Dombrowski explains why the Phillies didn’t trade for the catch Originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
DALLAS – The Phillies made a strong run at left-hander Garrett Crochet at the 2024 trade deadline, but couldn’t reach a deal with the White Sox, and on Wednesday Crochet was finally moved, going to Boston for four of the Red Sox Top prospects.
Considering the cost, it’s no surprise that the Phillies didn’t find common ground with the White Sox this week. The hook now comes with one less year of control which should have reduced the cost, but the commercial market for it was more plentiful than in July, intensifying competition.
The Phillies don’t want to trade their top two prospects, shortstop Aidan Miller and right-hander Andrew Painter. Not for a player with only two years of control like Hook, and probably not for a player who adjusts better but only has one year of control left like Kyle Tucker. The Astros outfielder has attracted significant trade interest this winter for obvious reasons — when healthy, he’s a top-10 player in the game.
“Well, you always weigh those things. I’ve been there before, I’ve done that before,” Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Wednesday afternoon of the hook trade.
“I’m not sure it was the right time for us to do it right now and I think there are a few reasons behind it. One is (the White Sox) had a nice group of players , from what I’ve read pitchers and a young pitcher coming right behind him that we really like a whole package.
“To give up that type of talent … we’ve really taken development out of our farm system over the last few years and we’re just getting to the point of having the impact of those guys. It’s not quite there but we ” go back to having some very good young local players.
“And there are two years of service. You could sign the player long-term but there are only two years. that.”
The Phillies are more interested in Painter and Miller graduating to the majors and helping them for six, eight, 10 or more years. This is how you build a long-term winner, by injecting young talent onto an already established and successful roster.
“Our number one priority is always to win, but I can’t tell you it’s always to win at all costs because you have other guys that you really like,” Dombrowski said. “For example, Andrew Painter is pretty good. We could get a lot of players for Andrew Painter, but I think I’m going to wait for the next few months to do it with us. It’s something you weigh every time something appears.”
The Phillies had a few different trade conversations with teams that got “pretty heavy” on Tuesday, but no deal was finalized. It’s not like they’re facing a deadline, and many of this week’s conversations will carry over into the holidays and into the new year.
“I wish maybe we would have done a little more, but it’s not done either,” Dombrowski said. “One of the things you have to be careful about, we talked about it yesterday – we had a few different conversations that were pretty heavy that didn’t happen and then all of a sudden it’s what, what about of that? And it’s like keep, let’s take a step back, we don’t have to force anything, let’s wait and see what happens right now, you’re swimming in deep waters.
“I don’t want to force it. I don’t think it’s smart, we have too good a team and too many good players.”
The Phillies lose a pitcher
The Phillies lost right-handed pitcher Eiberson Castellano to the Minnesota Twins in Wednesday’s Rule 5 Draft. Castellano, 23, was the 2024 recipient of the organization’s Paul Owens Award, given annually to the most productive player and pitcher in the Phillies farm system that year.
Castellano went 6-5 with a 3.99 ERA last season, striking out 136 with just 29 walks in 103⅔ innings at High-A and Double-A.
The Phils added three pitchers to their 40-man roster last month in Mick Abel, Moises Chace and Jean Cabrera but left Castellano unprotected and knew there was a risk they would lose him.
The Twins must keep Castellano on their active major league roster or injured list all season. Per Rule 5 stipulations, if they don’t, he will be placed on waivers, and if he goes unclaimed over the waiver wire, he would be offered to the Phillies for $50,000.
“We love him, think we might lose him, didn’t know if we will,” Dombrowski said. “It really comes down to roster spots are still valuable and we thought overall we think someone might have a hard time keeping him.”
The Phillies made a pick, drafting right-handed pitcher Mike Vasil away from the Mets, but trading him to the Rays for cash considerations.
