David Robertson chose an unconventional path this offseason as a self-represented free agent, and as a right-hander who holds lefties to a .186/.268/.278 mark, he’s unconventional on the bump as well. It’s not surprising to hear, then, that Gabe Kapler’s plan to deploy him whenever the biggest outs are needed suits him just fine. Unconventional he may be, but he is also a modern reliever in every sense, from his ability to neutralize hitters from both sides of the plate, to his durability in multi-inning outings (23 such appearances since 2017), to his ability to miss bats (11.97 K/9 for his career). Despite the robust resume, Robertson isn’t worried about being used in a traditional closer’s role, so long as he gets important outs on the back-end, writes Scott Lauber of Philadelphia Inquirer. For the Phillies, that makes him a perfect fit in a bullpen that has a few guys capable of locking down the ninth. Per Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia, Seranthony Dominguez and Hector Neris figure to share in those closing responsibilities with Robertson, giving second-year skipper Gabe Kapler the freedom to let situations dictate his bullpen management more so than strict role assignments. Dominguez, 24, slowed in the second half of his rookie campaign but showed tremendous promise overall recording 16 saves and a 2.93 ERA, while Neris, 29, saved 11 games last year while striking out a ridiculous 14.3 batters per nine innings. Neris has earned 39 saves over the last three seasons in Philadelphia. Robertson’s signing reverberates beyond just the ninth inning…
- Kapler’s ongoing modernization of the Philly bullpen makes Craig Kimbrel a somewhat odd fit, considering he is one of the few tried-and-true closers left in the MLB. Where Kimbrel does fit (besides previous Boston or Atlanta), however, is entirely (and unjustifiably) unclear, per Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston. Kimbrel’s case is yet another example of the widening gap between players and teams as front offices become increasingly wary of age decline while focusing their efforts (and their payrolls) on value spending. He may not be worth the 6-year, $100MM commitment reported to be the starting ask, but there ought to be more interest for a 30-year-old closer with a proven track record (1.91 ERA, 1.96 FIP, 2.16 xFIP) that is supported by underlying success (14.67 K/9 to 3.46 BB/9, 0.59 HR/9).
- With Robertson in hand and seven out-of-options relievers on their 40-man roster, thinning a now-overcrowded bullpen is next on Philadelphia’s offseason docket, per the Athletic’s Matt Gelb. Veterans Pat Neshek and Tommy Hunter could be the odd men out if the Phils can find a trade partner. Along with the power trio of Robertson, Dominguez, and Neris, recent offseason acquisitions Juan Nicasio (from the Mariners) and Jose Alvarez (from the Angels) would seem to be locks for the pen on Opening Day. Hunter, specifically, was acquired because of his reverse-split ability to retire left-handers, which could now make him vulnerable given Robertson’s skills in the same area. Alvarez, projected to make only $1.7MM this year, would be the easiest to flip, but they probably prefer to move one of their higher-priced expirings like Hunter ($9MM), Nicasio ($9.25MM) or Neshek, who is guaranteed $8.5MM including a buyout for 2020.
- Unless the price for Dallas Keuchel drops significantly, the Phillies seem done shopping for arms, at least until midseason, per Gelb. Aaron Nola and Jake Arrieta head the Philly rotation, but GM Matt Klentak believes in the high floor provided by the depth behind those two, both at the major league level and in Triple A. Nick Pivetta, Vince Velasquez and Zach Eflin round out the rotation, but the renewed health of Jerad Eickhoff provides further flexibility should one of the above trio stumble. Regardless, the Phillies like their current group, and any upgrade would need to be significant. Patrick Corbin provided that kind of upside, but with the former Dback now in Washington, there doesn’t appear to be another available starter the Phils deem worthy of a significant acquisition cost. The next few weeks of free agent hunting figure to focus on the big fish, after which offensive plan B’s or even a reengagement on Kimbrel would likely take precedence over adding another starter.
Tigers trade Castellanos and Fulmer for Odubel and Cesar. Let’s go!
Haha…that’d be great.
Not sure what the Tigers want or, frankly, where they’re going. They seem like one of those teams that’s just “stuck”.
Tigers are early in a rebuild with an improved farm system and a few top pitching prospects. Wake up
Sold!!!
phillies are trying to improve defense lol
Tigers are trying to improve.
I would of done that trade a couple years ago, but Fulmer hasen’t been the same since his rookie year.
Tigers are looking for prospects… they gave up on 2019 and 2020 already. They have no need for major leaguers right now. They are looking for that number 1 pick again.
They let their best bullpen pitcher walk… Alex Wilson. Wilson had the lowest era and WHIp of the other bullpen pitchers and they just let him walk. He was arbitration eligible and they just let him go. There are so many other pitchers they could have let go, but let him go.
Better option might be Boyd for the rotation. He’s a lefty that had some really solid starts. Boyd for Quinn and Cozens?
The Phils are gonna have a well put together team in 2019
They still need Harper or Machado, that would put them over the top.
They’ll sign Machado. Harp to the Dodgers.
No chance! Machado to the Yankees and Harper re-signs with the Nats,
Over the top? How about above water? They weren’t a very good team last year at all.
Still on outside looking in most likely. Even if they sign Harper, I put them 2nd behind Nats, and the Mets and Braves are right there too. They need some of their kids to show up.
They need Manny Machado in their lineup with Bryce Harper.
I would be shocked if Harper went back to the nationals
If they pay him why wouldn’t he?
If the Phillies pay him why wouldn’t he become a Phillies player?
———————————–
The Yankees offered Cano $175 million. The Mariners offered $240.
240
-175
—–
65 million
There’s the answer for the Phillies. $130 million in “stupid money” and both Harper and Machado are Phillies teammates.
Why hasn’t there been a press conference by the Phillies to announce the signing of Machado and Harper? Those two are still waiting to see the “Stupid Money”.
X, you are the reason I don’t read the comments. People like you, obsessed with sharing their opinion. Normal people read the articles, and rarely have something unique to say, and we had quality comments because of it.
When in reality, it’s people like you who comment on topics w/ out any reference to the topic, simply to troll X.
I’d rather have X than all you idiots who troll him for having an opinion on baseball.
That said, I still don’t get why Kimbrel is linked to Atlanta. No way do they go that high AAV or total, for a closer.
Where is the x comment this guy is referring to?
Xabiel
Slevin wasn’t confused on who x was, he probably was wondering why this guy @dionis was bringing him into anything.
Agree or disagree, Xab usually supports his position well which is more than many posters. To Xab, I say thank you. To others I remind them there are other sites.
ey is back baby, and she’s checking the tape on the A.J. Cole article!!!
Agreed. Complaining about X is much more annoying.
Do the Angels sign a clo$er or not?
Justin Wilson used to be the Tigers closer. That’s probably about all the Angels would bother signing.
I’ll take wilson , they need a lefty in the pen now since they traded alvarez.
Is it really a fall out? Or, is a wake up call to Kimbrel to be more realistic ?
That hissing sound you hear is the air coming out of Kimbrel’s market..psssss..6 for $100M… If he gets 3 for $50M and a 4th yr option he should grab it quick.
BRYCE HARPER
MANNY MACHADO
The Phillies winter is signing both of them. If they did nothing else their winter would be a rousing success. If they fail to sign one of them then their winter is a total failure and they need to call Houston and try to get Forrest Whitley and Kyle Tucker for Aaron Nola.
The eternal rebuild shall continue with the “or” signing of the above used as a ticket draw for a year or two and then they deal the “or” signing to a real team like the Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox or dare I write it…..the Astros.
“If they fail to sign one of them then their winter is a total failure and they need to call Houston and try to get Forrest Whitley and Kyle Tucker for Aaron Nola.”
Signing one of them is important. But there winter is a failure if they don’t? Name one GM that has, to this point, had a better winter than Klentak. I’ll wait. Flip Nola to Houston? You sound like a naive lunatic. Catch the sky before it falls chicken little.
You people can’t read.
I guess I need to dumb my comments down to a fourth grade elementary school level, though after the fourth grade I knew the difference between “their” and “there”.
It’s actually ‘dumb down my comments’ not ‘dumb my comments down’. Dumb down is the verb here – you can’t slit it
Hyperlink: 5 most comments grammar mistakes
“It’s actually…”
Grammar nazi.
YOU.
Sorry I missed it. I assure you I know the difference:
“But ***their*** winter is a failure if they don’t?”
THERE. I fixed it for you. But thank you for proving my point. In your heart you know that you bring absolutely nothing of substance to the discussion so you nitpick my post on a grammatical error. You come across as an incredibly bitter human being that literally appreciates nothing. It’s almost as if you take joy and look for the negatives in every positive development. I feel sorry for you. You literally embody the worst parts of our fan base.
“You people can’t read.”
If we’re being anal here… what does someones ability to read have to do with knowing the difference between using “their” and “there” in a written sentence? It should be “you people can’t write” or “you people have terrible grammar” or “yous folks be dumdums and aint gots the smarts to rights a sentenance.”
It really doesn’t matter how it’s written, we all knew what they meant.
Wow Scott. You’re an a-hole. But at least I used the right “you’re”, eh?
“Signing one of them is important. But there winter is a failure if they don’t?”
That’s the opposite of what I wrote.
If you read a comment and derive the exact opposite meaning of what you just read then you can’t read.
My reply to him addressed both issues.
What are you talking about? Why would the off season be a total loss if they didn’t get either Manny or Harper? They still added tons of pieces that are helpful. They signed Mccutchen, and Robertson, while trading for Segura, Pazos, Nicasio, and Jose Alvarez, without giving up much notable in return except J.P. Crawford. Plus, they got rid of Santana’s contract for Segura’s and Nicasio’s. Also, there’s absolute no reason for them to trade Nola.
“didn’t get either Manny or Harper?”
That would be the same as signing only one of them, but without the two year attendance gimmick. Nola would need to go to Houston for Whitley and Tucker.
Could the Phillies win the NL Least without either Machado or Harper? Sure. They could deal Nola to Houston and start Whitley and possibly “win” the NL Least too.
Winning the NL Least is like being awarded a participation trophy.
Red Sox, Yankees and Astros are on a completely different level. Even the Dodgers are.
Nope.
When you tell people they need to learn to read, you’re mistake are fair game.
“NL Least” Lmao, it’s going to be one of the most competitive divisions in baseball next year. Braves, Mets and Phillies are all in the running for it If you want to talk about a bad division, go look at the ALC.
” it’s going to be one of the most competitive divisions in baseball next year. Braves, Mets and Phillies are all in the running for it If you want to talk about a bad division, go look at the ALC.”
How about we move the NL Least teams to the triple-A International League and replace them with the five best International League teams?
The NL Least “competitiveness” would remain the same.
The big markets in the AL Central are? Nope, there are none.
The small markets in the NL Least are? Nope, there are none. Miami is a mid-market. Atlanta is the same size media market as Boston.
Rolen isn’t making good arguments but it would be a failure for several reasons. First, it would show real front office problems. Middleton is making it vocal that he wants to spend money. If this FO is being so conservative it keeps costing them big players they need, it will hurt this team and the FO won’t last long.
Second, when it comes to Klentak, he has made good trades, but never any great moves. All of the core pieces expect Velasquez (if you include him in the core) are Ruben Amaro Jr guys, and the drafts under Klentak have been disappointing. I would also argue the Nationals, Indians, Yankees, Braves, and Dodgers have had better offseasons and a number of teams that haven’t when it comes to the number of needs that must be filled.
Third, this team needs a lot of things to go right. They were already the 3rd or 4th best team in their division and want to make the playoffs. Right now they need to hope the defense improves, hope Odubel Herrera reverts back to better defense, hope the 3rd outfield spot isn’t bad, hope that Kingery lives up to expectations, Alfaro improves at the plate, someone emerges to the 2nd or 3rd starter spot to help Nola, and that the back of the rotation is better. They needed all of this and at the same time the rest of the competitive teams in the division all got better. They don’t have impact guys in the farm system right now besides Sixto and arguably Medina, and when it comes to a trade they would need to trade one or both to get impact guys.
In the end, this team has a lot of money to spend and wants to make the playoffs and if Harper/Machado don’t come here the Phillies are stuck hoping Arenado or Trout come available in the next 2 years.
John Middleton is or is not signing Harper and Machado.
The other moves, Segura, McCutchen, Robertson. That’s McFail/Klentak.
Machado and Harper is 100% John “Stupid Money” Middleton.
I think you are taking things a bit too far. Even when Heyman came out with that story months ago about execs believing the Phillies could sign both, we as fans knew that was a pipe dream. Getting one of them would be enough to make this offseason a success.
It’s not a “dream” to me.
It’s my idea.
It’s my plan.
I’m cool with paying Harper and Machado $500 million each to play for the Phillies.
They can afford that. The Nationals do not even have a TV contract.
The Nationals do not even have a TV contract.
The Nationals do not even have a TV contract.
The Nationals do not even have a TV contract.
The Nationals do not even have a TV contract.
The Nationals do not even have a TV contract.
The Nationals do not even have a TV contract.
The Nationals do not even have a TV contract.
The Nationals do not even have a TV contract.
You might be cool with it but it isn’t your money.
Oh yes it is.
Every dollar of Phillies revenue is generated by Phillies fans. John “Stupid Money” Middleton and his partners in crime have drained out over two billion dollars in the past 38 years without adding in inflation.
How much of that money have they EARNED?
You know what “earn” means.
ScottRolen, I’m not sure that you repeated yourself enough. What do the Nationals not have?
ScottRolen……It’s your mother’s money, not yours AEC.
@johnmiddleton
Google that.
Read his bio on Twitter that he wrote.
Whose money is that?
I am already familiar with his and his families business and history. I am also familiar with the fact that he expanded and built the pipe tobacco business and successfully sold it for almost $3 billion.
He was born into it and proved himself to be a successful businessman and philanthropist. You on the other hand…well…you know.
“I am already familiar with his and his families business and history.”
No.
Google @johnmiddleton
When you do as instructed you will learn.
I don’t take instructions or advise from whack-jobs.
Will you please delete your account Casey?
“The eternal rebuild shall continue..”
What fan in their right mind would actually want this? The team has built up substantial depth. It does kind of suck that only Nola, Hoskins, and Dominguez have stepped up as legit stars but it is what it is. It’s time for this team to move forward. Do you not like watching winning baseball? Cause i’m personally sick of losing.
I’m demanding the Phillies sign both Machado and Harper.
If there is a Phillies fan that does not want that then they have to go find another team to root for because I’m not having it any other way.
You can call me any number of names you want to, but if Harper and Machado aren’t Phillies teammates in 2019 someone is going to have to put a bullet through my head.
I’m not going to have it any other way.
What time does the computer lounge on your ward end?
When I say it does.
Relax Scott… you’re talking like one of those “Hallmark movie villains” where if you can’t have her, no one will. You can’t force them to sign with your team. They have a choice. If they don’t choose you then there are other fish in the sea. Maybe that other fish isn’t as hot and sexy as the one you’re after, but in 50 years you’ll be happy with the fish you ended up landing.
They will not even think about choosing another team unless John “Stupid Money” Middleton puts that money in his bank account instead of the accounts of Manny Machado and Bryce Harper.
That is 100% of what it is all about.
The Phillies have even added complimentary players off the market to surround them. Money is the only issue and the Phillies have enough to pay Machado, Harper AND Mike Trout.
That’s a fact.
ScottRolen/CasetsPartner/free_aec – What gives you the right to demand anything, especially considering your infamous history with them?
“If there is a Phillies fan that does not want that then they have to go find another team to root for because I’m not having it any other way.” I have been a Phillies fan since before Dick Allen was RoY and believe signing both is a mistake. Signing one (I would prefer MM at 3b since the IF defense last year was atrocious) would be good….two is stupid.
“….. but if Harper and Machado aren’t Phillies teammates in 2019 someone is going to have to put a bullet through my head.” Better start looking for volunteers now. It’s easy to see why you failed in Hollywood (overly dramatic) and as a baseball writer (under qualified). Maybe a job chasing squirrels from a tree is more your line of work. Just don’t use a pel;let gun…you know how that turned out.
mlb1225……He is….aka free-aec
He has to have been banned multiple times. How does he keep coming back?
The first time he came back as CP he admitted he changed is ISP and therefore his E-dress. I am not certain if MLBTR banned him again even though they should. I do know he hate them for refusing long ago to link his blog when the do the weekly blog thing. He ranted about that a year or so ago.
“especially considering your infamous history with them?”
That would be the reason.
“That would be the reason”
You committing multiple crimes does not give you any right, except for the right to remain silent.
Neris had a 5.10 era… but… in June he pitched less than 10 innings and gave up 7 home runs. If you take out June… he would have given up 15 runs in 38 innings for a 3.55 era. Not great, but decent. Something happened in June where he fell off the rails but he got back on track. Take out his opening day melt down and another game where he couldn’t get an out… his era drops to 2.43 for 37 innings in 41 games.
I know we can’t just take out games because he did poorly in them, but that’s 41 games where he was very solid. I would take that from any reliever. Add in his 14 k/9… and he has been very good for the previous 3 years… you have a very solid bullpen piece.
Dominguez has a great rookie season. He has the potential to be a very good closer. Huge K/9 totals and excellent era throughout his minor and major league career.
Add Robertson to that and you have the 7th, 8th and 9th innings locked down most nights. Neshek Hunter and Morgan fill that bullpen out nicely.
The issue was Neris was all mental. He threw a couple of back splitters that didn’t split and got clobbered. He lost confidence in the pitch and his talks with the media kept compounding this issues in his mind, When he came back up he refused to speak with the media and didn’t over think things. It did him a world of difference. I think ultimately he should be fine.
As for Morgan is the third lefty on the depth chart behind Pazos and Alvarez at his point. I don’t see him being much more than minor league depth at this point but he’s probably out of options.
bucketbrew35…….
I would rather they use Scare-Us Neris as trade bait. I just don’t trust his mental make-up.
I see your point. Although he did much better after his recall from the minors. I’m hoping he figured something out.
He did do better but was still shaky at times. Aside from the 0.1 IP, 3 run debacle on Sept 17 he was shaky a few other times as well. He relieved Jake against the Metsand after K’ing the first batter he gave up consecutive single before getting a DEEP fly out to center. He also loaded the bases against the Nats in 0.1 IP before being rescued by Arano.
I think what scares me most is not just Neris but Kapler’s insistence on sticking with him so much until he was finally sent down.
If I had to hear Kapler, one more time, time say “we liked the way he matched up and stuck with him” I may have thrown something at the screen. I am just worried Kapler will do it again.
Use him in a package to get a SP.
Great point about Neris having the 2.43 era in the other 41 games.
Kimbril will sign a 4 year 64 mil – with a 5th year option with a buyout . Option year will be 15 mil
But hopefully not it’s the BSox.
The traditional role of closer will be obsolete soon. Why hold your best arm for the 9th inning if 2-3-4 are due up for the other team in the 8th?
Best guys in most critical situations is how any strategic manager should work.
Kimbrel will be on the wrong side of 30 this coming season, and isn’t even the best at what he does. 4/60 max.
Agreed on Kimbrel. I don’t think he gets anywhere near what he’s asking for. I’m so glad the Phils didn’t sign him. Save the money for Harper or Machado.
That’s a good pickup for the Phils. NL East shaping up to be must-see baseball. I haven’t been this excited for a season in several years. Go Braves!
NL Least
Same as it ever was
Same….as….it….ever….was….
You sure about that David Byrne?
I will dumb this down to your level, ScottRolen. “Same as it ever was.” We get it. There’s no need to repeat yourself.
Really want the braves to go get Kimbrel … the reunion aside, we need him bad
Only if he takes a major hometown discount. When I say major, like nothing over $50m for 3 or 4 years. Which is highly unlikely.
“…giving second-year skipper Gabe Kapler the freedom to let situations dictate his bullpen management more so than strict role assignments.”
To my perception, the more the game embraces analytics, the more managers and teams will move in this direction. We’re already seeing a lot of the traditional modes of play being questioned and changed (or at least experimented with). I’m guessing that soon, either a team’s bullpen will be considered far more important than the starting staff almost unilaterally OR the designations of “SP” and “RP” will come close to disappearing entirely.
I don’t think BP will ever be more important than a guy who can go 6 and give up 2 runs.
Designations don’t mean much, one way or the other, but they’re probably staying for the dame reason
I wonder if a team like the Astros could use an opener? They have their top 3 starters, Verlander, Cole and Mchugh that can give you 7 innings pretty much every start. Maybe have an opener those 2 other days… Perez (LHP) and Peacock (RHP) give you one trip through the lineup. Then replace them with James (RHP) and Valdez (LHP) to force a decision on pinch hitting in the 4th inning. They could go 5 innings and then leave it to your pen. You could rotate those 4 pitchers as openers so everyone gets a shot at opening and getting credit for a win. Those 4 could give you 7 solid innings every time through the rotation and it helps with their inning count. So you’d have 7 starters and 5 relievers. The openers could probably be used as relievers in other games because they weren’t used all that much.
As a Yankee fan I will miss DRob, Phillies got themselves a good one.
Saved by the bell
I am not a sabermatrician, I am more of an old school fan but regarding saves – I propose the official scorekeeper be assigned with the task of assigning saves. He or she could use the old eye test to determine who warrants the save like they do wins, hits etc.
There is an official rule that designate a save for the scorekeeper…. link to official rules mlb.mlb.com/documents/0/8/0/268272080/2018_Officia…
9.00—THE OFFICIAL SCORER – 9.19 Saves for Relief Pitchers
A save is a statistic credited to a relief pitcher, as set forth in this
Rule 9.19.
The official scorer shall credit a pitcher with a save when such
pitcher meets all four of the following conditions:
(a) He is the finishing pitcher in a game won by his team;
(b) He is not the winning pitcher;
(c) He is credited with at least 1⁄3 of an inning pitched; and
(d) He satisfies one of the following conditions:
(1) He enters the game with a lead of no more than three runs
and pitches for at least one inning;
I appreciate the information, I didn’t know it was up to the scorer but I think the caveat of finishing the game needs to be rethought. Which was what I was thinking after reading this article and why I replied. Perhaps the official scorer should be allowed to give a save in the 7th or 8th when the game is really on the line. You know bases loaded, no outs, one run game, etc, etc
My Pleasure. Much has to do with when the rule was written. It wasn’t that long ago when closers pitched 2+ inning saves….Rollie fingers lead the league in saves in 77. He pitched in 78 games, finished 69, saved 35 and had 132.1 IP.
From 72-78 he started only 2 games pitched in 493, finished 402 and had 858 IP. In comparison, it took Mo Rivera (who was known at the time for 1+ inning saves 768 games to reach 886 IP. I am not knocking him, just showing how the game changed.
Now people are all ga-ga about RP’s who record 1.2 inning saves when it used to be common place.
What was old is new again.