Hope you enjoyed your weekend. We are one week closer to spring training in Clearwater. Warm thoughts!
1. Morandini in the Phillies TV booth?
We knew two names likely to be considered for the now vacant spot in the Phillies TV booth were Ben Davis and Kevin Stocker. Now it appears there could be another option in the fold with Mickey Morandini reportedly interviewing for the gig for a second straight season. I suppose it is a step up from coaching minor league baseball. I can’t say whether he would be a good fit in the booth or not, although I trust he knows his baseball and has some good insight on some of the younger players he helped prepare for the big leagues at various stages of development.
2. Lee on the other hand…
It is feasible Cliff Lee could be a different story in the spring, at least according to Jayson Stark. Stark reported Friday one exec who had been in contact with the Phillies suggested the team could be ready to move Lee if he is healthy, and thus marketable.
3. Phillies throw wet blanket on Hamels and Papelbon trade talks
It is entirely possible the Phillies will come to a point where trading Coel Hamels or Jonathan Papelbon not only makes sense for a sinking team, but becomes a reality if things do not go well this summer. While some may choose to rip the Phillies to clinging to these arms as long as they have, there is nothing wrong with holding on until the best possible deal comes along. Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro is under pressure to make some progress with the rebuilding process, but he says talks involving either Hamels or Papelbon are not likely to intensify during the spring.
This makes sense. If nothing was done over the winter meetings, then it always seemed more likely any potential moves would have to wait until the season gets started. If the Phillies fall out of the division and playoff picture early enough, the possibility of trading either could lead to a bigger return closer to the trade deadline. Unlike last season, standing pat at the deadline would be less likely to see from a GM feeling the heat.
If Amaro’s even around that long…
4. Phillies are interested in Moncada
Amaro has confirmed the Phillies have interest in Cuban prospect Yoan Moncada, the red hot 19-year old Cuban that many consider a can’t miss prospect. The competition to land Moncada could get pricey, but I would like to see the Phillies make a push for another Cuban import. If they miss, they miss, but perhaps it opens the door for the next top Cuban player to come to the majors in the future.
5. No Clearwater for Nola
I missed this one late last week. Aaron Nola, drafted last year out of LSU and thrown right into the farm system, did not receive an invite to Clearwater for the Phillies’ big league spring training. This may only be a minor surprise given the expected potential Nola carries with him, but it is not totally unexpected. It is possible we see Nola pitching for the Phillies at some point this season but he was not expected to crack the opening day lineup. He should be a lock for Phillies spring training in 2016 and could even battle for a roster spot on the Opening Day lineup next season, but there is no need to rush his development just yet.
6. Super Bowl-like bidding for MLB All-Star Game
New commissioner Rob Manfred is embracing new ideas right out of the gate in his new role, or at least embracing the conversation about new ideas. That is a good thing. You know what’s not a great thing? Bidding to host all-star games. That is one thing Manfred says could become a reality, in an interview with Jayson Stark. This is nothing more than a potential money grab for MLB, which I suppose is fine. If we are about to move to a bidding process in the next few years then I do hope Philadelphia makes a pitch. Citizens Bank Park still has not hosted the MLB All-Star Game, while other newer ballparks have been promised games. The last time the Phillies hosted the All-Star Game was 1996.
7. Chipper needs to log off Twitter
Twitter has no filter, essentially, which leaves idiots to look like idiots. Former Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones may be one of those idiots that needs to learn when to stop sharing every little thought on Twitter.
8. No support for banning the defensive shift
Remember all the talk about the possibility of enforcing a ban or restriction on the use of the defensive shift around baseball? It was pretty much a non-topic for the most part, and now we see why. There was no real support for it, with just four or six general managers supporting the idea. What are the odds Amaro was among that minority?
9. Are you on Twitter or Facebook?
Follow Macho Row on Twitter and Like on Facebook today!
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
