I suspect they got Santana to hit behind Hoskins.

10 minutes after the signing was on Twitter:

PatNeshek
Hmmm...taking #41 should be safe to take...nobody would want that right

I can't imagine Hosmer gets that much. He's only had 1 really good season really. I bet he doesn't even get $100 million.

bleh wrote:I can't imagine Hosmer gets that much. He's only had 1 really good season really. I bet he doesn't even get $100 million.

I think you're gonna be surprised, especially since he's known as a WINNER

Bucky wrote:where is tact? Is that near clearwater???

I don't think I ever used that word ever and you ruined my moment. Thanks.

BigEd76 wrote:Without going nuts this offseason, they had to do someone to show next year's FA class they're serious about winning. The more I read it about, if they think Santana isn't just a DH playing 1B and Hoskins can handle LF for a full season, it's a good signing. I don't wanna give up Williams or Altherr for nothing though.

Yeah, the quotes about Hoskins' and Santana's defense make me feel a bit better. And I wasn't on teh negative side to begin , wince it's always nice to have people who can hit. but watching a beer league softball team isn't too enticing and had a lot of dissonance with the "run prevention" being bandied about.

OBP baby

I think you can make a case for just keeping all of Herrera, Altherr and Williams and just rotating guys based on righty lefty and matchups. Someone is always hurt. Cam Perkins is gone. Roman Quinn is always hurt. Next guy is Andrew Pullin or Cozens I guess. You're really only talking about rotating 5 guys for 4 positions

True, but I’m wondering whether the Phils’ rumored interest in Cargo isn’t as a replacement in anticipation of trading one of young OF as part of a larger plan (e.g., Machado or starting pitching).

Matt Gelb‏Verified account
@MattGelb
Seasons of a .350 OBP or greater, 2011-17:
Carlos Santana, 7
The Phillies, 4

I would bet we will be a top 10 team in baseball offensively next year in runs scored. I want Machado. I hope the rotation rounds out because the team can pull an Eagles with even decent pitching.

I love Pivetta and I think he is a good #3 this year. After that... want Darvish.

If we can get Machado without trading anyone on the 25 we will be in business. I think Cesar will have to go which sucks. It will be Hernandez, Pinto, Sixto and probably VV.

WilliamC wrote:I would bet we will be a top 10 team in baseball offensively next year in runs scored.

I'm your huckleberry.

We were 27th this year. I'd settle for league-average this year. That would be a big step forward.

Shore wrote:

WilliamC wrote:I would bet we will be a top 10 team in baseball offensively next year in runs scored.

I'm your huckleberry.

We were 27th this year. I'd settle for league-average this year. That would be a big step forward.

What were they ranked in the second half of the season?

Seems more like a deal to setup a move for a Fulmer, Archer, or Cole type

WilliamC wrote:I would bet we will be a top 10 team in baseball offensively next year in runs scored. I want Machado. I hope the rotation rounds out because the team can pull an Eagles with even decent pitching.

I love Pivetta and I think he is a good #3 this year. After that... want Darvish.

If we can get Machado without trading anyone on the 25 we will be in business. I think Cesar will have to go which sucks. It will be Hernandez, Pinto, Sixto and probably VV.

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Doll Is Mine wrote:

Shore wrote:

WilliamC wrote:I would bet we will be a top 10 team in baseball offensively next year in runs scored.

I'm your huckleberry.

We were 27th this year. I'd settle for league-average this year. That would be a big step forward.

What were they ranked in the second half of the season?

They scored 338 pre-ASG (87 G) and 352 post-ASG (75 games). Not sure that helps, but I'm not breaking down every team and can't find that stat readily-accessible on B-R.

Squire wrote:I think you can make a case for just keeping all of Herrera, Altherr and Williams and just rotating guys based on righty lefty and matchups. Someone is always hurt. Cam Perkins is gone. Roman Quinn is always hurt. Next guy is Andrew Pullin or Cozens I guess. You're really only talking about rotating 5 guys for 4 positions

Plus, they have been talking about giving everyone a chance to "be the best version of themselves." That means rotating guys based on matchups, who's hot, etc.

I want to believe there's another shoe to drop, but I'm not sure there is.

I don't know why everyone isn't head-over-heels in love with this deal. Another guy who - *gasp* - will take a fucking pitch after years of watching Freddie (god love him) and Maikel (the devil take him). Maybe he and Rhys Hoskins' approach will rub off on, say, Nick Williams or Aaron Altherr. Three years at $20M is reasonable considering how much payroll room the Phils have and besides everything he adds lefty balance against RH pitching to Hoskins and can be used to break up late inning relief. Lineup that looks like this:

Odubel
Hernandez (SS)
Altherr
Hoskins
Santana
Kingery
Crawford (3B)
Knapp / Alfaro

has me pretty excited actually. Great deal IMHO.

Next year you load up the money trucks and get Machado if you don't trade for him now, and also sign Clayton Kershaw for the $$$$$$$$$

Echoing the sentiment upthread....it felt great to be relevant again today.