Getting Younger :
At the All-Star break MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred noted that the median age of MLB ticket buyers has gone down by nearly five years and that nationally televised games have higher ratings among viewers age 18-34. Pace of play rule changes were given a lot of credit for the shift. Personally I think it’s great that in “this day and age” younger fans are finding a love and passion for the game that folks in older generations have had.
The excitement generated by things like the power display of a long majestic home run or a great defensive play or the marvel of a “pitchers pitch” and those who can throw them crosses all times and generations. It’s the showcase in how that is displayed and those who play it that comes to the forefront. And while the game of Baseball has evolved (as it should) over the years the core mechanics remain the same. It’s still comes down to the long term adages of “see the ball, hit the ball and pitching wins”.
The fluidity of baseball fandom is embedded in team loyalties and showmen showing out - it’s the essence of the heartbeat of the game, the thrill of it’s competition. To me “this day and age” is a great time to be a baseball fan as will be tomorrow’s time and elements as well. It’s really cool and necessary that younger folks are embracing the game and keeping the passion of fandome alive and just as cool and necessary that older fans like myself continue to share our ongoing passion, memories and foundation for the greatest game every played - that’s all good stuff!
The Trade Show :
July 30th - 6 PM is when all pens are down for 2024 MLB trade speculation. One of the biggest forums in baseball is the chatter most fans partake in and read about regarding how to improve the team they pull for. It’s sometimes a very passionate discussion as if folks actually had a say in what transactions might be coming 😂. The truth of the matter is that most of the banter is unfounded in accuracy. Discussions always take place between teams but bringing a discussion into a finalized agreement often times takes multiple conversations and can span months. When folks are privy to even a snippet of such conversations then trade rumors are born, however, many times rumors are initiated without any actual discussions between the teams occurring 😳. Nevertheless it piques fan interest so I suppose that’s not all bad.
From my perspective I find the following players to be of “real” possibility in regards to the Phillies potential acquisitions.
Kyle Finnegan - RHP - 32 years old - Washington Nationals
Features a four seamer (95-97mph), splitter and slider with the four seamer as primary and splitter as most often used secondary. Has a 2.32 ERA in 44 appearances (42.2 IP) converting 28 saves in 32 opportunities - 44 K’s and 14 walks - a 0.98 WHIP. In his five seasons in the major leagues has 78 saves in 99 opportunities and a career 3.34 ERA in 270 games (269.1 IP). Was selected to the National League All-Star team this season. Originally drafted by the Oakland A’s in the 6th round of the 2013 draft from Texas State - was signed by Washington as a minor league free agent in 2019. Has one arbitration year left and is slated for free agency in 2026. - is making $5.1 million this season.
Lane Thomas - OF - 28 years old - Washington Nationals - RH batter
Has posted a .247/.317/.397 slash line this year in 73 games (322 PA’s) with 13 doubles, 3 triples, 8 home runs, 39 RBIs and 26 stolen bases. Hit 28 home runs and drove in 86 last season. Is hitting .329/.414/.518 with a .932 OPS in 45 games (85 AB’s) with 3 home runs and 13 RBIs. Was the 5th round draft selection of the Blue Jays in 2014 out of high school in Knoxville, TN. Traded to Cardinals on 7/2/17 for cash considerations and to the Nationals on 7/30/21 for RHP Jon Lester. Has one arbitration year left and is slated for free agency in 2026. - is making $5.4 million this season.
Kirby Yates - RHP - 37 years old - Texas Rangers
Has a 3-1 record and 1.22 ERA in 37 games (37 IP) with 18 saves in 18 opportunities. He’s struck out 51 batters and walked 17, has a 0.89 WHIP and a .130 BAA. Yates signed with the Rangers as a free agent this off season in December after playing last season with the Atlanta Braves. He had TJ surgery in 2022 and missed most of that season. He’s pitched for the Rays, Yankees, Padres, Braves and Rangers after being drafted by the Red Sox in the 26th round of the 2005 draft from Yavapai JC in Arizona. He features a four seam fastball (93-94 mph), a put away splitter and an occasional slider. He’s on a one year contract worth $4.5 million and is slated for free agency again after this season. Was selected to this year’s American League All-Star team.
Mark Canha - OF - 35 years old - Detroit Tigers - RH batter
In 361 plate appearances has a .234/.338/.357 slash line with a .695 OPS - 17 doubles, 7 home runs and 36 RBIs. Is hitting .294/.410/.471 with a .881 OPS against left handed pitchers with 6 doubles, 2 home runs and 8 RBIs. Originally drafted in 2010 by the Marlins in the 7th round from the University of California-Berkeley. He was taken in the Rule 5 draft in 2014 by the Rockies and then traded to the Oakland A’s where he played thru the 2021 season, signed as a free agent with the Mets in 2022 and was traded midway thru the 2023 season to the Brewers. He was traded this past off season to the Tigers. His contract this year is for $11.5 million and he is slated for free agency once more after the season concludes.
I’m sure that the Phillies have had and continue to have discussions with multiple teams - scouts from the Giants, Mariners, Rays, Tigers, White Sox, Nationals, Marlins, Angels, Cardinals, Padres and Blue Jays are amongst those I’ve noted both in the minor league stands and backfields in the past few weeks. It’s highly likely a Phillies trade will be consummated. Just sayin - the only folks who truly know are the teams themselves and they don’t let that chatter out for the most part regardless of what ya hear or read. Just sayin.
The New Draftees :
Later today 23 new players will take the fields at Carpenter Complex for their first workouts. To date nineteen of the twenty draft selections have signed (14th round pick Jared Spencer announced on Instagram that he will stay in school - has transferred to the University of Texas). They are joined by four un-drafted free agent signings. My friend Jim Peyton and I will be at the complex to watch and welcome the new recruits on behalf of all Phillies fans - it’s what we do. 🤓
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
The 2024 signed draft class - Dante Nori absent from the photo - was doing an interview session
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