A Critical Look at the Phillies Organization and Minor League Baseball
So far the Phillies have made 5 trades in and around the deadline bringing in IF Asdrubel Cabrera, C Wilson Ramos, LHP Aaron Loup, 1B Justin Bour, and LHP Luis Avilan while shipping out Franklyn Kilome, McKenzie Mills, Jacob Waguespack, Jake Thompson, Zach Curtis, and now Felix Paulino and potentially Jose Taveras (Taveras was designated … Read more
The Phillies designated Ricardo Pinto for assignment over the weekend when they signed Scott Kingery to a major league deal and brought him to the majors. On Wednesday they traded Pinto to the White Sox for international bonus pool money. Unlike the trade that send Eliezer Alvarez to Texas for cash, the Phillies actually received … Read more
The Phillies traded second baseman Eliezer Alvarez to the Rangers for Cash Considerations. On the surface it is a trade that makes sense. The Phillies designated Alvarez for assignment earlier this week in an effort to keep Pedro Florimon in the organization by giving him a 40 man roster spot (more on that late). Once … Read more
Ever since J.P. Crawford broke onto the scene Freddy Galvis’ days at shortstop were numbered. After the Phillies traded Jimmy Rollins in the winter of 2014, Galvis held down the Phillies’ shortstop job. His reputation was for a good glove and not much bat. Galvis’ glove was inconsistent in 2015, but in 2016 and 2017 … Read more
This morning was the Rule 5 draft. As was indicated all week after the Phillies waived Cam Perkins and Engelb Vielma, the Phillies made their selection at #3. They selected Twins former 1st round pick, RHP Nick Burdi. Burdi is a hard throwing reliever with high upside. However, after missing most of 2016 to injury, … Read more
I wrote earlier today about the players the Phillies could protect and how they could protect them. Here is what the Phillies actually did: Added to 40 man: Seranthony Dominguez, Franklyn Kilome, Jose Taveras, Ranger Suarez Claimed on Waivers: Engelb Vielma Outrighted: Elniery Garcia Designated For Assignment: Mark Appel, Alberto Tirado I don’t have anything to add about the … Read more
By 8 pm Eastern today baseball teams must make the additions to their rosters to protect players from the Rule 5 draft. Since the Phillies started their rebuild, their 40 man roster has become a precious resource as each year a new wave of prospects forces uncomfortable protection decisions. Last year, with an uncertain CBA, … Read more
First I want to apologize for going a bit nuts last week about the Phillies not protecting Carlos Tocci from minor league free agency. It turns out that Tocci (and Jiandido Tromp and Harold Arauz) are not free agents because baseball’s contract rules are incredibly confusing. Both will be Rule 5 eligible if not added … Read more
This piece is a companion to my J.P. Crawford major league preview on Crashburn Alley. In a game that probably should not have been close, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs clinched a wild card berth for the International League playoffs. After the game it was announced that the Pigs would have to go on without their … Read more
It is August 31 and the Phillies are limping towards the end of the season. That means tomorrow the Phillies can call up reinforcements to help get them to the end of the season. Don’t expect much on September 1 though. However, the AA and AAA seasons end on September 4th and that provides another … Read more