The Offseason: 10/22/2020

Last night, the Rays took Game 2 from the Dodgers, 6-4. They were led by two home runs by Brandon Lowe. It’s another example of the gap (chasm?) between the Phillies and the top teams in the league, where their role players aren’t up to snuff. Who is the Phillies’ Lowe? That former prospect who can perform his role to almost perfection, but is substituted when his weaknesses might be exposed. It’s the current path a team like the Giants are on, building up depth and acquiring role players that will help the team win games.

Gabe Kapler was famous for stating how he want to get wins around the margins while here in Philadelphia. It’s not a bad idea per se, but the personnel he had was never going to make that philosophy work. The reason why Kapler didn’t succeed, or at least one of the reasons, was the he was always trying to make round pegs fit into square holes. He tried to pretend players were role players when they clearly weren’t. It’s part of the mandate of the next regime that they make sure the roster is fully stocked with players that will help the team get those wins at the margins.

On to the links.

Phillies news:

• Rafael Marchan had a decent enough season even though level-wise, he was way in over his head.
• Will Jay Bruce return?
• Zack Wheeler had surgery on his finger and should be ready to go come Opening Day.

MLB news:

• Before Steve Cohen buys the Mets (and begins his outspending spree of the Phillies), he still needs to get through one more obstacle in his path.
• Marcus Stroman had some...interesting...things to say about the Yankees.
• Rob Manfred gave a long interview about his views on the game.

Rumor roundup:

• D.J. Lemahieu anyone? Here are five places he could go.
• One bench option for the Phillies, one they could have had last year, is now off of the market.
• Mark Shapiro is staying with Toronto.