Phillies

[PhillyPhreak54]

It's not so much Hoffman as them not really doing anything else

[SD]

If Romano can recover he's a huge upgrade over Hoffman. I know that's a long shot but prior to last season he was a top 5 closer.

[MDS]

they made a very good rotation much better, added 2 relief pitchers and a bat. were the latter moves for all stars? no. but you cant say they didnt do anything, they very much did things.

i mentioned this earlier. they are in a holding pattern, waiting for painter/crawford/miller to graduate and waiting for big contracts like walker, cast, schwarber, realmuto to come off the books. the team is good enough to make the playoffs and even win a division...whether or not they win in october is completely random. theres no series of moves they can make that would give them any real significant better chance than they already have.

[Geowhizzer]

Hoffman to Toronto 3/33

Baltimore red flagged his physical

Uncle John and Dombo just laying back

Apparently, Hoffman failed a physical with Atlanta as well.

[PhillyPhreak54]

He will suck all year except when he pitches against the Phillies

[SD]

Hear me out on this one

Mason Miller was a starter in college/minors...A's turned him into a dominant closer. He seems to enjoy his role as a closer but I'm sure if he made it known he wants to start they'd accommodate him.

Which brings us to Painter. If Luzardo can bounce back Painter's role is unclear. Even if they start him every once in a while he's gonna be on a pitch count. They need another bp righty. To me it makes perfect sense.

Todd: "No. Painter is a starter...no bp experience...high leverage rookie... blah blah blah"

Also farg the dodgers. They signed Sasaki. Phillies landed minor leaguer Dylan Campbell for some international money in the deal...he's essentially Rojas. They also added 31 year old 3 time all star Jap side arm pitcher Koyo Aoyagi. Might have a spot in the BP

[MDS]

No. Painter is a starter.

[SD]

Fair enough. I'm excited for baseball season

[MDS]

they could maybe move him to the bullpen for the playoffs, thats a scenario. depends on a variety of things but thats gotta be on the table.

got my opening day tix yesterday. i am ready.

[PhillyPhreak54]

Why even play since the Dodgers have everyone

[MDS]

the great equalizer is baseball is insanely random and anything can happen in a 5 or 7 game sample size...even the pathetic phillies beating them

[Don Ho]

Padres had 2-1 lead with game 4 at home, lost next two to Doyers.  Total collapse by Padres - 0 runs and 9 hits in those two games.  With that said, Padres were close to beating that machine.  Agree with Todd, anything can happen in the playoffs.  Mets and Brewers in WC series.  Thrill and agony of the playoffs.  We as Phillies fans should know.

But, watching LA burn $$ is torture.

[Don Ho]

I digress.  Dodgers signing Tanner Scott?  National League is screwed for the next five years.

[Geowhizzer]

Billy Wagner was elected into the HOF in his 10th year.  Of course he goes in as a Phillie. 

As for the rest (Thanks to John Foley's Twitter feed that no longer seem to link correctly on )
Billy Wagner - 82.5% (up from 73.8%)
Chase Utley - 39.8 % (up from 28.8%)
Bobby Abreu - 19.5% (up from 14.8%)
Jimmy Rollins - 18.0% (up from 14.8%)

[Geowhizzer]

Stupid double post.