7/20/25 : Sunday Thoughts

My wife Barb and I have been back “home” in Pennsylvania for almost two weeks now. What we’ve discovered is that the more things change the more they stay the same. The countryside and landscape of Chester and Lebanon counties which is where we’ve spent most of our time is just as beautiful as before but so is the hustle and bustle of daily life as compared to the laid back atmosphere of a retirement community in Florida (which is where we’ve lived the last eight years or so). Folks are in a hurry here as compared to Florida where the folks we were around had reached the slow down part of their lives. I spent the majority of my life in that hurry up mode - a bit strange to now witness it from the sidelines in a slower paced position.

While I miss the face to face personal interaction with the minor league players at the complex in Clearwater I was able to speak with a few on Friday at Reading before the game. It’s been great to get to know the fellas a bit as people first - it also takes me aback some when I chat with other fans here and they seemingly discount that.  The hard edge (when it’s negative) of northeast based fan-dome is something I didn’t miss. Is what it is.

Now for some baseball stuff - drafted players who intend to sign are convening at CBP (Sunday thru Wednesday - many are already there) for physicals, signings and orientation. Signings will be announced as they ink contracts - likely beginning today. They will then travel as a group to Clearwater for a mini-camp at the complex held by the Player Development coordinators. Amateur scouts who signed the players will join in at the complex for knowledge transfer. I believe that the NDFA (non drafted free agent) signees report to Clearwater directly for physicals and contract signings then will join the mini-camp workouts alongside the draftees who sign. While the club hopes to sign every drafted player it remains to be seen if that’s possible given the restricted allotment of draft funds set by the league. I’ve reached out to most every player drafted or subsequently in agreement as a NDFA and have gotten responses from many, each year the eager anticipation of new players to start their career is energizing. In addition to the twenty players drafted the club has reached agreements (pending physicals and contract signings) with six non-drafted free agents to date.

I think it’s unrealistic to expect any of the draft picks to reach the major leagues this season as some fans have speculated. Most haven’t played for almost two months or longer depending on when their amateur seasons ended. There’s also a huge difference between Major League Baseball and amateur level play, even at the highest of collegiate levels. The more practical and likely planned approach is to have them participate in the mini-camp at the complex before being assigned to rosters to complete the season. Not every player will be activated on the rosters however as some will complete the year training at the complex with perhaps a few informal games such as last season’s “Bridge League” structure in the mix.

Both drafted and non-drafted free agent signings are exempt from the minor league roster limits until 15 days have elapsed from the date of their signed contract or when the player has appeared in an actual league game.  Players will begin signing contracts today so that means thereabouts 8/5/25 is the day that those who sign today will count towards the minor league roster limitation unless activated and appearing in a game before that. The Phillies made multiple roster moves this week placing players on the extended injured lists (60 day IL and Full Season IL) thst don’t count towards the limit. By my count with the transfer of Weston Wilson yesterday to the major league active roster they currently have nine open spots. So for every fella signed beyond those nine spots at some point within the 15 day allowance another transaction must occur to open a roster space. Tough part of the business and makes the last month and a half of minor league play a bit more challenging, especially with pitching to field teams for the four affiliates - but somehow it all works out. 😎

With the trade deadline fast approaching minor league players are a bit more anxious as they hear their names in the rumor mills. The Phillies are a “win now” mode team so expectations of moves are high and rightly so.  It’s my belief that Baltimore and Minnesota line up as the more likely trade partners and that the return for targeted players on those squads will be high in quality and even quantity. It’s part of the business and while I will be somewhat disappointed to see some of the minor leaguers moved at the same time I look at it as new and perhaps more open opportunities for them. Gotta give to get and the prolonged process of bringing a baseball trade to fruition generally plays out in that manner.  It’s all part of it.

Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

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