The Phillies were shut out in today’s 6-0 loss to the Braves, dropping Philadelphia to a respectable 5-4 record in its nine games without injured sluggers Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper. The good news is that at least Schwarber will be activated from the 10-day injured list for the Phils’ next game on Tuesday, and Harper seems on track to be activated at some point this week, even if Tuesday is still up in the air for the former NL MVP.
Both players ran the bases prior to today’s game, with MLB.com reporting that Schwarber has now been running at full intensity for two straight days, while Harper was running “either at or close to 100% intensity.” Schwarber was sidelined with a groin strain and Harper with a hamstring strain, so baserunning is essentially the final step in assessing whether either player is fully ready to return. While neither injury was thought to be overly serious, it is obviously a great sign for the Phillies that the initial assessment seems to be accurate, so the team won’t have any longer-term concerns about two key members of their everyday lineup.
More from around the NL East…
- Even though Jesus Luzardo is on the 60-day injured list, teams are still checking in with the Marlins about the left-hander’s availability, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale writes. Luzardo’s initial IL placement took place on June 19, so he won’t be back until August 18 at the earliest as he recovers from a lumbar stress reaction. If Luzardo was indeed able to return around that date and return in good form, there would be plenty of time for the southpaw to contribute to a contender for the remainder of the season, yet naturally his health situation would make for some tricky trade negotiations with Miami. From the Marlins’ perspective, it is hard to imagine they would agree to sell low on one of their top trade chips, especially since Luzardo is still under team control through the 2026 season.
- Orlando Arcia entered today’s action hitting .209/.245/.332 over 314 plate appearances, and with the lowest wRC+ (58) of any qualified hitter in baseball. It has been an ugly dropoff for a player who had roughly a league-average 101 wRC+ for the Braves in 2022-23, and Arcia was even an All-Star last season after moving into the starting shortstop role. Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes that the Braves are seemingly okay with letting Arcia try to find himself at the plate, since he is at least continuing to deliver strong glovework at the shortstop position. While Atlanta has been aggressive in promoting prospects in recent years, Toscano doesn’t think the team is considering bringing the hot-hitting Nacho Alvarez up to the majors as a potential replacement for Arcia, as Alvarez only just made his Triple-A debut last month.
Who’s a better bet to pitch and pitch well in October Crochet or Luzardo?
I think it’s Luzardo. I still think Crochet is more valuable but if we are talking 2024 playoffs I take Luzardo.
@Blackpink in the area
Crochet is the better option, especially if he can get away from that terrible Sox defense.
He’s leading the league in FIP for sure. He’s also leading the league in starts at 19. He’s pitched 105 innings so far this year. I don’t think he’s going to make it for the regular season let alone the postseason. He’s gotta be on an innings limit if not he’s going to be in uncharted territory.
@Blackpink in the area
Modern starting pitchers don’t last more than 4 or 5 innings. Not sure what you’re talking about him not lasting.
Crochet has been pitching nearly 6 innings a start in 2024. That can’t and won’t continue.
How many innings do you think he putchedin 2024?
And here’s @Blackpink in the area again with the Luzardo posts. I can’t wait to hear what garbage, dime-a-dozen prospects his/her team should trade to get Luzardo.
@BannedMarlinsFanBase
Lizard for a bag of used jock strap. Lizard is overrated.
I can see ‘@Blackpink in the area’ coming up with one of those suggestions. It’ll for sure be one of those dime-a-dozen prospects like so many fans like to suggest are fair value for pieces that multiple teams are looking at.
I wonder why MLBTR keeps beating this Luzardo horse when it comes to the Marlins. The Marlins are almost guaranteed to trde Tanner Scott and Josh Bell, so I’m not sure why those articles aren’t being discussed as much as Luzardo, who the Marlins would have to be given a lot for to give up…especially with the injuries to our staff and Luzardo being a local kid that wants to play here.
Dude Luzardo is hurt and won’t even be healthy by the trade deadline. Perhaps the Marlins keep him but if they do trade him it won’t be for a big package of prospects like it would have been last offseason. His value has gone down a lot since then. You do understand this right?
You’re ragging on the guy about Luzardo being hurt? Funny. You also said that Luzardo would be a better trade option than Crochet because of a possible innings limit. How’s that going to work if Luzardo doesn’t make it back this season? You do understand that a healthy Crochet has more value than an injured Luzardo. Right?
I said Luzardo would be more likely to help a team in the 2024 playoffs than Crochet. That is what I said. Crochet is going to be toast by the time the playoffs start. Luzardo from everything I have heard will be good to go and of course well rested.
@NashvilleJeff
Thanks for calling out the same person I have. I guess a lot of us are wise to @Blackpink in the area’s whole thing of trying to get trade pieces for his team essentially for garbage he doesn’t want on his team.
Typical homer fan that thinks every other team is in business to make his favorite team better instead of making their own team better.
Obsession
@Blackpink in the area
Let me know when the Marlins trade Luzardo for garbage to your team. I won’t hold my breath on it, but if you’re so confident, please do hold your breath until it happens.
FYI…every single team, whether incorrect or not in strategy, is in the business of trying to make themselves better instead of trying to make your beloved team better. You’re team will have to give something another team wants in order to get something.that your team wants from that other team. This isn’t MLB the Show or some fantasy league filled with 5-year olds. You do understand that, right?
My team has a catcher that would be a starter on your team and help you immensely. And on my team he’s on the bench most days. That’s a fact.
Who would that be? Stop beating around the bush and make your suggested trade offer. Who’s the guy that would start for the Marlins and help us immensely? Please name him. All you do is yap, and try to talk about how your team can give garbage for players that are in demand. Grow a pair and stop with the circling around and just state your suggested trade. As you see, some of us are tired of your schtick. At least show the same testicluar fortitude of the buffoons who have the courage to state their ridiculous trade suggestions. You don’t even seem to have that quality. It’s clear you have a ridiculous trade in mind, but are too scared to be laughed at, so you beat around the bush, and won’t state it. Again, grow a pair and state your trade suggestion. We all need a good laugh.
And if you’re so confident in your trade thought, along with stating it, hold your breath until the Marlins accept it.
Dude get a life
Get life? Wait, did the person who spends so much time trying to convince fans of other teams why their players can be had for garbage, just say for someone to get a life? That’s a comedy in itself.
And don’t think I and others haven’t noticed that you always avoid answering when called out to be direct instead of beating around the bush with your actual intent in your posts. Or do you have no confidence because we already know the name you want to keep pushing as the trade piece you want to send over?
At-a-boy Arcia
Arica has a ring and Bryce don’t.
That’s so silly. Arcia’s no playoff hero. The Braves clubhouse janitor has a ring too.
Well Bryce has $330 mil so he can go buy how ever many rings he wants and the Phil’s may just get one this year. Which obviously sickens me but hey Satan loves the Phillies what can I say.
Thank you for the bizarre good-vs-evil word salad.
Too bad about Arcia hitting poorly. I too was frustrated with him on the Brewers. I think they gave up on him a little early. However, most of the fans were glad to see him go . He made a lot of us eat crow, being an all-star.
How his season has gone should be an indication that Brewers fans should feel validated. Look at Arcia’s splits for 2023. His first half is much better than his second. He had one half season. Lots of players can do an elite half season through happenstance.
Bottom line is he’s turned back into a pumpkin. This really shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. When you look at his career, this is really who he is. The first half of 2023 was an outlier.
He should have never been an all star.
Bring the popcorn when Nacho comes up
I thought your next SS was supposed to be Ron Washington’s favorite pupil. Oh, he got traded to Boston!
Nachos getting traded to the Tigers in a deal for Flaherty. Book it
As usual, I like your thinking MCBB!
They have to find someone to replace Baez soon. Kreidler and McKinistry hurt my head too. Cheers dude.
Atlanta wouldn’t trade Alvarez for a rental. Especially not with the way Arcia has been playing. SS is the only position they don’t have a long term answer for.
So numerous articles list them in the market for a good starter who can take a turn in the playoffs. There was an article a couple days ago where Jim Bowden said the Tigers could get a top 5 prospect and two top 30’s from an average minor league system fir Flaherty. Nacho is #6 in your system. Your system is below average according to rankings. I’d bet they could get Drake Baldwin as well in a deal for Flaherty. And the Braves can just sign Kim or Adames in the offseason or trade for Bichette.
Some team may very well give you that for Flaherty it just won’t be Atlanta. When has AA ever made a big move like that for a 1/2 season rental? It’s just not his style. We’ve never made the type of free agent commitment it would take to get guys like that either. AA would pay but it’d have to be someone with some team control or he’s not giving up much
He’s a good GM. If he feels it puts the team over the hump to win the world series I think he would easily do it and go grab a new SS in the offseason. It all depends how he views it. It is definitely a balancing act but they are saying the prices for rentals like Flaherty will be similar to what I suggested. The Tigers got Lee from Philly last year for Lorenzen, and Flaherty has pitched like a #1 or 2 pitcher this year so he’s defintely worth more than that. I doubt that Atlanta makes that trade for exactly the reasons you outline but who knows. Maybe they shoot for more of a Quantrill type pitcher? We’ll see in 3 weeks what happens but its fun to throw out ideas in the interim. Cheers dude.
Big nope from me. Nacho may be trade bait but
1) I don’t think he is gone for a rental, especially because a) the Braves have four decent pitchers and solid options on the 5th spot for 2024, and 2) they will need to replace Fried and Morton at least in 2025 and so should be looking at players with control.
2) Flaherty started the Folty game 5 a few years ago. Hard to forget. (Also, I think Folty got a bad rap on that game … He was having a bad day yes but Freddie committed an error that could have stopped the bleeding).
I 100% see your argument. I’m just repeating what I have read and applying it to teams who have what the Tigers need (a young SS and C who are close and fit the hitting profile the Tigers look for). Take it as a compliment that your team matches up well. I don’t see the Braves bringing either of those players up this year.
Wherever the Tigers trade Flaherty I hope they get good prospects. Harris/Greenberg have had success getting good prospects in trade so far. Flaherty has pitched well enough in Detroit and seems comfortable there that I’d be happy if they traded him at the deadline then signed him in the offseason. Cheers dude.
@MCBB: Told you all the reasons Nacho’s not getting dealt for Flaherty. You still don’t get it. The Braves have no other options at SS to replace Arcia. The Braves have more bottom of the rotation pitchers than they can even roster. The Braves won’t deal a needed asset for something they don’t need (Flaherty.) Tigers are going to be lucky to get a single A flyer for short term rental Flaherty and his bad back. The Braves dealing Baldwin AND Nacho for Flaherty? Laughable..
And yet experts keep listing the Braves as in the market for a starter and this site just said they are willing to give Arcia lots of rope. I guess you are more of an expert? You are probably right BUT based on reports and needs the two teams do match up. Yours and my preferences don’t come into play so you can tell me all you want, its still just two opinions from fans. Jim Bowden (former GM) suggests the Tigers could get a top 5 and two top 30 from an average milb system for Flaherty IF he is healthy. We’ll see in a few weeks how things pan out. Cheers dude.
Don’t claim to be an expert. Trying to respect your opinions, but you’re welcome to keep the cheap shots to yourself. “I guess you are more of an expert……” Jim Bowden’s a former GM for a reason. He was fired for stealing money in an International prospect signing scandal. No one should respect anything about him.
Cheapnshots…Kind off like your “laughable” comment above could be taken the wrong way. Let’s chalk it up to fans getting caught up in their hope that their teams get better. I respect your opinions too…I quoted you in another post actually in a positive way. I’ll avoid unnecessary comments in the future and hope you will too. Cheers dude.
Agreed. Actually enjoy reading your posts.
And Flaherty’s not worth it
Almost as repetitive as my use of Ham and Egger. It is ok to keep asking,, as I will not change either!
lol @ Harper
Harper’s hair will command a conditional pick
Agreed, two spot-on points regarding Bryce Harper.
The Braves 100% need to figure out a replacement for Arcia. He’s backup at best and this article is simply stating what I’ve been screaming from the rooftops, Arcia is sooooo bad his defense doesn’t out weight his poor offense. And I’m sooo sick of Braves fans blind loyalty to the guy. He needs to be on the bench, he’s paid like he’s a bench player… I’m over his huge hack at every pitch acting like he’s the next Barry bonds… lord it’s ugly
Id love if the braves could swing a deal for Ezekiel Tovar. Offensively would be a huge upgrade to arcia
Doubt Rox will trade him. We’re looking at more of a Paul Dejong type which would be fine.
Yea no doubt. Would still be nice tho. I’m sure AA will pull off some moves but not sure he’s capable of catching lightning again like the last time acuna went down. Time will tell I suppose.
Colorado wouldn’t even even think about trading Tovar.
Meh, everyone has a price. Obviously not a very likely scenario tho. Wish in one hand, crap in the other lol
@bravesfan
Arcia has not been the same since the comment in the playoffs. Philly truly is his Daddy.
Yeah I’m sure that has everything to do with the guy struggling and not the fact that he’s had one good season in the league. Get real.
@Saint Nick
Based on his minors numbers, his slash line in the majors should be: 0.232 / 0.281 / 0.344
In the majors so far, he’s had an average slash line of: .243 / .295 / .374
Quite close to this projected numbers.
This year, his slash line is: .210 / .245 / .331
I think he knows who his daddy is, just as Pedro Martinez knew.
Na… the truth is the all star break (slightly before it) last season. I think Phillies fans dream of that being the actual reason, but he’s been terrible long before that. Other than a good first half of last year, he’s been terrible pretty much always
@bravesfan
Yes, he’s terrible this year but even worse than his average and what is expected.
Who’s your daddy? 😀
I could get behind that. Give him 3-4 starts and if he’s trash, you probably didn’t give up much to give it a whirl. But if he’s better than your current #5, money we’ll spent.
Even though he’s not been very good, I could see Atlanta going for bichette.
Phillies should try and pry away Brian Reynolds from Pirates only 29 and signed for 7 yr 100M thru 2030. Worth giving up Rojas and a couple premium prospects. For Crys sake please please DFA Whit + Pache
thats 5.5 years left, 7 yrs when signed but time has in fact passed… bucs wont be trading him.
kevin pillar, brent rooker, maybe a taylor ward trade may be in the cards but the phillies have few higher-level prospects and more low level flier types, so look for more modest trade acquisitions
The Phils farm system has rebounded a bit, but I don’t think Reynolds is going to be traded in the next couple of years. The Pirates need some box office draw, and Skenes only pitches once every 5 games.
Vogelbach has been running at full intensity for 3 days now. He and Schwarber will meet halfway in the outfield warning track soon, then the Freeze will smoke both of them!
keep turner, shawarber and haper off base and the phillies are beatable.
The Phillies will most likely keep Shawarber and Haper off base.
And those names are all names I have seen the Braves also interested in. We will be bidding against each other.
The Walmart Whammers are perfectly fine with Trevor. Besides, if some team grabs up Trevor, how will the Whammers explain to Yasiel Puig and Avi Garcia that they’ve given up on winning the championship against Target and K-Mart? They’re barely holding the lead over Amazon in their own league and KFC is rolling in their division.
And let’s not forget that loyal Walmart fan base. Bad message to send to them.
Hope Mexico City is nice this time of year
And we have the regular “Luzardo Drawing Trade Interest” article.
Yawn!
How about more likely-to-happen trade discussions regarding the Marlins?
Hmmm…Josh Bell? Tanner Scott? Maybe AJ Puk since he’s been doing well in the bullpen?
Hard to imagine many teams seriously considering Luzardo at this point. He’s always an injury risk, and when he hasn’t been injured this year he has not pitched well at all.
Suck it Whitney!