High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - This Team Routinely Coming Up Small is Annoying and our Perfect Deadline

Episode Date: July 29, 2019

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz are back and annoyed with how this Phillies team doesn't show up when they need it. The guys also talk deadline and a whole lot 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

This episode is brought to you by PC Optimum. If you like a curated playlist, why not try a curated grocery list? With Swap and Save, the new feature in the PC Optimum app, you'll get PC Optimum's best price for your grocery items. Simply add products to your shopping list in the app, and it'll show you similar items at a lower cost. Add coffee to your list, then swap it for one that's cheaper. Craving chips? The app will suggest some on sale.

To get started, just open the app. It's as easy as that. See the PC Optimum app for details. Summer's here, and you can now get almost anything you need delivered with Uber Eats. What do we mean by almost? You can't get a well-groomed lawn delivered, but you can get chicken parmesan delivered. Sunshine? No. Some wine? Yes. Get almost, almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. Alcohol in select markets. See app for details. 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. Radio.com and Sports Radio 94 WIP. Yo! It is another edition of the High Hopes Podcast. Unsurprisingly, we are banished from our normal studio. Again!

And here's the ridiculous part of this is this is our last, you know, way we record normally beforeie big time starts producing the afternoon show and we're gonna have to like jump through hoops to record shows now yeah it's unbelievable we're gonna start we're gonna start recording at like 6 30 at night i i expected a red carpet today straight from the studio that i work in to that other studio for this momentous recording and we just got you know that's what always happens i think that would have been fair i think that would have been definitely fair. Just righteous. It's the disrespect the High Hopes podcast continues to get in this building is almost,

it's like unremarkable. Yeah. It's very sad. It really is sad. Luckily, you know, that's why we don't need the building. We're our own thing, Jack. Yeah. We are just as resilient as the Phillies.

They don't want us. We don't want them. How about that? Just as resilient as the Phillies. They don't want us. We don't want them. How about that? Just as resilient as the Phillies. Yes. Lose two and win the third. That's what we do, baby. They never give up.

James, I want you to live your life. I want you to believe in yourself, much like the Philadelphia Phillies believe that they're going to go on the run. Yes, I wish that I could. I wish I could have any kind of self-confidence. I wish I could be as positive about things that are not positive as Gabe Kavler. What an amazing outlook on life that must be to just be like, everything's awesome. He's Chris Schrager.

Yeah, I mean, look, we might have gotten blown out tonight, but damn, Jay Garrietta's cleats were on perfectly, and they look great. And the uniforms were perfectly crisp and pressed. That's where I feel like we're at. It's September of 2018 all over again. I'm so tired of it. I just want to love this team, and they're making it impossible. I just want to love them.

I love the Phillies. The Phillies are all I think about. I want to love this team. I just want to spend my whole I love the Phillies. The Phillies are all I think about. I want to love this team more than that. I want to spend my whole summer just thinking about 705. Legit, that's how the old days were. It was like, how quickly can I get myself to 705? And that's how I felt heading into Friday Night of the Braves 3.

It's like, oh dude, 705. It's go time. And then that happens. I'm seeing freaking Cole Irvin whose whose girlfriend told me to go play in traffic on twitter is uh really yeah wait whoa back up what happened i missed this so do you remember like a year ago when the phillies put out that video of gabe or before last season where video put it i put out a video and they were looking for a left-handed bullpen

pitcher i do remember this yes so i quote to you I found it, I looked for it, and I quote tweeted it. I said, have you tried Cole Irvin? It's a really funny tweet. It's a really good joke. Well, Cole Irvin's girlfriend or whatever did not appreciate the joke. Did not think it was as funny as everyone else did. And she went, it's like three-tweet rampage about how I should play in traffic or something. Wow.

Don't mess with Cole's girlfriend yeah that was that was an interesting saturday morning um i mean you could do worse than as a bullpen pitcher cole irvin i mean it's pretty easy to hit it's where it's trending all right let's dive into it coming up we're going to do our perfect trade deadline which it was a lot more excited to do before the weekend to tell you that honestly before last. I'm so not excited about it. Yes, and then we'll get into... I just... My perfect deadline is trading two mid-tier prospects for Marcus Stroman.

Can we do that? Is that a deadline move that can happen? Well, not anymore. All right. Because Bertie Van Wagenen, wheeler and dealer. Come get us. What world am I living in, Jack? All right.

Let's start with the weekend. Let's start with Friday, because you and I actually seem to have a fundamental disagreement, which doesn't happen that often. Let's dive into it. You didn't have a problem with Gabe bringing in Cole Irvin in that spot? Yeah, because it was the fifth inning. And I know everyone's like, well... It was the sixth inning.

It was the... Jake pitched four innings. Jake pitched five. Jake pitched four. Five. Four. Five. Jake pitched four. Let's Jake pitched five. Jake pitched four. Five. Four. Five. Jake pitched four.

Let's look this up while we talk. You keep doing your rant while I look it up. The Brave series. This is silence. Hold on. This is good. Four innings. Wait, wait, wait.

What inning did he come in? Was it the middle? Hold on. Let's see who's right. I love when I'm right on these things because you're always so sure you're right about these things. Well, so are you, let's be honest. It's very true. I'm very rarely wrong.

Jake Gary had a five innings pitched! Four earned. How about it? How about it? Five innings pitched. Oh! Whatever, doesn't change my mind. Doesn't change anything.

So, sixth inning. Sixth inning, he comes in, and it like, it's a 5-1 game. Nick Marquez is the first batter up. He's a lefty. Ranger Suarez is not available. You're not bringing in Adam Morgan in that situation. Like, it's a 5-1 game at that point. And, sure, the one part that I am a little bit frustrated is that

Sirocco's out of the game and Brady's bullpen's not that great. But, like, you have to think about getting through the rest of that game. And, like, we just need a call over and throw one good inning and then everything else. And then once the runs are already coming in, it doesn't matter at that point. At that point, the game is already over anyway. I didn't think it was a waving of the white flag. I just think that he didn't have a better option left-handed at that point to bring in. He did.

His name is Jose Alvarez. I'm not bringing him in that game, though. that game why though because you need him for the rest of the series but the rest of the series is is a wash if you look it's a five you've got zach effling going the next day you know he's gonna get crushed why are you bringing why are you bringing guys regardless you should bring in guys that are gonna mop up at that point no it's not over at five one we have seen too many times this season where gabe capler just gives games away he just says oh it's five one in the sixth inning we're not winning this one let's throw cole freaking

irvin in there who's getting sent to the minors after this game anyway and let's eat up a couple innings i'm tired of that this is the most important game of the season at that point you can't give it up at five one in the sixth inning it's embarrassing they almost got more runs off soroka the inning before. They're right there. You're just bringing Cole Irvin. You're conceding the game. Not if Cole Irvin does his job.

Cole Irvin sucks, man. People are blaming Gabe for Cole Irvin's problem. Hey, Cole Irvin's girlfriend, don't listen. Cole Irvin blows. He is not a good pitcher. Jose Alvarez, a much better pitcher. Adam Morgan, a much better pitcher. You can't. This is the point.

Why would you bring them in a 5-1 game? Because you need to keep that game close. You can't just say it's over. That's not how this works. You have the whole weekend. Here's why. Because you had Thursday off. You had the Monday before that off.

And you had today off. You've got three off days in a week. So we're going to just use everyone in a 5-1 game to go all-in try and win the game. Whatever you've got to do, man. You've got to do something better than bringing in Cole Irvin in that spot. Yeah, I disagree. And look, Cole Irvin shouldn't even be on the roster. That's not a Gabe problem.

I get that. That's not his fault that Cole Irvin is one of the guys he can go to. But this is a theme with Gabe. We've seen this so many times. You and I have talked about it on this podcast. There are times where Gabe just gives games away. He says, we're not winning this. Sorry, we're not winning this.

And he does it too early and then when and then when he knows he can win a game he goes all out and sometimes blows pitchers absolutely so like i i don't think the five one thing is a big deal i think that the game was trending the wrong direction regardless whatever my bigger problem is that in two years and i like gabe and whatnot but like for two straight years when a big series has come up they always come up small always every single time they come up small it is unfathomable like the way they played on Saturday night was was embarrassing that's not a major it was it was in a season where there have been many moments that were embarrassing, it was the most embarrassed I've been to be a

Phillies fan. Coming off that 9-2, just no show. Offensively, obviously we're talking about Cole Irvin. Look, Arrieta is what he is. He's pitching with bone spurs like whatever. He stinks, but whatever. But no one else showed up. The offense didn't show up. They got 12 hits and

got two runs. Look, and I get it. Like, it's not all Kapler. But, like, at a certain point, when you show up in game one of the biggest series of the year and you put up that slop in that 9-2 game, and then you come out the next night and get embarrassed. Do it again. It's not good. That's the biggest indictment of a manager right there.

Like, the manager doesn't do too much. But, like like when you watch the the giants aren't great either but the giants are way worse the giants are horrible they're a terrible team Mike Yastrzemski is like their best player right now and that's the frustrating part it's like this team it feels like there's never a sense of urgency it's always like we'll eventually turn around we'll get it but eventually you're gonna run out of time that's what happened last season like it's been two straight years of this team in a big moment just crapping the bed. And it's the little things, the fundamentals.

And I go back to spring training two years ago when he was like, just come in whenever you want. And it was like an hour practice and then go home. Oh, I don't believe in alarm clocks. Like, what? I wouldn't have a job if I didn't believe in alarm clocks. Gabe, I would sleep through every morning. These guys are

professional athletes and I think the main problem with Gabe is that he still thinks he's an athlete and he tries to coddle these guys too much and when you have

a coddling mentality, there's no accountability in the locker room. Like, no one, I understand that when you're not hitting and all of that, it looks like you don't care

but it looks like they don't care. But it looks like they don't care. It absolutely looks like they don't care. I guess it could have a lot to do with their personalities. Sure. Reese is a quiet guy. JT's a quiet, fiery guy, but he's quiet. Same with Harper. He's a quiet, fiery guy.

Yeah, and he'll let it out when he gets a double or whatnot. Yeah, whatever. The Kingery's another. These guys are quiet, quiet dudes that are just like... Aaron Nova. Yeah, none of them show emotion. They're not guys who go out there and just show. Harper in the moment does, but they're not big talkers.

They're not the guys who are going to go out there and really put the spotlight on them. And they're not tone setters. There's no tone setter. I mean, we go back to the 08 team all the time. But like Rollins is the tone setter. You go to the Astros, you got Springer's the tone setter. You got Mookie up in Boston. Like these are, you need guys that can spark your team.

And I think Bryce tries to do it sometimes. But there needs to be more than just one guy trying to do it. Like there's no one in that lineup that's like, it's go time. I just don't feel that. And I know obviously when you're not hitting it doesn go time like they just i just don't feel that and i know it's obviously when you're not hitting it doesn't look like you're trying hard but they just don't look like they gave a crap yeah ever and look at a certain point i'm with you i i think what a manager can do is probably overblown in the public's eyes you know blaming game for this for

that for this that but at a certain point a certain point, whether you have full control over it or not, it has to come back on the manager. If they're just not showing up, if they look disinterested, and that's what it looks like. I'm with you. They might not be disinterested, but they look disinterested at times

in huge games at home. In front of their home crowd. This is what I'm saying. Philadelphia is a phenomenal baseball town. I know we give them hard times from the fans with some of their opinions, but they care. Big time! Phillies fans really care. And what Phillies fans want to do, want to believe in, is in a team that plays hard and looks like they give a crap.

And this could be so magical. I do believe that Phillies fans want to get completely on board and behind the scenes. 100% agree. But it's like impossible. They make it freaking impossible. And here's the thing. Look, and again, I've said many times, I really genuinely don't care what managers have to say.

The whole, you know, Gabe positive thing, like on a basic level, that doesn't bother me that much. As long as he's doing it in the locker room, the clubhouse, which it doesn't seem like he is but at a certain point it just gets silly i mean when he comes out and talks about that coliver and decision is like oh you know you know if i still think it was the right move and and he just he sugarcoats everything like at a certain point you just you look at the guy and you say are you're disingenuous i don't believe what you have to say. I don't believe that you're actually in that clubhouse, no matter what you're saying to us.

I don't believe that you're in there getting on these guys, saying this is unacceptable. And we had this issue with the Segura non-benching thing, and it seems like it's just a continuous thing. You said the word before, accountability. I feel like there's no accountability in that clubhouse, and you're not going to be successful if you don't make accountability. Yeah, so fun weekend.

Freaking depressing weekend. And that's what they do every time, right? They lose two embarrassing games. They're like, oh, we won the last one. Yay. It's embarrassing, man. They beat the Mets earlier in the year. And they're like, all right, good time.

And then it's just they have no capabilities of getting on a run. Like, I just, I hate... They haven't won more than five games in a row all season. It's impossible. Are they allowed to do that? The Astros have two 10-game winning streaks. Every team in baseball goes on some sort of streak. Not this one. Not this one. But somehow they're, again,

they're 55-50. And they're a game out of the wild card. This is what we're gonna do again. Jack, if the season ended today... They'd be a game out of the wild card. This is what we're going to do again. Jack, if the season ended today. They'd be one game out of the wild card. God. All right. Let's talk about the embarrassment on Saturday because I think our thoughts on Friday are pretty much out there.

I mean, there's really not much to say. Quickly, there's no way Zach Eflin can start another game right now, right? Well, he is. I mean, they already said he is. Did they already say it? Yeah. How can you roll that guy out there, Jack? Seriously, I know you don't have anyone else,

but I'll take a bullpen game. I'll take an opener. I will. Give me an opener. Bring Damon Jones up. Bring anyone up. I don't care. Bring Spencer Howard up.

Let's go. Seriously, though. How can you roll? How can you, with a straight face, as the manager of a baseball team, put Zach Eflin out there for another game? Like, how? Unless he's betting on it.

Is Gabe Kapler betting on the other teams? Can we rule that out? Great point. Maybe. Can we rule that out? I mean, how do you rule him out there?

Zach Eflin is a, I think he's, something's wrong. Clearly. There's something wrong. He's not this bad a pitcher. No, he's not. No one should be.

I could be. You could do this. You could go out and pitch two and one should be. I could be. You could do this. You could go out and pitch two and two-thirds and give up that run. Easily. You could do that. I'd do that now. I mean, that freaking guy, Steve Wilkerson, goes out for the Orioles and throws a bunch of 58-mile-per-hour curveballs in a one-two-three inning.

The Eflin thing. He came out the other night. He was like 95 in the first inning, and then he was like 92, 91. So there's clearly something wrong. And man, does he have the body of a 75-year-old? You don't get it, man. The poor guy has the double knee surgery, and then now he just feels heavy. He just can't pick up his muscles with his body.

It's weird. It's all weird. It's all classic Philly. It's all 2019. It's in his 20s. What is happening here? You know who feels heavy in the morning? Me, because I'm almost 38 years old.

Yeah. Or in your eyes, 88 years old. Yeah. I don't know, man. I guess they don't have anyone else to do or to go out there. I just, it's a disaster. It's so bad, man. I mean, Eflin, and it's one of those things where you know it.

Like we said on Friday's show or Thursday's show, we were like, hey, can't rule Eflin out there, but they're going to. They just keep doing it. And again, for Kapler to just defend it. I just, I'm getting really tired of it, man. I'm at the point where I'm tired of this whole thing. And they're one game out of the wild card,

which is just asinine. This is the furthest thing from the playoff team that I could possibly think of. Quickest rebuild in baseball history. And that's the thing. It's like, again, and I think there is a bigger problem with this, and it's from McPhail to Klintak to Kapler.

All of them are so tone deaf. Oh, they have no idea how to talk to the fans at all. But this is the wrong city for that. And again, you and I have long defended these guys for the most part, and we've started to turn on McPhail, certainly starting to turn on... We've turned on McPhail, full turn.

Very good on McPhail. Full turn on McPhail. You never need to hear that guy talk. We are turning on Klintak. I'm starting to turn on Kapler. I mean, at a certain point, every single person who defends you is going to be not defending you anymore.

That's what's happening. And it's just, you're so tone deaf. Like, I just don't know what the answer is right now from an organizational perspective. Like, you're not cleaning house, but if the season plays out this way, and let's say they miss the playoffs by a game or two or whatever,

and again, they're going to do improvement on it. I would rather they clean house than not clean house, if you know what I mean. I'm not saying cleaning house is the only solution, but I would be more on the screw this than the other side of it. This is a very real thing. It's very possible that the Phillies making the playoffs this year would be the worst long-term thing for this year.

Yeah, it certainly is. It really might be. I know. We've talked a lot about how good it would be for them to make the playoffs the reps and all that but you're right when you spin it around it could be a bad thing if they make the playoffs they're gonna play off this whole like see like best turnaround ever objectively excellent off season great season uh and what and like i just think the most damning thing about g, and I like Gabe, I think Gabe is eventually going to be a good manager. But I just, the part that I'm frustrated with is that for two seasons, this team has never showed up in a big game when we needed a game.

They never fought. They never clawed. The thing that, the postgame quote that makes me the most angry is like, oh, we're so resilient. And like, we always fight back. It's like, no, you don't. No, you don't. When it's 5-1, and I know the Cole thing, but I haven't seen you come back from a 5-1 game this year.

You don't do it. Unless it's against the Mets. It's the only team they've done that against. If you're down one, yeah. Down two, yeah. But as soon as it's three plus or more, it's like, whatever. We'll move on. Yeah, they come up small every time.

Well, especially just, can you, the balls to say this team is resilient, and then the next night, you know, they come out and put up a, they're down 14 to one in the fifth inning. Like, really? Again, in the biggest series of the season. Again, on your home field. They can't even show up on their home field. That's the problem, man. That ballpark is amazing when it's going.

That's the point. I don't think we made a big enough deal about the fact that they were home for this series. I don't think we made a big enough deal about it. And they had Soroka. Soroka is a good pitcher. Yeah. And he didn't even pitch that well. No.

They had him out of the game in 88 pitches. He didn't get through five. He didn't get through the game in 88 pitches. He didn't get through five. He didn't get through five innings. Yeah. He didn't get the win. I know. And then they faced Max Friedrich. They brought back off injury.

And he didn't pitch that well either. And they finally lit up Gosman. But still, it was... It was a very winnable series. Yes. And they didn't come close to winning it. Oh, they got boat raced. They got boat raced, man.

I mean, the Phillies being 6-6 against the Braves this season is not real. I saw you tweet that's fake news and it is so the definition of fake news. It is like no way. No way! It's not real. They're not 6-6. They're 2-6. Let's not bring up the run differentials.

Yeah, that's old. Or just on the season. Either or. Right. I hate being so negative about the Phillies. I know, you really... No one likes it, but you guys got to understand,

there is nothing worse for Jack than being negative about the Phillies. It really ruins everything about his life. He hates these pods. He hates having it come in and be negative. I just love them. I just love him. I just love him. And this team is making me hate him.

Like we were, you even wanted to, I think you wanted to defend Gabe more coming in than as we've talked it out. You haven't been able to defend him as much as your heart wants you to.

No, I just, I didn't like the, I didn't have a huge problem with the decision. My bigger problem is this team is coming up short when they need it. And I don't see any fight. I don't see any clawing, I don't see

a guy trying to steal a base instead of a tome. And then there's bad fielding. Bad fielding. You can't freaking bunt. I'm not even a small ball guy. No fundamentals. They can't do any fundamentals right. They have no idea how to execute. They just can't execute minor baseball

things. This is supposed to be a professional baseball team and they can't do anything right like when you watch these other teams you watch the dodgers in that 16 to 2 game and it was like that's a major league baseball team you watch what the braves do it's like they know how to freaking play baseball and this team's like man you know show up to practice whenever you want and uh and like it's really like a two-hour practice and we'll be out you know how fundamentals are built by doing them hours after hours it hours hours in practice that's how everything is built in baseball like the game of baseball is built in practice you do you practice hard so the games become easier that is how the game has been played for millions of years it's been around for millions of years and there goes gabe

reinventing the wheel i'm just kidding it'd be billions um it's just it's not this hard it's really not and i and, they need tone setters and the clubhouse thing is great. I understand, like, they understand that Drew will basically

kill the clubhouse last year, but like, it's excuses. You also need guys, you also need guys that can, can ignite a clubhouse.

Like, go trade for Yasiel Puig and just see what he does. And just see what, bring the fire. See what happens. Hey, go trade for Trevor Bauer.

See what happens. probably not. I tell you what, that was impressive yesterday. That was a toss, man for Trevor Bauer. See what happens. Probably not. I tell you what, that was impressive yesterday. That was a toss, man. What a throw. What a throw. Terry Francona is just like, what the F are you doing?

Yeah. So blatantly, that's exactly what he was saying. Francona's like, what is happening? Are you a child down on this mound right now? Yeah. I mean, respect. Hey, respect and? I would have done it.

Maybe get him for cheaper. I thought about it. I let up a home run to the worst team in the piece. That was a very Jack Fritz move. I'm waiting until Pavetta does it. I'm surprised he hasn't yet. Well, he's a mental. He's a lot of mental fortitude out there.

Yes, yes. But back to the point you're making, and here's the thing, just kind of rounding it out, that when your manager makes it all okay, when after the game he defends it, when after the game he, you know, poo-poos people who are trying to criticize it, that only enforces it. It reinforces it. It goes back to the accountability.

And like, if you're Bryce and you're hearing, I just, I envision Bryce. That's what I mean. Like, you look at that and you're like, really? I envision Bryce in real, I envision Bryce in real muta hearing that and being like, no, that's not how this works. Yeah. I fear that Gabe is too close to being a player that he can't help himself. He wants to please them and he doesn't want to rip them and it's hurting him.

Right. It's really hurting him. And you have to strike that balance. It's the only way it's going to work. They have to respect you. How are they going to respect Gabe when he says that stuff? You have to be a manager. you have to be a manager yes a manager you can't be a player coach yep okay because player coaches never work never work

because no one because everyone just thinks you're their friend exactly again it's like a substitute teacher yes perfect example it's and again it's just one word we keep saying but it's just accountability there's no accountability in these situations when you act like this. That's it. They won on Sunday, though. They did win on Sunday. One more thing. Yay!

One more thing, though. One more thing. So Gabe has one year left on his contract after this year. Yes. They're not going to let him be a lame duck manager. So it's either going to extend him or let him go, right? Look, here's where I'm at. If they make the wild

card game he'll be here if they don't he's gone yeah and no matter what i think gal broke this maybe a year ago less than a year ago he wrote that all like like the coaching staff all of their contracts are up after this year so it seems like no matter what fine yo by the way did the braves rope a dope us with the whole crannies saying oh we're gonna hire chris young no no no we're gonna keep him cool we'll take rick crannies did they rope a dope us maybe they want crannies all the whole time because rick crannies seems like a much better bitching ghost than chris young sorry chris well by the way i'm taking my victory brian snicker not as bad a manager as you thought he was he's fine

better than gabe i don't think he i don't think he does anything special but that's me um uh but not as bad a manager as you thought he was. He's a fine manager. Better than Gabe. I don't think he does anything special, but that's me. But I think Chris Young is a very good pitching mind. He seems like he's a guy who should be an assistant pitching coach. Assistant pitching coach. That's what he seems like. I don't think he can actually diagnose a guy's problems. Or convey it to the guy. I think that maybe know maybe you can

look at video and see oh this is what's happening but he can't fix it right i mean look at all the best pitching coaches in baseball i mean you have ray syridge you have larry rothschild you have i guess you put kranz on there now like don cooper all these guys are like not old time but like they they have died like chris young to me seems like a guy that can look at the hot and cold zones can have like the correct philosophy of pitching up in the zone like he wants his guys to do that but isn't how to get them to do it yes like he he knows how to look at the numbers and i think he's i think he's a really really smart baseball guy i just don't know if he knows how to get these guys to do it whereas i think kranitz knew how to get him to do it and also my main problem with him

and it's been my main problem all year is is the non-attacking philosophy with the fastballs. And I just think he wants these guys to be too cute when you don't always have to be too cute. It's a lot of 2-1 curveballs, a lot of 2-1 breaking balls, and that kind of stuff to make it to a 3-1 count, and then you're just walking a guy. And especially when that's not their best stuff. I feel like we've seen that, and the Kingery thing is a perfect example,

but we've seen on both sides of the ball where this organization a lot of times tries to impose their plan on players rather than looking at the players and saying,

all right, what's the best plan for you individually? What do you do best? How do you thrive? And that's what they did with Kingery and all of a sudden he's a much better player, right?

Like before they're like, you do it our way and it didn't work and they're like, okay, do it your way's a much better player. Before they're like, you do it our way. And it didn't work. And they're like, okay, do it your way. And he's much better. What's funny is that you do it your way, the ideas they're having are definitely three years old. I know.

That's the problem. I know. They're behind the curve. So it's like, well, why are you even doing that? And Kingery, I would like to start hitting again. Yeah. Well, no one can hit him in the leadoff spot. And also, look i you know kingery's gonna have ups and downs he's still a young player he's having you know people are adjusting to him he's still got to adjust back like yesterday he was one

for five but he hit the ball hard i think he's been better than his numbers have shown he's hit two balls hard yeah he's not he's striking out more but it's not like he was oh he's not over mashed the plate right i agree he looked like last year he looked completely overmatched lost i agree with you yeah i think i think it's just a he's overmatched the plate right now. I agree. Last year, he looked completely overmatched, lost. He doesn't look that bad. I agree with you. Yeah, I think it's just a lot of bad luck, and hopefully it starts coming around. But yeah, they did win on Sunday. Anything really like, look, JT hits the Grand Slam, yay.

Harper-Homert, always fun. I mean, the JT, thank God he hit that. I mean, the guys in front of him didn't do a job. I know. And then, thank God he hit it, because Nola kind of fell apart. As has happened so many times this year, Nola just cruising, a job i know and then and then they gotta get it because nola kind of fell born on the so as this happened so many times this year nola just cruising cruising cruising then oh all of a sudden falls also hits a wall it's crazy it's really crazy yeah it's like i was i was at a game yesterday and uh let me just say super hot yeah i got a text that it was like a holiday in chicago fritz yesterday it was hot. He's all red on the mound.

I was so hot that my body was cold. That's how hot it was. That's how hot it was. And like, I was always a guy that proud of myself. Like I got taken out once in high school. Once. And you threw the ball over the center field ball.

It was against our biggest rival. I was not happy. And then, and then they took me out and the next guy, I let up a grand slam. And you were like, yeah, that's right.

That's what you get. You don't take out your best option against the rival that you haven't beaten. Anyway, I'm not going to talk about high school. You're over it, right? You're over it, clearly. I'm not over that and I'm not over losing to Hapro Horsham. I still will never go into Horsham ever in my entire life. You just drive around it?

Yeah, I never. I will avoid traffic. I will drive into traffic to never have to go into Horsham again. Just don't play in traffic. You'll make Colerfin's girlfriend too happy if you do that. Yeah. Yeah, it was hot yesterday. I only went four innings.

I was not dying on that mountain yesterday. I love how we took it from the Phillies win to you pitching yesterday somehow. It's good work by you. We always find a way. Good work. But yeah, Nola like he was at 77 pitches heading into the seven so strange like it doesn't seem like there's any it doesn't seem like a like he's tired or or it doesn't seem like there's a parallel between the number of pitches

and when he struggles well it's like you have no idea when it's gonna come yes like exactly unbelievable and then like lights out and then all of a sudden it's immediate and it just falls apart and like the thing is is that he's and the tough part for Gabe in this situation, is that on most times, Aaron Nola's your best option. And also most times you are playing a lot of days in a row, and you're praying that Aaron Nola can save your pen. This is a case where they actually had some guys available and whatnot, but in a lot of cases you want to ride Nola as long as you can

because you don't trust anyone else. Wouldn't it be nice if we had another starter? Oh, yeah. All right, so should we just get into it? Anything else from Sunday before we dive into this? I mean, is there anything else from Sunday? Adam Aisley? Is that where we're going to go?

Are you kidding me? By the way, I like Adam Aisley. I like Adam Aisley, too. I think he has... He's got a nice swing. We've talked about it before. When the swing is on, when it's compact and tight, Chase Utley-esque, as you said, it's just a really nice-looking swing.

He smoked the ball, I think, the whole Braves series, I thought he played pretty well. He's smoking the ball just right at people sometimes. But yeah, he's done a nice job of bringing the barrel to the baseball consistently. And it looks like the game's slowing down. From my thought, maybe it was the Pirate Series. Guys were able to get in on him. Fastball's in and he just wasn't able to do any damage on him. But it feels like he

started to fix that. And he's one of those guys that, from what it seems like, just works his ass off until he... He's a slow starter at places and then once he gets comfortable... Which we've seen throughout his minor league history. Almost always a slow starter at places, and then once he gets comfortable... Yeah, we've seen throughout his minor league history, almost always a slow start, and then he puts together and gets hot.

He seems like a 280, 15 to 20 home run guy. Who'll play really good defense. Who'll play good defense. And can run the bases. It's a valuable asset, that. Yeah, I don't know if he's going to be a great player, but I think he'll be a good player. Which, hey, we could use good players.

Which is fine, but I wonder how he factors into the long term plans because they almost have to decide this deadline if it's Moniak or Haseley. Of course they do. Because you have McCutcheon coming back next year. And I got one of those two guys in my perfect deadline. Leave on the Phillies maybe. You're not allowed.

But if you think Moniak projects to be the better defensive center fielder then like Haseley I don't think he's going to to be the better defensive center fielder, then like Haseley, I don't think he's going to be as good of a center fielder. No, yeah, I think he's much more a left fielder future down the road. But do you really want your left fielder being a— To have not that kind of power, yeah, I agree. It's a tough spot. So I like Haseley.

I'm not—this is not anti-Haseley. It's just one of those things I'm thinking about. It's a fit type of thing down the road. Right, and if they believe—like Adam Haseley's 24 right now. What is Mickey moniak going to be in three years it's a great question yeah so yeah i'm just saying i i i i there is a part of me that wonders if this and bringing him up here and playing him as a showcase i don't want it to be that way because i want to see him play here but i i'm interested um but i do love his

swing like yesterday that ball is just absolutely tattooed. Oh, awesome. Yeah. Awesome. Anything else from yesterday? Yeah, it's Nick Pavetta. I mean, Jesus. I mean, the guy is a machine. Penn Vedder? I love it. I was just trying to wait for you to bring it in. I'm like, oh, Haseley?

Is that what you wanted to talk about? He's so good. He's so good. He is so... How does it feel to be dead right about Nick Pappetta? It really does feel good to be dead right. But this is exactly what I envisioned. By the way, I just have to let the listeners know that

Jack is all of a sudden bouncing in his chair as we're talking about Nick. Before he was just talking, he told you so, and now he's got a life to him. You forced me to talk about anti-stuff for 20 minutes of this podcast. Yeah, just go. It's all you. I mean, if we're talking... to him you forced me to talk about anti stuff for 20 minutes of this podcast yeah i just got i mean if we're talking like honestly he might be already a top 10 reliever in the sport there's there's no there is no doubt about it slow down brother if he's gonna come out and throw a top 10 reliever in the sport yeah okay i like I like that you're just going for it.

97 with an absolute hammer of a hook. I mean, if he's going to come out and throw as hard as he can for two innings, he is going to be lights out. And the only time that people ever hit him is when it's by accident. There's little squibbers at the third baseline. So right-handed Josh Hader is what you're saying. He's Ryan Presley is what you're saying. He is Ryan Madsen.

Oh, buddy. He's Ryan Madsen. I can do that. The same exact career. Madsen's ERA in 2006, before they transitioned him over, it was horrible. And it was like, this is just exactly what Pavetta is. But yesterday comes in and overpowers Donaldson, overpowers Austin Riley.

By the way, the Braves are smart. They would trade Austin Riley as soon as possible. Well, no, they probably should have done it already. Austin Riley's been a disaster

for like a month and a half now. Well, you know, eventually when you're swinging every first pitch. Still young. I'm being facetious. I would take Austin Riley on the Phillies

if you want to go there. We got Franco. By the way, the people that continue to defend this guy, it drives me crazy. It's unbelievable, man. How much evidence do you need? I feel like I'm watching a different sport. Yeah.

Michael Franco is a horrible baseball player. He's the best third baseman in the history of the Phillies. You didn't know that? Yeah. Mike Schmidt, get out of here. Mike L. Schmidt. It's unbelievable. It really is.

And I think we've been pretty consistent on this show. One of us a little more consistent than the other, but for a long time. It's unbelievable. It really is. And I think we've been pretty consistent on this show. One of us a little more consistent than the other, but for a long time. That's because you're rooting for this team to fail. You can't have fun with this team. Franco sucks. He's horrible. He's always horrible.

I don't understand. I'll mention Todd Frazier, right? I'll mention Todd Frazier as an upgrade. Would be. Absolutely. And people are like, whoa Todd Frazier as an upgrade. Would be, absolutely. There's no question he's an upgrade. And people are like, whoa, is he really an upgrade? It's like anyone,

if you're asking yourself that, yes, the answer's always yes. Todd Frazier's washed. He's not a very good player. No, he stinks. But he's got a higher OPS, higher OPS plus. He's a better third baseman.

And he's going to cost you nothing. And it'd be great to see him and Arianna just hate each other. They could sell that in September when they're out of the race. Arianna versus... Another September collapse. Don't worry, we got Frazier for his area dugouts coming up 635 frazier boots a ball to third base and ariana just runs right at him yeah the first ever in team brawl i could see the bench is clear i could see the bullpen starts sprinting in. It's great. They start fighting each other. This is great. Scott Bransky's announcing it all.

It would be amazing. I would pay to hear Scott in LA call that. Just for that. And we would play that forever. Hector Neris wallows Brad Miller. What is going on? Three players have taken Kaepernick to the ground. They are pounding on him

but then Gabe throws them all off then Gabe just gets up and alms out be a promotion it would be are you kidding me watch the Phillies all fight each other but getting back to Bavetta watch the Phillies all fight each other back to Bavetta

I don't know what you mean to say I can't say anything else you just say he's the best reliever in baseball. I think we can move on. Top 10. So you're worried they're going to trade him still, or you feel like he's good now? I don't know, but I'm glad that... I'm assuming he will not be a part of your perfect deadline.

No. Why would I give up that player of value? Why would I give up... I mean, you can't give up a top 10 reliever in this sport. That's crazy, though. I'm just saying, if the Astros traded for him, he'd be a superstar, and I wouldn't hate being dead right again i'll take

kyle tucker for nick for better oh my god i'll do anything for kyle tucker i just want a prospect um i just want a guy who i'm excited about please um but i just i just think that he's uh it looks like he's committed like he definitely was not happy about it. But I think Gabe went to him and was like, hey, buddy, here's the numbers. You're literally one of the worst starters in baseball. And you were up there with, you know, with the amount of starts you've had, you were one of the worst starters in baseball. Yeah, like with Zach Eflin.

So it's either do you want to start in AAA? You can make as many starts as you want in AAA. Or do you want to be on this team? And I hope that he made the decision like, I want to help. And he said this. He said, I want to help these guys win. And if it's going to the bullpen, it's that. And he really could.

He really could. Oh, no. He'd be a big difference maker in the pen, clearly. It is crazy to think about the fact that they are a game out of the wild card when the vast majority of their games this season have been started

by Nick Pavetta, Jake Arrieta, Zach Eflin, and Vince Velasquez. Yeah. I don't want any of those guys starting a game for me. None. I want healthy Eflin. All right. Let's say, and we're about to do our perfect trade deadline, but let's say they don't make

a move. Let's say they don't trade for a starter, which again, I think they will, but let's say they don't trade for a starter. Who's starting the playoffs, man? What do you do if you actually get there? Let's say they get there and Nola throws a gem in the wildcard game and you've got a seven-game series coming up. You're rolling Arrieta and Eflin out in a playoff series?

Really? Is that a real possibility that could happen? Aaron Nola needs to go on a 2008 CC run. Yeah, Aaron Nola needs to pitch every single night. It's sad, man. It's so bad. Like, they don't have have they do not have another like that's what i mean for a major league baseball team to not have another star and once again matt why didn't you sign dallas geichel

again it's it's unbelievable and i think i think too many people make too big a deal out of the infield defense thing. Oh, come on. It's so blown out of proportion. Keuchel's not not signing here because infield defense is bad. I understand the Mets defense is atrocious, but everyone's like, well, Marcus Stroman behind that defense. I understand, but it's not that much of a difference. Good pitchers are going to be good pitchers regardless. Absolutely.

It's not like the Blue Jays have, like, the best. I mean, granted, they have the best shortstop ever in some people's estimation. Freddie Golglove. Freddie Golglove. Never won a Golglove. Yeah. Did you know that I heard someone say he was better than Andrelton Simmons one time? That happened.

That was a real thing. One of the great defenders in the history of the sport, Andrelton Simmons. But Freddie's better. Someone said that Freddie Galvis has started over Andrew Alton Simmons. That's not great. All right. Let's get to the perfect deadline. We've kind of beat around it again.

To be blatantly honest, my perfect deadline is trading prospects six and seven in my organization for Marcus Stroman. We'll wait out there. Marcus Stroman for the sixth and seventh prospect

in my, fifth and sixth prospect in my organization. Oh, the two assholes the Mets sent to the Blue Jays for Marcus Strowman. Like, really? Really? Can we just really quickly say how, where were you, Matt? Where were you, Matt Klintak, on that deal?

Where were you? I almost think it's almost a bigger indictment of Adonis Medina. We don't even know that they offered Medina. I'm sure they did. I'm sure. I hope they did. But you're right. If the fact that those two guysina. I'm sure they did. I'm sure. I hope they did, but you're right.

If the fact that those two guys. I like those guys. Yeah. I saw some tape of them. They're the fifth and sixth best prospects in a Mets organization. Of course, Jared Klinick would be their best prospect if they had not traded him for MDS. No, I got it. But these are not high-end guys, is the idea.

These are not top 100 prospects. Well, but for an 18-year-old to be a top six prospect is pretty impressive. It could be good, yeah. But the point is, again, and again, beauty is in the eye of the beholder with all these guys. But I don't know. Personally, before we get into our deadline, that would have been the type of move that I would have been really happy with the Phillies making. Yeah, I just think that I'm just worried that this shows that Medina is not as valuable as a lot of us. Which is a disaster. Which is bad.

It's a disaster. You've got two guys in your organization who are worth anything from a pitching trade prospect. You're not giving Howard away. You're not giving Howard away. But I just think it could be more of an indictment of Medina's not the guy. And then behind him, it's like Franklin Morales, who I mean, I like. JoJo. Well, JoJo's not a big time.

That's my point. They're in trouble, man. They have a bunch of guys that are 90. It's fine. What? Yeah. All right, let's get into perfect. Who needs 95?

Yeah, why would you want that? I mean, the only guy, it's like Franklin. I keep on saying Franklin Morales. I keep on saying Francisco Morales. Right. Who was the old Rocky. But it is Franklin. It's Franklin Morales.

That's the correct way to use it. Good. Besides him, you have Damon, you have Howard. Guys that are 95 plus. And then it's just like, no. All right. Perfect deadline. Lay it out.

Paint a picture, Jack. For me? For you. I mean, I'm guessing Matt Klintak will not pull off a perfect deadline, but for you. In the situation they're in, taking it all into account. And we're trying to be realistic here. Like, yeah, trade for Bauer and Granke and Ray. No, we're trying to be realistic here.

So a realistic deadline, your perfect deadline. It's Wednesday at 410. Phillies have done this. You're excited. Wow, this would be a lot of moves. Uh-oh. Mike Miner and Shinsu Chu for Medina nick williams and jalen ortiz oh we're might have some similar names on our you're taking on you're taking on the shinsu

contract he is oh 21 million next year yeah which is a lot also someone who might not be able to field anymore he can he's still playing a little bit just get out there okay okay sure lefty bat we'll take him. Lefty bat that can be what McCutcheon was. And will cost absolutely nothing. The Rangers, very happy to move on from Shinjuku's contract. Yes. But he had Mike Miner back for this year and next year.

That'd be big. Okay. Derek Hall for Michael Givens. Okay. Derek Hall is a guy that I always think the Orioles, I think he just looks like an Oriole to me. Yeah. He's blocked by Reese Hoskins.

He's only a masher. He's going to be a DH in the AL. Orioles take a shot he just looks like an Oriole to me. Yeah. He's blocked by Reese Hoskins. He's only a masher. He's going to be a DH in the AL. Orioles take a shot at him. We take back Michael Gibbons, who has been throwing harder recently. He was up to 98 the other day. Is he really? Yeah. And so, not great, but I don't want to give up too much to get a bullpen piece.

I think Michael Gibbons is a decent bullpen piece. He's fine. He's better than guys we have there now. Him, Neres, Pavetta, Morgan. If Robertson comes back, it's not that bad. Stop besmirching Jose Alvarez, dude. Okay. Love that guy. Ranger Suarez, not

Jose Alvarez. Wow, the Alvarez aid is real. I like Alvarez. I know, he's good. But I still don't think of him as a core bullpen. No, but he's good. I would have rather had him instead of Cole Irvin in that game, like I said. I'm training Archimpen. No, but he's good. I would have rather had him instead of Cole Irvin in that game, like I said. I'm trading Archimedes Gamboa for Todd Frazier. Okay.

He's going to be my third baseman. I'm leaving Kingery in center field. So that Gamboa has definitely fallen. Oh, I don't like Gamboa at all. He can't hit. I know, but there was a time where people thought he was okay. Worth more than Todd friggin' Frazier. Yeah.

Well, they could probably just give a blast for Todd Frazier that's my point like I'm saying I feel like you get Todd Frazier for cash or cash considerations alright fine whatever

cool give me Todd Frazier why not a little minor upgrade over the third baseman with it and he's batting like over 300

against lefties so if Franco's decent against righties could be a platoon situation or a platoon situation or a platoon platoon platoon who cares it's not a baseball name it's kind of off platoon platoon platoon all right let's move on i'm trading i would ever see that great movie At one best picture Platoon Shut up dude

Uh I was gonna trade I was gonna trade Daniel Brito For Eric Sogard But the Rays Too late Too late

My guy Kayim Kayim God You served you The Mets Chose Brody Van Wagenen

Well the Phillies did too They chose Matt Klansak They did It's a great point And so I was gonna do that But my other trade chose Brody Van Wagenen. Well, the Phillies did do it. They chose Matt Klintzak over Dan Bloom. That's a great point. I wasn't going to do that, but my other trade is Nick Madden and Kevin Gowdy for Tyler Wade. Okay.

Do you think it would cost that much to get Tyler Wade? I don't know. I think you get it for less. He's only 24. He plays all the diamond, but I'm not sure they want to keep him on. I want the Phillies to target teams that have loaded 40-mans

and try to take off the pieces that could be something. That's smart. That's really smart. I'm not sure they want to keep him on their 40-man. I think he's a good player. I think he could be our rock halt. And he's 24, plays all over the place. I'm not sure the Yankees want to keep him on the 40-man.

Yeah. So I want the Phillies to take a shot on him. Okay. You went deeper. I like that. Mine was a little more on the surface. But look, I think we're just talking perfect world. I don't think it's going to happen.

I don't think he wants to come here. Mike Trout. In a perfect world, I would trade for Mike. No. I'd trade for Zach Greinke. I think it's not going to cost much. They just want to get the... In a perfect, perfect world, Zach Greinke would be happy to come to Philly and deal with the Philly fans and media.

That sounds like a perfect world. Not going to happen. I'm trying to be ailly and deal with the Philly fans and media. That sounds like a perfect world. Not going to happen. I'm trying to be a little more realistic. So that's like my perfect. Mine was like a realistic. That's what I'm saying. I'm not including that. It's not my thing.

I'm just saying in a perfect world, in a somewhat realistic thing to go get Zach Greinke. But again, I don't think it's going to happen. So mine, I actually also am trading for Mike Miner. But I am trading Adonis Medina. No, don't look at me like this. And Mickey Moniak. You piece it. And I'm getting Mike Miner and Lance Lynn.

Lance Lynn has two years left on his deal past this season. They have so many holes from pitching staff. We talked so much about getting more than one starter. Well, you're going to have to give them more than what you gave up. But a package fronted by Medina and Moniak, and then you fill in the pieces. It could work, right? Dude, I want Lancelin here.

I know, that's what I'm saying. Lancelin has the second highest F war of pitchers in baseball behind Max Scherzer. Think about that. You're making over your starting staff. And again, we talked a lot about the fact of if you don't make a deadline deal now for a starter, you're just kicking the can of the offseason because clearly this starting staff is not going to be good enough for next year best case you know spencer howard's ready and can help but you're still relying on a 23 year old kid to come up and pitching the majors next year turning 24 next season i think spencer how could be the number three right now look i'm with you he's better we just listed the guys i would i think spencer how could be my number two in a playoff

series by the end of the season that's where we're at with this group of guys that we have here. Quickest turnaround in baseball history. Oh, man. So you like that? I, it would hurt to give up Moniak, but if I'm getting...

I think you have to to get both those guys. Yeah, well, I want Lance Lynn. I know I want Miner, and I think Miner's realistic. I love Lance Lynn. Me too.

And I think with an extra year after next year, you've got to give up a little more. He's pitching amazing. You know what would have been nice? Signing Lance Lynn. Me too. And I think with an extra year after next year, you've got to give up a little more. He's pitching amazing. You know what would have been nice? Signing Lance Lynn. This offseason? Literally just on the scrap heap, just waiting to be signed.

Yeah. But it requires some level of foresight. He signed for like $8 million next year and like $10 million or $11 million the year after. Isn't it like $10 a year? Because three years is $30 million. No, but I think the way it took out is next year's $8 and then the last year's like $12 or $13 or something like that. But the point is it's two years $20 million. He wasn't great for the Yankees

last year, but the Rangers found something and they figured it out with him. They figured it out with Mike Miner. Wouldn't that be nice to bring guys in and they get better when they're here? I don't know. It's a crazy concept. It's a weird thought. So that's my first move. Of course annoying, Jim Salisbury, as he much out-alpha'd you.

Out-alpha's me here because I put this name down. The reliever I want to go after, I think it makes so much sense. Won't cost you anything. He's a guy who's closed before. He's not dominating or whatever. But, of course, Jim Salisbury, like 10 minutes before this pod puts out that the Phillies are interested in Alex Colombe. Love Alex Colombe.

I think that's a veteran guy, comes in, helps shore up the back end of the bullpen. He's not a classic closer. He's not going to strike out a ton of guys, but he's going to give me an ERA in the mid twos. He does it every year, and he just gets out. Somewhere between two and three, his ERA will be there, and he's going to do a good job for you. So I like the idea of Colombe. Shane Green, I think, costs too much with how good he's been, but that's another guy I would look into. I think he's a really talented pitcher.

Look, I would like to look at teams that are run by guys like Alex Avila and try and take advantage of guys like Alex Avila. And then I think you need a bench bat. And I looked around and, look, you could pick any name here. I think Puig, you mentioned, that'd be fun. I think it makes a lot of sense. As a bench bat? No, no, no.

I'm saying Puig is a bat to bring in, you mentioned. I'm talking as a strict bench bat, but someone who would potentially start at times and all that. Go get a guy like Corey Dickerson. The Pirates are out of it. Batting 300 again

or 303 or whatever he is. He's not like... Yeah, he just hits. He's his old glover. He's a good fielder. He'll just come in and gay hits. I'd much rather have Corey Dickerson coming up for you in a big spot

than, no offense to Bamboo Brad, Brad Miller or this guy or that guy much rather have Corey Dickerson coming up for you in a big spot than, no offense to Bamboo Brad, Brad Miller or this guy or that guy. Give me Corey Dickerson. Yeah, I guess my problem with a guy like Dickerson, I would rather have a guy that can play third, second,

and outfield. In a perfect world, yes. And plus, what happens with Jay Bruce comes back. Does Bruce become the power bench on the bat and Dickerson starts left? Yeah, and I think the fact

that they're both lefties makes it a little more confusing but I think it gives you a little bit of flexibility in there. I just want a and Dickerson starts to left. Yeah, and I think the fact that they're both lefties makes it a little more confusing and stuff, but I think it gives you a little bit of flexibility in there. I just want a guy who's going to hit. Yeah. I just want a guy who's going to come in and hit. And it's just a Corey Dickerson type. Until he works with John Maley.

Yeah. You're right. You're right. Then he'll forget. Oh, and we should mention the Phillies did bring in Jose Perella. I'm sure you're very excited about that. I am very excited. He had a nice three-week stretch last year.

People were like, ooh! People picking him up in fantasy. I remember in 2017, he hit a tank shot off of Pavetta. He had no PS over 1,000 in AAA. He was playing the West Coast League, which is just a launching pad. That's my perfect deadline. Two starters, a reliever, and a bench pass.

Neither of this neither of this was on either of our perfect deadlines but what would you give up for a rowark and puig combo rowark is on my list i was gonna go you weren't done yet no no well so that was my perfect deadline i was gonna say if we're taking a step down with kind of where they're at and you're looking for because they have to get a starter and if you're not gonna make a big move for a starter, Roark is a guy, and I've mentioned him a fair amount on this show, I feel like, in general, leading up to this,

and now there's actual connections to Roark. I think he makes a ton of sense. He strikes out guys. He's not, like, a great pitcher, but he'll give you five innings, six innings, and he'll strike out seven guys. He's literally 0-7 Lush. Yes. That's what he is.

And, again, probably the number two on this team right now. You sure i mean come on it's very fun so yeah i i would be down for something like that a derek dietrich uh uh um rowark package something super cold he has been but i'm just saying he's could play multiple positions for you looking at a guy like daddy play second he played third play outfield whatever puig puig would be a lottery ticket like it's worth a shot i mean we know he has talent he's been really good for about a month dude he's been I mean I've owned him in fantasy and like it's been awesome for oh my god it's been a month and a half since the end of June or so he's been like white hot yeah and I think I think in his last 36 games he's batting like 363 there

you go and he's just absolutely raking raking raking so how much contract does he have more years left okay he's a free agent at the end of the year it would kind of be one of that last ditch like let's see if we can get something going here because like Puig is a guy that's a fiery player and a lot of fun when things are going right when things are going wrong I wouldn't think he'd be the best clubhouse guy sounds like a perfect fit sounds like a Philly already sounds like a Philly already. Sounds like a Philly already. But I think if you can bring that kind of energy into that lineup, he could be your five-hitter and then move Real Muto down. I think the lineup just makes more sense from that standpoint.

If you go Kingery, Segura, Harper, Hoskins, Puig, Real Muto, Bruce, Hernandez. Well, actually, Bruce would be out of the lineup at that point. It would be Cesar. Yeah, Cesar and then third baseman. X. Yeah, actually, Bruce would be out of the lineup at that point. It would be Cesar. Yeah, Cesar. And then third baseman. X. Yeah, some third baseman. I think that's a way better lineup.

If he keeps us up, he could carry this team to a playoff berth. He's that hot right now. And I think bringing someone in with a little freaking life is not the worst idea. For a team that we talked, like there are just too many nights where they're lifeless. I totally agree. I wonder what a package for,

actually, what about Sonny Gray? I would love Sonny Gray. We talked about Sonny Gray in the off season as someone they should go after. The Reds make so much sense. They do,

as a trade partner. And they're a good team. They're a good team that has a bad record. They're a better team than the Phillies, but just have a worse record. It's weird. They're a good team. I mean, good team that has a bad record. They're a better team than the Phillies, but just have a worse record. It's weird. They're a good team. I mean, they've been a better team. Plus, like, plus minus, they're better

than the Phillies. So there's a lot of pieces. I would take Sonny Gray. I would take Roark. I would take Puig. I'd take a shot on Alex Wood, even. I'm not a big Alex Wood guy, but I'd take a shot on Alex Wood. He just made his first start yesterday. Yeah, and he's back. So I'm not a huge Alex Wood guy, but this is a dude who went 15-1 a couple years ago.

He's at least, as shown in the pitch at the major league level, lefty, gives you some innings. Yeah, he went four and two-thirds yesterday, allowed seven hits, and had four Ks. So not great, but not horrendous in your first start back. Also working his way back. Yeah. Again, they have a lot of guys that are worth flyers, I think. For sure. And the bullpen, I mean, they've got Amir Garrett, but you're paying a lot for him.

You're not getting Amir Garrett. Jared Hughes. Iglesias. You're probably not getting those guys, but they do have a lot of talent there. I mean, maybe you could find a way to pry one of those guys loose. You know, I walked into this podcast depressed,

and I'm leaving excited, because I'm just thinking about, unless they trade Moniak and Pavetta. Moniak is so good. If he didn't start so cold, people would be so much more excited about Mickey Moniak. He's second in the Eastern League in doubles, extra base hits. Him and Derek Hall.

You're like the Mitch Moniak hype man. I feel like me and a couple other people have started to turn the narrative of Mickey Moniak around. Because he's a very solid player. It's tough when you're the number one overall pick. And it's not his fault that he's the number one overall pick, especially as an underslot guy. He should not have been the number one pick in the draft, is the situation. But when you're the number one pick, you get those extra expectations.

And when you see the Nationals bring up Soto and the Braves bring up Acuna, it's like, well, why don't we have our own guy? Look at our number one overall pick. He's a double-A, not playing, though. He is now, for the first time in his last 30 days, he's walking more than he struck out, which is massive for him. And as you pointed out there, he is still young comparatively for all intents and purposes.

He's drafted as a 17-year-old. He's 21. He's super young. Let's get the money act hype train going. He's had back-to-back days. Hopefully rival GMs will listen to this and trade for's had back-to-back days. This is good stuff. Hopefully rival GMs will listen to this and trade for him.

Back-to-back days with home runs. Don't trade him. We'll see. Next time we talk, whatever happens will have happened. We'll be talking about

actual trades that have happened. Can't wait. And, I mean, please, Phillies, make us do an emergency pod. Do enough where we don't have to be like,

we can wait until Thursday to record. That'd be cool. Down for an emergency pod. I'm ready. I'm ready. All right. Note back. August is going more off the trade deadline.

They don't really have a choice but to try to make the playoffs this year. I know we talked about how earlier it would maybe be the best thing for this team to fall out of it, and then they'd clean house or whatnot, even though given the contract... Which again, yeah, Klintak's not going anywhere.

And the contract extensions just... They don't have a choice. You gave up 6-0 Sanchez, you gave up these guys to go and put this team in the playoffs. You don't have a choice but to stop. You can't just stop now. I agree.

So they've kind of painted themselves into a corner. And they need help for next year, pitching-wise. Again, we talked about it last time, but it's like Garrett Cole and not a lot out there on the pitching market. And Baumgartner. Yeah, and Baumgartner, you're right.

But Garrett Cole's going to cost a lot of money. As well, he should. He'll probably be worth it. He's awesome. But I don't see the Phillies going out and giving Karen Cole $200 million. Rick Porcello's a free agent? Yeah. I said no one's a free agent. No one good is a free agent.

That guy I want to say, huh? I know. Isn't that unbelievable? What a travesty. It's bad. A travesty. It's just not good. I could not believe he won a say.

No. It was like Bartolomeo in 05. Yes. That level bad. That level of no-fi. Yes. That level of bad. And my second note bag is that I don't think these pitching,

the starting pitching guys, I don't think they're going to cost as much as people think. Well, if the Stroman deal is any evidence, if that's the, and look, we're ripping the Stroman deal and stuff, but it's not like other teams didn't make the Blue Jays offers. So whether or not it was the best offer remains to be seen, being the eye of the beholder. But offers weren't that great if that's what they got for Stroman.

Yeah, and I just think that there's only— That plays in the Phillies' advantage theoretically. There's only nine-ish buyers, and there's a lot of teams with multiple starters to sell. So it feels like there's a lot of starters that don't have a lot of homes, and I think the Phillies are going to get a guy for not as much as people think. I really hope you're right. That's the way I'm feeling right now. Okay.

I like that. Some positivity there. August 17th. Tickets are flying off the board. They actually are. We're doing pretty well. I can't believe it. We love all of you.

You are the best. So if you haven't gotten your tickets for High Hopes Night August 17th at the ballpark, get them now because people are coming. We're going to have fun. It's going to be a big crew, and we're going to have a blast there. We're going to do a lot of fun with the tailgate. We'll drink beers. We'll hang out.

We'll make fun of Jack. It'll be awesome. We're going to start a We Want Boehm chant. Yes, and we're going to, you know, and the beauty is Pavetta could come in at any time, which is a beautiful thing. Yeah. So we're very excited. Coming out with us on Twitter.

And I don't think we're going to need them. You can see our pinned tweets. We're not going to need the man up Pavetta. No, it's all of a sudden. Very tough. So rate and review the podcast as well. We're going to figure something out for 1,000 once we get there. We're still a ways away.

Yeah, we've got a lot of work to do. Push us. Push us. Give us more reviews. And then the closer we get, we'll have something fun to do. Until then. We're still a ways away. Yeah, we've got a lot of work to do. Push us. Push us. Give us more reviews, and then the closer we get, we'll have something fun to do. Until then. All right, Fritzy.

Final thoughts. Final thought is that the 09 alumni... I saw this. The list has been posted. It's a good list. And Pedro Martinez will be there. I'm so excited about that. Philly legend.

Well, I'll take him as our own. He's ours. I'm a little disappointed he didn't go into the Hall of Fame as a Philly. I mean, I thought it was an outrage, but what are you going to do? Don't forget that Mets start on Sunday Night Baseball where he was just dominant. Yeah. So Pedro's going to be there, but Cliff Lee will not, which is not surprising. It's not surprising.

No one's heard from Cliff Lee in four years. Are we sure Cliff Lee's alive? I mean, didn't he pitch against the Pirates a week and a half ago? Yeah, that's heard from Cliff Lee in four years. Are we sure Cliff Lee's alive? I mean, didn't he pitch against the Pirates a week and a half ago? Yeah, that's true. The Cliff Lee reincarnated. Forget it. I mean, go on. Pitching tomorrow night, I think. It kind of stinks. I wish Cliff Lee was a part of it.

I mean, look, when you think about that 0-9 team, he is literally the first person you think of. Oh, he's unbelievable. Yeah. I mean, every Cliff Lee star was like, I gotta sit down and watch this. It was appointment television. I mean mean that was a run he went on that was an amazing run I just remember

I remember he was on he's in the middle of the run and I was over at my one friend's house he wasn't a big Phillies fan but I was like listen we gotta watch Cliff Lee's pitching

and then he got shelled and it was like it's like oh well I guess he's not that good I remember his first star was against the Giants I was down on a like a boat

out in like we were out in the middle of the ocean, just on a boat in Florida, or whatever, for like a week out there. That's pretty fun. And we were checking our... The day before the trade, it was like, oh,

I think we're going to get Halliday. And then we could check our phones once a day or whatnot. So when you checked your phone, it was like, oh my god, we got Cliff Lee. And I was like, eh, that's not great. I wanted Halliday. And then we checked our phone again the next day

and it was after his dominance against the Giants. And it was like, never doubted Cliff Lee. So very fun times with Cliff and I'm kind of upset he's not going to be there. Yeah, me too.

Also, why are you honoring the 0-9 team? It's the same team as the 0-8 team. It's literally where I was about to go. It's like, really? Is that what we're doing now? We're honoring the 0-9 team? It's the same team as the 0-8 team. It's literally where I was about to go. It's like, really? Is that what we're doing now? We're honoring the 0-9 team? You're actually winning the World Series?

I mean, and let's be real. No matter how we want to talk about it, that team was a disappointment. We all thought they were going to win the World Series, and they didn't. Sorry. Yeah, but the Yankees team was unbelievable. They were. But either way, enough with... Can we honor true greatness in the city and not honor

like almost greatness? That's the way I feel. I mean, the 93 Phillies are all over the city. I know, I know. But that, yeah, I know. I was thinking about it when I was saying it. They were a likable bunch though. But yes, I also came out of nowhere, the whole thing.

But yeah, it's a fair point. We like to honor not greatness in the city. The 016ers are everyone's favorite team of all time. Iverson and all that. I'm with you. All right, my final thought. Matt. Klentak.

Don't screw this up. Give us something to talk about. Simple and to the point. Love to have some fun. Just please, please, please don't make me watch these guys pitch anymore. Be creative. Do something. Be creative. Be creative. Do something. Be creative.

Be creative. All right. We'll be back on Thursday or hopefully before then. Matt, hopefully before then. So until whenever it is next, he's Fritz, I'm Salza. We'll talk to you soon. All-Star Closer, Kenley Jansen.

We have a question. What's the best podcast of all time? Baseball isn't boring, baby. I'm Rob Bradford, and every single day I'm sitting down with the biggest names to show you this great game is the greatest game. It's my podcast. It's my passion. It's a cause I started more than two years ago and is now the most prolific national daily baseball pod there is.

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