Phightin’ Words: 1/28/20

Spring is just around the corner, folks.

Pretty soon, we’ll see video from the stadium of the truck leaving, plus probably a tweet or two of John Clark at the airport trying to frantically run down the Phanatic as he boards a plane to Clearwater. It’s a tradition unlike any other.

Phillies news

• When you look at the headline of this Fangraphs article, you get a kind of negative feeling, but acquiring decent depth in the even injury strikes is something the team didn’t do last year and it cost them dearly.
• A few odds and ends about the team, including a bit about how the team isn’t interested in Nolan Arenado at all. More on the source of that tidbit later.
• The inevitable addition of the DH to the National League (shudder) would actually help the Phillies, if you believe Corey Seidman.

MLB news

• Two big acquisitions happened yesterday. First was the Reds signing Nick Castellanos to a 4 year, $64 million contract with opt-outs after each of the first two seasons. I like this signing a lot for the Reds and might even become something of a Reds fan this season.
• The other big move was the Pirates becoming a glorified minor league team and trading their best asset in Starling Marte to the Diamondbacks for two low level, but high upside, prospects. The ownership of the Pirates should be ashamed of themselves for what they’re about to put on the field.

Rumor roundup

• The Royals (remember them?!?) are still looking to add some arms.
• The Cubs are even thinking of spending real, actual money.