Author: Michael Lipinski

Phillies Spring Training: Bryce Harper Expected in Camp This Week

~ Michael Lipinski ~ Leave a comment
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia Phillies are expecting All-Star Bryce Harper to report to Spring Training on Wednesday.  

Harper is currently rehabbing from late-November Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow.  The 30-year old was forced to play the majority of the season as the Phils’ designated hitter after injuring his elbow last Spring.  Despite the elbow injury –and a subsequent trip to the DL with a broken hand– Harper slashed .286/.364/.514 with 18 HR, 65 RBI, and a .877 OPS helping propel the Phillies to the National League pennant.  

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Phillies Rule 5 Draft Pick Set to Report to Clearwater

~ Michael Lipinski ~ Leave a comment
Noah Song. Image: United States Naval Academy Baseball

Philadelphia Phillies Rule 5 Draft pick Noah Song has been transferred by the United States Navy from active duty to select reserves allowing the 25-year old to pursue his baseball career.

A product of the United States Naval Academy, Song was originally selected in the 4th round of the 2019 MLB June Amateur Draft by the Boston Red Sox. Scouts projected Song as a potential first round draft pick if it weren’t for his commitment to the Navy.  The righty pitched in seven games for the Single-A Lowell Spinners in 2019 registering a 1.06 ERA with 19 K, 5 BB, and a.882 WHIP.  The Navy came calling immediately following the 2019 season, ordering Song to report to flight school. 

Current Phillies’ president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski was instrumental in drafting Song during his time with Boston.  

Per MLB Rule 5 Draft rules, Song will have to be placed on the active roster and stay there all season or placed on waivers and offered back to Boston if he clears waivers.  Song is not currently on the 40-man roster however the Phillies will need to add him prior to first pitch on Opening Day.  

It’s a fascinating storyline to follow as Spring Training kicks into high gear.

Kevin Stocker Appears to be the Winner of the Phillies Radio Broadcaster Royal Rumble

~ Michael Lipinski ~ Leave a comment

Ladies and gentlemen, it appears as though we have a winner of the 2022 Phillies radio broadcaster Royal Rumble! 

While there has been no official word from the Phillies, MLB.com scribe Todd Zolecki let the cat out of the bag in the last few sentences on a recent piece about Scott Franzke and Larry Andersen’s charity beer initiative. (The article is worth your time, check it out here.)

“Andersen is not only back, but he will be broadcasting around 60 home games this season, which is more than last year. Kevin Stocker will be Franzke’s analyst for the remaining home games, plus 81 road games. Stocker had been in a four-man rotation last season with Michael Bourn, Chad Durbin, and Erik Kratz.”

Todd Zolecki via Phillies.com
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Phillies Sign Free Agent Reliever Craig Kimbrel

~ Michael Lipinski ~ Leave a comment

It’s a Festivus Miracle!

According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a deal with free agent reliever Craig Kimbrel. The length and dollars on the deal have not been reported. The deal is a one-year deal worth a reported $10 million.

Kimbrel , 34, spent the 2022 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He appeared in 63-games for LA posting a 3.75 ERA, a 1.317 WHIP, and 22 saves in 60 innings pitched.

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Philadelphia Phillies Ink Starter Taijuan Walker

~ Michael Lipinski ~ 1 Comment

The Philadelphia Phillies are staying busy on the free agent front. A day after signing Trea Turner, the Phillies have reached an agreement with starting pitcher Taijuan Walker.

The 30-year old has reportedly agreed to a 4-year/$72 million deal. He spent the past two seasons with the New York Mets.

More soon…

Breaking: Phillies to Sign Free Agent Shortstop Trea Turner

~ Michael Lipinski ~ 1 Comment

The Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a contract with free agent shortstop Trea Turner according to Jeff Passan.

Tuner’s contract is 11-years worth $300 million.

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Buckle Up! Phillies Reportedly the Favorite to Land a Shortstop at the MLB Winter Meetings (or soon!)

~ Michael Lipinski ~ Leave a comment

No lede, just a GIF!

MLB scribe Jon (Paul) Morosi was on MLB Network and dropped this nugget on free agent shortstop Trea Turner.

Let’s review.

Turner would like to get PAID and would like to head back to the Grapefruit League for Spring Training. Good news, the Phillies fit the bill! The Fightin’s have a ton of cigar money to spend and they train in BEAUTIFUL Clearwooder. Hell, they even bought more Florida land just for Turner (probably).

It’s also worth noting that teams would like the big name free agents to “shit or get off the pot” and get the market moving. The MLB Winter Meetings are set for San Diego from Sunday through next Wednesday. Imagine a Sunday where the Eagles potentially clinch a playoff spot only to be outdone by the Phillies inking Turner!

While the expectation is Turner to Philadelphia, what happens if he signs elsewhere? Do we riot? Nope, the Phillies will reportedly still get an elite player.

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Philadelphia Phillies Slugger Bryce Harper Undergoes Succesful Tommy John Surgery

~ Michael Lipinski ~ 3 Comments

The Philadelphia Phillies announced designated hitter Bryce Harper underwent successful Tommy John surgery on Wednesday in Los Angeles with Dr. Neal ElAttrache.  The team expects to have Harper back in the lineup as a designated hitter by the 2023 All-Star break and back in right field by the end of the season.

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Report: Phillies Have “Real Interest” in Xander Bogaerts

~ Michael Lipinski ~ Leave a comment

MLB insider Jon Heyman is reporting the Philadelphia Phillies are “believed to have real interest” in free agent shortstop Xander Bogaerts.

This “news” should come as no surprise.

The Phillies have been linked to Bogaerts for a while now. Bogaerts name routinely surfaced in trade speculation due to his relationship with Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski.

Now Dombrowski can go after one of “his guys” without giving up players. If last offseason was any indication, Dombrowski should have a blank check to sign any player he wishes in free agency.

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