High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Seltzer Has Finally Grown Up & Come Back Home

Episode Date: February 19, 2025

Jack Fritz and James Seltzer discuss all the latest news from the first week of Phillies spring training and react to the news on JT Realmuto's potential contract extension. 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

This is the High Hopes Podcast. High Hopes! On the Odyssey app and sports radio 94 WIP. The crowd was singing High Hopes! Smiling through a broken nose. Oh, High Hopes! High Hopes! High hopes There's a way to fight It's how I feel a little less alone Yoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo of the Philadelphia Phillies tastes like Miller time Philadelphia celebrate responsibly. Fritzy, has anything happened since we last spoke? Yeah, there was happened. All right. So it's first off, good to see you. Good to see you. I really haven't seen you. You're like hanging out in New Orleans. You're taking the week off. You know, I'm here every day just grinding. You know, how you doing?

Yeah. Well, welcome back to your real podcast. That's my first message. My first message. You have not loved the podcast run of the last month as much as others. I would think. No, no, I'm sitting on the sidelines essentially. And it's like, it's like, it's like the fricking SpongeBob meme where you guys are like frolicking through the field. And they're like, yeah, now this is what now this is what Elliot has felt like

the last two posts is. So I sort of get it, but at the same time, there's only one podcast in my mind that you host and I'm sick and tired of the Go Barks podcast. So I did miss you, buddy. I miss you. I was waiting for you to start with a, yo, I really was. I was waiting for you to just fully abandon the podcast and say hey Screw everyone screw everything that I've built over here. And yeah

Yeah, yeah Well, I'm just the guy you do the podcast with I mean it seems replaceable, you know, well listen you keep talking Keep talking if you keep bringing up the Eagles in the Super Bowl I'm gonna be no my first so you my first question shouldn't be your thoughts on the Eagles winning the Super Bowl. What it means for the Philly. It was great. It was great. Does that add more pressure to the Phillies or not? Well, no, seriously, it lets like all jokes aside, like, do you think it does or

doesn't? Because I my initial thought was that it would take pressure off the Phillies because everyone would be happy. And it's kind of like, OK, you know, whatever the Phillies do as a bonus. But now that we're starting to talk about the Phillies and it's starting to, you know, permeate, I think you might be, it might actually put more pressure on. It's like, well, the Eagles did it and you guys can't. Yeah. It goes like, seriously. So I think, I think, well, there's not to talk Eagles. It's about the Phillies. Don't worry. It's the Phillies. Well, they won the, they won the Superbowl.

So it's, I guess it's okay. I guess it's okay. And, but yeah, no, I think it, I think for a majority of people, it does add more pressure than Phillies. And then there's gonna be people that says like, ah, whatever, like it's baseball. We want the Superbowl, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.

But I think, I think the Phillies are feeling more pressure now, frankly. I know Nick Castellanos might not. Nick, I want it. We'll get to it. We'll get to Nick Scott. I mean, he's Louise. I almost forgot. I was for God.

It'll just say anything is the best. He's the best. But yeah, so I and I think I think Bryce probably watched the whole I bet he was I bet he rewinded the glued. Yeah. Now he probably spent past Mayor Parker's speech and caught everyone else's. But if I, I feel as if price was definitely watching that and was, and was locked in on just how, how it could be. And you know, and John Middleton talking about how when he was left, he left the super super dome, people were saying, now it's your turn.

It's your turn. It's your turn. I think they're going to hear that a lot. Because the thing that between this Super Bowl and last Super Bowl, as I think last Super Bowl was, oh my god, they did it. You know, they were actually totally, we're not loser Villa USA anymore, we, we can finally say that we have a Super Bowl ring. And I think now there's this feeling in the city of, okay, now we need to add to it. And like everyone's got it.

Now we're winners. We're gonna be winners now. Exactly. Yeah. So everyone's got to join in on the championship. Except for the other two teams, which is part of the reason there's more pressure on the Phillies in all honesty. Like I think the fact that Sixers and Flyers

are such dumpster fires, that dad alone does add a little pressure on Phillies because we all hope that even if no one believes in the Sixers, you're still like playoffs coming up. It's still like up till like April. There's still something to pay attention to. But now it's going to be like all focus on the Phillies spring training, all hopes and dreams in this city transfer to the Phillies now because we all know the Sixers and Flyers

are doing nothing. I don't know. Josh Harris said a week ago that it's their time to go on a run. So what did Maury say? If you really squint, if you squint, it could be a playoff team. Dude, I think Maury, I think Maury took that from me. I'm going to be honest with you. It's a classic writs line right there.

I've been all, I've been a big on the squint for a while. And all of a sudden now that now it's being thrown out there. If you squint just hard enough, Nick Pavetta could be Curt Schilling, you know? Well, let's say with Strasburg, let's say with Strasburg. But yeah, dude, I think I think I think it should add more pressure because, you know, this team- You want the pressure is the point. You think they should have the pressure? Yeah, like they they were. We know what happened at the end of last year. It killed the vibe.

And I do. I am very curious if. If this whole season, is this going to be like a miserable 90 to 93 win baseball team? Because it better not be, buddy. But I'm starting to have that feeling like every time I put anything out, it's like, that's going to go cold in October. Who cares about Andrew Painter?

It's like, can we are we going to just be miserable the entire season as I mean, they should should they should sleepwalk to 90 wins. I mean, they're good with their starting pitching that, you know, that alone should should be worth 85 wins, you know, that alone should should be worth 85 wins. You would think barring injuries, stuff like that. And again, listen, I've already made the claim in private texts to bring up on this podcast. I need either a World Series or a South of Deadline season, which there's no no in between

no in between. I don't want to exit dumpster. Dumpster fire or fire. Exactly. I like that. I don't even need, I don't need a winner. Fire emoji. Yeah. I don't need a winner in the world series.

I'll take a pennant, but I also don't want to be robbed. You've really been beaten down. I feel bad. I have. I have. I know. I know. I'm like a lost puppy right now.

I know. A lost puppy. Man, I know, man. I know you are. Honestly, I think the Phillies need it. I remember during the last couple of runs, you know, not last year, because last year was kind of you know, we all kind of knew it didn't feel right going into the playoffs and even that win it in game two. It was it was a moment. But like, I think we all kind of felt like they might come to New York and lose after this.

Well, game two was like, thank God they at least won one. They didn't get swept exactly. They didn't deserve to win that game. Like they might come to New York and lose after this. Well, the game too was like, thank God they at least won one. They didn't get swept. They didn't deserve to win that game. But I remember like 22 and especially 23 saying and feeling that I had never wanted a group of guys. Like I wanted it more for them than for me even. Like I wanted them to be winners and to be a champion.

I've transferred that. I still want Bryce Harper to be a champion. That means a lot to me. I want them to win now. I want them to win now. I want them to win for you now more than anyone. Honestly, I like doing Jack. Like that's my official feeling this season. I need you to, to feel that joy.

My brother. Oh, you don't think, you don't think I'm, I'm riveted and, and just thrilled with the Eagles when I'm in this book. You did a podcast by yourself last week. Yeah, 30 minutes. 30 minutes. There's a lot to talk about. There's a lot to talk about.

The solo pods are so funny because it's literally, it's literally just like ramblings of a mad person. There's no direction, there's no feel. You just gotta to talk. Yeah, it's a story. I read the mouth. Yes. Yeah, I read the mouth.

Yeah. But like I just I don't know if I'm I don't think they've reached Sixers land yet. Yeah, no, no, they haven't. I don't think I think I think they're still pretty likable. They've already gone further than the Sixers did. They went to a World Series. They went to an NLCS like, you know, I do think that I agree with you. It could head that way. Like if they lose in the NLD s again this year, I do think it'll probably

get to the Sixers thing. But I don't think they're there yet because they're way more likeable. And because they have achieved more than the Sixers did already. Yeah, well, and I, the tough part is that I really think that they're entering into a pause, a pause year. Like I don't think this is a time. I know, I know right on time. I mean, look, their moves definitely say, Hey, pause here. It's either pause here or we're chilling out period. So let's hope it's a pause here.

Well, I think it's a, I think it's a pause year and also let the kids develop. And we're not gonna just trade our top prospects for... I've tried to, cause again, I haven't done a podcast in three weeks and I've had a lot of time to stew about this. Cause I didn't want to bring it up on the solo podcast cause I needed someone to bounce it off with. Good, I like that.

That's why you're here. Good to see you again. Okay. Good to see you again. The guy you bounced up off of. That's good, I like that. That's why that's why you're here. Good. Good to see you again. Good to see you again. The guy you bounced up off of. I like that. Nice to have you here. Yeah. It could be anyone. Honestly, I was saying Tucker could just sit here and pretend to be me. It'd probably work. Yeah. Well, what was that?

That was Tucker's. Yo, come on. Oh, OK. I was going to say it's like it's like a dead fish. Didn't sound like it was a dead fish is of Yo's essentially. It's not great. That's all I heard. Maybe it wouldn't be a one for one switch. But it's very on brand for Tucker, you know, I agree. Monotone all the way through.

Yeah, it's true. But I just think that I think they want to bring the kids up and not trade them away. And they don't they're not dying to win the World Series right now. Like, I know, I know that awesome. Dominil Timberlake was gone, but I don't think they're I think they they were dying to make the playoffs and reestablish themselves as a as a big boy team. But where it stands right now, the Phillies have an inflated payroll.

I think what the second highest, the third highest payroll on baseball with a bunch of a bunch of good, like there's really good, obviously, like Harper and Wheeler and and hopefully hopefully Trey. But there's also there's also just good like Cassiano's. Yeah, Cassiano's is good. He's not worth what he's getting paid is the idea. And last year of JT, I just, and Schwaber, but, and we'll get to whatever the possible

contract negotiations are. But I just, I think they look at it right now saying, this is not sustainable. And I think they want to bring the kids up. I think whether it's this year, whether it's next year for Aidan and Justin Crawford, Painter will be up this year and see what they have so they can like extend this thing and then spend either next offseason, maybe. I mean, Vlad Guerrero declined his thing yesterday.

So he's going to be a great agent. Oh, I saw it, buddy. So, but he's going to be, I mean, listen, it's $450. Oh, he's going to be $500 million. $ 500, and then Kyle Tucker is like the same thing. But now they're starting to put out there a lot of feelers about the Kyle Tucker thing, which is pretty exciting if you ask me. But still, I think they need some of this money to come off the books. They want to bring the kids up, still have a majority of your core there and hopefully that they're good enough. And, and then maybe this off season or probably, I think the 20, 20. Seven off season, heading into the 20, 27.

In this year, 20, 26 off is great. Yeah. So it was really, you were, you were a year off. I was a year off. Phillies was the year off, but I'm not not like I can't wait for the 27th. But well, some some are saying that the 27th fills are 100 years apart from the 27 Yankees. And they look at you.

I see you did there might be the same team. Pretty crazy. Yeah, yeah. To the best teams we've ever seen. So I just I I'm feeling I'm feeling a little bit of a pause here and it's why it's why either win the world series or trade the deadline. One or the other. Yeah. All right. Let's get to what you just talked about. Cause I do think there's some, I don't know if interesting is the right word. I like it. Let's start with JT cause I don't get

any of it. I don't get, I don't, he's going to be 34 to start this season. He's 33 now he's turning 30 34 on March 17th. First of all, why are they trying to resign him? Like I, I don't get that alone. The left field thing is super weird. Like his bat barely plays a catcher now left. His bat plays a catcher, it's fine. His bat does not play in the outfield at all. Like what are we doing? Like I just, I don't get the whole JT thing. Like why are we, like, I just don't get it.

I don't get it. I don't, I get none of it. So they don't really have a better option. And I mean, that's what it is. Now the left field thing is hilarious. I love that. I love that the thing- It's ridiculous.

What are we talking about here? So this might be the most- Oh, we could get him some days in left field. Why? Cause he can't catch, maybe he shouldn't sign a 34 year old to be your catcher for the next three years or whatever the hell you're gonna do, sorry.

This might be the most negative, but preseason pot, I'm just letting everyone know. But the biggest things we've seen out of training out of out of I was at training camp Fast forward me to training camp my right The things we've seen out of spring training are Schwabers learning how to play first base great JT is is working on some on some left field. They're moving the lineup around they're gonna like I just is working on some left field. They're moving the line up around. They're gonna, like I just,

there's just, it seems like there's a whole bunch of just, hey, let's see if this sticks. Oh, and they're gonna have tougher conversations. Again, back to the, we're gonna have adult conversations with the hitters about using the entire field. Awesome, awesome. We're gonna have tougher, more meaningful. And we're not gonna let it slip for a week like we did in the last couple years. We're gonna to have tougher, more meaningful. Yeah, that'll work.

We're not going to let it slip for a week like we did in the last couple of years. We're going to get right on top of it. And that's going to change everything. Failing in the playoffs with the same thing two years in a row. Yeah, that won't do it. Yeah, no, no, no. Yeah. We're going to get on top of it.

These guys who are superstars and been in the league for a couple of years, now hard coaching, by the way, they've been, it's been pretty, you know, like a country club around there for the last couple of years. Now they're going to, it's just going to accept all the, the hard coaching coming their way because, uh, we didn't make really meaningful upgrades. Well, especially I, I, I just can't get that tray comment after the playoffs out of my head where he's like, yeah, basically paraphrasing, yeah, I know I'm supposed to go up there and take pitches, but when you get in the box, man, like, what are you supposed to do?

Anything can happen. It's like, what is that? What was that comment? It was such an insane. He was like, I know what I'm supposed to do, but guess what? Not going to do it. Don't want to do it. Don't feel like it.

Sorry. Like I just,. Don't feel like it. Sorry. Like I just, I can't get past that. Like I, that frustrated me at the moment. And now when I go in and I'm like, all right, so we're just going to all of a sudden teach these 30 plus year olds to play the game a different way. Well, yeah, well, yeah, it's about, I mean, it's about seeing the ball deeper and then you know, whatever. But the Trey thing is, is I mean, he is going to be the leadoff hitter, it seems like. Yeah, that what do you make of those comments? You think? Well, that's the I don't think it's a

lock. I think they want to try it. I mean, they gave it what 15 games in 2023 after signing to a $300 million contract. So that was interesting. But yeah, I think that I think they want to give it like a real runway this time because and I said this on the solo pod that I'm sure you were locked in on and hanging on my every word. Yeah, yeah. I was too busy reveling. Yes, I know. Writing. Yes. Were you happy they want to serve? I couldn't tell. Oh my God. I was too busy reveling. Yes, I know. I'm writing. Yes. Were you happy they won the circle? I couldn't tell. Oh, my God. I couldn't tell. Glorious, glorious.

I see it was like Monday was like coming back from vacation. It was like, oh, man, I can't just I can't just do this. This is great. Yeah. So happy for you. I know. Everyone out there. Yeah, this is great. That's awesome. Great. It's so great. It it now it is. It is great. That's awesome. Great. It's so great. It it now it is.

It is great. I can hear it in your voice. I can hear that effervescent excitement and just the real your voice. I was I was happy they won. I was happy they won. I just want that on the record. I want that on the record. You made me choke.

I was happy they won the Super. You made me choke. I was happy they wanted Super Bowl. Damn near thrilled. Yeah, you could see it. Well, dude, honestly, my whole, my whole like everything is just, I'm very, I'm just kind of chill right now, but everything. You're just zen right now. Yeah, like I don't, you know. Nothing really bothers you.

Well, it's, you know, it's a, it's busy at home and the two kids is taking it out of you. I guess. Yeah. So shouldn't add a second kid. I mean, I could have told you that. I mean, what a listen, buddy, don't you worry. We're there.

There will eventually be another one added. Wow. That sounds insane. Good luck. You'll do it for a long time. One is a lot, buddy. One. Good luck. You want to do a long time. One is a lot, buddy. One is a lot. Yeah, you know, that guy, that guy, your dad guy. So you want to make sure that none of them were only kids, right?

You think they want the one to turn out like me? Think about Zoe. Zoe's future. She's going to be a Fritz for sure. Yeah, dude, you don't want that. You don't want that. I don't a Fritz for sure. Yeah, dude. You don't want that. You don't want that.

I don't know what everyone hanging out. Everyone hanging out and having a good time. But like, I think the lineup thing is strictly about the postseason. And it comes down to Harper having a real protection behind him rather than a Boehm or Cassiano in the last couple of post seasons who you know aren't who just weren't producing who just weren't getting the job done. So you know getting Harper up at the two spot you have Trey leading off it.

I'm going three and Chorver for I mean that. Yeah, I would listen. I would be fine. I'm fine putting bone there at the beginning but also just topper is so weird about the right lefty thing. Like he brings it up all the time. All his employees have it. I'm pro.

I'm pro ready lefty. It's more like I would also give Gassy honest look there. I mean, that's fine. The point is you're putting one of those two guys in that spot and then sure. When the cleanup hole, if you're doing that line up, yeah, well, and then one of them in the fifth spot, the spot and stop the six hole maybe or whatever, or capital. My God, Max. Oh, Max Alpert. But I do think, I think there is something to the tray and, and,

and leading off and maybe that gets him back to being more selective and gets him back to start stealing bases again. Well, so I actually, I also brought that up on the, on the solo podcast, started heard around the world podcast heard around the world. Heard around the world is that, is that, part of the reason he hasn't stolen the last couple of years is because he has Bryce sitting behind him. And then why are you stealing with Bryce sitting behind you?

But if Bryce is going to hit behind him again, I mean. But it's with one out. So like if, if, if Bryce can either hit the home run or you have two outs to steal a base, you know? So that's, that's my thought process. I do think it would get him moving more and put in more of those situations. And plus, if you do have bone batting third, you know, I don't want to. I don't want to break.

You talking to hit and run. You get a little hit and run. Oh, I don't want to get ahead of myself, but maybe a little hit to the right side. You go a little first third action. A little first third. Oh, my God. It's crazy. Base action. A little first third. What a thought. What a thought. It's crazy.

Baseball? You talking about baseball? Oh, it's wild. It's wild. So yeah, I, I'm fine with giving it a runway, but I can just feel it. I can just feel it doesn't work for like a half the season. They're right around 500 and they're like, get them back in there. And then Schwartzback gets back back the lead off. So it does

Like it's not literally he's got a lot of years left on his contract, but with the fan base This feels like of all the players it feels like it's the most make or break year for trainer it feels that obviously look we already went through the ovation thing and all that stuff, but it feels like Trey for what he's given the fillies. I know he had some stretches, you know after the o ovation thing and all that stuff, but it feels like. Trey for what he's given the Phillies. And you know, he had some stretches, you know, after the ovation was great and all that, but then not good in the playoffs or not good enough. He's good in that first round, not good in the second round. Uh, this year kind of the good start kind of, you know, her odd stuff last year.

Um, it feels like for a guy who's making $300 million, like what he has given this city so far is normally the kind of thing that gets a lot of response negative response from the fan base like it's like 300 million dollar guy needs to give us a lot more it feels like this is the year where like we need to see Trey Turner be a freaking all-star like we need to see him play he started the all-star game last year you know what i mean be a real all-, like not voted into the game. Someone like he was a real All-Star. You know what I mean, though?

Like I'm saying play like I'm not. I know. I know. I'm saying we need. Trey Turner needs to be the best shortstop in baseball this year. One of the two best short stops in baseball this year or up there where we're talking about him as one of the best players in the sport. I think for this fan base, because like he has not given them 300 million dollars worth of production. So. Yeah, well, I think the big year, whatever you want to call it.

I think the biggest thing to try is that he's been good. Right. He's been good. Solid. But come up really small and big. Well, and and he's he's taken them out of the ability to trade for or sign another big free agent to make to be to be the second star. Like Trey has to be Trey has to start a second side. Yeah, that's my point. Yes. To be the second best player on the team and be like one of the best players in baseball. Well, people forget it at 295 last year. But oh, yeah, really 295. No. So so yeah, I mean, it, it,

it does feel like that, especially because you got to get one of those prime trade years before we know what the, the, the latter half's going to be. Yeah, exactly. And especially because we know he's not going to give you a prime year defensively. Like that's washed. Like he's going to be your shirt top. He's not going to be great. Like he needs to fricking wreck. He needs to rake man. He does. He does. Yeah. No, I, I, I agree. And I think he's the one that everyone looks at

and that he draws the most ire. And I think the thing that I've learned the most about Philadelphia baseball fans that really drives them the most crazy, it really is the chase thing. I think the chase thing between him and- Because it's avoidable. Because it's avoidable.

It's the stuff, it's when players do stuff where it's like a clear something that they could clearly not do that they could and they still do it anyway. And we know it's a problem. Like that's the most infuriating thing there is. It's almost like it's not the same thing, but it is the same idea as not enough effort. You're not giving enough effort. You're like, you're not trying hard enough to stop doing that thing.

You know, it's the same concept. It looks that way. Yes, it looks that way. I know it's a lot harder. Pitching is great. I get it. I'm just saying like it is something that within his control theoretic. Well, and it's like, you see Schwerber do it. You see Harper do it. Just, just, just don't swing. Just, just please don't swing. Like go up and take three strikes if you have to, like, just don't swing. Like don't swing at pitches. It's not't swing. Like go up and take three strikes if you have to. Like just don't swing. Like don't swing at pitches. It's not that hard. Like...

Yeah. No, that one drives everyone crazy. And I feel it too. The thing that... And I mean, listen, we're probably a year away. But I mean, they seem very committed to Aiden Miller playing shortstop. Just fascinating. Because again, he's a bigger shortstop.

I mean, listen, I didn't think I'd have this comp and I don't know. It's, it's, it's probably not right at all, but whatever. I mean, Corey Seeger is a big shortstop, you know, it's a big shortstop. Yeah, come on, man. Maybe it's the righty Corey Seeger, but I like, uh, two time world series MVP. One of like a few people to do that. Oh, he's playoff riser. He's a playoff riser. It's like him, Sandy Kofax.

There's only a couple others. It's like four or five people have won two world series MVer. He's like him, Sandy Koufax. There's only a couple of others. It's like four or five people have won two World Series MEPs. He's one of them. All right, everybody. It's here.

The March to Spring trending and opening day is officially upon us. Hey, I'm Rob Bradford from Baseballs and Boring, and we'll have you covered every single day with instant reactions to late breaking signings, determining which players are yes, truly in the best shape of their lives and behind the scenes stories from all the excitement

and intrigue that spring training brings. Follow Baseball Isn't Boring in the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up NBA fans, it's Danny Green here. For those who want an inside look at the league through the eyes of a 15-year veteran and three-time champion, subscribe to my podcast, Inside the Green Room. New episodes drop every week where we take you through the ins and outs of the association's

top storylines, as well as breaking news and so much more. Be sure to subscribe to Inside the Green Room on the Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. Well, so you'll have, I think we're a year away from like Trey and Centerfield, because I don't think the Johan Rojas thing is going to work out. And, and, you know, you'll figure out left field with Marsh and it feels like Marsh has been here so long, but he's really only been here since like 2022. I know. But yeah, so then you have another,

cause Kepler's probably, unless Kepler like goes bonkers, I would be surprised if he is back next year. More than a one year thing, yeah. So I think, I think Trey Aiden Miller, and I'm surprised, you know, but you know, that's how this whole thing kind of works. But Trey and center field and Aiden Miller at sure stop kind of feels like how this thing's barreling towards and and and hopefully start his bounce back. You're pretty bullish on start.

You know, he talked about how you look at the totally with the injury thing. It's just like that's like a clear explanation. It's like, OK, that's why. Like, you can look at it like that makes sense. Well, yeah. And like there was times last year where he would really try to cheat to catch up the pitches, which he didn't used to do and try to, and try to launch them because all he could do. So hopefully this year he gets back to it.

He didn't have the power. I mean, how many times did we talk about his flat walls just dying? You know? He was swinging a pool noodle. I mean, that's what it was. We said it the whole year. That's what it looked like. So, uh, but then again, he's getting closer to a payday too.

So I just, again, the tray thing is a big swing on how good this team is going to be this year. I mean, I know that it could come down to how good is Los Ardo, but I mean, he's a fourth starter, fifth starter at this point, which with the ability to pitch to a higher level, Kenra, Kenra Manna stay healthy and, and Max Kepler, like that's all good. And the bullpen, I would say, you know, just in general. But, you know, like we've talked about the last couple of post seasons,

you need your stars to be your stars. I feel really good about Bryce this year. You need to get Schwerber and JT in a contract season. So I assume that they're going to be... Isn't it just Schwerber? Kassianos has two more years left. No, Schwerber and JT are in a contract. Yep.

Yeah. I don't know if you heard, but they're, they're talking about extending JT. Yeah. What do you think about that? You never got that. What do you think about that? Like, I know, like, I know they don't have a ton of guys in the Myers. Just, I mean, tight, tight, it's a long way away.

I don't even, he stays in catcher and I don't know how good a guy is. And then I mean, Marsha and can't say healthy, you know, a nice little player. But like, I just personally like the idea. And I know Yadi was Yadi, but Yadi is Yadi. Cause he's like the only guy that I can ever remember who played into like, he was like 38 or 39 or whatever at that position effectively. I, I just don't get it. I don't, I don't, JT has been declining year after year. We saw him like he was their worst hitter in the playoffs last year, which,

you know, that's saying something, but he was the worst hitter on the team in the playoffs last year, which you know, that's saying something, but he was the worst hitter on the team in the playoffs last year. Like I just the bat doesn't really play anymore the same way. Like I just, I don't understand the philosophy of saying, All right, let's sign this guy to a three year deal or something. Like I get if it's one year, if you're gonna say, all right, he's gonna add a year, like fine. But I'm assuming that's not what they do.

Yeah, again, if it's if it's an added year, because you don't have any other option, JT still top seven, seven country baseball, whatever. So in the top 10 for sure. So yeah, but I would not extend it. I would not extend them. And I think it sends to me like I'm blown away by it. Yeah, JT has been a great Philly, but I know that they're probably thinking about,

well, he's been an important part of the team for a couple of years and he manages the pitching staff. And I get all that. But at the same time, like, there's a lot of catchers that can do it. Totally. I, and part of my plan here is a World Series or a trade deadline. I mean, JT on an expiring, if this thing is... Yeah, I guess he could get something for JT at the... If he has a nice crumpling. Yeah, if it's crumpling. But I wanna, Schwab right, well the other thing is that,

like can you extend one without the other? You know, Schwab and JT... Why not? Well, because it's like, okay, you're gonna extend Schwab or not extend me, and then does he get pouty, or you extend real Muto and not extend Schwab? I don't care. Like that's the thing is like-

For as much as you are about athletes or human beings, you've turned into this- I really are, but no, no, no, no, no, no, no, I am. You've turned into a hard ass on this team. No, no, it's that I've gotten to the point, it's not that, it's not that. It's that- You said earlier, Sausage,

I'm not kidding, Trey, the option, you are standing in center field and now you don't care. Yes, for sure. Like tell him to do like you paid him money like whatever. Well, an iron fist. It's more the point that the idea of like I think that we've got like the fillies thing, the culture chemistry thing. Like I think like we can't do things based on that anymore.

Like we've tried that. It didn't work. Like I think like we can't do things based on that anymore. Like we've tried that it didn't work. Like bringing talented players. Like I'm fine. I think culture and chemistry matters. I do believe in that, but I don't think you keep JT just cause he's a part of this thing. Like I don't think you don't sign Twerber because you don't want JT to be sad. Like I think that's crazy. Yeah. I mean, I, I mostly agree with you. I'm just thinking about the thing, thinking about, you know, is that, could that be a factor in this thing? Of course, I would be, I would be much more interested in extending Schwabr, uh, unless you really expect to go out and shed 450 to 500 million for

Vlad Guerrero this off season, which I, I, well, theoretically they could do both, but I'd be surprised, but I'd definitely be more interested in, in re-signing Schwerer. I just, I'm not extending JT right now. If he goes out, if he goes out and has a great last season and, and balls out and, you know, looks like the old JT, great. And then you want to re-sign him for whatever and he proves that he's defying age. Okay. But like, I, I need to see it more than I'm just,

okay, here's the three year extension because you've been here for a while. I'm with you on that. And I wouldn't be totally pro. All right, before we get to the take bag, one last thing, you mentioned it before, the Castellanos comments. For those who didn't hear it,

I mean, like I struggled to even put it in the words. He basically, and I thought his answer for it. So you got to ask the question about what makes you feel like this lineup can go deep into October. And I thought the first part of it was really fair. He's like, I don't know. Like, I don't know that we can go deep into October. I hope we can.

I'm like, cool. That's fine. Like, you know, you're weird. That's cool. But then he goes, well, the good thing is like, you know, the pressure is off us, right? Because of how you guys reacted to last season either we lose and you guys are right and that's dope for you Or we surprise you guys like it's one of I mean, this is a guy who says some crazy stuff I almost cursed their talk. I didn't

He says some crazy stuff. This might cursed their talk. I didn't. Um, he says some crazy stuff. This might be top of the list. I mean, what an insane thing to say that no pressure on us because we lost in the playoffs last year and you guys think we're going to lose. So no pressure. What? Like your read of the situation is couldn't be more wrong. Well, what I don't like, what I don't like or love is that this is now, cause was it JT after the season that said there was too much pressure on us? Uh-huh. Like either, either your worlds, either your champions or you're not, you know, it either you have it or you don't like this other team.

I mean, if you want to look across the street, not to do it, but like look across the street and you want to talk about pressure. I mean, after that collapse, the whole thing, like you want to talk about the pressure on a team and how they responded. I mean, honestly, like all jokes aside, like the Phillies could learn a little bit

from the group across the street. Well, yeah, yeah, 100%. And the Eagles reacted to their collapse by signing Saquon and bringing in new coordinators and dude, how he had such a good off season and such an unbelievable year. No one cares that his highest paid free agent was the funniest thing. It's the funniest thing about all of it.

He had his best off season ever. And his biggest move was a complete and total bust. It's it's by the way, it's the funniest thing about all of it. He had his best season ever and his biggest move was a complete and total bust. By the way, it's been like it's three times we've done. This is how he's best off season ever. It was seven. I know. It was look, he's the best game in the history of the city. Like it is what it is.

Like how he's the goat and like you have no Kuiper said he might be the best game in the history of football. We've come a long way. No, no. Is this guy, I know, I know. Yeah. I mean, the best one of all time is what if they actually just fired him instead of just moving? Oh, I know. I know. Yeah. Honestly, the lorry thing. Yeah. Like you could have just gotten rid of him when Chip wanted it. Yeah. You're so honestly, that might be the biggest one in history.

It's a great call by you. Can't believe you're the director of the franchise. So right. Yeah. Yeah. So. It's all right. Yeah. So but it's all right. Preston's coming soon. So we're going to have a new best game in the city. Best game in the city. I like this. Yeah.

So yeah, the Castellano stuff. Listen, I guess I could understand it from the standpoint of, well, you know, we're not going to. I don't even know, man. Like we're not trying for the division from the first, the first snap of the season and we were free of, I free of what? I don't know, dude. I honestly, it made no sense to me.

It was like, and he was almost just trying to take a shot at the media. Like, I don't know. It was so weird. Yeah. You guys would be right. That'll be dope. It's like, bro, we want you the media. Like, I don't know. It was so weird. Yeah, you guys would be right. That'll be dope. It's like, bro, we want you to win. Like, what are you talking about? And that's the funny thing too, is like, cause we're not

journalists scrappy underdog fills this year. Like we are journalists. We're we're we're we talk about sports. We are not journalists. We can go to journalism school. We don't have like these ethical journalistic standards, you know, whatever, like we want to write and we want to want to say, you know what I mean? But like, but like,

even like what I always say with like journalists or whatever, where it's like, Oh, we cover the team. We can't root for them. Sure. But guess what? It's better for your journalistic career. If the team is good. Like if the team wins more people read your stories more, you get to write more stories, you go to the playoffs. So it's like the whole, like no one roots like everyone, whether you're media of the team, or whether you're a fan of the team, everybody

wants them to win. Everybody Nick, like, there is not a single person there who will be like, I was right, you lost cool, man, like, it's such an asinine thing to say it's like, asinine. Well, and I don't I give it let's say you asked Bryce that question, right? I do not believe he feels the same way. I do not. I do not believe that I think Bryce feels a ton. I think Bryce, the pressure on Bryce is about as much on any player in this city. Like I said, the Eagles got the monkey off

their back. Like, right. I mean, I'm beat, but even then, I mean, Harper is a greater historical player in his sport. Well, and people have more hope in Harper. Of course, that's my point. The reality with Embiid is that it's probably done. You know, we're kind of just, we're playing out the string here with Joel, which sucks, because I think we're going to look back 10 years, 15 years and say, what a talent. Yeah, at least they gave him that extra contract out. Yeah, well, yeah. Well, let's not do him that extra contract out. Yeah, no.

Yeah. Let's not do the same. I'll bring it down. I know you're right. My bad. My bad. So yeah, I just, but with Bryce, I think that all he is very, I believe, cognizant of his status in the city.

And now, Jalen, I guess, is ahead of him. It was all live. That was almost like the hardest, like you had to like force it out of your mouth. It was like someone was inside you like pushing the words out of your mouth. Yeah. 18 touch, either way.

I think it's Jaylen, Saquon, Bryce are the three. Well, it should be Saquon, Jaylen, but regardless. No, either way, I think it's I think it's Jalen Saquon price are the well It should be Saquon Jalen, but regardless no either way I was saying top three like whatever order you want to go in but I do think you have to give the Eagles the nod Right now. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, so so but he knows that they are now They're now viewed and that he heard all season. I'm sure like well who was really the better for you to sign Saquon or Harper Blah blah blah blah blah. No, I did know did hit a home run yesterday and in his first live VP. So we like to do that. We like to do that. But yeah, milk, pal. Just, just, I think, I think he, uh, and then out there, you know, I'm sure he's fine, but I think that he, uh, yeah, I just think he's going to use it all as motivation. And was it plus 1600 for MVP

right now? Is that what he is? I think he's plus 1600. So kind of like those odds, but yeah, I do not think that the rest of the team really feels free from any expectations after what happened last season. Yeah, I don't think any single player on the team agrees with that. Maybe Max Kepler, I don't know, he just got here. I mean, you know, it's about like-

I bet Wheeler doesn't feel that way. I bet- No,'t feel that way. No, I don't think I do. Like, honestly, I like I know Nick's weird. I don't know that Nick really does feel that way or if it was just kind of something to say, but he might go weird. But I don't know.

Just he's just Cassianos, man. He's Cassianos. All right. Take back. Let's see. What do I what do I have? I'm sure we got a fair amount of stuff you had in there. A little fair amount of stuff. Oh, the the picture of Painter and Hamels yesterday

was just beautiful. With Hamels in the background watching, yeah, that was cool. Wow, you showed him grips in the other photo I saw. Oh, I didn't see that. Yeah, that's great. That's a lucky put out there. So, I mean, he teach him the little Hamels change up.

Little change? The Painter thing, I'm very curious to see how they're gonna deploy him this year. I mean they have they have a loaded starting rotation as it is. Yeah you know and Taiwan there I mean how do you you know take his spot. Taiwan's looking crisp looking crisp. I did see best shape his life so you know that's a that's a win. Well I was trying to motivate. Yeah I think there's still a chance that they but not even tell me. Taiwan's what the seven starter, a starter. I guess it's like six starter, right?

Well, it's it's Wheeler, Nola, Ranger, Lizardo and Sanchez, Lizardo. Yeah, those five. And then I mean, I mean, it's to start the season. He's probably the six theoretically, but it's the painters really. Because Painter is not till July, right? And they're saying June, July could be earlier, could be later. Yeah. So they'll get to your point. My guess, like if I had to guess what the plan is, is they're going to bring him up, he'll get some starts. But I think ultimately once the playoffs come around, I mean, I would think you want him

out of the bullpen, right? I mean, because of the innings thing and all that. And the fact that like, with the five starters you have, you're only going to have three starters maybe four at most to start a playoff game. Like I don't know. Like are you going to not give Ranger or, or Lizardo a playoff start if they're pitching well because a painter, I don't know. You know? Well, and what I find interesting is like, how much are you going to, how much are you going to use as bullets in, in AAA?

I mean, do you really want to have a question? Yeah. You want them to go max effort there. But also at the same time. And I know I know you brought the bullpen thing and I think that's fair. But you're also just trying to develop as a starter. Oh, of course. But I mean, look, Adam Wayne, we've seen examples of this where it's like when the playoffs come, use him in that way,

because it just makes the most sense. You can get the most innings, the most valuable innings out of him by using him that way. Yeah. Again, it could work. Just like trying to talk your way through it, having to put a 20, 21 year old in that kind of spot, who's been starting his entire career into a bullpen thwack is also hard. So again, I don't know how they're going to do it. I really don't. Again, I don't know how they're going to do it. I really don't. You know, obviously, obviously the the old adage can never have enough. Starting pitching is is is the bad as true as it all, you know, as it always is.

But like what if he pitches like a under two, five year old skeins is the point. What if he's Paul's? Did you see the pitch that Paul Skeens is is working on? I got Paul Skeens as a 10th round keeper in my league. I'm I'm ready. Yeah, well, but did you see so he's he's working out to see him right now. And they did Pitching Ninja tweeted the other day.

He's a randomly completely out of the strikes. I don't think I still swung at it. He is ridiculous. That starting pitching the National League is stupid. And like Strider's coming back this year To go with a Cunha. I know not a pitcher but just the you know for the Braves and the Sassaki's pitching Ah, it's well, so the dot like so that honestly my biggest the biggest thing that's getting me down right now in baseball It's not the Phillies themselves. It's the dot

It's like when I think about when I get most annoyed about baseball It's I think like man like, like, and I know, look, I know that's baseball and you know, you get a good hot pitching staff for a series, you three, you know, win three, they're done. Like you could do that stuff. But like, man, it's annoying. The Dodgers thing, like it's, it's pretty annoying, especially like, to your point, the pause year, whatever it is, like it is what it is. And like to watch Phillies lose and then do nothing essentially other than our, our boy Hey Susie, we love like to do like for all intents and purposes, not much. And then the Dodgers win the world series and oh, let's go get Sasaki and let's resign

to Oscar and let's go get Blake Snell. Why not? Like let's just add him. Like, well, they added other guys, like five guys like all the I just I'm very frustrated. No, it is. It is. You're with me on the Dodgers. Yeah. Well, it's why it's why the most important thing the Phillies are going to be able to do or have to do the next couple of years is is draft and develop. I mean, that's going to be the new, not, not obviously not the new, uh, the market and efficiency.

Right. A long, long time, long, long time way of going about your business. Yes. Big, big takes only on this podcast. You need to be able to draft and develop, but like getting homegrown stars, being able to pay your homegrown stars and like you'll be able to add free agents. We know that like it's not like the Dodgers literally signed everyone.

Adding to a better base than yeah, and just and I think my free agents and I really do think that that's what they're trying to do is they're trying to get the base back to being right rather than trying to sign all of these outside free agents and make it all work. Now they almost won in 2022 and it was great. But I think that was more about the yearning to get back to postseason baseball and establish yourself as one of the,

reestablish yourself in the city, frankly. So I really think that they are just trying to get the base back to where they need it to be. And then they'll go out and they'll supplement the roster where they need to pay rather than like having the second highest payroll on baseball. I don't know if that's something that they would like to do on a on a year in year out basis. Which is kind of listen.

You're talking to the right podcast when it comes to draft. I was watching some college baseball over the weekend. You kidding me? You kidding me? This guy this guy wanted last year that draft Ax Whitney with the Oregon State and he shoved in his first start. It's just it's it's going to be back. It's going to be back. I'll be down there. I started podcasting.

It's the most negative I'm going to be on the team. That was lasted about 10 minutes, 15 minutes or back. No longer feel like either. No, we're good. No longer feel like either a World Series or a trade at the deadline. But we're good. We're back where that's over. That was a good problem. Well, I did forget also that means a higher draft pick as well oh buddy yeah yeah yeah now it's

time to get my q rating back up because like eagle season always takes a dip yeah that's yeah and now it's time to now it's time to get back up now it's jack's time yeah everyone had your little your little run here, but a good little appetizer for the main course, which is coming this summer, baby. Yeah, that's right. That's right. All right.

Yep. Good. Now I know this is only one video that I saw Devin Caney tweet out. Even though Devin Caney officially, I don't wanna say banned from the podcast, but she is. Did you see this agree to say her yesterday? No, I don't want to say banned from the podcast, but she is. Did you see this agree to Sarah?

No, I don't know what happened. No. So, so Devin Cainy tweeted out. Oh, is this the thing? I did see this. Yeah. That was a bad luck is that for our guy of all people. Uh, yes.

Well, yeah, it's like also like your audience. Well, it's a, it's a, it's like Devin, you know, know who you're talking to in that moment. I mean, he's going to be the future face of the team, future superstar. And and like that's going to look back in 10 years, like how the Eagles misspelled Jason Kelsey's name when they drafted him. You know what I mean? Which is still the funniest tweet of all time. It's so good. So we need to get a lock in, but we address it.

We address it behind. Yeah. I well, not really. You tweeted, didn't you? I texted her and I said, OK, excuse me. Oh, yeah, that's it. She commented that I saw her too. I didn't see the original. I said, OK, good to know.

Thank you. I will say I am happy to hear because Devon was this was something that Devon last time, I believe she was down there, whatever it was, it was the whole Andy Andrew thing. Very happy to hear that Andrew is going by the correct name, Andrew Painter. Like that is important, the important stuff. Well, and Preston trying to pull our leg and acting like this. I know. Like what was that? Yeah, not a fan again. Again, I lost. Now you and when you do this, I want to jump through my screen and tackle you. When you tell me to take else, I want to literally play in traffic.

Okay, but I know I can bust that out when I need to. Even though I sort of took the on top. Tomber, Tomber, Tomber, Tomber, Tomber, Tomber, Tomber, Tomsey. I needed him to be Andrew Painter and Andy Painter. It was just it was just a really tough look. It was really that's why I brought it up. It's a really important like honestly, it might be the best news to come out of spring training so far.

Like when I think of the name Andy, like Andy Painter sounds like a Toy Story character. I think we thought about that. Yeah, it's a toy. Yeah, totally. I agree. Andrew Painter is a Cy Young winner. Andrew Painter is a Cy Young winner.

Andy Painter is a washout. Yeah. So, so Devin, Devin tweeted a video of Lazardo and I'm just saying, it looks like they were trying to get him more in rhythm with his mechanics rather than like a, he kind of pauses when he gets to the top. I've been saying he needs rhythm. And it's well, I mean, no, he does. He's a boss and you're right.

He does that. He is a pause guy, a little bit of a pause. So I think they're trying to get him more in rhythm, not like a Nestor Cortez pause. No, he's a pause guy. Yeah. No, but like sometimes with the pause, it gets in your head. You start thinking too much and then you,

Your mechanics go because of that, I would think. So it's not so much, it's more just, it's the way it was always taught to me is that the more in rhythm you are, the less thinking you do. And the more you can just throw, rather than if you have the pause. And not everyone's a head case like you though, Jack.

Yeah, that's that is fair. No, that's totally fair. That's totally, totally fair. But we'll see. We'll see. I need Lizardos first spring training start. Oh, buddy. He has to be great.

We need it. That's going to be my super bowl. You know, and it is the kind of thing where, like, as we've talked about a lot, like, if this is if this team is going to go on around this year and is going to be, you know, not the, you know, to your point before, like a frustrating 90 win team or whatever that means, considering all that, you know, 66 wins and stuff we've been through, Los Ardo's if Los Ardo can be great, like it does elevate. And it's to the point we made where it's like, all right,

well, if you're going to not try and compete with the big boys this off season, at least you made one part of your team potentially truly great. You know? And with the potential to be a top tier rotation arm, you know, there is still that. That's my point is that Lazardo has that in him. If he can, if they can get that out of him and he can take that next step, like that is one of the things where you could look at this and it's like a season changing type of thing, potentially and contract to your Ranger and the top five

prospect in the game coming. I mean, that's that's and by the way, shout out to Chris Sanchez on a Braves contract. What is amazing? I love I can't believe we actually got a guy on a Braves contract. It was amazing. I love Chris Sanchez. I can't believe we actually got a guy on a Braves contract. It's such a thrill. We'll wait forever for that. Hold on. We signed Kangery. I mean, we got Kangery on a Braves deal.

No, you're right. That was a classic Braves deal. Yeah. Well, it's funny. So players are usually better. Phillies did it. And then the Mariners did it with Evan White, remember? He was horrible, too.

And then no team, I think, has done it since. No one has signed a guy without coming up again. Nope. Wonder if that's maybe a lesson that we should learn. Yeah. But if you want to sign Aiden to a contract for all time, an all time contract, go ahead. But yeah, no, and it is good to see that the publications are finally starting to pick up on Aiden Miller. And now he's like a consensus top 20 prospect in this board. So it's good to be here. It's good to be here. You know, not to make a 20 prospect in this war. So it's good to be here.

It's good to be here. You know, not to make this about me would never do that. Yeah, I know. We'd never do that because this is everyone's time. Everyone's all super bolt up. But. A pretty big. We are super. You're right. We are here. Everyone is.

Everyone's supposed to pull it up. It's great. I'd like to. Fun time in the city. But yeah, we did. No, nothing better. Nothing better. And Mike and my quarterback got it done. Never, never doubted. I mean, in all honesty, like

if the Phillies had a Jalen Hurts type of person in that locker, would you stop? They probably would have already won. Would you stop? I mean, a guy who's just obsessed, a burning desire to win, you know, just like all he thinks about, all his hope, he's defined by it. We got Bryce Harper out here as a TikTok influencer. Jalen Hurts out here working every day.

I'm just saying. I am ready to quit the podcast. I am ready to quit the podcast. I am ready to quit. I felt like I had needled you at all this pod. So I had to get one. I will say, though, I mean, like from a worker forgetting the thing, like I do think that like I really want this team to have that mentality.

And I do think Bryce has it. But like Nick, talk the way he does, like it's like that. And I agree with you. I think he's alone in his head and whatever. But like, like I need Trey Turner to feel, feel the pressure in a in a in a way where it motivates him. I need these guys to again, to use the phrase like I want a burning desire to win there. Like I need that from these guys. Yeah. My problem is that they feel like folders rather than

risers. I know, but I hate that. I know. I hate it too. I know. They're good. But that's because what we've always seen. That's what we've seen. I need to change our mind on that. That can happen. Look, the Dodgers felt like folders. Now, granted, they added Shohei, which is like, you know, pretty big addition to your team, but

they did feel like folders until last year when they just whooped on the Yankees, whooped on everyone really like and Shohei again, pretty big addition to make that change. Well, but not even him. I mean, I feel like folders and the Celtics kind of felt like folders until they got over them. They added Chris Stapps that helped. But like, I do think that you can knock on the door, knock on the door, seem like a folder and then come through. Totally, totally. I mean, listen, you can change narratives in one post. Look at me being positive. And look at this. Bring in the positivity today. Listen, we're probably not going to do a podcast until after they play on this weekend. And

you're telling me that... Yeah. Yeah, we're definitely... ...they'll be up all night watching Spring Training. Are you kidding me? We'll be back with 95 wins next week and everything's fine. I think we need to let out some of our frustration with what we've seen. And you know what? The one that broke me really was the short-bred first base idea. I know. Oh, we didn't even talk about that. I was like, why? Why?

Why? We don't need short-bred first base. What are we doing here? He played three games in left field last year and pulled his hamstring and was done for two weeks. What are we doing? Does anyone remember last season and how this worked out? What are we doing? It's ridiculous. He's horrible at first base. Yeah, horrible. Dude, we asked him, we had him on with us in spring training last year on the

morning show and Joe asked, Joe Richie asked him about, so, you know, like first base, what do you think? And he's, and he literally laughed and was like, I don't think that's a good idea. Like that was his answer to us. It was like, he was like, no, no, no. Like I don't want to do that. Like, you know what they said, you know, they said this year, get a first base, get a mint, get a Bobby Dickerson, get a mint. So yeah, that, that, and they, uh, I I love the I love the idea that they're gonna be

all tell JT that he's sitting. Oh, okay. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You're telling me when you're again, this is how I see this season going early. They're gonna be right around 500 in mid June, mid July ish. And they're gonna say to JT, take a little bit of time here. And he's going to say, no, he's going to be out there. He's going to catch 140 games. They're going to get forward back in the leadoff spot, break down in the playoffs after they just gave him a three year extension. Everyone's going to be super psyched.

Trial bat like two 93. He'll, you know, have 20 homers. He'll be fine. He'll get to the playoffs. He'll chase every pitch they throw. Rinse and get it all out. Let's get it all out. Rangers going to have back spasms and and and throw one hundred and forty innings.

You know, you know what? Zach Wheeler is going to throw a couple of gems in the playoffs. Did he want to? Well, Jeff, there's been three starts and we're going to end the season saying, man, they didn't do right by Zach Wheeler. Yep. And Bryce is going to continue having the third highest OPS in the history of baseball as a filly. And people are going to say, wow, what a choker. And the Eagles are going to go back to back. And they might.

Yeah. I know. We'll wait till we get my. I was scared. If you who do you think wins the next title in this city? The Eagles or the Phillies? Who wins the next title? They are the Eagles. Come on. Oh God, he's broken.

That's tough. You're broken. There's I've got everyone wins. I love you, buddy. I really do. It is nice to see you in all honesty. It's nice to see you. I didn't get to be here. I know. To be here. I really do. It is nice to see you. In all honesty, it's nice to see you. I did miss you.

Good to be here. Good to be here. What do you feel, Neal? Take back action. No, just that what a win for the podcast that Aidan Miller is looking good so far. I will say, Aidan Miller is our, like if I had to put like a shining light, like the North Star,

they always talk about the North Star as like the light you find, you know? Okay, there's the North Star. I know that's North. That will guide my way. The North Star is like the light you find, you know, okay, there's the North Star. I know that's North that will guide my way. The North Star is my guiding light. That's Aiden Miller for this podcast. I really believe that. Unless Nick Gassan is listening, no pressure, you know, but Aiden, you really mean a lot to us. Yeah. We'll be back tomorrow with another pod.

Yes We back tomorrow with another pod Love you, we will be back next week with another pot out at that and every week we're here we're not gonna play Every week I'll do a pot with you about the Phillies and then guess what we'll start doing two in April How's that sound? Yeah, well that the the Chris Mack guys starting the game on Sunday. So fast forward to that Monday pod Monday, pod. Thanks, we may not be back. I'll be back. Oh, yeah, Mr. Bister, you know, what is it?

Turn eternity. What was your problem? A month ago, I promised you I'd take all I promised you. Oh, yeah, Mr. Yeah, you know, you guys, I was born. Take a guess two weeks. Oh yeah, Mr. Yeah, well, you know, many days I was born. Take a guess. I don't know three. Congratulations one day.

It's like one day. Listen, listen dad. I'm just not that kind of guy. You know I show up for work. I don't know. You know, I'm good. I'm very comfortable being home. Yeah, hey you are fast. I'm going to forward this to HR and get you. Yeah, I berated you. It's good. Yeah, you are fast forward. I'm going to forward this to HR and get you.

Yeah, I berated you. It's good. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Good. You can put anyone in here and do the pod. So you're set. Yeah. Yeah. Keep talking. All right. Hey, the Eagles won the Super Bowl. They did. Yeah. One of those. All right. We'll be back next week. Until then, Eagles won the Super Bowl. He's for it himself.