Baron’s Corner
Following an overload of turkey and yellow penalty flags on Thanksgiving, thought it was time to turn to baseball. Specifically, My Phillies.
Like many, I’ve come up with many questions: bullpen closer and depth, who’s in CF, LF, SS, 3B? Starting pitchers always welcomed. Sorry I wasn’t more creative.
Sure, these questions are the same as Dave Dombrowski’s. He and his herd of assistant GMs, advisors, analytical personnel, Joe Girardi and crew, scouting, player development, medical department and ownership are mulling over this maze on how to improve the club. One can only imagine they are not surfing twitter for assistance.
What is the team’s budget for 2022? Harper ($27 million), Realmuto ($23.8 million), Wheeler ($26 million) head the high-rent district. Can they afford another $20 million per-year player of five or more years? Or is it more prudent to use $20 million to address multiple needs?
If there is a labor lockout, will there be a total or partial freeze on player movements?
At some point, there will be a new Basic Agreement. How many full moons will pass until then?
What effect will a new agreement have on roster size, DH in NL, free agency and compensation, luxury tax thresholds, arbitration, minimum salary, service time, pitch clock, larger bases, modification in defensive shifts, mound visits, extra inning rules, doubleheaders, scheduling and a gaggle of unknowns?
How do analytical spreadsheets and human scouts mix and match in decision-making?
Now, down to the nitty-gritty. No help needed from the Flyers mascot, Gritty. Sorry.
Bullpen pieces historically are fungible and fickle. Dave has said a closer is urgent. Free agency or trade? At what cost? Plan B if big time closer isn’t feasible?
If compensation for signing certain free agents remains in the mix, are the Phillies willing to lose a second-round draft pick and international bonus money? Or, whatever the new compensation?
How much emphasis is placed on improving defense at CF, SS, 3B? Pitching improves when defense improves. Not sure who said that. Connie Mack? Gene Mauch? Bob Uecker?
Which is more critical, a lead-off hitter or another power bat? Left or right-handed or does it matter? Oh, at what cost?
Where does Alec Bohm fit? 3B, position change, trade fodder, DH?
Bryson Stott had a great 2021, starting in A ball and finishing as an All-Star in the Arizona Fall League. Can he be the 2022 opening day shortstop? Does he need more time in AAA? Is he a major league shortstop? Does he profile better at 3B? Or 2B?
Didi Gregorius? Start 2022 at SS, change positions, bench role, DH, tradable?
While farm system isn’t highly rated there are some very good prospects at the lower levels. Will the Phillies be willing to reach into that well?
Solutions?
Rumor mill will churn out gaggles. A roller-coaster ride.
Similarly, I have plenty. Not going to tip my hand. Got to keep the enemy guessing.
Will say this….over my four-plus decades with the club, multiple general managers received multiple trade suggestions from my perch verbally or scribbled on yellow pad pages. Not one came to fruition. Zero.
Dallas Green put me in my place when he once barked: “Baron, we’ll make the deals. You announce them!”
Does Dave need an e-mail from me? Definitely not.
Do I have too much time on my hands? Definitely!
