High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Why Are The Phillies The Way They Are?

Episode Date: July 31, 2023

Jack Fritz and James Seltzer review a frustrating weekend in Pittsburgh and preview tomorrow's trade deadline. Presented by Miller Lite. 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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Yo, it is another edition of the High Hopes podcast. Always fun before recording when Jack's telling me just how angry he got watching the Phillies this weekend. The shame of it, Jack's favorite pen. Yep. Destroyed. Yeah, it's gone. I can use one of these stupid ones.

We're going to take the top off. Yeah, sure, sure, sure. Yeah, I mean, what am I, in middle school? It was a tough weekend, man. I'm so old, I had to use pencils back when I was a kid. I used a nice Ticonderoga pencil, for sure. Number two? Of course. Was there anything but a

number two, by the way? I think those ones you could, you know, like pump the... Oh, I'm very anti lead pencil. Me, too. Hated them. Lead pencils were a scam. The worst. Yeah, for sure. Anyway. But yes, it was... Your poor pen is the big thing. No, it's just like, yeah. It was like

just... Why? Right? So dumb. Like the dumbest series of the season by far. By far. Just dumb. You know what it felt like? It felt like every September under Gabe and

it was just like, this is what they did. This is what they do. This is them. And it felt like the Cubs series last year. Sure did. Just like, so dumb. Just like the way they played. And I just I can't tell if I'm using last year as a shield

you know what i mean because like last year if they did what they just did i think this podcast is meltdown you know what i mean like this podcast does not handle what they did but but we saw this team do what they did and it's it's hard for me to be like super meltdown guy when I, for me, they've earned my trust when it comes to writing the ship here. I just think that, I think the biggest problem with the Phillies, obviously it's the top five in the lineup. No doubt. And it's the Stars.

Yes. But it's how the Stars get in like close games. I think the Stars, they're trying to all, each one is trying to do it themselves. And that's like, you look at, who do we trust the most here? It's Stott,

Boehm, like the young guys. Marsh has the highest OPS on the team, like handily. Right. And it's like, because I, of guys who play every day.

And I don't know how else to explain it other than those guys make all the money. And I think they're all trying to carry the Phillies at the same time, which is like having the inverse effect on all. Like, that's what I saw on Saturday. That's what I saw yesterday was the stars on the team are just like, I got to do it. And now Castellanos is heading.

It's funny. Is our average in the 260s already? No, I think he's like 270s. But so the two was paying 312 like a month ago. A month ago. It's insane. It is insane. And we'll obviously get into it.

But because I don't think they're playing super tight. I think a couple guys are playing tight. And I think that is having like an effect on everyone else because the young guys aren't. You know, the daycare, they're just going out there and playing. So it was annoying. They played really dumb baseball. But in a way, I'm kind of glad they got it out of the way.

Frankly, because they were going to throw up a stinker. And the way they talked after the game, the way that Thompson talked, the way that Bryce talked, it was like, oh bleep, we got to show up and play better. And I think they kind of needed that. Yeah, look, again, I think that, and look, Castellanos said at the All-Star break, he said they came into the season and were smelling themselves a bit.

Like, he's like, we expected it to be handed to us, and it wasn't. And we felt it early in the season. And it still feels like this team, you know, at times feels like they're kind of just, it's going to happen. Yes. Without them actually making it happen. You know, it's like, no, guys, you got to go do it. You know? Well, and I'm sure they heard, or they look at the no, guys, you got to go do it. Yeah. Well, and I'm sure they look at the schedule because it's hard not to.

Absolutely. And they see. Bunch of home games, bunch of bad teams, all that stuff. Yeah. And I think they took two or three from the Orioles. They went out to Pittsburgh. In like the series of the season, no less. I mean, they took two or three and both those wins were thrilling,

great, come from behind,behind, big-moment-type wins. Yep. And they went on the road, and I think they just expected it to kind of translate over. Against the Pirates, yeah, no doubt. And the Pirates showed up, and even though the Pirates obviously don't have much talent at all, a lot of their younger players and the guys they have around, they have a lot to play for. They've got a future. They've got a future to play for.

Exactly. So it's one of those young, hungry teams thaties that you know want to show up and kind of play um and i i just i think it was for for like when they're half game out and they have a stinker like that i do think it was it was a good time for it i think it was a good time for them that you know a good time for as far as it could be. Yeah, I guess so. I mean, yeah. Saturday was just dreadful. Although I kind of felt it coming when they went up 4-1. Oh, yeah.

But no one on the hill? I was like, of course. Every single Phillies fan watching was like, there's no way Nola holds his lead. None. And then yesterday was just the... The lineup thing, I just...

Like, what are you doing? I don't get it. Like, why is Bryson... Look, I just... Like, what are you doing? I don't get it. Like, why is Bryson... Look, I get you got 17 straight days. Guys need blows. Bryson's not actually the last freaking guy to sit. If there's one player on this team who plays 162 games this year,

it should have been that kid. He's 25 years old or whatever. I'm just talking from an age perspective. Like, what does he need a break for? Like, Nick Cassianos, sit that dude down. Like, that guy clearly needs a day off. Trey Turner, do it again. Whatever. Like, I just, it's crazy to me.

Like that part is crazy to me. And they always choose Stott and Marsh. That's what I mean. That's what I mean. And like, enough with this already. Like enough. Well, Marsh is Against tough lefties, I get it. I still get it. But even still, he's done a good job.

He's done a fine job. He's done a fine job. But the Stott thing, if he was cool and offshore, the guy's just hot. He's just a hitter. He's the best hitter on the team this year, at least most consistent. Would they sit Utley? Exactly. Would they sit any of those guys?

No. I don't. And especially what they do all the time, it feels like. And you have to hope it works. Because if it works, it's kind of like with the Eagles training camp last year. Yeah. Where it's like. Get them ready.

Get them rassed on. Right. So if it works, great. It worked last year. We'll see. But they're so concerned about these guys and making sure they're good for the stretch run to where you put out a C lineup yesterday, and it could have cost you a game.

Now, they put up runs. It wasn't like the offense was a total disaster with that lineup out there, but still, I mean, who knows? If you play Stott or whatever, how that game ends up ending up. Well, and also, you have to get to the playoffs first. That's my point.

Seriously. If you're so worried about load management and all this stuff. Well, it does feel like, and even when Rob talks on it, look, you have to get to the playoffs first. That's my point. I mean, seriously. They're so worried about load management and all this stuff. Well, it does feel like, and even when Rob talks on it, not, look, I appreciate the mentality and I appreciate being confident and all that, but it does feel like they're like, you know, like their vibe is like, yeah, well, once we get to the playoffs. Like, it's almost just like, oh, we'll get there. And it's like, cool, I'll have confidence,

but maybe play these games. Like, they're the ones that decide if you go to the playoffs or not. Like, you know what I mean? Like, it does feel like they go out with this kind of just like, oh, we'll get there. Like, you got to get there, though. You got to, like, do the steps to get there. And there's quotes from Kevin Long in the Matt Gell piece

where he's like, listen, we're preparing for the playoffs. It's like, well. Exactly. Like, I get it. I understand. But, like, you can't just. I don't think you can just load manage your way to the playoffs. Well, especially not with as many teams in it. Like, there are five teams just all kind of bunched together there.

And, look, are the Phillies the most talented of those teams? Yeah, they are. But it's still harder when there's all these teams bunched together and teams keep winning games. Like, you still have to beat these teams to make it to the playoffs. Well, especially when it could come down to the last weekend of the year. Absolutely. I mean, I think this teams to make it to the playoffs. Especially when it could come down to the last weekend of the year. Absolutely. I think this is heading down into the stretch run. It feels like a last two weeks

of September. Five teams separated by one game or one and a half or whatever. It's like the Phillies after Friday night were first wild card and then by the week they're a half game out of the whole entire thing right now. And even the Cubs are only three games back of that, which I don't expect to continue, but the point is there's a lot of teams there and baseball again, all it takes is three of these other teams

to get lucky in a few games and win a few more than you. It's more precarious. I think we both think the Phillies will make the playoffs, but they're acting like it's a lock they're going to make the playoffs, and it's not. Yeah, and you have to hope that they don't use this whole year as like, oh, bleep, we can't do that again. We can't do that again.

Oh, maybe next year we come in ready to roll. Yeah, you have to hope that that's not. Because it very well. It doesn't go too far. It very well. It could end up that way. Of course it could. I mean, it could end up that way.

Again, if the season ended today, it would end up that way. We're two-thirds of the way through the season. I know. Like, it's not freaking May anymore. I know. Well, and they already got into a six-game deficit they're six game under 500 in may and they got hot um and he and and i don't think it's all rob thompson you know i think this whole idea of like he's doing everything with the lineup it's like no i think i think he gets input from this is a good

day to get this guy a break i just don't get why stott's the one that has to sit when, and I love Schwarber, but like Schwarber, he's played every game. Yep. He is not, I mean, he has a lot of home runs against lefties, but still it's not like he's unbelievable against lefties. Like Stott, he should be the last one sitting. Yep. There's just, there's no, you can't convince me that like Josh Harrison needs at bats.

It just, that drives me nuts. It's like. You can't convince me Josh Harrison should still be on the roster, Jack, much less needs at-bats. Well, hopefully by tomorrow. Yeah, that's what I'm saying, though. Josh Harrison is a hole, man. He is not good.

He is a bad baseball player right now. He is not worth having on a roster. A championship roster does not have Josh Harrison on it. Well, maybe they can get Steve Pierce out of retirement and see if they can find another right-handed bat. Yeah, it's just the one thing that I just got to bring up, and I feel like we have a pretty good pulse of the fan base, and I can't tell if it's an overreaction to, like, I don't know,

like maybe what happened last year and maybe where the current. Like, I just can't do the Rob Thompson. I can't believe. Maybe what happened last year and maybe where the current... I can't do the Rob Thompson... I can't believe it, dude. We had people say fire him on the morning show this morning. I was like, what? It is... What? It is...

And I'm trying not to talk down to people, but it is so stupid to think that. It's like, what are we talking about here? The guy is winning at what? A 625 winning percentage plus for two seasons as the manager. He was in game six of the World Series. Their record, given

what's transpired this year, is sort of a mirror. Again, we do this every time, but the top five guys in the lineup make over $20 million a year each, and they're all sub-800 OPSs. Like, that seems impossible. And, again, that's not Rob Thompson, I promise. And my other thing is, like, let's, can we just,

I just want to look at this whole thing holistically for a second. The top five guys have had their worst years of their career. Bryce is fine, but he's also not hitting for power right now. He lost Reese Hoskins. They've lost 30 plus home runs. Turns out that was important. Turns out it's a big deal. And now I've got to go overpay for some kind of right-handed

pop and might not be that good at the trade deadline. His ace has been pretty good in hopefully turning the corner, but not the ace that we've seen. Wheeler shows a 3-7-4 ERA. That doesn't tell the whole story, but like it's a ZRA. Aaron Nola's ERA's in the 4. 4-4-3, Jack. It's almost 4.5 Aaron Nola's

ERA. Great. It's awesome. His third starter had a really good month of June and has been hit or miss since. Tywon Walker's fine. Fine. He's fine. Sanchez is a revelation, but before Chris Sanchez, it was a bullpen game or Bailey Falter. We remember the numbers. What was it, like 2-12

in the game started by the fifth starter at a certain point or whatever it was? It was bad. Had Kimbrel... If Kimbrel didn't emerge, the bullpen would be... Because Seranthi's missed a ton of time. Alvarado's missed a ton of time. Strom's been down. The bullpen will be because Saranthi's missed a ton of time Alvarado's missed a ton of time Strom's been down

like the bullpen being as good as it is I mean like outside of Kimball I mean we've talked about a bunch but like guys like

Hoffman and Marte have been the most important Phillies like they've pitched the most high leverage innings this season of those guys you know

because they've had to and I like those two but like tomorrow they need to get they need another guy. Those guys are, I think you're making a mistake banking on them for high leverage spots at this point.

Well, especially because, A, they're all going to be at innings limits. They're all going to be way past what they normally pitch because none of these guys have had major league careers so far. They're all pitching major league high leverage innings for the first times in their careers between Hoffman and Marte for long stretches of time. So I mean and then playoff baseball. You know what I mean? It's not that those guys can't do it.

I just think that to bank on it would be a mistake. Yeah, exactly. You shouldn't have to count on them to do it. Right. So that's where I'm at. I think they've been great. And Hoffman over the weekend, just some big, big, big spots. Yeah. Whereas like Jeff Hoffman, I know is not great spots. But either way, like, they've been good,

but, like, I just think that you need to find upgrades for those spots. So you have your two best bullpen options been on the IL, on, off, on, off all year. Starters. And Sir Anthony obviously does not look good since coming back. And he doesn't look like the same Sir Anthony. The $300 million shortstop has been replacement level mostly. One of the worst players on the team.

Cassie Adams, while great in the first half, is back to, unfortunately, and I hope he can just turn it around and figure it out again, but over the weekend was just like, there's so many times he came up with the base. It felt exactly like last year. It's unbelievable. It felt, we're right back where we are. Like, it looked like this flailing at the outside, but it was like the exact guy. I agree.

And the fact that, you know, I just, I can't, I can't do the, this is Rob Thompson. This is why he's a bench coach. This is why, it's like, can we just take a deep breath? And, I mean, frankly, the bullpen being the best in baseball is part of Rob Thompson's, you know, how he uses those guys. Like, that's a part of it. Like, what do you think a manager really does? I mean, the defensive stuff over the weekend was annoying.

I guess he's going to have them do more stuff on the field, whatever. These guys are, like, I just can't take, like, these guys are not doing their thing. It's the players not stepping up, and the star players mostly.

To throw that all on Thompson, I just think is freaking insane, and I'm not trying to sound preachy. If you want that all on Thompson, I just think is freaking insane. And I'm not trying to sound preachy. Like, if you want to fire Rob Thompson, go ahead. I just think it's insane. I think it's unfair, honestly, to put it on Thompson. And look, Rob Thompson had a horrible weekend.

Like, on top of all that we're talking about, he had a bad weekend. Like, look, I get why he pulled Sanchez. I'm not as mad as it. He was never going to throw a no-hitter. He was never going to throw a complete game, all that stuff. But, like, I thought it was the wrong moment. I'm not as mad as he was never going to throw a no hitter, never going to throw a complete game on set. But like, I thought it was the wrong moment to pull him. I would have given him another inning there. He was sick. He was sick, you know, but it didn't look like he was that sick on the Hill. And look, he I thought Thompson had a bad weekend. I thought he made I thought the start taking side of the line on Sunday was a mistake. I feel like the general lineup itself of almost like, you know, let's see if we win this game or not is a mistake.

But to your point, I mean, if you're looking anywhere past the first five guys in the lineup in Aaron Nola and you're giving Rob Thompson more blame than those guys, that is crazy. There's still seven games above.500. I know. It's not like Rob Thompson has done a horrendous job. Again, also with the 1-5 start. Well, they're also 6K.

Really, since June 1st. They're one of the best teams in baseball. They have the second best record in baseball since June 1st. All right, what are we doing here? What are we doing here? That's why I can't take it. It's like everything in my mention is like, well, they have the wrong manager. Like, what are you talking about?

Like, seriously. I was close. You almost cursed. Because it's just like, what are you talking about? It's just, oh, it worked last year. Okay, so Dusty. So every year we're going to fire the manager? Dusty Wathen's the manager?

Someone tweeted me that the other day. It's like, this is why he's a bench coach. They should bring in Dusty. It's like, well, Dusty's a bench coach. What are you talking about? Dusty's like, are you serious? What has Dusty shown you? I just relaxed.

I mean, there are seven games over.500. They've dug themselves out of it. See if they do the trade deadline. But this is on the players. And it's on them. And I thought, so the difference between this year and last year with Girardi is that the players didn't like Joe Girardi. Very clearly.

And they gave up on him. These players like Rob Thompson. And again, there's some games above 500. Like, they're just playing some dumb baseball and making mistakes. I know. And again, like, they're freaking guys making $20 million a year. Like, and look, all right, I'll take Harper out of it. The power sucks.

But, like, the dude came back early. He's playing first base. Great. Well, besides Saturday. Yeah. Besides Saturday. But still, like, he's played solid first base. Like, he's done a nice shot. Like, Harper, I'm taking off the table. Like's playing first base. Great. Well, besides Saturday. Yeah, besides Saturday. But still, he's played solid first base. He's done a nice job.

Harper, I'm taking off the table. It is what it is. It's a year coming back from Tommy John. Schwarber has not been great, but Schwarber's kind of been what we expected. The walks have been great. The power's there. Nine walks over the weekend. Dude, I mean, he's got 75 walks or something.

He's been good. He's fine. The other three, and then Castellanos, he can't kill him too much, but Trey Turner and JT, if you look and it's really all five. Those guys not in for power and not putting up big numbers are what's hurting this team the most. But JT, I mean, Trey Turner, we're crushing him and rightfully so. And that is the biggest reason. If you have to say,

if you have to put one person at the very top of this pyramid of disappointment against seven games above 500, disappointment that the Philly season is. It's Trey Turner by himself at the top, but like man JT Bermuda has been horrible. Another like that double play to end the game. You saw that coming though. Of course I did!

Of course I did! But he's been horrible and we have barely talked about it at all. He's been a disaster JT. Yeah, well. I know. I know. Hey fantasy football owners, the road to winning your fantasy football or JT. Yeah. Well, yeah. Sure. I know. I know. Yeah. Hey, fantasy football owners.

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or wherever you get your podcasts. Again, I don't know. You want to play stubby more? No, I've been down that. Maybe I'll say it because last time I said that, it worked out well. Play stubs more. Play stubs more. Let's get some butt because last time I said that, it worked out well. Play Stubbs more. Play Stubbs more. Yeah.

Let's get some butt hits out of it. Dude, great punter. Again, it's just, they're still, I think, honestly, first of all, I'm glad we didn't record last night because it would have been a different podcast. Oh, yeah, bro. Oh, yeah. But I just, there is a part of me that has, I think there's a couple things giving me hope, okay?

The one thing giving me hope is actually losing that series in Pittsburgh because I think they needed it, and I think they needed a wake-up call, and I think they need to know that during this month of August, when you have 19 home games, you can't just roll out of bed and go play and expect to win. This is still Major League Baseball. Bryce said that after the game. I think that's important.

Zach Wheeler, I think, is back. I think they got their ace back, and he looks like he's pitching at a high level. He looks awesome. And, again, the fact that they're in a good spot, and they haven't even – I don't even think they've sniffed their ceiling this year. Not even close. Not even close. Their floor is a very high floor that, again, if they can just do it,

like just lock in for a month, James, they should end August. Coasting. We should be like set for the playoffs. They should be the first wild card. Yep. And they should be up three or four games. Yep. Like that's what they should do in August.

up three or four games. That's what they should do in August. And I don't know what the magic elixir is to tell these stars to calm the Frick down and just play baseball. Because, again, they all look tight at the same time. The young players aren't tight. Well, the one starter is very tight. The bullpen's not tight. It's the five guys

they are tight I thought Schwarber was a positive weekend I do too, I thought he had a really good weekend won the game for him on Friday and then just taking good at bats getting walks, getting on base and maybe maybe it's just putting the young kids at the top

and seeing what happens and just letting, like, say alright go be carefree at the top and seeing what happens. And just letting, like, say, all right, go be carefree at the top. Again, the fact that Castellanos was in the two spot over Boehm is insanity. It's crazy. Like, that, Castellanos, you have to look at what that guy's doing right now. And we have to use our eyes a little bit. Just, he can't be there.

He cannot be there. You want to put him back at four? I'll take it. I'll take it. Yeah, over two. Or go Stott, Baum, Harper, Schwarber? No, that's too many lefties. But something like that. Whatever

it takes. Baum needs to be in that two spot right now. If he's not going to be hitting for power, home run yesterday was great. It was great. But it was opposite. Right center. He smoked it. Oh it was opposite, you know, like right center. Yeah, but I guess if he, he smoked it. Oh,

the ball was, yeah, he smoked it. If he can be the right center field power guy, and then pull, whatever. it's fine.

Just a little bit of power. Yeah. But still, I mean, he doesn't really strike out. He puts the bat on the baseball. Like, just put it to.

And just, just see what happens. But tonight, Castellanos cannot be there. Like, just straight up cannot be there. I'm with you, dude. That was a...

Horrific. Horrific. It was horrific. Honestly, it was worse than Stott. It was worse than Stott not being in the lineup yesterday. It was Castellanos continuing to bat, too. He can't do it. He cannot do it right now.

So put freaking Boehm there and just see what happens. I promise you. I promise. It's going to work fine. So they have four of them. Or if it doesn't, if it doesn't, if it doesn't, what happens. I promise you. I promise. It's going to work fine. Or if it doesn't, then just bat nine, eight players.

Just leave two open. I like that. It's a death spot for this lineup. What used to be the leadoff spot, which I guess some people still think is the leadoff spot, is now the two spot. Because God forbid, we could just have a freaking season where we don't have to have the worst at spot. He's now the two spot. Because God forbid, right? God forbid we could just have a freaking season where we don't have to have the worst at everything.

We've done this bit a million times. It's the bit of the Phillies is they have to be the worst at something. Just what we do. And this year it's the two spot in the lineup. Thank you, Trey Turner. It's been great. Oh my God.

At four game series in Miami, the 19 of the next 23 at home. I mean, that's like against bad teams, or at least at the best, mediocre teams. Well, and like we said last podcast, a lot of teams trading. Yeah, a lot of teams trading. Exactly. I want to get to the trade deadline in a sec. One quick question from the miscues and stuff, because, you know, look,

again, it's August 1st tomorrow, and we're still watching them get thrown out on the bases and do dumb things and all that. But here's my question. I get it. Like, look, and I blame Boehm. That was a mistake. Like, I don't understand how, on August 1st, Trey Turner, who's the short sub of this team, and Mundo Sosa, who's a great fielder,

like, when two guys are standing right next to each other, how is no one saying, I got it? How does no one say, I got it? I'm right next to you. Move the bleep out of the freaking way. I can't. In Little League, you yell at the top of your lungs, I got it.

I just don't get it. I don't understand it. I'm guessing you didn't have that problem. You know me. No, people heard me coming. Don't worry. We know it. Seltzer's got it.

Yeah, they're like, oh, my ears. Yeah, Seltzer's got it. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Again, it was all weekend, though. I mean, Saturday also, like the error and then Marsh just overplaying that ball for no reason. Which ended up being a... It cost them the game.

Yes, it cost them the game. I have no... It's just... They're just not the smartest baseball team. But they've never been the smartest baseball team. No, they haven't. This is what they are. And the frustrating point is that I think for when they won the run,

June, early July, whatever, they weren't doing this stuff, and they were locked in. Exactly. It's still in there. This weekend was just in Pittsburgh, which is a dumpster fire from that standpoint. The Boehm thing, that play, I actually, I don't really blame Bryce. At all. I thought

Bryce played it the right way. If he had gone, he would have been thrown out. He was right to go back. But I was also, I would have taken the shot there. Everyone is tagging in that spot. No, no, no. I'm talking about when they threw. They threw to second. Oh, you would have gone.

They had no choice because Bone was too far down the line. Basically, he didn't have a choice. It's either Bryce ends up on third base with two outs, or he tries to make a play, and the Pirates made a perfect play. Made a perfect play. It was perfect all around for the Pirates. Henry Davis has a hose in right field. By the way, like, super difference making arm.

I mean, he almost threw out Stott on a double. Dude, that was unbelievable. Like, it's like, it felt like it got there in half a second. It was like. I couldn't believe it. I was like, oh, they're going to score here. I was like, mm. Nope.

And it was like very quick now. It was like he threw it. I was like, oh, no. No chance. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Now he is Evan Gattis at the plate. But, yeah, so they throw home. And Boehm being too far off is a mistake.

But Bryce going home there and trying to make something happen, the one thing I thought while it was happening was if he didn't have the guard on, does he try to make one of those acrobatics? I was shocked he didn't. I'm glad he didn't. I'm glad he didn't have the guard on, does he try to make one of those acrobats? I was shocked he didn't. I'm glad he didn't. I'm glad he didn't. I agree. But I'm saying, like, I think most people go head first in that spot to try and do something.

I agree with you. I think he would have if it weren't for that. The big shock was him not trying to score on the play before. It was shocking. Totally shocking. I was waiting for the camera to pan and I was waiting for T-Mac to be like, and Harper's going to the plate and he's out by 10 feet. Like he was at second base the night before.

Oh my god. He's been throwing out a lot. He didn't even say safe or replay it. He was like, I'm out. Yeah, you got me. Unbelievable. The ball was there before he started sliding. He's like, the ball's there. He's like, I guess I slide now.

Yeah, whatever. I mean, sliding. He's like, the ball's there. He's like, I guess I slide now. Yeah. Whatever. I mean, whatever. It's just unbelievable. It is. Just who he is. Like, just you accept it. I can't even get mad anymore.

I know. It's just sad. It's what it is. This is where we are as a team. But yeah, just yeah. Whatever. All right. Let's get to the trade down line first. Shout out to Miller Lite.

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Fritzy, we are actually about 30, actually, what are we, about 30? Yeah, about 20, 31 hours away. It's 6 o'clock tomorrow. So, yeah, 31 hours away from the trade deadline right now. Teams have been making moves. You know, some of the names we talked about, Randall Gritchick and Joy LA, buddy. By the way, Randall Gritchick drafted one pick in front of who? Mike Trout.

By the same team. I know. Hilarious. Where are you at right now? Obviously, I think you're hearing or we're hearing Adam Duvall's name be mentioned as we've talked about. Yeah, but again, are the Red Sox selling? Red Sox have been one of the best teams in baseball since middle of June or whatever. People really doubted high on him.

It's a mistake. We told you not to. Yeah. He has been enemy number one up there um where you at right now at the deadline with potential moves with what you expect uh uh sell shoot so no okay i want to see the reaction was i want to see what the reaction was i mean think but hold on think about what could we get? What would Nova get? I'm just kidding.

But yes, when they were blowing the game yesterday, I was like, what could I get for him? Get some comp picks? Anyway, so let me just say this. They're going to get Tommy Pham. No, I'm just kidding. They might get Tommy Pham. I don't think there's anything that feels more. So the one thing I was thinking about that I think is interesting is what I started to look at was in the last two deadlines,

Dombrowski's gotten multiple players from the same team. Yeah, well, he did the separate trades. The Martian-Syndergaard one for the Angels. Right, so he did the Angels. And, yeah, the year before it was the Kyle Gibson. Yeah, the Rangers. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Ian Kennedy, one of the goats of the Phillies bullpen. Oh, so he did the Angels. Yeah, the year before it was the Kyle Gibson. Yeah, the Rangers. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Ian Kennedy,

one of the goats of the Phillies bullpen. Oh, yeah, I almost forgot. So I started looking at what makes sense. What I care about the most at tomorrow is, obviously I want a right-handed

power bat, or just a right-handed bat in general that can at least maybe hit the ball out of the ballpark. I love Johan Rojas so far. It's been really fun watching him play defense,

but clearly just the single sitter. It is what it is, yes. Christian Pache, we'll see when he comes back, but he's more of a... Yeah, he had a screw coming out of his arm. It's hard to count on that. Exactly right. So I think it's imperative.

I'm still in the camp of I want the Oscar. There are things that are frustrating about him. He leads the AL in strikeouts. He doesn't walk. Sounds like a Phil. On brand. People are like, how could the Phillies target that guy?

I don't know, because that's what they only target at this point. But my thing is, I was looking at it today, because he reminds me so much of what Solaire was, and what he could be for the Phillies, and Solaire in 21. With the Braves, yeah.

Solaire was... World Series MVP. Dude, he had nine homers, and was batting 186 at the trade deadline. Wow. So, yes, the Oscars have been tough, but he's also got a good track record. And, again, look at the numbers that I care about. Like, running scoring position, he's batting over 300.

He has 16 homers. That could be 25, hopefully. And, like And I think he's against lefties, one of the best hitters in the sport. That's huge. I will take Teoscar Hernandez. If you look at... So I wonder

if they try to do Teoscar Hernandez and Seawald. That gives you another... I love Paul Seawald. That dude's good. He's been really good. Yeah, he's been really good for them. He's been closing for them. He's been their closer this year. Tommy Pham and Brooks Riley. Sure. You know, he has another year after this year.

Riley's got some stuff. So does Seawall. Seawall has another year after this year. Yeah, sure. So multiple years out of them. And then, like, Jack Flaherty and Ryan Helsley, or one of the Cardinals outfielders. Ryan Helsley would be funny.

Ryan Helsley. Just for my humor. I agree. I agree. So my first priority is right-handed power bat. Ryan Halsey would be funny. Ryan Halsey. Just for my humor. I agree. I agree. So my first priority is right-handed power bat. Like Tyler O'Neal. I would love Tyler O'Neal, but I would be shocked.

I don't think they're going to trade him. I would be shocked. Yeah. But yeah, so then, and then after that, like, again,

we talked about earlier, but bullpen, whether they want to get a lefty, to bank on Strom, I think down the stretches would be a mistake. He's been good, but we know what the – he's been – it seems like every time they try to use him a lot,

they need to give him a week off. Alvarado I can't totally bank on right now. Andrew Vasquez has been a revelation, but let up a freaking bomb yesterday. That was tough. That was a tough one. Tough. So, like, an Aaron bummer from the White Sox, I think would make sense. That's why I like Raleigh, whatever, from the Mets.

So getting some kind of – your boy Brent Suter, I guess. Suter. I think it would make sense. That's why I like Raleigh, Raley, whatever, from the Mets. So getting some kind of your boy Brent Suter, I guess. Suter. I guess we'd have to take him. Get lefties out. Yeah, so I think getting a lefty would be good.

Obviously, a right-handed power arm would also be fun regardless. So I feel, you know, I don't think it's going to be a star-studded trade deadline. Oh, I don't think it is either. If I had to bank on it,

I think Duvall's a filly. Hopefully they trade him for, you I don't think it is either. If I had to bank on it, I think Duval's a filly. Hopefully they trade him for Falters in the mix. So I think Falter probably gets traded tomorrow. I think Muziati probably gets traded tomorrow. Carlos de la Cruz, maybe.

And then they probably hold on to how you lead because I don't think the value's there for someone else out there, for a guy who's pretty good. But those are the kind of names that jump out as possible. Not a thrilling trade deadline.

It's fine. It's something they need. They need a right-handed bat. And look, the market just shook that way. I think there aren't going to be many big stars traded at all this whole deadline. It looks that way. It looks like basically the teams that were thinking about trading their stars, they all had real hot streaks.

The Padres started winning games. Angels won games. Cubs won games. Red Sox won games. It's been a bad deadline for the buyers. Everyone's just calling the White Sox. Anyone left? No one wants to call the Royals. I know.

Other than the Braves, we ain't got Nicky and we got nikki lopez i know for a guy they the braves trade for a guy for say like nobody pick him up off the scrap he'd then trade him for nikki lopez braves would just make moves not it's like a winning move but it'll turn out to be it was it'll be it'll make plays for them like he'll have a moment in the playoffs and taylor hearns certainly wouldn't know yeah so i i think it's gonna be i don't think it's going to be a super firework-y one, but I think it's going to be... Fill some holes and make the team a little bit better. Exactly.

Deval will be dope. Deval will be dope. I really hope they can get out. Yeah, me too. Me too. And look, again, if it's Teoscar, I'm fine with that too, but they need a right-handed bat. What about Tommy Pham? You in on Tommy Pham? Less so than the other two, but I would take Tommy Pham. He's having a great year, Tommy Pham.

And, like, there have been moments where I've liked Tommy Pham. Other moments, less so. Yeah. But I'd take Tommy Pham. As long as there's no fantasy football league. Don't go around slapping people. Just no fantasy football. We've got some good vibes here.

Let's not mess with the vibes. No fantasy football. Yeah. All right. What do you got in the take back? What do I have in the take back? What do I have in the take back? What do you think about trading for Rich Hill to be our Jamie Moyer? Come on, dude.

Takes down a ton of innings. We bring back Pavetta for the Falls role. Would me saying his nickname be cursing on the high up spot or no? DP. I would take DP. Right. Although, I think you should want to trade for him because he's older than you. Dude, trust me.

Rich Hill's one of my favorite players in sports right now. He's one of the only few that are left. So, yes. Yes. I love Rich Hill. I would take him in a second. He's like 43. He's like significantly older.

He's almost near AARP status. It's funny. Watching Chris Sanchez is a lot like what watching Ranger was. Dude, the exact same thought. Like, almost everything about him feels like Ranger-y. And the thing that I didn't realize with him, he has the most horizontal move on his changeup in baseball. Really?

Yeah. Cool. So his top changeup in baseball? He's the best whip in baseball since he came up. Yeah, I just, I can't. It's unbelievable. It's like literally, the dude hit three guys yesterday. It's like, what?

Well, there's just some bull crap. I was. It was. I was thinking, it was like, oh, you'll let Nola pitch five innings too far. Oh, I know. But then the stomach bug thing happened. Whatever. So, I don't know.

I hope he's fine. I hope he's fine. Strantham is a question mark at this point. It is pretty funny in hindsight thinking about everyone getting mad that Christopher Sanchez got pulled from a game. Like, that was not on the bingo card. That's how baseball works, though. Yes, it is.

That's how baseball works. I thought it was good. Again, good Schwarber weekend. Interesting. The only interesting thing from Trey this weekend was it looks like he got rid of that leg kick. So he's doing more of a toe tap. The results, of course, were not great on Sunday. But I felt like he was looking a little more hitterish.

So maybe this gets him going. I have no idea. I'm tired of So maybe this gets him going. I have no idea. I'm tired of saying maybe this gets him going. I know. I forgot my bit of calling him the shortstop. Yeah, the shortstop. Yeah, the shortstop. So, all honesty, do you expect a turnaround of any kind this year?

Do you expect him to be better at any point? Or is this the guy we're seeing now what we get the rest of the year? Because I feel pretty strongly that this is the guy we're seeing the rest of the year. I'm not out on the contract for the rest of it and all that. Look, don't get me wrong. I would not give him the contract if going back to offseason. I would not probably sign that contract. But

for this year, I just don't see it changing. I don't see it changing at all. But today's another day. Just make a big play in at all. It's great. Today's another day. Just make a big play in the playoffs. It's all good. Let me just tell you what is just truly a sick thing right now. That we said all year, well, this is Cassiano's year.

I know. And now we got both of them. I know. We got both of them. It's great. Fun times. It's good. Fun times.

Emergency trade deadline podcast tomorrow. Good use of resources. Spending $40 million on those two guys or more. It's great. It's going to be all right. I'm pretty sure it's like 50 something. It's definitely more. Yeah, I know.

I know. Thanks, buddy. But today's the day. I legitimately think they're going to get going. I can't do the doom and gloom when they're seven games over.500. I can't either. They've been the second best team in baseball since June. I couldn't dream more.

It's frustrating. It feels a lot like early season and parts of last year. I'm more in the camp of deep breaths. I do think there's a part of the trade deadline is looming on them too. We've got to go out there and prove how good we are. Teams, you hear a lot. Players think about the trade deadline to go out there and prove how good we are. Yeah. I mean, teams, you hear a lot. I mean, players think about the trade deadline. They're looking at rumors just like we are. It's starting jobs.

It's this. It's that. Of course it is. So they're going out there every day like, okay, well. What's going to happen? Are they going to move? Yeah. I got to step up today because maybe they're looking for my replacement.

Great point. So I think once the trade deadline passes, and this is, I mean, last year they did the same thing. Same thing. Same thing last year. They knew what the team was. Yep. And they said, all right, let's just go.

Yep. You know? So I'm still very positive about them. I think that by the end of this month, they're going to be three or four games up on the wild card. We're not chasing the Braves. We get that. But I think they'll be in the wild card. And, well, I mean, September is going to be it.

There's two Braves series in September. Oh, buddy. Could be a little bit of a gauntlet, but this is... Well, by then the Braves will have clinched, so we won't have to worry about it. Hopefully. But this is what makes Dave Dombrowski a Hall of Fame general manager.

So we'll see what he can do tomorrow. Yeah. It's going to, I think... In the 18 deadline, it was just Steve Pierce, right? I mean, because they had Sale before the year. They had JD before the year. I feel like it was. I mean, there might have been a small move that we don't remember

because we're not there, but I could only think of Pierce. Speaking of Red Sox trades. Pavetta? No, no, but bring them up. How in the world did Kyle Schwarber hit 291 for the Red Sox in 2021? Unbelievable. Fluke is what it was. Where did that come from?

Fluke. Came from a fluke. Can I get a month of that? Yeah. I know. I know. I know. So I'm based on time this weekend.

Yeah. Look, he's the least of my worries right now. The guy's in the top five. He's near the bottom end of my complaints, which which you know, and he's paying like 180 something. So it's like, we're in good shape. Everything's fine. Like they told you in Little League. Walks as good as a head. I see what you did there. It's good.

Oh, the poor kid. Walks as good as a head, kid. Don't swing the bat. Do not swing it. Don't swing that bat. Go off and let him throw it. Walks as good as a head. Tomorrow, check us out. Jack and I will be on the air Swing that back. Yeah. Go off and let him throw it. Walks as good as it hits. Tomorrow, check us out.

Oh, yeah. Jack and I will be on the air all day for the trade deadline. I'll be on until noon. Jack will replace me at noon and go on until 6, so a full day. We'll have to figure out if they do make a move when we will fit the pot in. It might be during the game, which would be a rarity, but either way, we'll get something out to you. Go make a move, Dave.

Go make a freaking move, buddy. Will Juan Soto be affiliated? No, I'm kidding. He will not. No, he won't. No, he won't. No, he won't. But look, I'm with you.

I'm not- We also could be recording tonight at the makeup. We could, yeah. I'm not as concerned as most are. I agree with you, but it'd be nice to see them kind of stop playing dumb baseball

and start to move forward. But the team we expect, we were like right there. We're like, we got the team we expected to see. And then like, ah, just wait a minute.

Hold on. Don't believe yet. And there's still seven games over. There's still seven games over. All right. You got anything else, Fritzy?

No. I'm going to go and take a nap so I can record tonight. Adam Duvall's going to be a failure. I love it. All right. We'll be back, obviously, when they make trades.

Hold on. By the way. We said sign Adam Duvall in the offseason. Yeah, we did. We sure did. I had to trade real stuff for him. Could have avoided this. Damn it.

Just listen to us, Dave. All right? Listen. We know you do, but listen more closely. Unreal. All right? Listen. We know you do, but listen more closely. And, you know. Unreal. All right. Until soon.

He's for it himself. We'll see you next time.