The latest on a few National League clubs:
- Second baseman Cesar Hernandez has emerged as either a legitimate building block for the Phillies or someone they could dangle over the winter in an effort to acquire sorely needed starting pitching help, Ryan Lawrence of PhillyVoice.com observes. The 27-year-old has combined for 7.0 fWAR and 5.5 rWAR in 1,139 plate appearances dating back to last season, thanks in part to a .293/.367/.406 batting line. Hernandez’s OBP over that span ranks 24th in the majors, and the Phillies’ front office places a great deal of value in his ability to get on base, Lawrence writes. The switch-hitter is controllable through 2020 via arbitration, further adding to his appeal.
- Reds prospect Hunter Greene entered this year’s draft as a right-handed pitcher/shortstop, but the second overall pick is no longer eyeing a two-way career. Rather, he’s solely focused on pitching, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. The 18-year-old revealed that he feels a “lot more natural” on the mound and suggested that working as both a pitcher and a position player in the pros would’ve been too physically taxing for him. “Big kudos to the guys in the big leagues who are playing every day, it’s a lot of work on the body, the arm and the feet. It’s a lot,” Greene said. “To be able to have rest days and recover and be able to have that day where you go out and perform and pitch at your best, it’s more comfortable for me.”
- Giants general manager Bobby Evans announced Saturday that the team will exercise Matt Moore’s $9MM option for 2018. For his part, Moore told Jonathan Hawthorne of MLB.com and other reporters that he didn’t expect the Giants to make a decision on his future so soon. The southpaw is glad they did, though. “It makes me very happy. … It definitely did take me by surprise,” Moore said. “It was something cool to kind of see because it’s probably a month and a half before they even have to do anything.” The 28-year-old Moore has pitched to an uncharacteristically bloated 5.39 ERA this season, but he noted that the Giants’ decision to bring him back indicates they believe his 2017 struggles are a blip. “It is nice to have the confidence that this is something that’s very temporary — the type of season I’m having isn’t expected here on out,” he stated.
Watch Moore go blow his arm out next outing…. I really wish they waited on that.
They would be fine because they only verbally commited to bringing him back. It cant become offical until the offseason
keep Hernandez for insurance, phil’s have waited this long for Pitchers keeping him for another would be Wise Move with unproven Rookies !
Hernandez value is at its highest, time to cash in and upgrade the woeful pitching.
Phillies should trade Hernandez for a starting pitcher. Both Scott Kingery or JP Crawford can play 2B, so the team has the depth to make the move.
Phillies have too many redundant, overlapping players clogging the roster and holding back brighter prospects. Moving Hernandez, Joseph and Franco clears space and hopefully brings back pitching help.
Could the Giants have a better alternative for a one year and 9 mm? I’m not sure. The Giants need to build up the bullpen and get one or two bats for one year, try to be respectable and go after Harper or Machado in 2019. Where does Kingery fit in Phillies plans?
Crowded IF picture at the moment, but I still think most view him as the 2B of the future. But right now you’re looking at some combo of Hernandez, Galvis, JP Crawford, and Franco playing 2B/SS/3B at the start of next year with Kingery starting in AAA. I expect an interesting offseason for the Phils.
Matt Klentak doesn’t reveal much. So it’s difficult to know his plans. There’s every indication the Phillies want to deal for a top young pitcher. You aren’t going to get that for Joseph, Franco, or Rupp. He could decide to deal Kingery and/or Crawford in a deal for the right pitcher if a team insisted on one of them.
Unless the Giants are willing to deal MadBum they don’t have the player the Phillies want.
Phils could give the giants rupp and Franco fir shark and cash
I think that is the point with the giants, the market at Moore’s price is far below his upside and age.
Move Cesar, put Galvis at 2B, put Crawford at SS, once Kingery hits the cutoff for the extra year of control, Galvis become an expensive utility man. If we (somehow) are in the WC race at the deadline, we keep Galvis If not, you trade Galvis.
I keep them all. Moved CeHe to 3rd. Put Franco at 1B. Kingery at 2B once his contract control time is up. Crawford at SS. Hoskins stays in LF. Herrera stays in CF. Williams and altheer fight for playing time in RF, and spell Herrera every now and then. Galvis rotates around the IF, plays 4 to 5 of 7 games. Ride it out until the deadline, if its not working … you make a trade.
Would be really nice & lucky If the phils get the #1 pick to draft the college pitcher with a quick assent, and in addition sign Otani …. or another high end FA pitcher.
Time for Klentak to grow a pair and show us why he is the GM to lead this team Into the new era
It’ll be great if the Phils can use their depth to get a pitcher or 2. But they can also be patient. Will probably have to move a catcher, but we could keep Joseph to start a gm or 2 a week, and also have Galvis floating around starting a gm or 2 a week at 2nd,3rd and short. Could actually work for us to, keeping everybody fresh. More important for them to make the right deal,than it is to clear spots to move anyone up.