High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Win Today, Win Tomorrow, Win More Games

Episode Date: July 17, 2021

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to yesterday's Phillies-Marlins doubleheader and look ahead to the second half of the season. The guys discuss another great Matt Moore open, the viability of signing Cole Hamels, whether to go all in at the trade deadline or not, and more. 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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Download Fortnite on consoles, PC, cloud services, or Android and play Lego Fortnite for free. Rated ESRB E10+. This is the High Hopes Podcast. High Hopes! It's a bunch of baseball nerds talking about the Phillies on Radio.com and Sports Radio 94 WIP. Yo! It is another edition of the High Hopes Podcast.

But it's not another edition. It's an in-person edition. What? I'm looking at you. Your microphone sounds good. Look at you. My microphone sounds good. We're looking each other in the eyes.

Exciting. Through each other's eyes, we are saying, who let the Philz get hot? It is a remarkable day. And honestly, this is the first time we've done a podcast together in person since before I was heading down to Clearwater to meet my good, close, personal friend. Wow. Has it been that long in that other room over there? Wow.

What a momentous moment this is. We haven't been allowed to go in that studio in a year and a half. I don't realize it because we see each other literally every day for the last however many years every single day literally every yeah there's not one day it's like oh oh don't gonna see you today so here we are here we are how was your wedding uh it wasn't my wedding it was my friend's wedding i know we all know you're already married homeowner guy everyone knows here on this podcast. I think people know who Jill is. Yeah, no.

And when people listen to this podcast, they think, wow, Jack really is mature. Yeah. Oh, he's just an adult is the word. It's good. The wedding was good. I got to say, really hot. Shout out to James and Tay for having a four-minute ceremony outside. That is amazing.

That is, like, brilliant right there. Yeah. I mean, quick in out, bang, bang, very fast. And at the end I was like a little too fast, but I get it.

I appreciate that. I appreciate getting out of there. Plus knowing you, I'm sure not being able to wear shorts, the wedding was probably a real issue for you. It was. I try to wear, I try to wear shorts most of the time.

Now, I know, I know. I do have a couple of questions that I just want to throw up before we get good good please so like any of them about jim nance no none of them okay he was not at the wedding he didn't narrate the wedding i don't want to know it's in front of me because we're looking at each other so i just want to throw that in quickly so i don't like yeah by the end also it's like really it's really weird trying to do a podcast looking at you i know it's different i know because i'm used to like oh i know James' cue When I can talk I know I know So I have a question

Okay Alright So like And I've had a I had a personal conflict Sitting there Watching the bridesmaids Come down

Okay Come down the aisle Okay And I'm just thinking Weird lead in I know But I'm just thinking there Like

What is the appropriate length To like watch the bridesmaids Come Cause I don't want Jill to think Wow he's like Really looking at them Like how intently Should you be paying attention But like i don't want to not look because then it's also you look like you look rude doing that like how i i was like how long because these are my college friends with my college friends like looking at them and then like it's just it's the it was the biggest

question i had leaving the wedding last night was how long is the appropriate length to to see the bridesmaids come down? Is it like five seconds to courtesy glance? I've never once thought about that. Dude, hide yourself sitting there like, am I looking long enough? Am I not looking long enough? Am I being rude? Am I like, you know?

It was a really tough predicament. I think it's a feel it out kind of thing. Yeah. You're looking, glancing, looking, glancing. Yeah. Again, it's double turns. Yeah. Also, I don't like dancing.

It'd be pretty funny if you didn't look at all and you just stared at Joe the whole time. Right. That's what I'm saying. That would also be weird. It'd be really weird. Yeah. So, I don't know. People would be looking at you being like, what's he doing?

Yeah. Well, that guy's, you know, calm down. Calm down, pal. But, yeah, it was good. Dancing is just a lot. I don't know. It's really hard to dance and you haven't had enough you know well yeah the liquid yeah dance courage yeah yeah not for me jack no no i'll dance all

night i know i know yeah i know i know so um i did uh i was i was debating whether or not i could pull off the rare feat of not checking my phone for the phillies games and then getting home later and well i saw that tweet and i was like this is the dumbest tweet there is a zero percent chance off the rare feat of not checking my phone for the Phillies games and then getting home later and watching. Well, I saw that tweet and I was like, this is the dumbest tweet. There is a 0% chance that you would not check your phone or find a TV at the wedding. Oh, you nailed it. Yeah, there was no percent chance. It was like 24% said B and I was like, you 24% have never been more wrong in your life

than I have. Yeah. So I got the score for game one, saw it. Didn't you do a video? I posted a video on mid-wedding. I saw a video out there. Yeah, mid-wedding. I saw a video out there. Yeah, mid-wedding. I still had to get the,

I still had to let the people know that I was watching. Not watching, but following along. And then game two, I didn't even bother. I don't know what Emily would say to me

if she caught me recording a Phillies reaction video at a wedding. Listen, I would hope she, I would hope she, I would hope she would have said, I appreciate you building the brand.

Yes, yes. Is that what Jill said? No, she didn't. No, I'm shocked. She didn't. All right, speaking of the brand, who let the Phils get kind of hot? Kind of hot. A little hot.

No, who let the Phils be above average baseball team? Okay, we can go with that. Look, there's a real reason that problem is we'll get into all of it second half. Ideally, we would have recorded yesterday, but wedding. And we got to do it in person. So we could have previewed the second half. Now we're in the second half. Yeah.

It's okay. Yesterday didn't really happen. No. Literally. I mean, they're in the exact same position they were. Actually, half came better. That's right. Suck it, Mets.

Yeah, we're getting closer. And not only are the Mets losing, getting into fights on the field. They're clearly unraveling. You saw this, right? I did not see this. Oh, Marcus Stroman and some dude named John Nagurski or something. I didn't even know he was a baseball player. Bronco Nagurski.

I was like, who the hell is this guy? But I did see that Lindor is banged up. Apparently. Uh-oh. Uh-oh. Uh-oh. Uh-oh. So. Breaking the Phil's way, baby.

Dude, everything is breaking the Phil's way except for the one thing they could do to make sure that things break their way. Yeah. Yeah, the one that would be simple. Yeah. Aaron, you're listening. You're there. Crazy concept. If anyone wanted to settle the is Aaron Nolan ace debate, it's been settled.

Not an ace. Well, on the field, we can still have that debate. Not an ace. But, yeah, it feels like everything's breaking the Phil's way. I just need them to take advantage of it. They need to win the next two, right? Splitting a doubleheader is okay, right? Like, it's hard to sweep a doubleheader, even against a bad team.

Even with seven innings. And particularly with this Philadelphia Phillies team, whose record, I don't know the numbers, but just from having watched a lot of doubleheaders the last year and a half, I'm guessing it's pretty crappy in doubleheaders, Jack, because I can't remember them ever sweeping one, much less, you know, usually taking one. I don't think I've ever seen a team sweep a doubleheader. I know, I know, you're right usually taking one i don't think i've ever seen a team i know you're right like i don't think i've

ever seen rare i don't think i've ever seen a team just like take care of business and whatnot and game two was a clear throw i was like oh we won game one let's just and it's so the philly it's like again we should have gone in and said they're clearly gonna win the matt more versante game and they're clearly gonna to lose the other game. Real quick, is it Alcantara or Alcantara? Because I've heard- Andy Alcantara. Okay, that's what I heard announcers saying.

And then I- I always thought it was Alcantara. I did too. But it seems like every announcer says, okay, so Alcantara- I go by Scott Franski. I go by Scott Franski. Okay, and that's- Franski always says Alcantara.

Okay, so we're going with official. Yes. Okay. They won the Matt with official. Yes. Okay. They won the Matt Moore game. Matt Moore struck out nine guys. All they do is win Matt Moore starts. I know. That's opener in baseball.

They're 7-1 and Matt Moore starts now. That's opener in baseball, Jack. If it comes down to it and you have one game for this team to get into the playoffs and both Zach Wheeler and Matt Moore are fully resting. Who are you starting? Well, yeah, I think you start Moore, and then you let Wheeler pitch the last five, and it's the lock. Good idea. Right?

Let the Phils get out to a big lead. Get the best opener out there, and then shut it down with your ace. Yeah. It's a good strategy. It's what you do. And gotta be honest. Some signs of life from Matt Moore. Dude.

Nine strikeouts. Look, the Marlins stink. Nine strikeouts, and it looked good. The Marlins stink, except when they play the Phillies. Yeah, true. Let's get that out there. Very true. Sadly, very, very true.

Yes. Phillies have a zero-run differential against the rest of baseball, but it's negative. Because of the Marlins. Because of the Marlins. How about that? Yeah, that's shocking. Wow.

But, I mean, yesterday he was back to what he kind of saw in spring training, which was fastballs in, change-ups away, and mixing in that curveball. You mean back when you were in on Matt Moore? Yeah, it was back when I was a big fan of Matt Moore. Let's not let anyone forget Jack Fritz fully bought in on Matt Moore. Matt Moore, who is good now, I believe. You're right all along. What one person said on this podcast.

Never wrong? Is that what you're saying? Well, never wrong when Nappy catches him. I don't trust jade i don't trust jt catching him i think that that that bit is taking a real hit with andrew naps like 480 ops on the season oh no he can't hit but unbelievable what happened i mean he's like the worst hitter on the team well he did have a one year outlier last year but um but i think the era pitching to nap is three four and it's four-8 pitching to JT. Or no, no, no. No.

No. It's 4-3 pitching to Knapp and like 8-10 pitching to JT. That's quite a difference. But also, that was also before he got hurt. But I did like the plan. And a small sample size. Yes. Well, everything's...

I don't care about sample sizes. You know that. But... I know. Three at bats. He's two for three. Best hitter I've ever seen. Yeah.

6-66. 6-67. But he's pitching like... I know. Three at bats. He's two for three. Best hitter I've ever seen. Yeah, 666. Or 667. But he's pitching them likely. Like, honestly, if you're giving me five innings of, like, just keeping the fills in the ballgame, I'll take it. Five innings, two runs, you know, six strikeouts, seven strikeouts, whatever it's going to be. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Let's get a real four in here. No, he's got to go five innings still. More in the four range. He almost got there yesterday. He did. Felt like he was going to get there. I know. I was like, you. No, he's got to go five innings still. More in the four range. He almost got there yesterday. He did. Felt like he was going to get there.

I know. I was like, you're there, buddy. Come on, Matty. You're going to get that W. You're going to get over the hump someday. So now they're what, 7-1 in Matt Moore's? 7-1. And he's 0-1, which is hilarious.

Yep. I think the only decision he got was the one he lost. That's why him and Jacob deGrom are very similar. Yeah. It's hard to tell them apart, Jack. Many, many people are saying the same thing around baseball. But, yeah, it was good. And then, got to be honest, the seventh was a little too easy.

Like, it was a little too, there wasn't much drama. Like, there was just the one hit. Oh, yeah, yeah. It was like nothing. Rangers comes in. Rangers Suarez, dude. Strikes out the side. Like, just, was it? No, you get two out of three. Either way, it was like nothing. Rangers comes in. Rangers Suarez, dude. Strikes out the side. Like, just, was it?

No, you get two out of three. Either way, strikeout loss batter. Like, the Rangers just nails, dude. I know. And I can't tell. I guess I can't tell what the real upside is with them. Like, did we stumble upon a good closer? I mean, maybe.

Look, I think we always talk about, talk about you know look we're big analytics guys and all that but there are certain areas where we don't necessarily fully agree with a lot of the numbers people so to speak or whatever and one of those is with closers like i do think there is a mentality you have to have like a attitude you have to have and r Ranger is not your classic, you know, psychopath, closer type of attitude, but he's clearly got ice in his veins. Like, he's clearly just got that mentality of walking into anything. We've seen it not just when he's closing this year,

but, like, how many times does it feel like he's walked in with, like, bases loaded one out or two on, no out or whatever, and he gets out of it every time. It's like no situation seems to phase this kid. Does he have a pulse? I'm wondering. Does he feel anything?

He's just like, yeah, there's 94. There's a changeup. Just try to hit it. I'll throw any pitch, whatever. Yeah, whatever. Oh, you're prime Barry Bonds? Cool, I don't care. Who?

Yeah, never heard of him. But yeah, it's just, and it's so refreshing. I mean, it's just so refreshing having a guy. I see a guy like just throw a strike. Just come and throw a strike and not be afraid of the moment. And then it's like, doesn't crumble. Doesn't psych himself out. Yeah.

Yeah. And I don't know how good he is. Either way. Either way. If he's not the closer, I would still endorse trading for Kimbrel if they can. Because of his skill set, that is really valuable around other spots. It's like the Andrew Miller thing with the Indians back in the day. If he could be that kind of guy where you could bring him in

in any high leverage situation in a game, and he could give you two innings or plus or whatever, that's a super valuable arm to have on your team outside of having it close. Yeah. Yeah. So he's definitely valuable. And for this team, should just stay there. For sure. outside of having it close. Yeah. Yeah. So he's definitely valuable,

and for this team, should just stay there. For sure. Unless they're going to trade for someone. There's no one else on the roster. Even if he blows a game or whatnot, I don't think it's going to turn into an avalanche. I think he's going to be able to bounce back if things go wrong and then come back next outing and just be the same steadfast guy that he always is.

Yeah, I always say players are human beings and not robots out there. Yeah, I see you said that before. I think Ranger might be a robot. Oh, he might be a robot? He might be the exception to the rule. He might not be a human. He might not be. He might just be a robot, like Terminator out there,

is going to go just mow people down. Locked down closer. Might be locked down closer. All right, second half. So the next two weeks essentially are going to shape this season for the Philadelphia Phillies. Obviously, they have to win games in September. That's the most important part of the season, especially with the history. But they got two more against the Marlins, then two against the Yankees,

and then eight straight at home against the Braves and Nats. And then it's the trade deadline. Like, what does Dave Dombrowski need to see from these guys over the next two weeks to actually go get Craig Kimbrell, to maybe be in on Chris Bryant? And I don't think they can put a package yet. I mean, I guess it's a rental, so you never know what Bryant will cost. But to really be it. Man, it's tough because like how do you how do you judge three weeks worth versus you know

seasons worth yeah from this team or even the beginning of the season um but but here's all i'll say is that if leading up to the last two weeks you have your star player and your first baseman saying we have to put pressure on the front office to go make moves and then they back that up i don't know how you can look the players in the eye and say no we're not gonna we're not gonna make a move here you know i mean like it reminds me a lot of um uh verlander with the astros like remember the astros didn't make the trade deadline and they made the and then the players like almost revolted um in the clubhouse and then they made the trade and they won the World Series,

and obviously they cheated their way to a World Series. But nonetheless, they got Verlander, and the team was upset. Hey, and in that moment, you know what? They won the World Series. I'm sure in the moment, you can't take that moment, that night, that feeling away. And listen, I don't endorse cheating, but if it gets me a World Series this year, let's do. Let's do it. Yeah, buddy. Whatever it takes. Whatever it takes. I'm not

saying that loosely. Whatever it takes. Just get me to the post. But I just think that I think it's a reward for the guys that and the fact that they respond and the fact that, you know, this has been a different brand of baseball, I think, than we have seen in the last couple years. And this is the first time I've felt like they actually, you know, get along. Not that they didn't like each other, but they didn't know how to win together. They didn't know how to play together. We've talked about it a ton. Right, but this is the first time I felt like they actually, you know, do.

And this is the first time that they know each other and they're, like, buying into the rest of the roster and all that stuff. So I think that if they they for the next two weeks continue to prove to Dombrowski that hey you know we're going for it we're really trying we want to make the playoffs we like give us a chance I don't know how Dave can look at those guys in the eyes and and and say not do it you know I I think we all understand that they're not good enough to really win the World Series and all of that. But just kind of throwing in the towel and just kind of, if we don't, we don't,

our way through another season, it's just like, and they're complaining about fans not coming back to the ballpark. It's like, what do you want them to do? It's not the Eagles. People are going to sell out Eagles games a a lot of times this is the philly's like through historical through historical precedence they don't show up until the team proves that they're worth showing up for i don't blame them and then and another season of if we don't we don't our way through a trade deadline i just don't i don't think the fan base will do it

especially if they're playing good baseball heading into it. Yeah, and again, look at where this organization is. I mean, they have, and right or wrong, what is the smartest plan of action moving into the future is a whole separate debate, but where they have placed themselves as an organization is an organization that's supposedly going for it. It's time. It's all in. This is the moment. And they have spent,

I mean, again, they're the fifth highest payroll in baseball, so it is a club that theoretically should be built to win now. So I agree with you. I think it would be hard

for them to kind of sell. Well, and especially, look at the way that the division's breaking for them. Like, dude, Ron Acuna Jr. is out for the year. The Braves stink. Without Acuna, it's a big loss. Someone said yesterday, like, oh, dude, Ron Acuna Jr. is out for the year. The Braves stink. Without Acuna, it's a big loss.

Someone said yesterday, like, oh, well, the Braves have more talent than the Phillies. Not anymore. I'm like, no, they don't. No. No, they don't. No. The Mets, you know, they've just been banged up all year. Did they lose Lindor?

The Mets don't scare me. I mean, like, to just, again, just punt with how the things have broken for the Phils this year would be disappointing. And again, look, they haven't made the playoffs in a decade. We want them to win the World Series. Ultimately, that is the goal in sports. But making the playoffs matters. It's not like there is no value as an organization to making the playoffs

for your fan base, for your players, all that stuff. There is value in it, too, to actually finally getting back over that hump. It's the longest-drawn baseball. Wait. What the hell? Weren't the Mariners longer? National League, excuse me. Longest-drawn in the National League, excuse me.

Yes. National League. Longest-drawn in the National League. Forget I said the thing before. Come on. I know. Mariners, by the way, better record in the Phillies this year. Yeah.

And J.B JB Crawford's like Mariners keep winning baseball games I know JB's like awesome I know I was out in Seattle and I was listening to some sports talk radio

talk about how much they love JB yeah and I was like they're like JB Crawford should be an all-star like all this stuff I'm like

great our JB Crawford our JB different guy yeah did you learn how to hit and I looked it up he's like

at the time it was about like 286 they got dudes man I mean Kalenic has struggled but he's you know julio rodriguez they just brought logan gilbert up i mean he's been for the most part really good and they got uh my guy george kirby they got dudes george kirby's the next to ground like if we're being serious i'm just throwing that take out there if in five years he turns into a superstar like george kirby was my like i remember in the draft when i first started started doing drafts. I remember George Kirby.

I loved him. I loved him. When I watched him, I was like, oh, he's an extra ground. Who is a great opener, but. But this is not a Mariners podcast. Oh, by the way, Seattle Sports Radio was just brutal. Yeah, I can imagine. I can imagine.

Different brand of radio out there, I think. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, no calls calls it was weird um but yeah it's uh it's been it's been a long time with other playoffs and it's just funny because you know all of sports now is so focused on like well can we win a championship and if not what's the point right and and i agree like to an extent. Yeah, on a basic level, it's all about that. Yeah. But, like, man, can we just have fun?

Yeah. Seriously. We elect to do this. I mean, you and I have gotten to the point where our jobs are tied to it and stuff like that, but, like, in general, people elect to be fans of a sports team and to spend their hard-earned money on this team in a variety of ways it's all a choice like we don't have to do it but we do it because we love

this freaking team like yes make it fun for us even if we don't win at all can we enjoy the whole process because that's the freaking point jack now the part that does scare me and this will be the hardest part for me to get over. I don't like that lead-in right there. Is, like, what are we giving up? Well, that's the question. Are we going all in? Like, are we moving?

Like, we all both say right now, Dave, we know you listen, or, you know, your minions listen and tell you what's going on, whatever it is. Mick Abel's untouchable. Oh. Like, untouchable. Yeah. Like, untouchable. Yeah. If you move. Just flat out. I will find, I will become a Mariner's boss if Mick Abel's there.

All right, we're talking Julio Rodriguez, baby. He's going to be awesome. I mean, that'd be kind of fun. Wouldn't it be fun to talk Julio Rodriguez? I'd be like, yeah, buddy, let's talk about that guy. But yeah, it's interesting. Like, I don't know. I would probably move Stott in the right deal.

I wouldn't just give him up for a rental. It would be a lot easier to move Stott if you had taken Khalil Watson. Yeah, it sure would. Although Luis Garcia did have two homers last night. He's back! Remember when we had Sal on to talk Luis Garcia? We were excited about Luis Garcia back in the day. He was very young playing and probably two levels above where he should have.

But, yeah, I just don't know what – I also don't want to give up players who I think can help us in the future for rental. I would give up players – If you know Chris Bryant signing a contract here, okay. That's a different discussion. If you have already figured this out before you trade for Chris Bryant, I would be willing to give up Bryson Stott in that type of trade. Well, I would give a boom.

Well, you'd have to give him more. I'm giving out a name. I would give up players that matter in that type of deal if I know that Chris Bryant is going to be here for the next five to seven years or whatever. That's a very different situation than a rental starter or whatever. That's a very different situation. Yes. Than a rental starter or whatnot. So, but yeah,

the idea that the Phillies have nothing down there like annoys me. Like they do. Like it's not as robust as other teams and I get it because most of their prospects

are like, are young and down in the lower levels. They don't have a lot of major league ready talent. No. Certainly not major league ready high end talent.

Or guys that can go into the fourth inning throwing 95 miles an hour i was taking shots at spencer there i just was too yeah i was trying to be less direct about it but sure yes we're talking about you but yeah uh yeah so it's gonna be really i'm i'm honestly whatever happens i am genuinely fascinated like just fascinated how they're gonna handle handle this. Because if they go all in... Yeah, it's a really... It's a pivot point. Dude, if they go all in,

it's awesome, and we're excited. And we're going to have fun during it. If they don't go all in, it's kind of deflating, but I kind of understand it. It's also probably

the smart, like, long-term health of the organization. It's probably this... Probably. Again, we could be wrong either way, but it's probably

the smartest decision. Yeah, and then there's always the Andy McPhail deadline, which was Jason Vargas, Wilson Ramos, Jose Bautista. Honestly, as much as this is not exciting to hear, I think that those are the more likely type of trades we'll see. And look, to be fair, just because Klintak and McPhail, I almost cursed there, bleeped those trades up and did a bad job with those type of trades.

Doesn't mean that those type of trades can't work. Like you see teams every year make those, you know, kind of cosmetic type of moves to their roster that actually end up having a real difference on the team. You just need to make the right freaking moves. But yeah, it's a really precarious spot for this team and it's a weird spot. Now, obviously the ideal type of moves out there are the, you know, obviously we'll get to cole in a sec but but that type of thing but the ideal type of moves are find a team that wants to dump some money and just take on salary if you can like if you can give up a lower tier prospect to take on a bigger salary or something like john get the checkbook out brother like it's time all right i know the whole luxury that how many times we

talked about that here we've reached the point like cross bleeping tax bro like if that if that's what it takes to improve the roster in a significant way i would way rather go over the luxury tax than give up real prospects yeah and i i do feel like he would rather do the same because i think the way he talked about and i hope this is the case but the way he talked about in that press conference about how we haven't drafted and developed talent well in 100 years or whatever. Well, you know, let's give the prospects a chance. Don't just trade them away. Yeah.

Right. So if it's just money. And listen, this is probably their best chance for a little bit until until like the next wave of talent comes in. Certainly. chance for a little bit until until like the next wave of talent comes in certainly and also certainly to your point if you're going to do those type of deals you're hopefully doing it for the next couple years and you're willing to add more in the offseason and free agency and be willing to really go over the luxury tax if you do that type of thing and then you could you know have a couple year run here where you're certainly the the one of the favorites if not the favorite

in the division and then you you see what happens kind of thing so what you're saying is you want him to go get chris bryant and pay him yeah that's exactly what i'm saying i don't want to give up a lot for him which is the tougher part of it but yeah like i want deals where i'm i i want john middleton to spend money right now because you know what that is the only real way without hurting the long-term health of the franchise that you can take this group that you've committed to in a meaningful way and that isn't that far away right like they're not there but they're not like like there is stuff you can work with here that you can really build on just spend just spend spend yeah what's your gut say i don't think he's going to okay yeah that's from again i know i it's

what i've been at. I know. I will continue to say until John Middleton goes over the luxury tax, I will not believe John Middleton is going over the luxury tax. But that is the easiest way to improve your roster right now without hurting your long-term franchise. Yeah. I know.

And it's not that big of a penalty. No. It's nothing. It's pocket change. I know. I know. I know. You know who I'm sure is not going to be afraid to go in the luxury docks?

Steve Cohen is not going to be afraid to go in the luxury docks. He's like, wait, how much is it? He's like, I'm worth $12 billion. He's like, yeah, go for it. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, that's the way he was able to... Can we just, quick public service announcement, just, diseased Phillies fans,

just prepare for Chris Bryan to potentially be at Mets. Like, don't be completely caught off guard when Chris Bryan to potentially be a mat like don't be completely caught off guard when Chris Bryan and Craig Kimbreller traded the Mets okay because that is on the table yeah I know I'm just getting people ready I mean you know because that's you want to talk about disappointing you know Ken Rosenthal tweets or whatever it is like man we're all sitting there like oh maybe they'll go all in or whatever. And then all of a sudden it's like, bam, hammer. Yeah. It's going to suck.

Yeah. So just be mentally in that space where it doesn't just knock you on your ass. Yeah. Well, they did just go well over slot for Kamar Rocker. I know, man. Yeah. I know. Yeah.

I know. At least it wouldn't go over slot for Khalil Watson. But yeah, sure. But what does make me a little happy is that if the reports are true, like Middleton in the offseason was like, Steve Cohen's doing all this? I'm not going to let him just get away with everything. I'll believe it when I see it.

So will I. Yeah. So will I. John Middleton, you know, he's got a lot to prove. It's time. Yeah. It's time. It's time.

He's got a lot of work to get back to Jack. All right. Speaking of which, yeah, oh, my God. Jack is, I don't even know if you can see Jack. It's so. It's time. He's got a lot of work to get back to Jack. All right, speaking of which, yeah, oh, my God. Jack is, I don't even know if you can see Jack. It's so far in front. Cole, have you heard anything about the workout yesterday? I haven't heard too many reports from it. It's the like you wrote this morning.

I know there were 20 teams there or whatever, which is. A lot. A lot. I guess teams need pitching help. Yeah. And they're like, oh, it would be nice to just pay somebody for it. That sounds good. Why would 20 teams need to show up? Well, it seems like a lot, man well it seems like a lot man it seems like a lot it's like you sure yeah um but i guess

as lucky wrote that his average fastball velocity was 88.5 and he was up to 90 um so that's basically what he was in like his one brave start last year but also he was hurt yeah so he was he's apparently fully healthy now so um i mean and then, and that's without even ramping up. Yeah, he wouldn't start for a couple weeks at least, probably three weeks or something. Yeah, it's like he said a month. Yeah, something like that. Like, that would be my guess.

Yeah, so the fact that he's already 88 to 90 still. He got up to 91, 92, 93 range. And, like, Colton succeeded that. That's what he was like in Chicago. He's not a guy that you need to blow. No, he's a change of speed guy yeah fastball change up guy so yeah that doesn't

scare me at all like the fact that it wasn't 84 you know right wasn't the people walked out and been like wow Cole doesn't look great

I threw 84 for what it's worth like that's not not anymore no not anymore not even close no

but it's just hard for me to get over that like i can't trust the major league i get it who at once yeah yeah throws when you wait you through i get that um i think that's actually really uh that's you looking inside yourself and and saying you know what i'm not good enough to be major league pitchers that's good well i didn't appreciate that perspective from you i decided that a long time ago. Actually, the scouts decided for me that I wasn't. That's really what it was. I personally thought I had a chance, but the scouts said,

believe it or not, command guys aren't the new rage. Especially ones without not perfect command either. Well, I used to have good command. Did you? Just because I haven't had it in seven years doesn't mean I don't have it anymore. And that's, I mean, that's the only reason I'm sitting here on this podcast talking to you.

But yeah, so listen, if he can get up to 90, I think realistically you should be able to get up to 91, 92, you know, if you give him a month to ramp up, get that arm even healthier.

And with an organization. Yeah. Yeah. So do it. Do it do it yeah just do it this is again we've talked about from every angle i mean john middleton as we know you know the the speaking of todd zalecki the infamous pole yeah like john middleton cares about you know the fans being interested in the ball club john this is one those rare, rare moves where you have to do so little to gain so much. Yeah.

Jeez Louise, dude. Like, it's a few million bucks probably. Like, just give it to him. Also. Bring the MVP home, the World Series MVP, all the good vibes. And, oh, by the way, he'll help your team. Also, they did offer him. Like, they made him a $9 million a year offer last year

I know and he got 18 from the Braves Just to show Which was ridiculous But still just to show how far off the mark they were And that's pretty aggressively off the mark He definitely got more than 9 from other teams If you got 18 from the Braves That's kind of a slap in the face to offer him 9

It is but What do you mean? He got double it I'm sure he got 12, 14, whatever Like, that's kind of a slap in the face to offer him nine. It is, but at the end of the day. What do you mean? He got double it. I know, but they're right. I'm sure he got like 12, 14, whatever. He got hurt. Hindsight, right?

In the moment, like, the point is, is like, you know, Cole was definitely like nine? Really? Thanks, Phillies. Like, that would have been his reaction. But what if it was actually their offer for this year? Oh. Yeah, it was like a offer for this year oh yeah it was like a year out well then i would be like why are you giving him nine million dollars right now that is way too much money yeah pull it together yeah but nine million dollars for like a third of a

season i don't think so regardless prorated maybe regardless they made him an offer yeah so at least there might be a little bit of interest and like dude it's such a win-win like it's like and the whole idea that if he comes back you know any pitch is bad people are gonna get on him no they're not no like no one's gonna be like he's cole hamels he's first of all he's cole hamels and everyone knows he's 37 years old 38 is he yeah oh he's almost catching up to you buddy um but like but everyone knows he's almost catching up to you, buddy. But everyone knows he's not coming back. No one's going to think they're watching 08 Cole Hamels.

We're not idiots. Everyone's going to be on the same page here. I mean, I would hope, right? Obviously, there's going to be morons. There's going to be some morons. But for the most part, people are going to be like, I'm glad Cole's back. Yeah. So here's my one other issue with this.

I'm glad Cole's back yeah so here's my one other issue with this are we sure that Dave Dombrowski has not just been asleep for the entire

are we sure he's like woken up yet this season is he in a coma or something he is on the road trip I mean what has happened I mean like guys just

keep getting traded it's like oh Jock Peterson I'd have taken Jock Peterson for that sure why not like why not

Jock Peterson's terrible not against right hand pitching yeah well we terrible. Not against right-handed pitching. Yeah, well, we saw that. Dude crushes right-handed pitching. Either way, look, I'm not saying they should have gone for Jack Peterson, but it does feel like there have been a few of those deals. Earlier in the season, the Tauchman deal. It just feels like it doesn't feel like I've heard the Phillies really be in

on anything. Well, except for Buxton. And they have not. Yeah, let's go get the – I can't think of – like, honestly, for Byron Buxton's sake, I hope he doesn't end up a Philly. Why? Because that guy can't stay on the field. You think he's going to come here and the fortunes are going to turn right for him?

When does that happen? When does a guy come to the Phillies and all of a sudden all his ailments and all his issues go the right way? You don't think that's going to happen? No. Not for this team? I like that. I mean, he's super talented, but, like, literally has never, ever, ever stayed on the field.

Yeah, now the one this year was a freak injury. Yeah. But, you know, and Heyman puts a tweet out like, superstar, Brian. It's like, he's not. It was like, bro. He's not a superstar. Superstar. He's a very valuable player.

He's a really nice player. Yeah. He would have a year and a half left. He plays elite center field. He's one of the fastest guys in the sport. It would be crazy watching a plus plus fielder on this team it would be i don't know if we can handle no it'd be like like even just watching ronald torres when he plays it's like oh look at that is that ozzy smith out there whoa is he the greatest player um but and he's a really nice fielder he's not

like an all-time great he just makes the plays like a nice fielder crazy yes crazy concept but like watching byron buxton be plays in her field it would be like is this allowed what's that look i would love to upgrade that position yeah i think that if we're talking offensively that's the number one upgrade i think positionally that you're looking to make uh yeah because they have a what a 666 OPS amongst center fielders of the year. That guy who everyone was all excited about. Yeah, it cooled off a little bit. Well, yeah, classic.

Who didn't see this coming? Who didn't think of? But with Buxton, I just don't know what you're giving up. Because he obviously has great upside, and he was having an amazing year before he got hurt, and he's obviously a plus defender. So even if he doesn't hit, you're still getting that. He's a year and a half left.

Like, are we paying a hefty price for him? I don't know. I hope not. Yeah. You probably have to, but is that really worth it? I'm not paying it. No. No.

No. No. It's not. It's not worth it. For a year and a half of Buxton, who will probably play like half a year of it? No. Play a full season, and maybe I'll trade who will probably play like half a year of it? No. Play a full season, and maybe I'll trade for you. But it would be fun.

No. We're not making moves for fun right now. We're making moves to win, Jack. That a guy. That a guy. All about business over there. Yes. This is serious stuff, Jack.

Yeah. I'm good on the Buxton trade. I would trade for him, but I wouldn't give up the house He's not my all in trade Yeah you absolutely If you make an all in trade for Byron Buxton I'm losing my I'm cursing alright that's the deal

If they go all in and trade like Stott and this And that and whatever for Byron Buxton I'm coming on this podcast and I'm cursing And Jack can't stop me Deal? Deal. Okay. So don't do that. What if it's for

Buxton, Duffy and Donaldson? Buxton. Throw in Taylor Rodgers and maybe I'll really start to lean that way. Taylor Rodgers would look good in a Phillies uniform. He would. He's nasty. I already have a good lefty closer. I'll take two. Are you kidding me?

Another guy can give you an inning or two if you need it. And we'll take Thad Levine. Oh, can we do that? Yeah. Done. I would make that trade. All right. I would make that trade.

All right. What else did I have? I don't have my notes in front of me. We're doing a radio show in a couple minutes. I know. How about that? I know. They're forcing me to talk Eagles today.

Jack's being forced to talk Eagles today. It's going to be great. Yeah. No one's going to hear this. If you do, if you're one of those people who listen immediately and you hear this, pause it, flip over, listen to Jack on WIP, then go back, and then you'll have the extra good context of what we... We don't even know what we're going to talk about.

Yeah, we're figuring that out. Yeah, we did this first. We cared a lot more about this than that. Don't tell anyone, like our bosses and whatnot. Not that we have one right now, anyway. Yeah. In limbo. Just hanging out.

All right, what do you got in the take bag? You got anything in the take bag? I do think that Ron Torres needs to retire as a Philly. I need him to stay here forever. So I was going to go a step further and say, I think they should just build the statue now, like Nick Foles style, where it's there while he's here. The whole, you know, just have it outside Cesar McMartin.

He is, I mean, Girardi has gotten a lot questionably done here, but keeping Torres was undoubtedly the right move. Hand up, thought he stunk. We all did. I know. We never thought he stunk defensively. We always thought he was a good defensive player. It was just, I didn't think he'd hit. And not just does he hit, he gets clutch hits. He's Mr. Clutch. I know. We never really stuck defensively. We always thought he was a good defensive player. It was just, I didn't think he'd hit.

And not just does he hit, he gets clutch hits. He's Mr. Clutch. I know. Him and, boy, Travis did not have a good first impression. The worst, I would say. Like, you could argue one of, if not the worst, single first moment as a Phillies player. I mean, again, we've said it a million times. We've never seen that happen before,

like that, with the catcher actually dragging him. I said cut him. It tweeted cut him right now. I was wrong. Hand up again. A lot of hands up here. He is a nice player. He's another really good, smart player.

And you even saw it. You saw it in the first inning yesterday of the first game where he came up and Rojas was going to third base and instead of trying to make that throw and get him out, he started second base and kept the double play in order. And it's like, look at that baseball IQ. I didn't know that was allowed. So, and then he, I mean, the first game was.

4 RBI, buddy. Yeah, basically. The Travis Jangowski game. So. He had two, he had two, he had two hits for 4 RBI and I don't think either, like it was like the softest two RBI hits I've ever seen. The bases. Fantastic.

The bases clearing double was hilarious. It was like a, you mean, can we just call it a bases clearing ground ball? It was a bases clearing double. Like chopper or whatever you want to say. It was smoked. It was great. It was smoked. Placement.

He hit it exactly where he wanted to. Hit them where they ain't. Yeah. That's part of the game. But yeah, the bench is really rounding in this one. And these guys are stepping up and they're starting to develop their own, like, I believe that guy. I trust that guy.

I think that's big. Bryce is batting like 313 in his last 22 games. And again, I just, if he didn't get hit in the face, I just want to know what Bryce Harper season we're getting. We're at MVP. Now I will say, dehydration, dude. Yeah, just drink some more. Second game of the freaking start of the second half?

Really, bro? Yeah. Bryce. I don't know. Something doesn't pass my smell test on that. You think it was something else? Yeah. Like, it just, I just find it hard to believe

that an athlete becomes dehydrated that much. Yeah, and especially, like, the second game back after, it's not like he's, like, played eight days in a row and he's feeling it. I have no idea. He just had a huge break. He was just off the entire time. Yeah, I have no idea.

I'm just saying that it felt fishy. Like, I feel like kind of a thing to say to get people off their back. Okay. And I'm just wondering what the real story is. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. So I don't know anything, but it just doesn't feel right.

I agree. It definitely felt weird. It was like, what? Yeah. You missed the game? You said, what? Yeah. So, but yeah, we could have been in line for a massive season.

Also, if you had to guess, what was his OPS last year? Like 880? Dude, it was 953. What? Yeah, I didn't even realize that. What? I know, I know. Obviously, not many games.

That's really a fantastic season. Yeah, because his OPS is 900 right now. And I was like, oh, he's never had that as a Philly. 953? Yeah. How do I not know that? I looked at it, too. I was like, that's not.

That doesn't sound right. So, yeah, he's just smoking the ball. Just staying up. Speaking of which, and, you know, another guy to our points earlier, like, you know, easy solutions right now. Do the right thing. But Alec Boehm, hopefully getting back from the COVID list, like another guy who has actually been better offensively, like, you know, minus actually lifting the ball,

but batted like.309 or something,.329 in June. He's batting like.280 in July when playing. Like, that's a guy who could maybe make a difference, you know, if he's on the field and playing. Yeah. So, offense, I trust the offense a lot right now. They're in a good spot. Today's a big game.

I mean, they got – It really is. Today is a big baseball game. Like, we'll see how they bounce back from the 7-0 loss. And, look, they got to show that they can – Guess what? We all talk about how easy the second-half schedule is. A big reason we talk about it, or everybody talks about it being easy,

is because there's a lot of freaking Marlins games on it. All right? So, like, find a way to beat this team consistently. Everyone else can. Everyone else does it. Like, find a way to beat this team consistently. Not this team. But, yeah, massive one today, massive series.

And High Hopes Night. High Hopes Night. All right. Saturday, July 24th it is like um not our classic high hopes night because technically we are not allowed to give away any tickets here but listen to the midday show listen the afternoon show on wip we're giving tickets away all this week coming up plus you can register for tickets jack let me pull up the link here go to our twitters yeah go to our go to our twitters uh our instagram i put it up and put the link in the bio um but if you go to

94wip.com slash contest it's like the first one it is it is odyssey dot or odyssey.com slash 94wip slash contest slash miller dash lights dash ring dash the bell. You got all that? Does everyone have all that? I don't even know if I finished it. No, because then there's a dash night dash with dash wip dash on dash

7 dash 24 dash 21 hashtag slash slash and then also I think we'll put it in the link of this podcast and go you can register for tickets

or give away ticks we will be there we'll be hanging for an hour before the game be there for the game hanging out come hang out with us watch the game, hanging out. Come hang out with us. Watch the game. Yeah, sure. Hopefully, I mean,

Phil's don't lose on a high-heels night. Phil's Braves, no, no, no. Undefeated. I think. I don't really remember what happened last. I don't remember the first time. I know you don't remember it. The one on last Saturday, they won.

They won. They won, eight-run inning. They've never not had an eight-run inning. All right. Pretty good. Yeah, if anyone remembers if they actually won the game when we went to it two years ago. Yeah.

No memory. Totally forget. I know Pavetta came in. Yeah. Oh, yeah. I think they lost. I think they lost. If Pavetta's coming out of the bullpen,

I'm pretty sure they lost. Pretty sure they lost. Pretty sure they lost. All right, so check that out. It's going to be a blast. We'll be down there. And if you listen to this immediately, check us out on the radio.

Talking some birds. One to three. Talking some birds. Saturday WIP talking birds. If you ever wanted to hear Jack Bridge fight his natural instincts and actually talk some eagles, check it out.

I can talk eagles. I know you can. You wouldn't be here otherwise. All right. High hopes night. Check out the tickets. Let us know. We definitely will be there.

Let us know if you're coming. All that stuff. Any final thoughts, Fritzy? Win today. Win tomorrow. Win a lot more. He's Fritz himself. We'll see you later. win tomorrow win a lot more he spritzed himself to us earlier all star closer Kenley Jansen we have a question

what's the best podcast of all time baseball isn't boring baby I'm Rob Bradford and every single day I'm sitting down with the biggest names to show you this great game is the greatest game. It's my podcast. It's my passion. It's a cause I started more than two years ago.

It is now the most prolific national daily baseball pod. There is another fact. So jump aboard the BIB express, follow and listen to baseball isn't boring presented by wasabi, hot cloud storage on the free odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts.