Sad! Misguided Phillies fans want to hold onto unproven prospects instead of giving the current roster the best possible chance at winning multiple World Series Championships
Watching Philadelphia Phillies fans and their responses to my posts about trading prospects to better our beloved baseball team’s chances at winning multiple World Series Championships over the next few years has been nothing short of fascinating.
Let’s start here: For whatever reason, people question the legitimacy of The Liberty Line articles (written by me) because there’s “no shot” the Phillies would target the top outfielders on the block and I’m just “engagement farming?”
How so? The only farming I’m doing is trying to empty the Phillies so we can win a few World Series over the next 4-5 years. Jeff Passan from ESPN listed the Phillies as one of the most active teams ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline – primarily focused on the outfield.
Jim Bowden on the Phillies Deadline plan:
“They really wanna figure out center field. And so Luis Robert of the White Sox, Jazz Chisholm of the Miami Marlins and Cody Bellinger of the Cubs have been their top priority.”
The Bleacher Report stated that the Phillies are targeting Cody Bellinger and could offer No. 8 overall prospect, 17-year old catcher Eduardo Tait, in a trade for the Chicago Cubs outfielder.
Now? Bob Nightengale of USA Today has reported that GM’s and executives around the league believe that the Phillies will be one of the most aggressive teams in trade discussions.
Bob Nightengale on Phillies plans ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline:
“The Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres and Atlanta.”
What am I missing…Phillies fans?
Is it possible that I’m the only person on social media that knows baseball? I never thought that could be the case but as we move forward through the Dog Days of Summer, I’m becoming more and more certain that it is.
I’m not engagement farming shit. You have every single media outlet talking about the Phillies and their window to “win now” but somehow, I’m the one being criticized?
I guess it should come as no surprise that the majority of filled with idiots. Just look at the replies on my tweet below. Before you read, ask yourself what you would do to have two World Series rings over the next four years. If your answer is anything outside of “trade your farm system and win now” then you are a misguided individual – also known as an idiot.
Listen, the idea of having a farm system where 18-year old Starlyn Caba is going to blossom into Trea Turner’s replacement at shortstop in 6-8 years is definitely a fun dream but an unacceptable reality when you have the current roster at the major league level.
Not wanted to trade 17-year old Eduardo Tait because catching prospects are hard to come by and we might have JT Realmuto’s backup ready and waiting by 2030 is nothing more but wishful thinking.
Holding on to Mick Abel, who while only 22-years old has been a disaster at Triple A? For what exactly? Are we just hoping he’ll have a good season with Lehigh Valley in 2025 and be able to pitch for the Phillies in 2026?
As for Andrew Painter, no one knows what the hell he’s going to look like post-Tommy John Surgery. While I really do like Crawford and Miller, I had one too many disappointments to really trust another prospect with high upside.
The same “dreams” apply to pretty much everyone in the minor league system for the Phillies.
Sure, Justin Crawford looks great but has yet to progress past High A – along with the Golden Boy, Aidan Miller. That doesn’t erase the fact that the Phillies have given us prospect after prospect and nearly every single one of them shows promise in the minor leagues before bursting into flames and fizzling out when they make it to The Show.
Phillies Top Draft Picks Since 2018:
- 2023: Aidan Miller
- 2022: Justin Crawford
- 2021: Andrew Painter
- 2020: Mick Abel
- 2019: Bryson Stott
- 2018: Alec Bohm
The jury is still out on the last four years. Again, Miller, Crawford, Painter, and Abel have shown promise. Alec Bohm and Bryson Stott are MLB-level talents (obviously) but before that?
Here’s the Phillies’ top draft back every season dating back to the year 2000. The players in bold are the only ones that turned out to be worth a damn at the major league level.
Spoiler Alert: Including Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm, the Phillies had a total of six top draft picks turn out to be something at the MLB level.
Phillies Top Draft Picks: 2000-2017
- 2017: Adam Haseley
- 2016: Mickey Moniak
- 2015: Cornelius Randolph
- 2014: Aaron Nola
- 2013: JP Crawford
- 2012: Shane Watson
- 2011: Larry Greene
- 2010: Jesse Biddle
- 2009: Kelly Dugan
- 2008: Anthony Hewitt
- 2007: Joe Savery
- 2006: Kyle Drabek
- 2005: Mike Costanzo
- 2004: Greg Golson
- 2003: Tim Moss
- 2002: Cole Hamels
- 2001: Gavin Floyd
- 2000: Chase Utley
Can we all get on the same page here?
I mean seriously, over the past 24 seasons, the Philadelphia Phillies have SIX prospects that turned out to be worth anything. SIX – THE PHILLIES HAVE HIT ON SIX FIRST ROUND PROSPECTS OVER THE LAST 24 YEARS.
If the Philadelphia Phillies can trade for Luis Robert Jr, Cody Bellinger, or Jazz Chisholm – all proven Major League Baseball talents ahead of the July 30th deadline then you 100 percent unload the farm to make it happen.
Fun Fact: You can most likely get any of the three without giving up Aidan Miller or Andrew Painter!
Join The Chase
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