Phillies Fans Already Clamoring for Another High Priced Star
I remember there was a day when Phillies fans used to complain about teams like the Yankees and the Red Sox “buying championships”. One of the greatest pride points of…
I remember there was a day when Phillies fans used to complain about teams like the Yankees and the Red Sox “buying championships”. One of the greatest pride points of the fan base was that the 2008 and 2009 Phillies made it to the World Series, winning once, with a largely home grown team. You watched the ascension of players like Howard, Utley, Rollins and Hamels come up through the system to lead the franchise. There was a satisfaction in knowing that the organization had a talent funnel that worked.
Since Dave Dombrowski has come into control, he targeted the minor league system as a focus. The problem is that is like planting a seed in what was very rough soil. It will take time to get the fruit off that vine. There is reportedly great progress being made as is witnessed by a free wheeling dominant team in A ball. To see those younger players arrive in Citizens Bank Park is most likely 3 seasons away. It will give Dombrowski a plethora of talent down the line that he can use in deals to upgrade the major league roster.
It’s all good news because we have already seen a commitment to winning and spending from the ownership led by John Middleton. They are willing to take on payroll if it translates to winning on the field and butts in the seats. Citizens Bank Park could be heading towards a staggering 3M fans this season. It’s an ambitious goal coming off the 2.2M they drew in 2022, but they are packing the house and starting tonight have the most home games left to play in baseball.
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Earlier this week the story broke that the St. Louis Cardinals will be “trading guys” according to their ownership. They plan on jump-starting a re-tooling by dealing off some higher-priced veterans. The buzz was that a trade of Nolan Arenado to the Phillies was maybe even discussed and that Alec Bohm would be the centerpiece player potentially returned. I’m not so sure that you would need to give away Bohm in a deal but I’d be intrigued. You will have to part with some starting pitching prospects and I’m more than OK with that. Fans seemed all on board with acquiring another high-priced A-lister. Then came Thursday!
Now the rumors are that when he hits free agency Juan Soto would be interested in joining the Phillies. Every fan has reason to be excited about that possibility AND it won’t cost you anything more than a top draft pick and a load of cash to acquire. I like that idea far more than giving up young pieces like an Alec Bohm in a deal. Plus, how much is too much to spend? Are the Phillies ready to become one of the Top 2 payrolls in baseball? Don’t we mock the Mets for that currently?
My overall point is that whether it’s Arenado or Soto the fans seem to be clamoring for more spending. They wake up today spending 41M more than the Braves, who lead them by 12 games in the division. Oh yeah, Atlanta has missed 3/5 of their starting rotation building up that big cushion with mostly homegrown players. Spending isn’t always the answer and Dave Dombrowski knows that. It’s just going to take time and apparently a ton of cash.
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Everything Nick Castellanos And Craig Kimbrel Did At The All-Star Game
Last night was the All-Star game. Judging by the conversation we had on the radio leading up to it, many of you probably did not tune in. We asked callers, did Twitter polls, and read your Tweets. And the overall consensus was that not many of you were going to check in last night to watch the festivities. But if you were telling the truth, you missed out on seeing the Phillies' two representatives both playing a role in the NL team's win.
Nick Castellanos and Craig Kimbrel were the Phillies' two players selected in the All-Star game. Nick Castellanos was originally selected for the team, and then Craig Kimbrel joined when other NL Pitchers had to drop out. And without the two of them there, the NL Team may not have won.
Castellanos came into the game in the 5th inning to replace Mookie Betts in centerfield. Yes, you read that right, center field. Unfortunately, we did not get to see him do too much out there. Apparently, all the AL players were smart enough to avoid hitting it to Center because they knew Nick would have made a play on it if they did. The only action he got was fielding a single hit out to center field. But he did make an impact at the plate. Castellanos went 1-2, including a walk. In fact, it was that walk that set Elias Diaz up to hit a go-ahead HR.
And then in the 9th inning, Craig Kimbrel is who the NL team looked to for the save. And as he has all season, he shut the door on the other team. He did walk two guys, but in the end, he got the save to give the NL Squad the win.
If you missed all of that, you can catch up on how it all looked below:
Gatorade All-Star Workout Day
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Nick Castellanos and Craig Kimbrel hanging out in the outfield at the All-Star Day workouts. Should there have been more Phillies there? You could certainly make a case for Bryson Stott. JT and Bryce are usually at the game, but given their slow first halves it is probably fair that they did not make the team this season. You could also argue Gregory Soto and Jose Alvarado deserved to be there, but given how many bullpen arms there are, there will always be some great ones left out of the game.
Nick Castellanos and Craig Kimbrel Take The Field
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Before the game, they of course announce all the players named to the All-Star rosters. Here are Nick Castellanos and Craig Kimbrel taking the field together after being introduced as the Phillies representatives at the game.
Nick Castellanos in... Center Field?
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)No one ever thought of Nick Castellanos as a center fielder. And yet, that is where he wound up when he came into the game for the NL in the 5th inning. He replaced Mookie Betts, to play centerfield for the first time in his career. And technically only one ball landed in Center field on his watch, so maybe there is something to him playing center. Watch out Brandon Marsh, Nick is coming for the Centerfield job.
Nick Castellanos's First At-Bat Doesn't Go Well
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Nick Castellanos first got as chance to bat in the 6th inning. It did not go great for him. He fouled off two pitches, took a ball low and in, but then struck out swinging at a changeup at the bottom of the strike zone. He would get two more at-bats, and they would go much better. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Nick Castellanos sliding into 2nd Base
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)In the top of the 8th inning, Nick Castellanos had a hell of an at-bat. A 9 pitch walk. That included 5 foul offs, before eventually taking ball for outside the plate. Afterwards he would advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. Though that didn't matter much given what Elias Diaz would do later in the at bat.
Elias Diaz Drives Nick Castellanos in with a HR
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)After Nick's walk, and then his advancement to 2nd on a wild pitch, Diaz drove them both in on a 360ft HR that just got over the left field wall. Meaning that Nick Castellanos was the tying run, and Diaz of course the go-ahead run. Even though Nick was not the main hero, it was cool to see Nick play a role in getting the NL team the win. If he doesn't walk, all Diaz does is tie the game, and then who knows if they go on to win it.
Nick Castellanos Singles in the 9th inning
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Nick Castellanos got one more chance to bat in the top of the 9th. And once more, he came up for his team. He hit a first pitch 2-out single off Pablo Lopez, moving Juan Soto to 2nd base. Lopez struck out Diaz in the next at bat, so the single never led to anything. but still- 1-2, with a walk and a run, is a pretty good night by Castellanos at the All-Star Game.
Craig Kimbrel comes in for the Save
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)When he needed to close out the game, of course NL Manager Rob Thomson looked towards his own closer. He called Craig Kimbrel's number in the bottom of the 9th while his team had just a 1 run lead.
Craig Kimbrel Closes The Door on The AL Team
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Craig Kimbrel did what he did all season. He came into the game 14 for 14 in save situations. And he remained perfect in the All-Star game. He did walk two guys. But he also struck out two. Including getting Jose Ramirez swinging to end the game.
Craig Kimbrel and his NL Teammates Celebrate After the 3-2 Win
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)The NL team won 3-2. Thanks in large part to the contributions of Nick Castellanos and Craig Kimbrel. The Phillies didn't have many representatives at the game, so the two who did make it made sure their presence was felt. Not to mention it was the Phillies coaching staff that managed the NL Team to the victory. All things considered, a pretty good night for the Phillies brand.
