High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Let's Welcome Sutton Baker Fritz To The High Hopes Family!

Episode Date: January 15, 2025

Jack Fritz tells us about the birth of his second son and everything that went down while he was on paternity leave. Later, the guys discuss the things the Phillies can do before the start of Spring Training to improve their team. Presented by Miller Lite. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrate responsibly. You might have thought what happened to the Phillies make a big signing. Did they make a trade? What is the yo so big? No, it's because the high hopes family made an addition of free agent signing, as it were. Sutton Baker, Fritz, gradually Mazel tov, buddy. Thank you about it.

Thank you. I'm early two children now. I know. Who let that happen? Listen, early running for father of the year. Oh, really? Yeah. Just by having just by having that makes it.

I have. Yeah. Not many people take a week off during those playoffs. No big deal. Yeah. You're just like, ah, I got a kid. Dude, I'm so glad. What would I talk about last week?

So to be completely honest, I cannot talk about the Eagles. Dude, I know I can tell from the text you said, like you are very angry about it. You know, it's not that I want them to lose. But I'm making that clear. It's not not that it's just I'm talked out. I mean, I needed this podcast for some mental clarity. So let me get to our rundown. We're going to talk. Jalen.

There's a lot. There's a lot to get into. There's there's so there's actually so much to get into. I know I feel quick as as other than you having a kid. Yes. Is anything Phillies related happens? Yeah. Last time I got a lot. OK, good. I have a lot of rundown. Yeah, I do. OK, I do. Don't you worry.

And I'll spare you. I'll spare you breaking down the international class today. Thank you. One guy. So they real real quick. He was saying I'll say real quick. Hold on. Right. This is why this podcast exists. So they signed a Cunha's cousin.

The today family and because they already signed the brother. Well, apparently, I mean, I think he's there. He was like 12 years old. So whatever. But yeah, but they're not. He's a brother will sign him. It's sight unseen.

They're number one. Their number one sign this year is is Acuna's cousin. And just from the extensive tape that I saw, buddy, just like Acuna. Oh, I was 16. So you're watching tape on 16 year olds. There's tape out there. I was looking at it. And he's so he's not Kaba. The guy I saw Kaba the first time I was like, that's it.

That's a player. Yeah. We'll say former Philly, former Philly, former Ph It's not like Daba who was here for Hazel's art Oh, I've been thinking a lot about Hazel's art. Oh, it really was the like Like the the the thing that we could grab on to like I needed something that I get like a life preserver To keep me above water and I'm grabbing on to Hays. It's amazing. Hazes, Lazardo Sutton. I'm just kidding. So it's funny being a dad of two now, because. You also have to make sure you keep the other one alive.

You know, you can't just, when you have your first, your whole focus is totally tell me about totally on your, on your one child. And now some might surmise that's how you got Fritz. Right. True. Yeah. Full focus effort. Everything into you. Correct. Creates this bathed in glory human that I'm looking at. Thank you. Thank you. I'm trying to use bathed in glory more.

Why? Because it's a great phrase. Bathed in glory? Yeah, it's pretty good, right? Yeah. Well, it's like the one. Okay. I like it. Do you like it, Tucker?'s a great phrase. Bathe in glory. Yes, we're good. Yeah. Well, it's like the one. OK. I like it. You like it, Tucker? Your words are bathed in glory like he's bathed himself in glory. Yeah. I think again, to bring it back to the Eagles.

Oh, yeah. Come on. That was quick. Most of them deserve to be bathed in. Most maybe one doesn't deserve that. That day. I think Lomato is that a shot at Rick Lomato? the debate, then maybe one doesn't deserve that. I think Lomato is that a shot at Rick Lovato? Well, Lovato is at a great year. Oh, yes. He's at a great year.

He has the best of any staff. It's been the best special teams. Maybe. Yeah, I'm afraid that's an R. Yeah, yeah. Because they kick off. They had Braden Mann in the Super Bowl. There's Super Bowl champs.

Dude, I. You'll forget that. Aaron Sipos was my. That bass, I called him. Nailed it with that. Thank you was my sip ass I called him now. I'll do it. Thank you Thank you. I appreciate it. So So yeah, it's a Also an official statement. I want to get out there good. Yes, because this has to be brought up as well

there has never been a Major League baseball player with the first name son. Oh player with the first name Sutton. So let's say that's a good point changes in 2043. Let's get into this a little bit, because I will say 2043. Bryce. Yeah, yeah, that makes sense. So how did Sutton happen? Because I will say, you know, I think there's probably a reason there hasn't been a major baseball player named Sutton, you know,

because mostly been a girl's name. Yeah, exactly. I was about to say, you don't need that many boys. You justton. You know, it's mostly been a girl's name. Yeah, exactly. I was about to say, you don't meet that many boys. You just don't. Yeah, I've never met one. Yeah. So it's a really great story. It's a really great story.

Good. Good. One day I was on Instagram and I saw a list of new new boy names. Oh, and Sutton was on there and that was it. I sent a Jills like, what do you think? And she's like, I like it. And said to Jill, I was like, what do you think? And she said, I like it. And then like we, you know, deliberated. It's like, all right, I think we'll go with Sutton.

And then because I. All right. So I wanted to name them. I always wanted to go with Wyatt. I like the name why I was a white guy. Why it's great. I wanted to go Hudson. OK, because I love Tim Hudson and name him after a former athletic brave. Yeah Yeah, well

Now Ryan Howard did take him deep three times. Okay, so you named him after the game. Yeah that one game Yeah, I was thinking was awesome. Do you remember they pan in the crowd that Howard Homer something they ran out of they ran out of masks Oh, yeah. Something like that. But yeah, so Jill, I just says she brought the name to me earlier and I was like, it's pretty good. And I saw it. I saw it wrote. I was like, I like it. And then I could she wanted to go Baker because it's her mom's name.

Mom's maiden name is Baker. And I don't know. Is the Baker Bowl? Well, the Baker Bowl and also I was I was weary of Leaning into the jail in bit too much with a quarterback that has had a better year. So I see your So I can't have everything be a bit even though like no that yeah Yeah, so so yeah, like I we I kept looking at over and over again I started thinking about this is a strong name

And then a lot of I got a couple texts saying grats on having the girl. Yeah, and I said well, no It's not that at all but I just I envisioned I envisioned him being a stud and I think Sutton Fritz is gonna be a stud. So There's been some good early signs on that. Just letting that monitoring Monitoring that cuz I'm always wondering my agility drills like, you know arm strength. Oh, yeah. Am I gonna get the genetic free? He's got really long toes, I think that's an. Is it is it is it got long hands? Okay? Oh that's

Yeah, bitching. That's good. Yep, and he was very quick on the he was out of the push I tell the story of how he was how oh, yeah I mean, it's honestly a labor story shocking like it. I don't think I've heard an easier situation again wasn't he's gonna make that clear shows a hero. Yes. Yes. Yes, so I So the still don't know how it's like I know time wise is possible So the the the story is I rolled over at 1 30 in the morning Check my phone Saw that I lost the bet on king sexers Paul George could hit one more three

Mm-hmm should be betting on the sixers these days. It feels like I'm Saw that I lost a bet on King's sexers. Paul George could hit one more three. Should be betting on the sexers these days. It feels like I'm just asking to lose money. Screaming struggling to go back to sleep after checking. And then Jill was Jill couldn't sleep the last week, adding into the heading into the birth and she's sitting there and she's reading her book and she's like, Scott feels different, you know, so when the went to the bathroom and within five minutes she was like freaking out and it was like the full on contractions and so so, you know, two in the morning

we call her mom and her sister they come over and you know, they're probably about 2.40, I'm running to get the car ready and whatever, we're sprinting through the house, you know, two in the morning. So we get to the hospital at three, I think, and I went to the wrong entrance because I forgot it was after hours.

So you have to go to the ER and I'm while Jill, and this is where I feel bad for Jill. It's like 20 degrees out. She's in a nightgown in the car. And I'm just like, she had to, she had to have thought I was talking to security guard for 10 minutes. Oh my God.

I was trying to figure out where to go. Where to go. So that was, I felt really, the whole time I felt bad, but I felt bad specifically. We sprint over the we go and it's like straight out of the movies where like they get the wheelchair out, she's screaming through the. Yeah, yeah, that's great. And I walk in and they're like, are you the husband? And I'm like, yeah, I'm here.

We're here. We're here. So we got in. Whatever. We got to the hospital at three and he was born at three twenty four. It's absurd. Like, what is that? It doesn't happen to people. No, I know. It was 24 minutes. Yeah. And because her water had not broken, had her water broke in the car. That was probably coming out of the car. Wow.

I mean, wow. It was quick. Wow. Yeah. So it was not a prolonged labor. There wasn't even like a built a build up. I was crazy. The labor room and the delivering nurse, he said, do you push this? He's going to be here. He spent like a day waiting for his article, like the actual labor, like the pushing was only like 15 minutes.

It was really quick. But like we spent like a day at the hospital waiting room. That's crazy. It was a he's like two pushes. We just got that's why. Yeah. What do you mean push? Like I got to get all these other things happening. Yeah. Yeah.

Great. So so yeah, it was very, very quick. So important question. Have you chosen a date in the future that you're going to sit down with Sutton and apologize for the January 2nd birthday? Because that's so close to me. It's just a tough break. I mean, let's be honest.

I mean, we all be honest about it. My Zoe's cousin, first cousin, Emily's sister's kid is born December 26th. He just turned 70. He's like, I hate my birthday. I'm like, that sucks. I really said it. He's like, my hate my birthday. I'm like, that sucks. Really? My birthday sucks.

And I'm like, you know what? You're right. You know, kids, December 26. You're right. Like, that is a freaking tough break. Like, he gets one present for both from everyone. Yeah, so you say better December 26. Could have been worse.

You're sorry. Tough day. Everyone's like, all right, time to go. You try Jane. Time to like, you know, get on my diet. My New Year's resolution is not like a let's celebrate a birthday. Have you considered? Yeah. Well, I've I've thought about how hopefully we could just take like a family trip every year. There you go. See, you've already thought about it.

Yeah. Well, I love it. I look forward to it. Whatever. Again, that's why I'm an early contender for Father of the Year. Well, you did name him Sutton's strong. No, I told you there's only there's only three outcomes. It is a strong there's only three outcomes. I do like the idea of flipping the name around. This is good. What? Well, it's mostly a girl's name.

Yeah. Turn it into a guy. But it's turning it. I think it changes. Here's my prediction. You're out in front in the next five years. He's going to be in a class with like six Sutton's. I can do it. Yeah. OK, exactly. All right. No, there's there's be in a class with like six Sutton's. You know, exactly. Exactly. OK, exactly. All right. No, there's there's a calm site. Yeah, I've already got I would call him side like automatically just.

Well, yeah, because I've already thought about how I'm going to be at his little league games. So it's Sutton Walk, you know, SB could be good, too. Sure. Not bad. Sure. S.P. Yeah, S.B. But as you call him, S.B. Yeah, yeah. Not bad. But no, I've. But as you call him S. B. Yeah. Not bad. But no, I've already determined there's like three outcomes. It's easy. They're going to be a hall of fame middle linebacker. You're right about that. I was like right there. Yeah.

Or or like a start on the mound. He's either he's going to be a super big like finance golf, bro. Could see that too. Definitely feels like you could, you know, go to chote or something like that. And then and then the final is he's going to work on a farm. Oh, he's got those. So cut this audio. Cut this audio 18 years from now. You're either going to be a stud athlete, a golf bro or a. I think you're right about that.

You nailed it. All right. Well, shout out to Sutton. Fred's welcome to the family. Very excited to have you here. All right. We feel easier or no was that that was it right? We were just well Yeah, that's plenty enough. Yeah, I mean so you said you had a big list of I No, no, no, I'm just saying what did I miss? What did I miss while we were gone from doing pod? So a lot of things here, honestly, what time did we start this? a lot of things here.

Honestly, what time did we start this? I usually text her 15 minutes ago. We should just do take back. Right. I mean, take back. We go to take back. Yeah, we did it. 15 minutes on Sutton and the take back. Is that because the take back? There's more stuff in it.

Yeah. And ultimately, this whole I just said this whole show is a take back. Like, it's not like we did like there's we could we'll talk Phillies, but there's nothing like there's not like there's nothing where that has happened since you went on paternity leave all that we were like, Oh, we got to talk about that. Like, there's no like impetus to like got to record. I mean, you probably know you're lucky, though I was a second away from doing the Aaron combs emergency. We were going to record the funny thing is, is we were going to record the morning. We were planning to record that morning and you were like, maybe, maybe not. The baby might come in.

I don't know. I'm like, all right, cool. I did have a feel. I know you did because it was that that night into the morning. And you texted me the picture. I was like, all right, so no pop. We don't have to do that today. Come join me, Andrew Filippone.

And me, Patrick Peterson, three time NFL all-fro cornerback on First and Pod for premier NFL coverage and conversations. Our motto on the podcast is every team, every week, and we don't play favorites. Every episode, you get a glimpse of the entire National Football League with First and Pod. Follow and listen to First and Pod on Mondays and Fridays on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. So and I forgot to text you this because this is how I my brain is completely scrambled right now. It's moving in the wrong direction.

I totally get that. But I think we should do an AMA next week. Ooh, are we even been the name in a while. So so in between now and the next podcast, I'll put out a tweet. You'll put out a tweet, Instagram, I guess. But if you if you want to get your questions in, email the high hopes about a GBI, the high. Yes. We're like, yeah, a May pod next week.

That's perfect. So like the last thing, we're good. We're making good. Well, they're they're good for I hate it. But yes, you hate Ohio State. Yeah we're good. We make it good. Well, they're good. I hate it. Yes, you hate Ohio State. Yeah, I hate the I hate the thing. I hate the whole like, haughty, whatever.

And like, I'm not I'm not a huge big 10 guy. I'm not a huge Penn State fan or I kind of more an SCC man. Yeah, I just like all of them really. Like I like Wisconsin. Most of my buddies went to Wisconsin. So I like I like badgers a little bit. So can I ask you something? Yeah, please. This is my version of AMA. Yeah, good. Yeah.

Is there is there a big time sports franchise that has had a lot of success that you like? Because I feel like you hate the Cowboys. Non-Philadelphia. We don't have. No, no, no, I get it. Yeah, yeah, sure. I think he does qualify from the beginning. It's a great point. I mean, you hate the Yankees. No, no, no, I get it. Yeah. Yeah, he does qualify from the beginning. It's a great point.

I mean, you hate the Yankees. I have no problem with the Warriors. No issue. I love Curry. Like I'm going to hate the Warriors. You just asked me, I'm saying I don't hate the Warriors. I can find what I think Curry's super fun to watch all that. That's a great one. The Lakers, the back of the day, the Bulls, like I love Jordan. I was in on Jordan when I was younger, for sure.

I never really had a problem with the oilers back in the day, Gretzky and now thing that's aging myself. I thought you meant the Houston or you did. I realized that. What are you talking about? They didn't win squat. Yeah, I know. I know. I think that's probably the list.

Yeah. OK. There might be a couple of us are not thinking. Do you hate the Lakers? So, yeah, I hate Lakers. I hate the Celtics more. I dislike the Lakers. I wouldn't say like that. It's the same levels of Celtics. But yeah, I hate like, it's not like I like Lakers. I root again, all things being equal or against like, all right. So who do you you you like you like the Yankees? And you like that? I love Brady. Probably like Duke. And you like I hate it. OK, I always say like Lakers or something is

no, OK, mostly indifferent. I guess because I grew up. I love Brady. I did love Brady. I didn't eat the Pats as much as other Eagles. Like I respect it and all that. Like I hated them when we played them. Sure. But like I wasn't I wasn't like, oh, like the cheating and I never got into that.

The toughest part about my generation and it does not. It does not have the same feel as your generation of true sports. You know, like of and there really hasn't been dynasties. I mean, the Warriors are the biggest one and the bigger movement. All it's have changed everything. You know, when I was a kid, like players played on the same team, the majority of their careers, or at least, you know, there was free agency and stuff just not as predominant. so like you really got a good hate on yeah dude

sport sports fandom in the next i'm very curious i've actually thought about this a lot too is i can't i can wait and i can't wait i can't wait until walk and sudden start having like sports takes oh but and it's like, it's also awful though. Yeah, because I want to say, you know, you're watching. You're talking about you. Have you never heard of this? Like in your like the ignorance with which they're speaking or do it like what I was talking like when they're I when do I'm trying to think when I started

developing really strong opinions on stuff because I feel like 11, 12. It was like, wow, Vince Young's the man. Like I love Texas and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And then I'm trying to remember the point where it turned into into like take, take, take bill really bright. Twenty eighteen when I started here. But but just just like the arguments of well, no, it was David Bell. That's true. That's when I started.

Now, because me and my granddad and Charlie, I was anti Charlie, but give me a break. I was like again I was an idiot. I was I think there were a lot of people who didn't love the hiring and that press conference in the country bump Do you know Charlie was a lame duck heading into? oh, wait heading into oh Was he really? Yeah. Yeah, and They played the only thing that saved Charlie manuals job was how they played after they traded. Yeah. Because it's Gillick just got on the job and that was Gillick's first year.

Oh, that makes sense. Yeah. He was here in 05 06 and then he was a lame duck that entire. That's fascinating because they figured it out, I believe. And then heading into 07. Wow. Yeah, that's pretty cool. Yeah knowledge. Thank you You also he also he also fought Dallas green. Do you remember that story? No Charlie fought Dallas green. Yeah, what? Yeah. Well now you fight fight, but like they Mixed it up Dallas green went on Angelo and said that he did not I remember when Dallas Green went home with Angela I remember that I did not think that Charlie was doing a good job Yeah, I remember that but I didn't know they actually like an ult and then and then I guess down in the I guess Dallas

Was told to stay away for a good amount of time, but he brought I guess clients maybe or whoever down to the field for batting practice and Charlie Said I don't appreciate you saying that about me. I love it. And I know it's funny because that happened in oh six. And then I think Dallas Green throughout the first pitch to Charlie in one of the run. Oh, how would you handle it if? Let's say let's pick a player, Jaylen Hertz, whoever someone you someone

you have said, you know, some things about or whatever my favorite, how would you handle it if they confronted you? Because I know I know you as people forget that did happen on the air. No, I know. I know. On the air. I mean, that was a whole I mean, that was a dumbest. But like, in person, like, what? Because like, I would not. I know. I know. You saw you. Yeah, you would you would. I do not. I know. I know you so you would. Yeah, you would. You would. I do not. Bring away. I, and I'd step in and be like, what, what? Get him. No, I very much not interested in.

I don't like that. I don't like that at all. I hope they want this for both. Yeah. What was I going to say? I forget where we've been going. Take back. We're in the middle of take back. This is an all time. Yeah.

Just remember an old joke. Oh, we're talking Dallas Green and Charlie May. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. So that was an interesting one. And there's a lot of stuff that you forget. There's lots of people forget. So I guess I'll leave the take back talking about Aaron Combs They trade Tyler Gilbert for an eighth round reliever prospect it makes no sense Like how did you get anything for Tyler Gilbert? It's it's insane. He's interesting

But you would think they let the Kerry Leitenberg trade and they was trade for the bag of baseballs You remember this Kerry like do you the Kerry Leitenberg trade and when they was trade for the bag of baseballs, you remember this? Kerry, do you remember Kerry Leitenberg? No. He was a closer for the Braves for a minute. Like he was in the league for a few years, whatever. He got traded for a bag of baseballs. Like literally. When people say it trading for a bag of balls, it's like a real thing. Kerry Leitenberg got traded for like equipment. It was like balls and some equipment and stuff. It's like when Jackie Moon got Washing machine it's exactly what happens. Yes, that actually happened Harry Leitman for good trade for like a bag of balls I guess back in the day these teams didn't make that much money wasn't that back It was like early 2000s or 90s late 90s or something. Yeah, that's why you're here, buddy

That's why you're here bring the old man Yes, that's winning. But he's listen. He was a part of that that volunteers team that has a volunteer scene that won the national championship. He closed out the game. He has like such a reliever look to him. You know, he's like fiery and like his kind of a herky jerky little motion. I'm surprised I got they got a legitimate interesting because the Phillies in last year's especially also considering how good they've been at taking interesting pieces and turning them into something. That's the funniest part about the Phillies.

I know that we're like, oh, the bring in a hotel. We'll take care of it. We'll develop a tournament. You kidding me? The most interesting moves they've made. Usually the opposite. It's like, wow, this guy's got this guy's already a good picture. Bring me or we'll screw him up. We'll make sure we're doing the the best trade they've made. Well, sans hopefully. He's Lizardo, which the the best trade they've made. Well, Sans hopefully tastes lasagna is the best train by the way plus size plus 8,000 for first I young You know, it's been on that plus 8,000. Yeah

The sons that trade the the most interesting move they made is the Moises Chasse move. Yeah. Yeah, they're safe by soda Yeah, they always they always make these little things So he is it is nice to see though because Dave has not made many of those trades in his time here, and those are the type of trades you're home. I mean, and Clevenger actually had a night has ended up having a nice career and that he hung around his pitched on teams and stuff. But like the Garrett Clevenger for Alvarado trade was like that. That first one he made and then they haven't had like a lot of those.

No, they haven't. So but yeah, so he's and they did a run last year starting like the the 10th round. I Remember you talking about it. Oh man, it's a you're like a lever They win a reliever run 16th round guy you're really excited. Oh you one of those I was excited about pretty much all of them 10 through 16 and no my favorite guy is the ninth round kid I Got he's from Iowa. I always forget his name Yeah, but regardless he was my I remember you being very excited when you told me about every single person Yeah, he's he is relatively interesting. There actually is some interesting Cy Young odds real quick

Can I get early Cy Young takes sure Sure. For you. Hey, why not be the most baseball? I think we've talked about yet. Yeah. Most most Phillies most relevant to the Phillies thing we've discussed. Did Logan Webb being plus twenty five hundred is insane. He's too good. Could I say I'm good being plus twenty five? Twenty five hundred is insane. That's because of the upside. You mean, was saying, yeah, yeah.

Yeah, he was ridiculous. His pitch one inning last year or whatever. Well, one game and then the upside. You mean with Senga. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. He was ridiculous his pitch one inning last year or whatever Well, one game you were forgetting the playoff. Yeah Yeah, yeah, I was watching how I thought the other day Wheeler was ridiculous. Oh so awesome. It's seven shoddy seven shot. There's been three times in Philly's history that a postseason pitcher in a three times in a postseason start that a Philly's pitcher has gone seven plus innings and allowed no runs and only one hit and Wheeler has two of them.

Wow. And obviously Roy Halliday is the other. Not that hard to put that one together. You're quick. You are quick. Zach Galen a contract year plus three thousand, I think is ridiculous. And not Pat Gallon and somehow Stacey Allen. Why is Spencer Schell and Schwellenbach ahead of Jared Jones? Is Lizardo Nicolodolo, Renato Lopez,

Jared Jones, interesting name. Jared Jones is a very interesting name. And then classic pirates fashion, they were shopping in the South. Were they really? Yeah. Like it must be so hard to be a pirate. That's tough, too. No. Like Paul Skeen's, I'm sure he'll be somewhere else of years. Yeah. No shot. No shot. OK, so that's Aaron Combs.

I'm excited about Aaron Combs. Yeah, I'm excited. Jeff Hoffman's a bluejay. I know. So interesting. What did you think about the fact that that it came out that he was actually he failed two physicals? Like, it seems like and look, three for 33 is a I guess three for 33. Max, I did get to that number. It's less than I expected him to get. I'm sure the physicals part of it was part of that. What do you make of the whole

situation of him getting less of him failing the physicals of like the whole kind of Jeff Hoffman? Yeah, first off, it's a shame. I mean, Jeff Hoffman, he was two things. I'm bummed he's not a Philly, but I'm also bummed for him. It played out. So I and it does make you understand why they didn't do it. I think Dave is a days old school. I think from the standpoint of you don't give her Libra through your deals, no matter how good Jeff Hoffman's.

Look, I'm OK with that in a macro sense like we it is so year to year a lot of times these guys and So I think I think they're the Phillies now If you're reading this hopefully reading this right they're gonna wait out one of these relievers and see they sign them to a one-year deal You know whether I had no idea cartridge went to the Orioles. Oh so neither Yeah, I was so mad But there are some interesting names of guys that are eventually gonna be out there They're gonna wait around guys like Carlos's Devons or is he's one of those guys. I know he's one of those guys I agree, but I forgot to put this in my take back. I'm so glad I brought this up

Did give me give me Scherzer as a closer. Oh, is that like a possibility? Is that what I talked about? So he's going to mad at me if I don't if I don't give him credit on this. So I have to give him credit on this, even though he's stolen many of my ideas for for things that the station has done. But Rod was the first one. So you're actually giving Rod credit. One time he gets so mad whenever I know.

I mean, I'd be like those one idea I know Jack said that I know I know I know So so Rod was like, what do you think about the idea of Scherzer as a closer and I thought about it It's like first off he'd be freaking Hilarious as a close. He gave me with the eyes doing the whole thing But if you're if you're sure as a right last couple years You've not made it as a starter like your body's starting to break down if you manage his innings and Just say hey go give us whatever you got

or for for an inning as like as a as a I The team a team of price on to be a starter I am assuming this I know if he wants to be yeah, well, would you rather do that for a team? That's probably not going to compete? Or have a chance to close out the World Series or whatever. Dude. Really fascinating thought. Dude.

And I've of course I've come like almost full circle on Jurnal Romano like he's going to be an All-Star. Oh, you're there. Yeah. All right. Fully in. Fully in. Good. Fully in.

And I'm very excited about Max Kepler. I've always been anti whatever it's fine. He's a billionaire. Yeah. It's really just, I get so excited to see new things. So I've always had, like one of my favorite things, and I think about a lot with the, like the NBA draft or the NFL draft, but just in general, I think about free agency, like the idea, but I think about more of the draft just because they're so young, these guys, but like the idea of like, like this guy's about to be a part of my life for six years, seven years, 10

years, who knows? Like, I love the concept of like, like, wow, that's my guy now, I'm going to spend so much time with that guy, like watching him do what he does. Like it is, I've always had that kind of romanticism about the idea of like, like, wow, that guy could be like, a really important part of my life for the next decade. You know, it's such a weird it's a it's a unique thing. Or unique decades probably don't happen anymore. No, I was talking more like if you like, you know, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, up being here for a decade. You know, yeah, don't know about our returner. We'll see. But but but yeah, no, I'm excited.

I'm interested in Kepler. I'm actually excited for a man. I think I mean, he was really good. He was awesome for three straight years. He was really awesome. So, you know, they're probably to give him the first crack at closing. I think they like unless they signs among Kenley. Yeah, like I'll close her.

I think it is a borderline lock that Jordan Romano will be the first shot. Yes. So but the idea I'm just so I would be so intrigued by a by a hey, sure as we're signing I would do a late in Atlanta guy still get the just to get the fastball up every once in a while and go shove. I just it would be maybe I think it would actually get people pretty excited. I think so, too. No, I think I think it's. One of the more intriguing things, like people would be geeked about that,

like people would think that was really cool. Yeah, so I mean, we've seen many starters go to the bullpen and be awesome at it. I do think they need one more guy out there. I think they're waiting on the market for one of these one year deal kind of guys to come here and take Million something like that. Yeah, so we'll say what Romano took what Ramona's look so yeah So bummed that Hoffman I I see why they didn't do it now the medicals had to be the fact that he got failed by

Very concerning. Yeah, and the fact they only got through 33. I mean, and he was hurt at the end of the year. I think it probably factored in how he looks. So, dude, I still can't believe the bullpen melted down. Such a shame. I know. I like regular season. It's one of the best bullpens we've ever had statistically. I mean, again, they had two middle reliever all stars like that never happened. Yeah, I know. So I think it's interesting. Two-middle reliever all-stars like that never happens. Yeah So I think it's interesting speaking of like last little free agent deals here

so according to Randy Levine he's got in Chicago. Yeah He does like tub stuff Apparently a Yankees guy maybe okay, but apparently Apparently a Yankees guy maybe. Maybe. But apparently Boris might be open to the idea of Bregman on like a three year deal with out doubts. Really? So the first thought I had was would you sign Bregman on the Snell deal and still 5182?

No, no, no. The Snell deal from last year. Oh, yeah, sure. So the two year one year option second. Yeah, I would do that in a second. Would you but would you still would you trade BOM? If you only were guaranteed one year of Bregman, they could obviously do more. If he has a good year. Look, BOM's only a year left after this year anyway, before I have to decide to pay him either way.

Again, I want the trade BOM thing. I'm not giving him away. Like on a basic level, like I would want I would need something of value back for Alec Bohm to go with this direction. Like I don't want to just give him away. But yeah, I would do that for the most part. It's pretty intriguing. Yeah, it's now it would it would definitely add to their their growing tax number. But if you can get like they don't want to do but who knows? Wow. Because again, if you sign Bregman for like 20 million is really 40 million without it. But yeah, well also the one year thing it does seem like they're you know, I wonder

if pregnant women do I think I think he saw what happened with snow. Right Boris is saying Oh yeah, then snow in Montgomery. It's not well Montgomery did not sign that kind of deal. Right. I mean, because you're saying just how they're off see how the off seasons Played out last. I mean that was the worst offseason boards has ever had I think he probably and Chad learned from it and Chavis but I just know I mean from the standpoint of he saw how it worked First now and oh on a positive. Yeah. Yeah. Sure and how snow and some didn't push the most

I get the entire part of the year. I know 22 so Bregman on the service that a down year last year goes goes a place for a year Rebuilds the values it kind of it works out and in the Phillies favorite They they're probably not gonna pay bone. I don't think they're gonna pay bone. It allows them a year of Bregman Maybe two while Adan's Aiden is still developing if he's great if you sign Bregman, he's peak Bregman. You're probably winning the World Series.

And if not. He's gone. Yeah, no, I mean, I think he's a no brainer. I just I I I would be surprised if that's how it plays out for right. I would be I would be absolutely. Yeah, like very surprised. But again, I would do that in a second. I'm surprised. But it seems like the Red Sox don't want to pay him.

Tigers, who knows? Ast in a sec. I'm surprised. But it seems like the Red Sox don't want to pay him. Tigers, who knows? Astros are out. Yeah. I don't know where he ends up. No, you're right. And interesting situations. Look, it's what happened last season with these guys where the market kind of goes a certain way, you know, love when the market breaks. Oh, yeah, it doesn't happen nearly enough. Well, Nick, yeah, no.

Yeah. You want to break down Nick Castellanos thinking that Jose Iglesias what what I think I mean if you want to talk about a true takes man in that was That was some elite stuff Really good really good. He's something man. Yeah. Oh, yeah, and the quotes about I just go right Dave like that He's his own agent. It's like he is He's unique and he was a glazes and I'm sure like we all thought. Yeah. Playing next to Francisco Linder. Yep. I know. I know. Nick, good thing.

Nailed it. Speaking of some of these, some of the prospects, non roster invites. I was hoping. Yes. Come on. Aiden season. Justin's Robert. Very, very exciting. And just the first. Aiden season. Very exciting. Just the first take of the year. Throwing this out there. This is the first one of the year. Sure. Haven't said anything interesting yet. AutoCamp is going to be on the

opening day roster. Yeah. He's going to be the Cody Clemens. That is a take right there. Look at you. The bench is going to be Weston, Camp, Sosa, and Primarch Sean. It's not that exciting Come on, man. Not a great man. Yes. It's fun. It's okay. Auto camp Well subs could be so I'm just got the two-way contract. Yeah, listen Preston said

Professional at bat and ever since he said professional at bat. I've been auto auto camped up auto camped up Yeah, that's right. Tony camp. No, I can't not even close not Jack camp. I Cannot wait for spring training. I need to see I need to see all those guys I'll bet you do but I just I can't wait. I can't wait. You see number 87 out there Throwing the ball across the diamond a 76 playing for his face. Some interesting arms, too. There's there's there's a lot of entry getting into Philly's brain training. Yeah, wait, can't wait. I just know once this little eagle's thing's over, we can.

What's the Super Bowl run? What's this little Super Bowl runs over? Then we can get back to the important thing. That's right. Did you watch the yearbook? No, you know, I did. So neighbor Dan, very happy for you, Jack. Very happy for you. I mean, believe it or not, Twitter was not that torture that you put yourself

through. I mean, I don't even want to think about last year. I don't want to, like, remember that it happened. But sure, it's a tough year to put into context because 23 still feels like the year. Twenty like it 20 yeah so both 22 and 23 more than last year which is hilarious but 22 didn't like ironically 22 the closest like a year until they hit the home run until right but you're right 23 especially with the up to oh against the diamondbacks is like the most this is the with the rangers it's not even up to the most they were up three two heading home it's the most this is with the Rangers. It's not even up to the most. They were up three to heading home.

It's the most. This is the year of all of this. But it's even just because I watched the 23, but even the magic of that year of 23, Lorenzo, no hitter Trey Weston Wilson, all the ovation, the whole thing. All the years the dude, Bryce in August of 23 had the homerun off the wall that they lost he had the homerun off Matt Moore they lost they yeah that yeah that 300th 300th I'm off of Matt Moore but they lost but that was the my favorite bit of 23 home runs now one of those massive home runs it's my to lead

to Gerardi being fired truth yep the the homerun off home runs at 22 led to Girardi being fired. Truth. Yep. The home run off of Jansen that led to Nick Nelson trying to close out a game against the Braves. Nick Nelson, buddy. That was the moment they said, this might not be our guy. But last year is just so hard to put into context because they were dominant. Then they were just not. OK. And then they just went out with a whimper. They went out on a whimper and they won the division.

They won 95 games. It's just. It's it's it was not it was a it was a hurry up and get to the postseason year. And those kind of seasons just suck. Because if you don't do anything, the postseason, then it was what? What was this all for? What was it all for? And, you know, now you have MLB.com as them as the number two team in baseball

on their power rankings. And I get I get so caught in between because I obviously I love love the Phillies, but I also. I don't feel like they're the second best team either. I don't. And it's funny because it's like Elliott asked us. So Elliott was in here before we started recording. I gave him no opinion. He loves to needle us or whatever.

And he's like, well, they are number two. And I'm like, yeah, they're not. He's like, what are they? I'm like, like five or six. Like, I still think they're good. Like the boys, like there's still a good baseball team. Like, it's just to your point, like it does feel like. You know, being a good baseball team and making the playoffs and maybe winning

around like that's not good enough. Like it's just not good enough after what we've been through the last three seasons. Because I'm stuck between two. Are we too over the top on them? Or are we, you know, and I don't, but I don't think, I don't think we're being too hard. I don't think we're being too tough. I just, they're going to. Especially because remember like the players and the owner himself have

have told us it's all about winning a championship. It's about winning multiple championships. It's about being all time great. Like they've they've all said these things. So what are we supposed to do? Not think that way. Like you guys are saying and I think on paper, obviously you see the Phillies and you say, look at this, look at the stars, look at all these guys they have.

Of course they're one of them. And it's why it's why heading in the postseason. I was so annoyed by the national people that kept picking the Phillies to win the world. It's like, have you have you watched them play like and they have they have names but what they put out is a name like and JT at this point, their name exactly at JT is a much better example like Nick Castellanos is a better player than JT a hitter At least in JT is like it I would only expect it to get worse like he's not a good hitter anymore like the guys are not a good hitter Like not even like for a catcher good hitter like he's okay. Is he average? How would you how would you rank? JT choose and like

But what JT choose Bob and on like right now or just over their Philly time I think JT and his peak was probably the best player of that. I'm trying to put JT we're talking all around player. I think JT at his peak was the best player that I'm trying to put JT his career in a perspective here. Yeah, I think he's the best player that group. But I think Chooch means more to us. I think Chooch will mean more to us. Chooch feels more like a Philly than JT Romero does. And JT's and Dutch too. I mean, like Dutch will always have a bigger place in the city than

JT. It just is dude. Dutch is 92 and 93. Cleanup. Let me RBI. But JT's a wall of famer, right? Oh, yeah, I think so. JT's a wall of famers. For was a wall of famer. Bryce Wheeler, Nola. Reese. I think so. I don't think Reese is a wall. Maybe not anymore.

But I think so, too. The wall of fame is like, of course, if Mike Lieberthal's in, you're going to tell me Reese doesn't get in. Anyway, if we all of fame, Rangers, a wall of famer like I of course, if Mike Lieberthal's in, you're going to tell me Reese doesn't get in. I mean, all of fame Rangers, a wall of fame or like, I'm sure Sanche will be someday because he's awesome and he's going to be good. Like speaking of Chris Sanchez, the fact that they were able to turn Chris Sanchez into who they turned him into makes me that much more excited about it. I can't wait to see what they do.

Like you're talking with data with Sanchez and now you're bringing like a Ferrari. And how can we suit that up? Well, and with Lizardo, I've been trying to think what they're going to do. And I actually wonder if they try to take a little bit off the fastball because what the Phillies have done and they they're starting to zig when others have zagged is that you know the sport is gone like just give us four or five innings of max velocity and we'll get you out of there and and

And so I'm gonna belabor those I'm gonna belabor this point then I already told Rob. I'm gonna be okay good is is with with with with what they've done different than any other team baseball seems like is they have gotten back to prioritizing pitching deep in the ball games and For those are to do that. He's kind of been a five-inning guy for Moses career outside of 23. I For those are to do that. He's kind of been a five inning guy for most of his career outside of 23 I just wonder if they start taking back some of the velocity Increase his command and then that's the plan that they go after but I can't wait to see him in spring training to see Like what what coffin and and and crew has in store for lazardo? Love it. Ah, man plus 8 000. Ah

Plus eight. Um, all right. We good. We're let I let taker go to his meeting. You got anything else? Is there anything else on the bag in the bag, I should say. Bryce, the influencer. Oh, yeah, quickly. What's going on? I don't know, man. Is has anyone done like a wellness check on rise? Anyone checking in and make sure Bryce is doing OK? I don't know.

I it's hilarious. It's funny, man. What? No, check out my bag. I'm on the plane here. Yeah. Everything I travel. Well, look at all these things that I bring's hilarious. It's funny, man. Now check out my bag. I'm on the plane here. Yeah. Everything I travel. Well, look at all these things that I bring with it. It's just like if he wants needs it, whatever, like it's weird. But also, you know what? It's also like I I'm 43 years old. You don't get the influence. No, no. And I get I understand. Like I don't like the I don't need to know what people buy at the supermarket. I don't need to know what they cook with. I don't like the I don't need to know what people buy at the supermarket. I don't need to know what they cook with.

I don't need to know. Like I'm good. I don't need to watch you live your life like I don't. But I get that that is something that people enjoy and whatever. So I get it. I'm going to start sending you daily vlogs of what I do. Like I don't care, Bryce. Like good for you, man. Like go hit a baseball. Like I've heard he looks great.

You think so? No, I like hitting baseball. Oh, good. Like on the baseball front. That's all I care about on the baseball front. I've heard Great in these videos just saying maybe a little like you could get a little more sleep or something. Maybe well, he's got an eight-month old Oh, that's a good point. Yeah, wait, what though? We're past it. It's what it's the first four months You're you're and you can start to get on a rip or you could be like me I don't hear him it's good yeah sleep right ignore it ignore it yeah no I was I Emily I'm ignoring Emily had to wake me up yeah same way I'm gonna be like how could you not hear that I'm big I don't know I don't know yeah I don't even need to be sleeping for that tap that's amazing now I do I do have I have Walker's monitor right next to my bed okay so you're on Walker now I'm on

Walker duty easier Joe was like I I'm gonna take the harder thing and let you do the easy Yeah, yeah, all the walkers the handful. Yeah, we can't sleep. I'm there. He's me soon right now. He's a friend Well, yeah, but he'll well, you know, he's not so he's almost to boys barreling towards being to March Walker. Yeah, he's Marcia. Walker, March, March, March, March. He remember he. He is like a teenager already. He goes, but he doesn't go.

He can't fall asleep to like 10. Yeah, that's kids. And then he gets five. Yeah, so no, it's all good. Three was a tough one. We called Zoe a three nature. She was a real walker. Sir, I'm starting to get a nice little

preview right now. I'm getting a nice little preview of the terrible twos right now. So that that's my point. Two is great. Like the terrible twos didn't happen for us. Two is a dream. Three nager. We had the terrible three.

Three's was like and then like it was like the moment she turned four. She was awesome. You know, like three was. You know, I's like three was. You know, I'm starting to realize I don't handle very well. Crying. You can see that I can see that.

Yeah, so everything's going well. Well, I've heard I've heard Bryce looks great. Good, good. That's all. And the season talk. Well, you get to talk or just sitting there like, what are we doing here? This is my life. Oh, I got to go to bed. Oh, cool. Let me tell you about 14th round pick from. Yeah. All right. I found my guy in the draft, by the way.

Let me break that down. No, no. Next week. That's a tease. He's a for next. No, no, no. This is a tease for later. OK, yeah. We'll find something else. I'm wasting that content. Everyone cares about who I think the trash. All right. We will.

We'll be back next week. Until then, use for themselves.