2024-25 Offseason Begins - Early November Notes (Part 1)

2024 Topps Heritage #79

2024 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs #7

2024 Topps Update #US232

2024 Topps Update #US239

The offseason officially began on Halloween eve, after the Dodgers stunned the Yankees in a 7-6 comeback victory, taking the World Series, four games to one.  As has been the case in recent years, I expect this blog will go mostly dormant over the winter months, as I continue to focus on my set-building efforts with my 1969 Topps blog, and as I near the end of my blog recounting how my Dad and I collected the 1956 Topps set over a 20-year period.

I'll check back in here every now and then with roster and transaction-related news, and I'd like to maybe work on updating my very out-of-date want lists over the winter months.  To kick off the three and half months of semi-hibernation, here's a look at the team's early offseason moves.

Minor League Free Agents:  Somewhat under the radar, three Phillies relievers became free agents on October 10th.  Dylan Covey (rhp), Nick Nelson (rhp) and Andrew Bellatti (rhp) all left the organization, with Covey quickly signing with the Mets.  Covey appeared in 28 games for the Phillies in 2023 and was 1-3 with a 3.69 ERA in 39 innings pitched.  He has nary a Phillies baseball card appearance.

Nelson and Bellatti were both key cogs in the team's 2022 bullpen, and then seemingly fell out of the Phillies' pitching plans the past two seasons.  Nelson was 4-2 with a 4.65 ERA in 52 games with the Phillies, and he pitched a scoreless, mop-up inning in Game 3 of the 2022 World Series, won by the Astros, 7-0.  Bellatti appeared in 86 games, going 5-4 with a 3.87 ERA in 2022 and 2023.  He didn't allow a run in five postseason appearances and 4 1/3 innings pitched in 2022.  Both had cards in the team-issued photo card sets from 2022 and 2023.  Bellatti showed up in the 2023 and 2024 Topps Heritage sets, with both cards using the same photo.

On October 15th, Aramis Garcia (c) joined the ranks of minor league free agents.  Garcia appeared in three September games with the Phillies and was 0 for 7.  He appears in both editions of the 2024 Lehigh Valley IronPigs team sets.

Major League Free Agents:  Carlos Estevez (rhp), Jeff Hoffman (rhp) and Spencer Turnbull (rhp) all became free agents on Halloween.  I'd like to see Hoffman, and maybe even Turnbull, come back to the team.  Hoffman was an All-Star this year, and both he and Estevez struggled mightily in the NLDS.  Turnbull last pitched on June 26th, before injuries derailed his season.

Kingery Era Ends:  On November 1st, Scott Kingery (inf) was traded to the Los Angeles Angels for cash considerations.  He last suited up for the Phillies for one game in 2022, and over his decade in the organization, he batted .229 with 30 home runs and 96 RBIs at the big league level before settling into a regular role with the IronPigs.  Kingery was the club's everyday shortstop in 2018, and the club had signed him to a $24 million contract covering the 2018 to 2023 seasons.  I have 93 (!) Kingery cards in my Phillies collection.

40-Man Roster / Transaction Flurry:  I'll break this into two posts, with a look at the flurry of moves made on Monday next.

Phils Add Pair of Castillos, Rucker; Getting Closer to Pitchers and Catchers

2023 Topps #430

2023 Topps Heritage #568

2023 Topps #251

2022 Topps Update #US19

We've started to play a little long toss at The Phillies Room, in anticipation of the imminent return to (mostly) daily posting.  As we start to get loose, hopefully we won't tweak anything, avoiding the fate of Brandon Marsh who felt something wrong with his knee and underwent surgery on Friday.  The Phillies are hoping Marsh is fine and active in time for opening day.

The Quietest Offseason continued with three more roster additions.  With the 40-man roster now at a full 40 and 15 official non-roster invitees coming to camp, there will be 55 players suiting up in Clearwater soon.  Pitchers and catcher report on Wednesday, with the first full squad work out scheduled for Monday, February 19th.  The first Grapefruit League game is less than a week after that on Saturday, February 24th against the Blue Jays in Dunedin.

Here's a quick look at the three roster moves made this past week:

• On Monday, Diego Castillo (inf) was claimed off waivers from the New York Yankees.  Castillo played in 96 games for the Pirates in 2022, batting .206, and appeared in just one game for the Diamondbacks in 2023.  He played five positions in the field for the Pirates (ss, 2b, rf, 1b, 3b) while also pitching in two games and DH'ing in two games.  That's him as #64 on the Pirates team card from the 2023 Topps set. 

•  On Tuesday, Michael Rucker (rhp) was acquired from the Chicago Cubs for cash considerations.  Andrew Bellati (rhp), who was out of options, was designated for assignment to make room for Rucker on the 40-man roster.  In 96 games with the Cubs over the past three seasons, all in relief, Rucker is 5-2 with a 4.96 ERA over 123 1/3 innings pitched.  As is the fate of many relievers these days, Rucker has yet to appear on any mainstream baseball cards. 

•  A day later, Max Castillo (rhp) was claimed off waivers from the Boston Red Sox, with Simon Muzziotti (of) designated for assignment.  In 21 games with the Blue Jays and Royals in 2022 and 2023, Castillo was 0-3 with a 5.43 ERA in 59 2/3 innings pitched.  Although he's appeared in less games than Rucker, Castillo made it into the 2023 Topps set last year.

Marlins at Phillies: September 8th to September 10th

2023 Chachi Series Previews #7

2023 Chachi 1965 Topps Missing Links #15

Friday 7:05, Saturday 6:05, Sunday 1:05
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA

At the Ballpark:  It's PEANUTS night at the ballpark, with holders of a special themed ticket receiving a Peppermint Patty Phillies bobble head.  Tomorrow night, the Phillies host their annual Childhood Cancer Awareness Night.  On Sunday, all kids 14 and under will receive a Phillies drawstring cooler bag.

Marlins 72-68
3rd Place in the N.L. East, 19 1/2 games behind the Braves

Marlins Probables
Eury Perez (5-4, 2.86)
Johnny Cueto (1-3, 5.54)
TBA

Marlins Leaders
Average:  Luis Arraez - .353
Runs:  Jorge Soler - 71
Home Runs:  Jorge Soler - 35
RBIs:  Bryan De La Cruz and Jorge Soler - 71
Stolen Bases:  Jazz Chisolm - 19

Wins:  Jesus Luzardo - 9
ERA:  Jesus Luzardo - 3.59
Strikeouts:  Jesus Luzardo - 181
Saves:  A.J. Puk - 15

Phillies 77-62
2nd Place in the N.L. East, 14 games behind the Braves

Phillies Probables
Cristopher Sanchez (2-3, 3.48)
Aaron Nola (12-9, 4.55)
Ranger Suarez (2-6, 3.91)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Bryson Stott - .294
Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 92
Home Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 41
RBIs:  Kyle Schwarber - 90
Stolen Bases:  Bryson Stott - 27

Wins:  Taijuan Walker - 14
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 3.62

Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 185
Saves:  Craig Kimbrel - 22

2023 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2023 Season Summary Index / 2023 Chachi Set Checklist

2023 Chachi #21 Andrew Bellatti

#64

Andrew James Bellatti
Relief Pitcher

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'1"  Weight:  190
Opening Day Age:  31

Born:  August 5, 1991, San Diego, CA
Acquired:  Signed as a free agent with the Phillies, November 19, 2021

Contract Status:  Arbitration eligible 2025
Major League Teams:  Tampa Bay Rays 2015; Miami Marlins 2021; Philadelphia Phillies 2022-2023

World Series Appearances:  Philadelphia Phillies 2022

A pleasant surprise for the Phillies bullpen last season, Andrew Bellatti appeared in 59 games, making one start and serving as an opener for a bullpen game last July 12th.  Only Jose Alvarado, also with 59, pitched in as many games last season for the National League Champions.  Overall, Bellatti was 4-4 with a 3.31 ERA over 54 1/3 innings.  He pitched in eight postseason games, owning an impressive 1.29 ERA in seven innings pitched.

Bellatti made the opening day roster in 2023, but landed on the 15-day IL on April 22nd with right triceps tendinitis.  He was activated on May 10th, and on the active roster for 11 games before being optioned down to Lehigh Valley to open up a roster spot for the newly acquired Dylan Covey.  Bellatti hasn't found the same success in 2023 as of yet, as he owns a 5.68 ERA through 15 appearances and 12 2/3 innings pitched.

Other Notable Baseball Cards

First Mainstream Card:  2009 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects #BDPP37
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (0):  N/A
Newest Card Added to My Phillies Collection:  2022 Philadelphia Phillies Photo Cards #64
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  1 as of 5/27/23.

Complete Chachi Checklist

2022 Chachi #35

2023 Chachi #21

2023 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2023 Season Summary Index / 2023 Chachi Set Checklist

2023 Chachi #20 Yunior Marte / 2023 Chachi #22 Connor Brogdon

Game 78 - Hall, Hoskins, 'Pen Lock Down Win

2022 Phillies Photo Cards #64

Phillies 5, Cardinals 3
Game 78 - Friday Night, July 1st in Philadelphia
Record - 41-37, 3rd Place,  7 1/2 games behind the Mets

Post-Vacation Catch-Up Post 7 of 11

One Sentence Summary:  Darick Hall and Rhys Hoskins both homered as the Phillies came back to down the Cardinals, 5-3.

What It Means:  The Phillies started their big four-game series against the Cardinals with a win, followed by the always impressive annual fireworks display.

What Happened:  Down 3-0 entering the fifth inning, the Phillies tied the game on a Mickey Moniak double, a Kyle Schwarber RBI ground out and a sacrifice fly from Hoskins.  Hall gave the team a 4-3 lead in the sixth with his third home run in two games.  Hoskins added his 16th home run for some insurance in the seventh.

Featured Card:  I could go with another card for Hall here, but I wanted to celebrate one of the best bullpen finds of the Phillies' offseason - Andrew Bellatti.  Bailey Falter started this game and went only four innings, allowing all three Cardinals runs.  Five relievers, including Bellatti, then combined to shut down the Cardinals' offense the rest of the way.  Alex Carr Tweeted out that Bellatti's 35.5 K% leads all Phillies pitchers.

Transaction:  Falter (lhp) was recalled from the IronPigs and Oscar Mercado (of) was designated for assignment.  Mercado was on the active roster for three games, and his Phillies tenure included one pinch-hit at-bat on Thursday night.  He pinch-hit for Schwarber in the seventh inning of the blow-out win against the Braves, striking out and then playing two innings in center field.

2022 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2022 Season Summary Index / 2022 Chachi Set Checklist

2022 Chachi #35 Andrew Bellatti

#64
Andrew James Bellatti
Relief Pitcher

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'1"  Weight:  190
Opening Day Age:  30
Born:  August 5, 1991, San Diego, CA
How Obtained:  Signed as a free agent formerly with the Miami Marlins, November 19, 2021
Contract Status:  Arbitration eligible 2025, free agency eligible 2028
Major League Teams:  Tampa Bay Rays 2015; Miami Marlins 2021; Philadelphia Phillies 2022

First Phillies Card:  N/A
Newest Card Added:  N/A
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (0):  N/A

0 - Bellatti baseball cards in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 5/6/22.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2022 Chachi #35

2022 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2022 Season Summary Index / 2022 Chachi Set Checklist

2022 Chachi #34 James Norwood / 2022 Chachi #36 Odubel Herrera

Game 7 - Miami Misery Continues

2009 Bowman Draft
Prospects Blue #BDPP37

Marlins 4, Phillies 3
Game 7 - Thursday Night, April 14th in Miami
Record - 3-4, 2nd Place, 2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies offense produced 11 hits, but couldn't push across enough wins to defeat the Marlins, taking a 4-3 loss.

What It Means:  The team's Miami nightmares continue.  For whatever reason, the Phillies seem to struggle whenever playing the Marlins on the road, and they've now dropped three games in a row.

What Happened:  Kyle Gibson battled through 4 2/3 innings, and he looked to be getting squeezed by the home plate umpire.  Gibson allowed four runs on five hits and three walks, while striking out six.  The unlikely bullpen quartet of Andrew Bellatti, James Norwood, Brad Hand and Corey Knebel held the Marlins scoreless over the final three frames.  Bellatti and Norwood were making their Phillies debuts.

J.T. Realmuto went 4 for 4, with four singles.  Johan Camargo continued to swing a hot bat with a double, and he continued to provide stellar defense.  Kyle Schwarber had a double, and his 1 for 5 performance improved his season average to .111.  Bryce Harper is hitting .160, Bryson Stott is hitting .222 and Matt Vierling is 0 for 15 to start the season.

Featured Card:  A non-roster invitee to spring training, Bellatti entered the game in the fifth with runners on first and second and two outs.  He was bailed out of any trouble with a fantastic diving catch by Camargo in foul territory to retire the side.  Bellatti appeared in 17 games with the Rays in 2015 and three games with the Marlins in 2021.  His only mainstream baseball card to date can be found in the 2009 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects set.

Transactions:  Following the Wednesday afternoon game, Connor Brogdon (rhp) and Damon Jones (lhp) were optioned to Lehigh Valley.  On Thursday, Norwood (rhp) was activated from the bereavement list and Bellatti (rhp) had his contract purchased.

2022 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2022 Season Summary Index / 2022 Chachi Set Checklist