The Winter Meetings of Baseball are always a big entertainment extravaganza. In between Scott Boras’s clever repartee, we’re seeing people tweeting back and forth about who they’re crushing on, who’s getting their tyres kicked, and, of course, bringing up Arson Judge.
Yes, it’s all fun and games for us spectators, but it hurts the executives who have to do this in order to provide for their families. There are late-night meetings, a never-ending stream of texts, and perhaps, just possibly, a phone call.
Yes, yes, I am aware that interpersonal communication through that medium is largely obsolete, but it still happens! particularly these days if someone is unable to text and drive. Correct?
Anyway, the Phillies will continue to look for methods to strengthen the current roster that is struggling to keep the championship window open, and they will be well-represented by their delegation of decision-makers next week. The best way to accomplish this is to just spend money, as this keeps the minor league system full of young players in development, but sometimes you have to work things out. For the organisation to accept another player or two, someone must depart. For players, trades are never the most enjoyable aspect of the game because they require them to leave a company they have become accustomed to as well as leave the boundaries of any community they may be involved in or may be raising
Let me tell you something, Dave Dombrowski did everything in his power to silence any rumours about Castellanos as soon as the offseason started. He made an effort to reassure everyone that Castellanos is here to stay and that the team looks forward to having him contribute to the squad in 2024 and beyond.
Despite the team’s best efforts to put out the fire once it was started, the smoke eventually reached other teams and, regrettably, other media sources for a team as reclusive as the Phillies. It became clear to the public that the team was trying to improve their offence or, at the absolute least, change their strategy when news ribbons began to flash indicating that they were shopping Castellanos around. Despite having an All-Star season in 2023 for the Phillies, Castellanos is the most straightforward solution for the strategy they’re probably looking for right now.
His contract is the main point of contention. Castellanos will not be attractive if he is going to make $20 million a
year for the next two years. Although he still possesses talent—sometimes tremendous talent—the value of what he is putting on the plate is lacking. However, you can never be sure what other teams are considering. Maybe if the Phillies keep most of the money, someone will challenge Castellanos. We should be aware of the possibility that it will occur.
This is what occurs when a team lacks impact talent in their farm system but has pitching, a position that every baseball team needs, at least somewhat deep. Never mind that that depth would really help the Phillies themselves. At the next potential opportunity, they ought to be trying to send Abel out.
