PhilaPhans

Phillies' 2024 Spring Training Pitchers & Catchers - February 13th

Full Squad Report - February 19th

First Spring Game:

Phillies @ Blue Jays - Feb 24, 2024

Matt Gelb
@MattGelb
Zack Wheeler and the Phillies have started negotiations on a potential contract extension, Wheeler said. It's early in the process. Can it happen before spring ends? "Hopefully it does," Wheeler said. "I love it here. We're happy here."

Phillies sign Whit Merrifield.

It's 1 year, $7 million, though it's a essentially $8M, because there's a $1M buyout on the 2025 team option.

I don't love it.
He's 35 and his hitting skills have been in decline.

He sounds versatile in theory, but in reality his only decent infield position is second base.

Phillies are counting on him being able to play a lot of LF and CF as a backup.

My first thought is Josh Harrison 2.0. It's probably not going to be THAT bad, but this feels like a waste of money.

Probably knocks Pache off the roster, pending Marsh's return.

FROM THE INQUIRER:

..."after meeting for three hours Dec. 14 with Yamamoto and his agents, and making a presentation that featured a video appearance by Bryce Harper, the Phillies offered more money than any team, according to multiple industry sources. That includes the Dodgers, who won the Yamamoto auction with a 12-year, $325 million bid that stands as the largest guarantee for any pitcher ever."

Keep this in mind for when Rōki Sasaki is able to leave Japan for the MLB

Christopher wrote: ↑Tue Feb 20, 2024 3:18 pm FROM THE INQUIRER:

..."after meeting for three hours Dec. 14 with Yamamoto and his agents, and making a presentation that featured a video appearance by Bryce Harper, the Phillies offered more money than any team, according to multiple industry sources. That includes the Dodgers, who won the Yamamoto auction with a 12-year, $325 million bid that stands as the largest guarantee for any pitcher ever."

Keep this in mind for when Rōki Sasaki is able to leave Japan for the MLB

maybe itll help in the future b/c up to this point, theyve only dabbled in that market. if you can even call it that.

I think Middleton is absolutely ready to make a splash on another huge free agent, but he's correctly being picky

Shuffling the money offered to Yamamoto to Snell, Montgomery, Bellinger or Hader wouldn't have been wise.

I can absolutely see Middleton being a serious contender in the Soto derby next winter, especially considering Schwarber & Realmuto are only signed through 2025 and Castellanos through 2026

Final roster decisions being made.

[March 24: Phillies trade OF Jake Cave to Rockies for cash considerations
Cave, who was claimed off waivers by the Phillies prior to the 2023 season, hit .212/.272/.348 in 65 games for Philadelphia last year. The six-year veteran hit .324/.342/.405 in 38 plate appearances this spring.]

Still looking to see what happens with Pache and Rojas.

[The Philadelphia Phillies and reliever Matt Strahm agreed to a contract extension through 2025 with a club/vesting option for 2026, the team announced Sunday.

The financial details of the deal weren't disclosed.]