Phillies Trade Matt Strahm Instant Reaction! | High Hopes

Phillies Trade Matt Strahm Instant Reaction! | High Hopes

Yo, it is another edition of the High Hopes podcast, sponsored by Miller Light, official, partner of the Philadelphia Affiliates. Taste like Miller Time Philadelphia. Celebrate responsibly, Fritzy. Uh, I got to be honest with you. I think this is the first time, and it’s obviously because of who’s leaving, more news coming. I’m sure we’ll get to that, but uh I got to be honest listeners. We never have. We never will. I got to be honest with you. I think this is the first time we’re doing an emergency podcast for a guy that I had never heard of when they actually [laughter] made the trade. SO, JONATHAN BOLAN BOOLAN, WHATEVER. Welcome down. Welcome to the Phillies, man. All right. Matt Strum, not surprised to see you go, but see you. Let’s get into it. How you doing, Frzy? >> I’m good. It’s our third podcast this week. This is Talk about exciting. I I don’t care. I don’t care what they do as long as we get to do a podcast. That’s the only thing that makes me happy. I didn’t >> I know. I felt bad that I made you do the solo one for Keller late at night, the whole thing. So, I was like, I got to make it happen today. I’ll be here. >> I mean, 40 minutes just going off about Brad Keller, Ani Colombi, and then a little bit of Q&A. It was nice. It was >> about as frzitsy as it gets. I mean, that is like your happy place right there. Yeah, >> we’re still we’re still on cloud nine about Brad Keller. We are still bummed about Anie Colombi. And then we brought right back up with the Jonathan Bolan. >> Oh, [laughter] yeah. We’re back. >> We’re back. No. So, so really interesting. You said that not surprised. I think if I if I if we said that at the end of the season. >> No. Yeah. I’m talking because of what Derowski said. I agree with you. I think if you if you just take it in a vacuum, if Dave Deowski didn’t say anything at the end of the season, it would actually be shocking that they moved on from Stro at this point, but I think because of the press conference, far less shocking that they moved on. >> Yes. >> Yeah. So obviously the press conference sure seemed like they had soured on the guy and yeah so maybe felt like a point of no return of we just got to get him out of here. I’m really surprised at the return. I really am. I thought that that Stum still being good, not having injuries. One now one year of control probably hurt obviously being 34, >> you know, >> it wasn’t a crazy price given what relievers are getting now in in the trade market. I was surprised that it was just bowling. I I thought that they could have maybe gotten a catching prospect like like Carter Jensen, but you know, I thought maybe the Orioles they could have got one of their catching prospects. I felt like they were targeting that in a strong trade and this felt like a straight up salary dump. And it’s not that Bol like Bolan’s interesting. I I think he is a he if they have him under team control until 2032. He has no options left. But you know really >> Yeah. So but he has a lot of team control which is interesting. >> I was you rarely see guys with six years team control without that you know >> without the options. >> Yeah. my and and and digging more into him. First off, heavy heavy heavy heavy heavy heavy sinker and the Phil I feel like the Phillies are really trying to get >> Yeah. I mean, Keller Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Got McCambbley is hard on righties. They they want guys that are tough to tough for righties to square up. So, um, so, so and as you dig into it more, he seems like a guy that that can start and if the Phillies are really in the mindset of shedding salary, I thought that Taiwan was not going to be a part of that because they need him because because Wheeler is going to be down at the beginning of the year. It would be nice to have Taiwan insurance with this move. Maybe it would open up the door for for a Taiwan trade if they’re in the market of just shedding salary. U but I do think he’s someone that slots in as a a long man out of the bullpen. You know, I don’t think he’s going to be a leverage righty. I think that was that was Brad Keller, but I think that he’s someone that has interesting traits, but he’s been up to 97 in some of the videos that I’ve seen. I I think this could be something where they stretch him out, could be a starter and and kind of maybe maybe it gets them in a Taiwan Walker trade. >> Yeah, it’s really interesting because I think you’re right that there’s like I I don’t think they’re just like, “Oh, we can we can move on from $6.5 million of salary. Let’s just do that.” Like I don’t think that’s the only impetus for this trade. I think it’s part of other moves and part of like a tapestry of things that they want to do. But I do think that they were motivated to move on from Stum and I think the money’s part of it. I also think look the way Dave talked at the end of the year like I just I I think sometimes you know there are guys who don’t fit your culture, don’t fit your team, whatever they believe like it was clear as you I think it’s a perfect way to put it. They soured on Matt Stum again like I don’t ever remember I mean even the Bryce Harper thing which WE WERE LIKE WHOA AND was a bigger deal cuz who Bryce Harper is was nowhere close to as critical as he was of St. He buried Matt. Like you very rarely hear a general manager, president, whatever, rip a a current player under contract the way he he went after Stum there. So like I’m not surprised they moved on. But like from a baseball sense to your point because I do think like I don’t think any Phillies fan wants to hear, oh well they freed up $6 million unless $7 million unless unless that’s going to lead to something else because while like you know Banks and Alvarado got you hope Alvarado can kind of get back. Yo Banks is what he was last year and all that, but like it does open up a left-handed kind of hole in the bullpen in terms of guys you trust. He was probably the most trustworthy of those three just in terms of staying in on the field and and contributing. Now, you can flip it around and say, look, you know, Matt St pitched a lot of innings the last few years. Yeah, >> we saw him be less effective last year and then the season went on and all. He had that stretch in September, he looked a little better, but for the most part wore down and whatnot. And we know that some of the the erra wasn’t necessarily what how good he actually pitched. So I do think there’s an argument to saying that they got the best out of Matt Stum in these years they had him and that he’s probably not going to be as good next year even as he was this year potentially. Potentially and I think that’s you know part of the calculus. But I do think that I think that unless they use this money or do to your point whether it’s plus Taiwan to do something else or whether they use this 7 million to to go get another reliever or to do something else like I think people will be annoyed just on the face of it with them just you know seemingly like giving even though they’re not just kind of giving him away in a sense you know. >> Totally. I I’m not really happy with it unless it leads to another move. >> Me too. >> And I don’t even know if JT’s I mean JT’s fine. I don’t know if it’s like >> I and I don’t know if the JT thing is one or the other. Like I think if they’re signing JT, they’re signing JT, you know. >> Yeah. So, if it doesn’t lead to another move, I think I’ll be disappointed because I I I think >> you made your team worse, right? You made your team worse today. >> Yeah, you you you did. You did. I think Keller will help against lefties and and whatnot, but Banks Alvarado is is a really tough bet to make. I thought Banks was great last year, but obviously it’s more in a low lever spot. And Alvarado, we really don’t know. We really don’t know because when he came back off after the suspension, he wasn’t very good. Now maybe the whole off season he gets it back. Maybe he lost it last year was rusty. Who knows? It’s it’s it’s a tough bet to make with not really a another lefty yet coming through the pipeline. There’s not there’s not one there’s more righties I think that could help this bull. >> Yeah. >> than than lefties. So So that is 100% that is concerning. So I I just am am in the mindset of they are trying to shed salary to get into the Bregman or Bette markets. Like I I think that I think this move maybe the the Taiwan move Cassi will be gone eventually. Boom, which is 11 million that they won’t have to spend. Here’s one that that would hurt. Here’s one that would hurt 100%. But he is making seven half million dollars this year. And that’s Sosa. >> Wow. I didn’t realize he was quite that high. I would have guess he was like four million or five million somewhere in there. He’s seven and a half. Huh. >> And I love >> I do too. I think he’s worth that money, you know. I think that’s a a fair price for like, you know, that type. Like Whit Maryfield was what, eight and a half. They gave him a couple years ago. Same type of vibe, I guess. >> Love Edmundo Sosa. But if they’re in the mindset of trying to get into one of those one of those guys markets, it could be something that he would have value around the league. I think teams have been trying to trade for Edmundos for a couple years. He’s he’s 30. He’s probably going to get $7.5 million in arbitration this year. >> Oh, yeah. >> So, you know, that’s that’s another name to kind of look out for. But on its surface, yeah, the Phillies did not get better today. And hopefully this is just part of the long game. I don’t really buy the they got out a year early and and he was a super >> No, I was just saying like that you know it’s possible when you look at the you know >> like if you’re doing that I would rather have it I I would have understood that more if they’re able to get a a a real because then yeah totally agree I yeah agree >> but just getting Jonathan Bowen back bowling is not that screams straight salary dump to me rather than so Yeah, I I think it’s a move that leads to a move and and if they don’t pay if they don’t pay JT, they got off Stum, they can get off of Bone. That’s 11. So that’s we’re getting you’re getting close to 30. >> Oh yeah. No, you’re you’re around there. But here, real quick though, because you just made a comment that you know, almost like a throwaway if you get off JT. But like >> what do you do if you get off JT? Like >> yes, please. What’s the plan? Me rolling with Marian and Stubs? I don’t think so. Right. No. >> Nope. Nope. Oh, I’m so glad you asked, James. >> Let me talk to you about Victor Keratini. I mean, >> I like Victor Car. I like that defense, baby. >> Defense, but but better offensively last year than JT. So, >> wow. Was he really? >> Well, he so he hit 259 with a 728 OPS and 12 home runs. >> Okay. He his war was only down because he played first base a little bit because Christian Walker was hurt and they had a Diaz down there in in Houston. Victor Keratini at like 5 million 5 million when you get similar production and and pitchers love throwing to him. >> Oh dude, he’s like one of those guys that that pitchers like wax poetic about like people he’s got one of those reputations, you know. So Marawn Keratini then it’s not it’s not perfect but if it if if it lands you Bette or or Bregman >> oh in a second >> you you you take that swap >> especially because you’re not talking about committing to a catcher for age 35 36 37 or whatever like you’d have to do >> exactly exactly so that would be my plan of catcher but I I I I think this is the beginning I think that this is the the beginning of some some some salary being shedded and and hopefully they can get like we need Kyle Tucker to sign with the Blue Jays. Really need it. Dying to see it. That’s >> B’s gone like for that reason. >> That would take them out. I think Bette and and Don Maddingley whenever eventually he signs a board are very very close. There was that clip at the end of the year when they lost. The first person Bette went up to is Don Maddingley and gave him a big hug. So, you know, my my my head says Bette, you know, 28. He slots in batting two and perfect and third base or second base. He’s open to playing second base maybe. >> Yeah. Which was interesting. He put that out there like you made it clear, hey guys, I’ll play second base, everybody. >> Well, because you look at the shortstop defensive numbers and it’s like, yeah, he probably should. He probably should. >> So the the head says the head says adding, >> could he play third? Could he play third? Because I don’t think he’s ever played it, right? Like at least in in the majors. >> Yeah, I think so. I mean I I think so. He can play short stop. I think he can play mostly >> usually. But you know, you just never know. >> Or I mean Scott did play third base in 20 >> 22. Was that when he started the year? Yeah, because because Seagora was still here. So Stock did start the year at third base in in 22. And >> I don’t know. We’ll see. And then like So my my head says Bette because he’s younger and you hitting two. Heart always says Braggy. I mean, ready to get pregnant. Yep. Ready to do it. [laughter] Ready to do it. >> That’s great. >> Ready to do it. >> Ready to do it. >> Ready to do it. So, um, because listen, Bregman in this lineup, the the winner vibes. You want to talk about >> be amazing. >> The the between Schwarber and him and Harp and come on, man. So, I don’t know, man. I just I have a I have a a good feeling about the rest of this offseason and it feels they’re they’re trying to to shake this up a little bit. They’re trying to maybe get some of the the the guys in the clubhouse who weren’t totally in line with everything, get them out of here and and and shake it up, you know, change the chemistry a little bit, you know, >> which they needed to do. you need to do like we’ve talked a lot about and I think you know some fan expectation is unrealistic in terms of the situation they’re in and like blow it up and change it all up and it’s like I don’t think people necessarily like think three four steps ahead of that and just kind of want change for change sake when it’s like okay but what do they do with this what do they do with that when we knew that they were in a situation where especially with Schwarber like we wanted him back it made sense to bring him back but then you’re committing to this group and this core and all these things Like it just it would make I think it would just change the whole perspective on this whole thing if they brought in one more name like a Bette and a Bregman for everybody else. But I think that for the team itself like you need, you know, I think you can change it up by having some new guy. Like I think Adoul Garcia’s energy will be good for this team. Like I he needs a hit, but like I think like that’s the type of guy comes in and has can have a baiter effect with his energy and that type of stuff. I I like I’m still stuck on on the JT thing because I think it’s fascinating, Jack, in that I feel like the vast majority of fans and even us on this pod really have just been like, “Well, JT will be back almost like just and this is the first time you’ve kind of like been like, well, maybe he won’t.” What would you like where where are you leaning? Are you like starting to shift to like thinking he actually won’t be back or is this just if he isn’t like how would you lay out your percentages right now in ter because again we were a few pods ago like almost like just a fact where you at now because it seems like you’ve you’ve shipped it. Yeah, I just I I think that I think that they are I think that they are interested in getting into a real differencemaker type of of of move and maybe maybe what’s happening is they’re surprised in in where the Bette >> in the market >> and Bregman markets are and they might feel like they have an opportunity a lot like the Casianos. Yeah, sure. where they were like, “Hold on, we before we do the whole, you know, just bring back JT with for two years or with a club option for a third year. Maybe we can maybe we can can get into into one of those into one of those markets.” So, and maybe JT’s like really holding out for a third year and and maybe they’re getting frustrated with it. I don’t I don’t really know, but I think the Phillies are looking at the allocation of money and saying, “Hold on, do we want to spend the 15 to$17 million on JT or should we just save it, get awesome salary, and maybe go get maybe go get in one one of the markets for for Bashette and Bregman.” So, I I don’t even know if I have a percentage of where I put JT coming back at this point. >> The point is you’re not 100 anymore, and we were kind of like under 99, whatever. Yeah, that didn’t and of itself interesting. >> It felt like it was done. It felt like Yeah, >> JT was like, “All right, I’m coming back. We’re we’re we’re we’re running it back, whatever.” But I don’t know. I I don’t get that sense anymore. I really don’t. I I I kind of feel like that they are doing a little pause here and saying, “Do we really want to do this? Do we really want to do this?” And I Dude, I I know he he had that stretch in the middle of the summer where he was really really good. You look at the overall numbers last year and it was I mean he he ended up with us exactly 700 ops like exactly a a 700 ops and that was his age 34 season. So, I understand the value he brings defensively is we we documented, we talked about it and how he runs a pitching staff. Just how much how valuable is that when there is a guy like Victor Keratini out there who also can run a game in in a similar way for a way cheaper price and does get you possibly >> allows you to do these other things. Yeah. No, dude. this this and look if nothing else like I want them thinking that way. Like even if it ends up that J team’s back or whatever, like I want them to go into the market and say, “Oh, like look at how this market is playing out. This presents different opportunities than maybe we thought we were going to have coming in. Let’s adjust. Let’s be fluid.” You know, I I I love that and I really hope that’s where their mindset is because, you know, that’s how you take advantage of opportunities when they come along instead of being like hamstrung or or set already or just even not thinking that. Like I like Emilyy’s so much better than me at thinking outside the box. Like I I struggle with that sometimes where I’m just like, “All right, well this is the path that I’m thinking.” I’m like, “Well, why don’t you just move that thing?” And I’ll be like, “That was dumb.” Yeah, of course. You know, I want them to think outside the box. I don’t want them to just go in and be like, “Well, we got to sign JT because it’s JT.” So, >> well, >> I really I really hope that’s where they’re at. >> And I think that’s been a problem for them for the last couple years is the >> Exactly. >> the lack of creativity. The lack of creativity, you know, and and being a I almost almost feel like they don’t trust themselves sometimes. They have something good and they’re like, “We can’t possibly He’s He’s ours.” So, yeah, it it’s risky. It’s certainly risky. What I find interesting is they I don’t think you can trade bomb unless you have it on pretty good authority. Agree >> that one of those guys are are coming. Now, I’ve kind of got to the mindset where I know it sounds haterish, but I mean 11.5 million dollars that Bone’s probably going to get or just roll with Auto Kemp and and possibly Sosa >> and Aiden when he’s ready to like maybe he has a great first half of the year in the miners. You just bring him up and roll like who knows. Yeah. >> Yeah. I’m just >> By the way, there is still the trade deadline. Like we forget, but last year the Phillies made themselves much better at the trade deadline. like you can go in with a somewhat unsure situation in the position and still have optionality as the season progresses. >> I’m just sort of ready to be over the bone thing ready. >> Uh and then the other thing that I think is interesting I I don’t think they’re opening up money for for Harrison Bader, but the way that the way that Dumbassi talked the other day and it was kind of now we had talked about it about they’re going to start leaking out that Crawford is the center fielder and and going from there. That could have been a message to Bader. Uh, >> of course it could have. Of course it could have. >> Take a year off the contract and maybe some of the demands down or we’ll we’ll roll with Crawford. So maybe this could also be freeing up money for Harrison Bader. I would It’s not that I would be disappointed because I love Harrison Bader, but I >> Yeah, but I’d rather have Bad I’d rather have Breman or Bishhat person. >> I’m I’m big game hunting. I’m big game >> Yeah. And I’m I’m banking on on a track record. Like I love what Harrison Bader did here, but like and I know that like potentially like there was a mechanical change or you know the swing plane or whatever. Like I’d much rather have the guy who’s been good for you know five years, the good guy who’s been good for like seven years, eight years, whatever. You know what I mean? Like I’d rather just have the track record guy. >> Totally. But now if they did bring back Bader, that would make a Marsh trade a possibility. There’s there’s >> And I want Bader back. Don’t get me wrong. I won’t be upset. bait I think especially the defense like he is a valuable player and I like him but I’d rather have Bashetta Bregman if if given a choice. >> So there’s some there’s some avenues here. There are some real avenues here >> possibly. >> Yeah. Listen, I I I think today was just the start. I really do. I think today was just the start the first domino and and we’ll see how the rest of the offseason >> made me feel better, dude. You made me feel better. This is Oh, hold on. Phil’s made another trade according to Tucker. Look at this. As we get in uh the Phil Oh, so not a Tucker. another trade with four >> points. >> Uh they’ve acquired left-handed pitcher Kyle Bakis from the Diamondbacks for minor leager Avery Aosu Acidu. >> Yeah, the uh >> Hey, how about that? >> The Clearwater Aaron judge. Yeah, he’s >> Yeah. >> A AOA AOA is a a model darling, but probably will not make enough contact to to stick. So, >> Kyle Bakus left the strong replacement. >> I’m [laughter] sure. I’m sure. I’m sure you’re really chesting me here between uh >> Well, here look real quick and tell us the peripherals real quick. But what I will say because I wanted to add one last thing before we’re done. Um >> Oh, wow. He was in the big leagues >> because I wasn’t on the pod uh the pod solo pod you did. Crush some tape >> fully in on Brad Keller. >> Yeah, >> what a dog. What a dog. >> He’s amazing. >> I’m ready. And also go if you if you’re if you’re not excited about Brad Keller, go to his Savant page for last year. Like you’re going to be excited in Umbrea. >> Kyle Bakus. >> What do you got on Bakus? >> Uh Lefty’s hit lefties hit 139 against him last year. >> Right. We got a stud. >> No, he did it. Add him to the factory. Add him to the factory. Wow. He’s a little Oh, he’s a little sidewinding lefty, too. That’s exciting. >> Oh, I love that. We never have those guys. >> Wow. They trade AOA, though. That’s sad. He was always He was always a a real potential guy that you would get excited about. But >> Oh, you got to love those guys. Yeah, probably no shot of being a real >> probably not going to put it together like almost all those guys. >> Almost all those guys, but could >> But could we close out this podcast with talking about real quick the the the the >> Oh yeah, what you Okay, no, hold on. Let me set this up. I don’t even need You don’t need to finish because I know where you’re going because I’m literally leaving work yesterday and I got a call from Jack and I’m like, “Oh my god, what’s did the Phillies make a trade? Do we have to do a podcast?” No, tell them what you called me about. >> [sighs and gasps] >> Well, I saw the news that Scooble and and Mason Miller joined [laughter] joined Team USA and I had to talk about it. >> You called me. You didn’t text me. You called me to tell me about the USA pitching staff for WBC. >> I was threatening to >> It’s a real thing that happened. Yes. >> I was threatening to ruin your nap time. I really was. I >> Oh, I know. >> It ranked three times and I was like, “Oh, I forget he keeps his phone on ringer when he’s sleeping.” [laughter] And I was like, “Ah, it could have been a bad guy move.” But then around five o’clock, Logan Webb was added to it as well. I mean, >> oh, buddy, >> dude. They’re better than the 92 dream team. [snorts] 100%. I [laughter] mean, >> no, >> it ain’t close. >> Doing that one. >> I would take I would take this rotation over that starting five any day of the week. Okay. >> Any day of the week. >> I think we might have we might have jumped the shark with this, by the way. >> You know what? You know what’s so nice about it? It felt like it felt like skins being on the team. School was like, I’m not going to let him think he’s the face of of pitching in baseball. >> Now, who’s who’s your game one starter? >> Well, Skins, right? No, I’m just kidding. Uh, I actually think it’s probably Scooble. >> I think it’s Ski. I think >> I think Skins is going to be better like long term, but I think like today if I had to win one game because of the experience he’s had in big games and stuff like that, I’d go. Dude, their rotation two years ago they had Nick Martinez was a four starter. Mel Kelly was the ace. Adam Wayright was 40. And now we’re going with our M. Now Nolan Mlan’s like the five and he’s going to come out of the bullpen. Nolan Mlan is sick. It is sick. I can’t wait. I can’t wait. It’s going to be amazing. It’s gonna be amazing. Brazil. Brazil first game by the way. I mean I mean Ski might strike out 20 if if they let him go. >> Can’t wait. Now we’re Now we’re done. Uh I can’t believe they trade AOA. >> It’s crazy. I love that that we’re ending the Bob with you can’t believe they trade AOA, not that they trade Matt Strong. Uh, [laughter] all right. You got anything else? >> No. But, uh, >> I’ll say hi to BLJ for you. He’ll be here in three minutes. >> Say hi to BLJ. And just, uh, just know this is this is, you know, you know what this reminds me of? You know what this reminds me of? You know when Howie >> No, >> in 2016 >> season >> when he went 13-8 to two. >> The hopscotch. >> That’s what this is. This is just the beginning. Just the beginning. Exciting stuff. >> Odd title. All right. Uh we’ll be back when the next uh shoe drops. So can’t wait till then. Until then, he’s hurt himself.

The Philadelphia Phillies dumped reliever Matt Strahm on Friday, trading the lefty to the Kansas City Royals. The High Hopes podcast reacts to the move and believes it could be an indication something bigger is coming.

Subscribe to stay updated on the newest content from SportsRadio 94 WIP!

►https://twitter.com/sportsradiowip
►https://instagram.com/sportsradiowip
►https://www.facebook.com/94wip

► GET Sports News, Athlete Exclusives & More at http://www.94wip.com!
#Sportsradio94wip