Slowhand wrote:What is happening right now?

like you don't know

azrider wrote:

heyeaglefn wrote:Who Shadow? No clue. I know who you hate.

he's a good kid, just annoys me. kinda like a friend who does too much blow at a party. however i think he took a little trip somewhere and got off that shit. good for him. happens to the best of us.

so it is bucky

Someone accused Shadow of being Spike Eskin a while back.

SwingOnThis wrote:Someone accused Shadow of being Spike Eskin a while back.

I don't agree with many of Shadow's takes but let's not insult him like this.

helpus88 reincarnated?

Jayson Stark‏Verified account @jaysonst · 5m5 minutes ago
People keep asking what I expect the Phillies to do. Here's what I've heard:

*Add "at least" 2 starters - one big multiyear deal, the other(s) trade/upside/1-year-deal types

*Stay in the mix on Cole. Would take an Arrieta-like scenario to sign him - i.e., Last Team Standing

This doesn't make sense. Cole and Arrieta aren't close to the same situation.

Jayson Stark‏Verified account @jaysonst · 38s38 seconds ago
Beyond the rotation:

*Phillies still trying to trade Maikel Franco. More likely to non-tender him.

*Ditto on Cesar Hernandez. Less likely to non-tender him.

*Add 3B, 2B and/or CF. Kingery bounces to spot they don't fill.

*Shop for bounceback relievers (e.g. a Betances type?)

Last one is easy: We’ve got a bullpen full of our own bounce back relievers.

SwingOnThis wrote:Someone accused Shadow of being Spike Eskin a while back.

There is a thread in the archives on that topic.

SixerLed3 wrote:

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Phillies’ search for a new hitting coach appears to be nearing the finish line, as three candidates have emerged from the pack.

The Phillies, according to a source, have narrowed their search to Nationals assistant hitting coach Joe Dillon, former Phillies hitting coach Matt Stairs, and current Mets hitting coach Chili Davis. The Phillies interviewed Stairs last week over the phone and have an interview scheduled this week with Dillon. Davis is not yet under contract for 2020 with the Mets.

https://www.inquirer.com/phillies/phila ... 91111.html

Chili's out

JonHeyman
Chili Davis and the Mets are close to working out an arrangement to bring him back as hitting coach. Alonso, McNeil, Davis and Rosario all had nice to great years under Chili. The Phillies had been reported to be seriously considering Chili.

Salisbury and Breen both connecting the Phillies with Cole and Strasburg in articles today.

Which Cole?

JFLNYC wrote:Which Cole?

Gerrit. Breen mentioned there could sign one of Gerrit Cole or Strasbourg then look to Hamels on a shorter deal.

JFLNYC wrote:Which Cole?

gerritt. klentak spoke to reporters at the gm meetings in arizona.

Sign one of Cole/Stras to be the #1.
Nola is #2
Trade or take a flyer on someone to be the #3.
Arrietta is #4
Sign Chloe to be our #5
Start Eflin in the ML to be ready to take over for Arrietta/Chloe when they get hurt.

This is about the only scenario I see us making a legit run at the playoffs.

I think Howard is at the back end of the rotation this season.

Eflin probably stays in the rotation as a bridge to Howard and then filling in for an injured aging pitcher. Hamels makes way too much sense. I just see G. Cole going to the west coast. It'd be great to get Strasburg and I'd settle for Wheeler.

thought it was spelled ggeerriitt

stevemc wrote:I think Howard is at the back end of the rotation this season.

Eflin probably stays in the rotation as a bridge to Howard and then filling in for an injured aging pitcher. Hamels makes way too much sense. I just see G. Cole going to the west coast. It'd be great to get Strasburg and I'd settle for Wheeler.

I agree with you. I think they end up signing Wheeler and Hamels.

Arrieta might be the worst bet among our existing starters. He's declined 4 consecutive years, and was basically a 5-inning terrible pitcher this year.

By declining 4 consecutive years, I mean EACH of the following got worse EVERY year since his peak in 2015:

IP
IP per start
ERA
ERA+
FIP
WHIP
K
H9

A few others narrowly missed declining every year, with a 1-year hiccup along the way: K9, BB9, K/BB, HR9, HR.

I hope he's not done, but I can't find any evidence that he deserves to be in a rotation for a playoff-hopeful team.