oh, yeah. If they just were like a team that's five games above 500, but it was a much more less gut-punchy, loss after loss after loss type of way, I don't know if we'd be quite as angry or as upset with it. Yeah, but I wonder if every team's losses are just gut. I wonder if that's just baseball. It might be. Look, we don't watch. I don't follow. I'm not

a diehard follower of every single baseball team. No. I feel like baseball losses are always We watch a lot of baseball though. Granted, I agree. I think there's something to following the team every night and the ups and downs and the ebbs and flows and having said that, it feels like there's

an inordinate amount. It feels like there are so many and especially because at least as we talked about with other teams they go on runs this team just doesn't go on runs that's what makes it so disappointing a lot of the gut punch losses have been in games where we felt like they had to win these games

and they just don't and there are a few things in the world that I hate more than extra inning baseball. Not because, not like, everything, every hitter just changes in extra inning baseball. Everyone tries to hit a home run. Like, everyone just tries to back leg launch baseball. And it's like, it just stops. Maybe catch a run.

Play baseball. Yes. Why are you doing the, like, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, all the extra innings today was just brutal. Like, I just, there has, there has to be a way to, like, these guys have played baseball their whole lives. And a dugout should know when it's time to go. Like, in 2003, when,, when Alex Gonzalez made the

error or whatnot, and Mike Lowell comes in and said, or no, it wasn't Gonzalez. It was obviously the Steve Bartman ball. Yeah, the Bartman, but Gonzalez made the error after that. Mike Lowell is in the dugout, and he's like, let's make that guy famous.

There's supposed to be a, and the Jay Bruce home run last night, and seeing the, it's the Ryan Howard. Get me to the plate. It's that type of thing. And seeing that from the Jay Bruce thing last night, it's like yes. Last night was what I had been personally waiting for. Coming back from 5-0. The Jay Bruce home run.

Clutch moments from clutch players and having just a momentum building win. That's what that was all setting up to be. And then to just roll over, have Michael Lorenzen. It's not totally the offense. Babe Lorenzen. Yeah, honestly, I hate Michael Lorenzen.

I know you would think that I would like him because I'm a baseball nerd. But I hate him. I can't look at him. There's something about him that just irks me. Not a Michael Lorenzen guy. I'm a bigger Brendan McKay guy. Yeah, a bigger Sean A me. Not a Michael Lorenzen guy. I'm a bigger Brendan McKay guy. Yeah, a bigger Sean A guy. I think Michael Lorenzen stinks.

And he's a sham to what actual two-way baseball players are. Wow. Sham. Total sham. That's a strong take right there. I can't stand him. I can't stand watching him do that. Who knew?

He stinks. He's bad at both things. Of course, he takes our pitching staff. This guy is hitting and pitching in the major leagues. Stinks. Couldn't fit in at Bloomsburg. It's just classic with this team. It's what they are.

Every night, every game, they keep showing us who they are. They keep showing us that they are this team, that they are not going to go and run, that they are not going to come through in those spots. They keep showing us that they are this team, that they are not going to go and run, that they are not going to come through in those spots. They keep doing it. And there have been outliers like the Bryce Harper Grand Slam walk-off and certain moments where it felt like, oh, wow, they actually are going to go and run.

Yeah, here it comes. And then the Marlins come to town. Come on. I just. Come on. I don't ever remember a team like this With as much up and down And lack of ability To carry momentum

It's like every night Is a different night I mean yesterday James I swear to god man I woke up And I was like I need to be 705 Or 640

Because the reds The reds are Whatever I was like I just need I can't wait I can't wait Sprint to the train again Back to back nights

Sprint to the train I hate sprinting Jared Hustle Yeah Yeah I look like I'm Husing down Market'm using down market street using everyone's looking at me like i'm an idiot yes um as jared hughes looked like such a joke it was so funny when he first got here that was fun and it was like oh this is fun and and weird and now it's like i hate watching and now it gets shell i i hate it i hate when he sprints in. I'm like, well, this sucks. Well, how about today? He sprints in.

Yeah. Boom. Immediately. See ya. You hit him with swords like, cute singer, bro. Yeah, nice. That's cool, bro. See ya.

Yeah, here's a tank shot. By the way, some of the home runs this series were ridiculous. Oh, yeah. Both King or your home runs, how did that get out? Yeah. The Suarez won today. Even the Phillip Berber won today. Yeah.

It was ridiculous. And Jose Iglesias, who stinks? When Jose Iglesias is hitting big home runs against you the Philip Urban won today. Yeah. It's ridiculous. And Jose Iglesias, who stinks? When Jose Iglesias is hitting big home runs against you. Dreadful. Yeah. It's not great. It's not. Outstanding defensive player.

I mean, they have him and Freddie. Yeah. That's pretty crazy. Yeah. It's good. And Votto. It's good. Votto's no slouch.

No slouch. But the Reds are a slouch. That's the problem. They're not good. I hate them. I hate this. I just. And also, you know what?

Today, if we want to go back to ripping Klintak, which I'm sure we'll continue to do throughout this, but the guy pitching against him, how is Sonny Gray not a Philly? You're going to play on the margins. You're going to go and try and take these shots. We said it. You said it in the offseason.

Go get a guy like Sonny Gray, a guy who has talent, has succeeded at the major league level, had some issues in New York. Classic change of scenery guy. What has Sonny Gray done? He's been freaking awesome this year. Let's check the Jack resume from this offseason. Honestly, I'm going to put it up as

a poll question. Who has more foresight, me or Matt Klenczak? JD Davis. Superstar. Moustakis. Moustakis. Sonny Gray. Moustakis, same player as Franco. Same. Davis. Yeah. Superstar. Moustakis. Moustakis. Sonny Gray. Moustakis, same player as Franco, though, but keep going. Same exact player. Who has more foresight?

Me or Dime Store Hinky? Dime Store Hinky, yes. By the way, I noticed that you're on my They Should Have Brought Spencer Howard Up thing now. Thank you. Yeah, that was a mistake. But we all learn. We all learn to get better, except for our GM.

Sometimes I say things that aren't stupid. It's rare, but. Yeah, I know. I just. And at this point, it's like, who cares? At this point, it's like, I'd love to see him up here. It's just continually, the front office, to this Glenn Dagg point, is just not shown a real, at no point have I felt like they felt like it was,

like it really mattered. Like it was life or death that they win games. Like that they truly were like, let's make the frigging playoffs. Let's do it. At no point. And even with the rhetoric. I mean, if we don't, we don't is going to go down as one of, like we'll play that drop on WIP for the next 30 years.

It's going to be like that ass hat. Andy McPhail. I know. Well, I genuinely, here's the thing, I genuinely think Bryce and JT and Hoskins, like, I

view those guys as winning baseball players. And you can see the fire. I would put Kingery there, too. Kingery, too.

Dickerson to an extent, although, like, dude. A little soft. Oh, soft is charming. The only excuse I can make for him is

that he's a guy who's had a lot of these types of injuries in his career that have derailed him, and maybe playing it cautious is what is a smart thing for him, but I agree. I'm with you. Look, he was back today. By the way, checking in on the Jackie Forsythe. Brantley.

I remember one of Brantley. What else? Charlie Morton. Well. Who needs him? We all were. Who needs him? Yeah. That was our passion project, get Charlie Morton to we all were who needs that was yeah that was our passion project get charlie morton who needs who needs that guy in here yeah i mean there's just

so much so much examples of our gm josh donaldson yeah sure yeah just hate i love you i love you just going through and lamenting the times where clintak was wrong. It just drives me crazy. I don't know. We shouldn't be right over our GM. That shouldn't happen all the time. They should be right. They should be the experts. They should be the ones saying, oh, yeah, trust us.

This Charlie Morton guy is worth $30 million over two years. What are we doing here? Yeah. No, don't go do it. He's just unbelievable. He's unbelievable. How in this day and age it. I just, he's just, he's just unbelievable. He's just unbelievable. How in this day and age are we bringing in guys who throw 84 and Jason Vargas? I mean,

Jason Vargas is fine. Not just even Jason Vargas. The bigger issue is... But Drew Smiley. Well, and the bigger issue is the lack of organizational depth for these type of guys. I know we always talk about it and the Dodgers are an extreme example, but the Dodgers in the past month have brought up Dustin May and Gavin Lux.

Dustin May to pitch out of their bullpen. Both top 20 or 30 prospects at worst in baseball. Lux a top 10 prospect, top 5 maybe. Right. They're bringing that guy up just to fill in and play second base here and there. The Phillies don't even have B or C versions of those guys.

They don't have bullpen arms that they can bring up who can contribute. They don't have guys they can bring up to make spot starts. They don't even have B or C versions of those guys. They don't have bullpen arms that they can bring up who can contribute. They don't have guys they can bring up to make spot starts. They don't have bench bats they can bring up. They have none of that. That's why they have to play on the margins. That's why they have to go out and get Drew Smiley and Mike Morin and Jared Hughes and Blake Parker. They don't have those guys.

That's the bigger issue. I mean, that's why, and we have not mentioned yet, Johnny Alvarez stepping down since the last time we spoke, and he had some hits in the bigger issue. I mean, that's why, and we have not mentioned yet, Johnny Almaraz stepping down since the last time we spoke, and he had some hits in the early rounds, but I think the bigger issue for Almaraz when you look at it again, and I don't know whether you blame

Klentag more or Almaraz or whatever, but is this thing, is the lack of organizational depth, the lack of developing major league players, period, guys who can come in and contribute in any facet of the game. All these great teams do it.

The Rays, the Indians do it with no money whatsoever. The Phillies are a big market baseball team. And they don't do this stuff. And it really, it's infuriating. Yeah, and the smart teams, and I believe Bryce Harper is my guy. Like, I love that dude. Smart teams don't have to pay $330 million to bring in a superstar. Smart teams draft and develop them or sign them from the Dominican or this or that or whatever.

I mean, that doesn't happen here. No. No. We have to pay Bryce. I'm very happy Bryce. Absolutely. But it's going to happen again this offseason. They have to pay Garrett Cole.

They don't have a choice. They have, like, Garrett Cole or if Strasburg opts out. Rendon. Like, Rendon. Like, they don't have a choice. Garrett Cole or if Strasburg opts out. Rendon. Rendon. They don't have Spencer Howard. Yes, that dude is a piece of the future. Alec Baum. We think, and Baum, really nice year. Ultimately has had a really good year. Thank God. Thank God.

Thank God. Looks like a legit player. Looks like a legit player and a good hitter. Average over 300. You love to see that too. But, I mean other than those two guys, they don't have a single guy in the minors who you feel sure will be a major league contributor hey for you look you're right guys that you hope and there's there's upside how much time you get and moniak look i i think moniak probably getting killed way more than he should he's still young and and had a really good year but it's just that the lack of ability to have these i mean they don't have these guys man and they never hit on the third fourth fifth six seven like all those rounds like you never hit on

those guys yeah i mean the last one was hoskins um he's a fifth round pick kendall simmons looks like a guy with a sixth round pick that i think i mean he has all the tools to be a stud in the major leagues has kind of busted out a little bit right Right. Thank you Jason O'Chart. Like yeah Damon Jones was an 18th round pick. He throws hard what a freaking crazy thought. They always cross him off their board because he throws hard. Yes no way too 95. They said you didn't go to Cal State Fullerton. I mean it really is unbelievable. We talk about it a lot, and we don't talk about it enough. The fact that in today's baseball game, the Phillies have spent years drafting guys based on control over velocity is...

It's just malpractice. It's asinine. It's insanity. Yeah. Well, it's a real shame that guy's gone now that he's drafting those guys. I'm so glad he's gone Me too oh that's my point is that While I think the narrative Kind of was messed up on both sides

That yeah he had a couple hits But on the whole this guy did not do his job He drafted good players Like hastily good players And look you should hit with your top picks First and second round you should have some hits there. Cornelius Randolph stinks. Is a disaster, yes.

That's a disaster with the 10th pick in the draft. And Moniak, while we like him and stuff, like, first pick in the draft. I mean, do you know who went 18th in that draft? Lay it on me. Gavin Lux. Oh, good. If you want to go under slot. Great.

They want to go under slot. They want to save money. Well, and that also comes back to being cheap and... Major market team. But again, like what are their 11th in payroll, I think right now? 11th. 11th. They're embarrassing.

But that's also more frustrating because not only are they 11th, but a team like the Rays, who's 30th, gets so much more out of that money than they do. Imagine if the Rays were 11th, much less top five like the Phillies should be. Imagine what the Rays would do with the 11th highest payroll in baseball. It's just... That's why this Johnny Alvarez thing is such a huge opportunity.

Oh, this is the future right now of the franchise. If they hire from within. It's done. I would lose my mind. Yeah, I would lose my mind. I will literally lose it. You will lose my mind Like I will literally Lose it You will hear

As ridiculous as it's out It might be the angriest We've ever been On a high hopes podcast What other Phillies podcast Is this upset About a scouting That's my point

It's absurd But it matters It matters Of course it matters Go out And hire someone smart From the Rays From the Indians

From all these organizations We talk about Who draft and develop Players well This isn't that hard. This shouldn't be that hard. Hire guys who are good at their job. Is that a crazy thought? Don't hire someone from the Angels and Orioles.

Don't hire someone. That's a thing. Don't hire someone they know who they think they can control. That has been a problem or at least a perceived we think potential problem with this front office is they want to hire guys who they can control who will do what they want them to do instead of hiring the smartest best people for the job that is a disaster if that is continues and is what we think it is and don't hire the guy that

built the 91 twins yeah well maybe move on from the guy that built the 91 twins or built the late 2000s ori. Late 2010 Orioles. Did you see the McPhail story from this week? No, what McPhail story? He told a player on the Twins to stop throwing baseballs. Oh, I did see this. Oh my God. To stop throwing baseballs to fans because they cost, well, he's like, $11.50 a pop or something.

Which is not possible. No. But also. Especially in 91. Yeah, that's crazy talk. But what? Were they the juice baseballs of today? No, the Phillies don't get those.

Not allowed. I mean, Andy. And that's what he was in, you know... Minnesota! 30 years older than that. Yeah, guess what? Major market team. Sign me up for that.

Oh, God. Bleeping guy. They drive me crazy Ah They drive me crazy They drive me crazy I'm so jealous Of these smart teams I know I don't know

I won't be able to sleep Until If I'm just telling you Phillies This is a direct message To I'm sure John's listening

Obviously I'm sure Klintax probably should Probably turn it off by now Yeah Gabe Oh you think I was saying We're smarter than Matt Klintax

Made him turn it off I'm definitely better at my job I would be a better GM than Matt Clentag I'm not even kidding No argument for me Thanks I didn't want any arguments I feel like you could kill it on the dollars

And cap I would need a cap guy Hard cap and all that Yeah I would need a cap guy Luxury tags all that Yeah you get your own Jake Rosenberg And you flourish Right I needed my own cap guy. For self-capping and all that. Yeah, yeah. Luxury tags, all that. Yeah, you get your own Jake Rosenberg and you flourish. Right.

I needed my own cap guy. I got it. I got it. Eye test? Jackie eye test? Jackie eye test. I mean, I would have believed in Pavetta too, but it just, if you hire from within for the scouting director job, I will personally be outside your stadium.

Personally, with a sign. Oh, man. Booing that guy walking in. Oh, man. If you don't hire someone from, this is the criteria, Yankees, Rays, Dodgers, Astros, A's, Indians. That about it?

I think so. I don't think the Padres, I mean, Padres have drafted well, but I don't think the Padres I mean Padres have drafted well but I don't think that's what I mean I don't think they've proven that they could develop

probably and the Dodgers find guys everywhere I mean Cody Bellinger was taken after Andrew Nett well especially when you already went and hired Gabe Kapler from the Dodgers organization

go take someone else and Paco Figueroa I mean like I just I'm with you seriously it is it's funny because

it is again a funny because it is again a storyline that only the High Hopes listeners care about you know we're going deep but it is

integral to the future of this team it's massive it really is massive drafting well is the only way you're going to keep a window open

for a long time why they've been in the doghouse for 8 years 7 years is because they drafted horribly for a decade.

Draft well and find talent from overseas and develop that talent. No, that would not be the scouting director's job. Like, the scouting director's job is to draft. No, but he oversees all this stuff, is my point. Almaraz was just, he was just the scouting director. Right. When he was with the Braves, he was, he signed Acuna and Albies. Yeah, it would have been nice.

Yeah, you think? Thanks for the help. Yeah, thanks for the help. Johnny, he would have been here since like 2015. I just, yeah. Where were you? 2014, maybe. Where were you?

You get them Acuna? Who do you get us? Nothing. I think Johan Rojas. So, all right, back to the now. Because we're going to have a lot of these talks. I can't wait for the offseason, actually. I know. Look,'t wait for the offseason, actually. I know.

Look, get excited for the offseason because this one is done. Yeah, but the Garrett Cole watch, the Anthony Rendon watch. Yes, yes. I can't wait to wait another five months. Oh, it's going to be great. Oh, will they or won't they?

Oh, John Heyman reports this. Bob Nightingale reports that. Ah, I don't know if I could do that again, my friend. Bank reports this. Bob Nightingale reports that. Ah! I don't know if I could do that again, my friend. Bank on it. It's gonna be awesome. It's gonna be awesome. If he says bank on it like Garrett Cole or something, I'm gonna lose my mind. Well, yeah. Look, he was right, ultimately.

Even though he doubted himself. That's why, unlike... You gotta stick with your guns. I swear, we learned a lot from last offseason on who to trust and who not to trust yes no question

no question alright back to now look I can't even muster up the like they sweep the mats cause they're not gonna

oh they probably will they'll probably take two or three they'll win the first two and then lose the third or something super annoying super annoying. Super annoying.

Yeah. Whatever way to make this as annoying as possible, the Phillies will accomplish. Yeah. That's the motto of the 2019 Phillies. How can we annoy our fans? Let's do that. Great. And it sucks, too, because, like, Haseley's playing really well.

And, like, Harper's been on fire. Real Muto's been, Real Muto's gonna be, he's top five in the world. He's been amazing. What's the contract extension? Well that's, it's an interesting one because we've talked about this but. 4-1-20? Yeah, I think it's four years. Because the question is how long is he a catcher?

You know, and I think the fact he was a shortstop and doesn't have as many wear and tear of years on his tires and all that stuff helps. But I mean, so much of his value is derived in being the best defensive player at the most important defensive position in baseball that, you know, it's one of those, it's,

it's a really interesting conversation contract. I would sign them. I would sign to four years, a hundred. I think that's fair. Four years, one 20, 30 million a year,

four years, a hundred, 25 million. And I think that's fair. That's what Harper makes per Four years 100 25 million a year And I think that's fair That's what Harper makes Per year on an annual basis And it's a lot of money Real Muto

Real Muto has been worth 43 million dollars a year Oh he's been Awesome Like The best player Ultimately On the whole

When you put it all together Certainly from a war perspective But in reality From a real life perspective He was the best player On the season And like I like I like watching Kingery excel Like I like i honestly well there's that's

the thing is there there are exciting and there's reasons to watch every night and there's there's exciting things for the future like there are things that we should look at and be like oh that's cool like that's something positive and maybe we should have had that perspective more it's just that we had really high hopes and this team keeps you know inflating those hopes and then punching us in the gut and doing it over and over again that it's just made it such a like there's so much anger and consternation all that when when there should be you know at this point we should just be like hey all right well that's fun bryce harper is here i'm i think he's going to be a monster next year.

Now that all the other stuff is done, all the stuff that he was dealing with at the start of the season, the baby, the new town, the new team, the whole situation, being a leader, a real leader for the first time, all that stuff, next year he just gets to go play.

I feel so confident that Bryce Harper, age 27 season, is going to be special. There are things to be excited about, and we should have that perspective. It's just hard in the moment when they just keep kicking us. Well, I think we can't get to that point now. The pitching staff is so bad. Well, we can all agree

or most agree that it's done. But if we watch the offense every night for the rest of the year and they play well, and they're a good offense, I'll take that as a win. At this point, yeah. take that as a win. Yeah, no, look. Also, what are they going to do with hitting coach next year?

Because I like what Charlie's done. Oh, me too. I just, look, I think they'll offer Charlie the job. We don't know what's going to happen with Gabe. I'm actually, I've said for a while, if they miss the playoffs, I think Gabe's gone. I don't know if I think that anymore. Yeah, I don't think so.

I'm starting to feel like he's going to be back, that the whole infrastructure is going to be back, obviously. But let's put it this way. I'm much happier with Gabe back than with Klintak and McPhail. If I have to hear another McPhail presser. Oh, God, just put him away. Put him in a closet. Don't let him talk to anybody.

But, you know, like, it would be fun to see them make a little mini push. I don't expect them to overtake the Cubs or the Diamondbacks, maybe, or whoever else passes them. They went on a run. Yeah. A team that sold the deadline. They won 9-10. Sure.

Whatever. So it would be nice to see some momentum. I don't want to see them just kind of continue to fall further out. But, yeah, I think that you're looking at, you know, seeing these guys finish the season strong, seeing them put on an effort from an offensive perspective because outside, and look, I'd like to see Nola pitch better just because he leaves a bad taste in your mouth. But there's not anyone really, literally, when you think about this,

when you think about the pitching staff, outside of Aaron Nola, and I'm guessing Vargas will be back next year because it's cheap. He has a $3 million option. There is not a single guy who will pitch for the Phillies the rest of the season who you can say, that's a dude for the future. Well. Unless Spencer Howard comes up. And unless Pavetta figures it out in the bowl.

Yes. Did you see him today? Uh-huh. But what, a third of an inning? Riveting. Thrilling to see. Oh, and the umpires screwed him. I mean.

The umpires are out to get Pavetta. Of course they are. Everybody is. That's what Nick thinks. But it is kind of crazy when you think about that. Like, seriously, like, who can you say? I mean, look, Hector Neris will be on the team next year. He's a nice bullpen piece to have.

Jose Alvarez, a nice bullpen piece to have. But there's no one who is pitching for the Phillies the rest of the year. You're like, yeah, that guy's going to be a big part of a World Series winning Phillies team. Year four of Glentac? Year four of Glentac? Year four of Glentac. Year four of Glentac, and we have what? One starter. One starter.

We have four offensive guys, lineup guys we feel really good about, and then a couple other pieces. I guess McCutcheon should be in there too, but who knows? Coming off the ACL, 32 um yeah yay and people just want to keep saying oh he's fine yeah i think what i think what this season has taught us is that matt glenczak is not very good yeah i think that's the biggest take well that mcphail has no business having a job right and uh you know yeah i think that's i really do i think you right. I think that's the biggest takeaway. I've liked what Gabe's done recently.

The double switch thing today was weird. It was weird. It was really weird. He wanted to keep his options flexible for the, like, he wanted to make sure Hector Neres pitched in the game. He must have known that Hector was only pitching one inning and only had him for one inning. Otherwise, it's like a crazy move because why wouldn't you, you know,

want to not have the pitcher lead off the next inning when you could not have the pitcher lead off the next inning? So he had to know he had maxed an inning from Neris because there's zero reason to do that. Otherwise, if you're going to go into extras, potentially. Yeah, but the thing is, like, you didn't have to have him face a 7-8-9 if you only had him for an inning. I know.

That's what I'm saying. Like, the whole thing is weird. The whole thing is weird. The whole thing is weird. Yeah. It was weird. But for the most part, I think they've played good baseball. They haven't totally folded on the... The offense continuing to be pretty good. Last year's September was them completely giving up. It's improvement. Well, that's the crazy

thing is we're talking so much and we are rightfully depressed and angry and upset with the season and all that, but it is a step forward from last year without question. Both record- wise and just really the feel of the team they're better than they were last year it's just they're not better enough back they're not better enough but if they it's gonna be this this next 23 games is gonna be very telling for the gabe capler era like if they fold like they did last year, they're going to fire him. I was just about to say,

not just telling, but also I think really important for Gabe. He needs, he needs them to fight hard for him down the stretch. Yeah. And if they don't, he'll be gone. And like,

there's ways to tell if a baseball team is fighting for you. And it's not just the pitching staff. I agree. Like last year's team just folded this year's team. I think they've played good baseball. I think they're in it. Look, look,

even though they lost these last two games, last year's team would not have come back from 5-0. Last year's team would not have even come back from 3-1 in a day game after a night game. Those teams would not have even fought in those games, so I do agree with you there. Yep, and the core is slowly developing. I think

in a year, a year or two, when the team sees Bryce Harper hustle out a double, get there, do that, or Real Muto plays a day game after a night game, or Nola pitches seven innings or whatever. I just think that they bought a core is basically what they did. They bought a core, and it takes a while for guys to gain respect in that clubhouse. It took Rollins, Utley, and Howard forever to build.

Totally. And they had to trade away at Brady. Especially when they're younger guys. Right. So building a core and building accountability and building all that stuff, it takes a little bit of time. You can't just do it in a heartbeat and that's basically what they did.

And I think Bryce and JT and obviously Reese went into the attack a little bit, but those guys care about each other a lot. And I think they view each other as like, this is us. Like this is our team now. And for the first time, for the first three months of the season,

like you're just not going to do that. Like you're trying to, you're not trying to step on anyone's toes. It has to happen naturally. Right. And I think now we're, we're seeing it from these guys, but I just think that in a year from now,

when you're bringing up a Mickey Moniac, when you're bringing up a Bryce and Scott, when you're bringing up Kendall Simmons, you're bringing up these young guys and they see that the guy who's the face of the team doing what Bryson Harper was unbelievable today. He stole two bags. I know. Had this smart bunt against the shift.

He bunted there. And then he almost forced the first baseman off the bag to get to third base. That was a heads up play. Throwing the ball low to JT Real Muto so he could easily pick and throw to second base and get a Jose Peraza. That's just genius really high level baseball. And I just think that as the team

continues to build and as we continue to build this thing, it's only going to get better. It's only going to get better. So, I just think for Phillies fans for the rest of the season, what are you going to watch? You're watching this offense every night because if they falter down the stretch you're really worried about the future but if they play good and play solid baseball like you're fine because you know the

starting staff is bad you know the bullpen is dog poopy mm-hmm like you know none of those guys are part of the future like we said right you can evaluate who was going to be a part of the future and sure it sucks we're not gonna see playoff Nola and whatnot whatnot and this weekend or this week was brutal but there's just things to take away from and if the offense plays well and the guys play smart baseball

and they play hard and they go down fighting even though it was not their year and even though the front office gave them nothing and even though Matt Klintzak gave them Drew Smiley and said figure it out

I just I think there's positives to be gained in the last 23 games I 100% agree with you. And I think it shows you what type of guys they are and can be. And it's important reps. Just even being in it, even if we know you're not going to get in,

fighting for it and those reps that matter, I think are important for a young team and a young core, like you said, of leaders. I think all that matters. I'm assuming nothing. There's no notes right now, right? Or what I assume wrong. Well, I mean, Spencer Howard last night.

I know, 12 strikeouts. As I said on the last pod, he doesn't have anything else to prove. Right. And I was just watching the video of him today. The change-up, I did not expect to have that level of tumbling action. He looks more like Shane Bieber to me. Oh, I could see that. You mean All-Star Game MVP Shane Bieber?

All-Star Game MVP Shane Bieber. Shane Bieber's a really good pitcher. One of those guys who's in Cleveland, and I'm guessing a lot of people don't get to watch him pitch very often because they are never on national television and all that, but Shane Bieber is a really good pitcher so I would be very happy if Spencer Howard turns into Shane Bieber

The Adam Haseley catch last night was unbelievable Oh we forgot to mention great the best catch of the season probably for this team I know Harper's had some pretty great ones but that was a just an outstanding catch just a terrific play Alright final thoughts Fritzy I don't even know if I have, final thoughts, Fritzy.

I don't even know if I have any final thoughts. My main final thought is that hire someone from a smarter organization to fill the Johnny Alvarez role. Yep. It's all I care about. It's all I should care about. And then next year when you finally realize that Klintac sucks, hire Chaim Blum, assuming someone hasn't already stolen the boy. I'm going to be devastated if he gets signed by someone

this awesome. When? When? Nah, I'm gonna be devastated. It's inevitable. Yeah, of course, it's Phillies luck. Nothing ever good happens to the Phillies. I'm shocked Bryce Harper's here. Yeah, me too. It really is so out of character when he's here. It's usually the worst possible thing is what happens to the Phillies. Well, there's a reason, and we joke

about it and, you know, make light of it and all that, but there is a reason they're losing his franchise in the history of modern american sports because they have really sucked for a really long time and that's part of our ethos and that's part of why we have iopes because we had nothing else for so long there are reason to have iopes to jack's point like there there is still some some positive for the future um but they need to add to that core. Matt Klentak, this is it. I mean, look, in our mind, he's not good enough,

but this will be his last chance, I think, if they do not find a way to make the playoffs next season. And to do that, they're going to have to add. They're going to have to make this seem better. All right, my final thought, rate and review the podcast. Jack needs it now more than ever. You can hear how down he is. You want to make Jack happy, send us a review. Tell Jack to feel now more than ever. You're going to hear how down he is. You want to make Jack happy,

send us a review, tell Jack to feel a little better that it's all going to be okay. It's not possible. I mean, I love their reviews, but this team's not making the playoffs. Did you hear that? Well, not making the playoffs, but still they can make you feel better, right? Do that for Jack. Do it for me, for Jack, and again, we love you.

Go Birds. Yeah, go Birds. Seriously, it's time. Go Birds. But, go Birds. Seriously, it's time. Go Birds. But look, maybe on Monday we'll be talking about a sweep of the mats. Probably. Yeah, right? You spread some salt, sir. 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 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, presented by Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts.