Andrew Painter Photo Credit: Reading Fightin Phils
Every Tuesday, On Pattison's Tim Kelly and Anthony SanFilippo will answer your questions from social media pertaining to the Phillies. Let's get to it.
@MattDAlbertson on X: Juan Soto isn't happening. Justin Crawford is young, but will and/or should we consider him as a 2025 solution in CF?
Tim Kelly: Crawford was at Citizens Bank Park late in the season and talked about wanting to get to the majors next year. Dave Dombrowski said in his year-end press conference that Crawford "is coming very fast," adding that while the team won't go into Spring Training expecting him to be one of their big league outfielders, "it wouldn't surprise me if he came in at any time."
My guess would be that Crawford will open the year at Triple-A Lehigh Valley and then could push for a promotion later in the season. The only caveat? If the Phillies make a major trade this offseason or next summer, he's certainly going to be someone that teams will be interested in.
Phillies prospect Justin Crawford (who looks exactly like his dad, Carl) on trade rumors and his desire to play in Philly.
Said since he was drafted his mindset was “I wanna get to Philly as fast as I can.” @PhilliesNation @OnPattison pic.twitter.com/37uHeGtcR3
Anthony SanFilippo: The Phillies can't go into another season with uncertainty at centerfield, can they? CAN THEY??? Here's what we know - the Phillies prefer Brandon Marsh play left field, but they don't mind him in center. Johan Rojas is going to spend all offseason in Clearwater working on his offensive game, blah, blah, blah. I'm fine with both guys coming back, but they have to be No. 4 and No. 5 on the depth chart.
That means the Phillies need not one, but two starting outfielders. If Dombrowski feels Crawford can be a mid-season major leaguer, then, fine, you can start Marsh and bring in one starter and one other outfielder to platoon with Marsh. If Crawford is going to be delayed at all though, you need two starters. Plain and simple.
I also wouldn't be opposed to trading Marsh and/or Rojas if you can get upgrades either for them or via other means.
@Clemenstimee on X: Thoughts on if Marsh (if he stays, which Dombrowski seems to be saying) plays left, center or a mix of both next season? especially considering he's a gold glove finalist this season and seems to be more comfortable there
Tim Kelly: I think some sort of mix of the two is the most likely, but it's obviously dependent on whether they acquire someone to play either left or center. He's definitely better in left field, but capable in center field. I'm still not entirely convinced he'll be with the team on Opening Day, just because I'm not sure he fits what the Phillies need out of the secondary pieces in the lineup.
Brandon Marsh May Not Fit What Phillies Need From Secondary Lineup Pieces - @OnPattison https://t.co/Tz8bgULMMe
Anthony SanFilippo: I'm a little more bullish on Marsh being here next season than Tim is. But he's not an everyday centerfielder. I'm fine with playing him there some, but he's much better in left field. I still think he's best as part of a platoon and serving as a No. 4 guy.
@OscarBudejen on X: When will Andrew Painter make his Phillies debut?
Tim Kelly: For as well as the Pirates managed Paul Skenes' innings, he wasn't coming off of Tommy John surgery and Pittsburgh's season was lost by September. I think he's capable of being on the Opening Day roster, but if you plan to limit his workload, it's better to do it in April than be out of innings in October. My shot-in-the-dark guess is he'll debut around Memorial Day.
Anthony SanFilippo: You'd think one of the team's broadcasters would have a better feel on this than us, Oscar! I mostly agree with Tim, though but I also think Memorial Day is a touch too soon. I think they will want to keep his regular season innings to about 100 innings. I'd say roughly that's 18 starts. The Phillies have a four-game road trip to Miami from June 16-19. Painter is from nearby Ft. Lauderdale. He'll make his debut at home in front of family and friends.
@Shermaning on X: What’s the likelihood that Turner bats leadoff next season and moves over to 2b?
Tim Kelly: I think there's a very real chance he or Bryson Stott leads off to open the season. Rob Thomson suggested last week the Phillies are open to considering someone other than Kyle Schwarber leading off, and those are the two internal options.
As for second base, I think it's a great idea. But Dombrowski shut it down last week and I believe him. Turner had no hesitation when I asked him after Game 4 of the NLDS whether he believes his long-term future is still at shortstop. For at least another season, it looks like Turner will be the shortstop.
Despite Declining Defensive Metrics, Trea Turner Will Remain at Shortstop for Phillies - @OnPattison https://t.co/UqpnkPQXn9
Anthony SanFilippo: Trea Turner is going to be the shortstop until one of either Aidan Miller or Starlyn Caba are ready to play in the majors. Turner was a attracted to the Phillies as a free agent over other destinations because they wanted him to play shortstop. Abandoning that after two seasons doesn't look as good optically for the Phillies to other potential free agents down the line. So, get used to it.
As for leading off, the most intriguing thing Thomson said about that was that some guys would have to change their approach to do it. He had to be talking about Turner. They can't change Stott's approach again. That would be three straight seasons. But honestly, if Thomson is going to take Schwarber out of the leadoff spot, it has to be with an external replacement. So, I'm not sure the guy who will hit leadoff is here right now.
@fightinsforever on X: Who do you think will be the Phillies center fielder next year?
Tim Kelly: If you make me guess, I'd say Marsh is in center field on Opening Day. There are so few impact center fielders in the league, and if the Phillies make an external addition, there's just more left field options to pick from. That doesn't mean Johan Rojas, Crawford or someone not currently in the picture won't see time there.
Anthony SanFilippo: Do I have to answer this question? My common sense tells me it has to be someone from outside the organization. I know the free agency route is not that appealing (Harrison Bader, anyone?) But management should try to acquire a centerfielder via trade.
However, this is the Phillies, who have foisted less-than-appealing centerfield options on us repeatedly since the Shane Victorino era. So, I'll agree with Tim, for now, that'll be Marsh with Rojas as a backup. But I'm really not comfortable with, or confident in that answer.
@Kcfc02 on X: What is Kody’s future on the team? Asking for a friend…..
Tim Kelly: He's not out of minor-league options. He'll either be on the Opening Day roster or traded, because he wouldn't clear waivers. I think there's a good chance he's on the MLB roster wire-to-wire next season.
Anthony SanFilippo: Kody Clemens is your left-handed bench bat next season. He would have been this season if it weren't for other guys being out of options. So, the fan club can breathe a sigh of relief.
@hollywood26_ on X: Any realistic trade targets/positions filled by trade instead of FA? Dave has not seemed too anxious to trade and we have a good boatload of very young and talented prospects. Think it's what we should look into this offseason.
Tim Kelly: Short of someone like Sandy Alcántara becoming available, I am not inclined to trade Andrew Painter or Aidan Miller. Beyond that, the Phillies should be at least open. It's also possible they could trade from the big league roster. I don't know what value Marsh, Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott or Nick Castellanos has, but it's at least worth finding out as you try to tweak this team.
Anthony SanFilippo: Reports have come out that the only prospect the Phillies were unwilling to move in a trade at the deadline was Painter. That means they were willing to listen on Crawford, Miller, etc. Nothing came to fruition, but one thing you have to remember - sometimes, at the trade deadline, GMs lay groundwork for an offseason trade. So, just because Dombrowski didn't move one or more of those prospects at the deadline, doesn't mean he didn't get some intel on how they are valued around the league and might have a sense of what they could fetch in an offseason deal.
That said, their needs, in order, are: Two outfielders, Two bullpen arms, a fifth starter, possibly a backup catcher. You may have to trade for two or three of those guys.
From @TimKellySports: Phillies Were Reportedly Willing To Discuss All Prospects Other Than Andrew Painter In Summer Trade talks
Read here: https://t.co/EB2IWKLwxC pic.twitter.com/XtocSOYVDb
@brycelindeman on Threads: Is there a discussion among players association or owners to have rules in place to prevent another contract like Ohtani's deferring all that money?
Tim Kelly: I think players will largely balk at this. Bryce Harper scoffed when the Nationals offered him a deal with deferrals decades into the future. Most players don't make 1% of what Ohtani does off of endorsements, so they can't afford to defer so much. Very few people would want to defer that type of money, even if they don't necessarily need it to keep the lights on. People want their money as soon as possible.
Anthony SanFilippo: Agree. And keep this in mind, Shoehi and his agent are very shrewd. They will get his money when he's no longer "physically working" in California. That means, he won't get hit with the state income tax, and will get even more dollars.
However, not every player is a Shohei Ohtani. There may be only one free agent this offseason who a team might consider discussing that with - and it's Juan Soto. Otherwise, I think the closest you get is long-term deals for big money with opt-out capabilities so players can hit the market again if their production warrants it.
