Matt Winkelman
@mattwinkelman.bsky.social
Cats, phillies prospects, hopefully less unhinged rants. He/Him.
I write things at https://philliesminorthoughts.com/ / @philliesminorthoughts.com
I write things at https://philliesminorthoughts.com/ / @philliesminorthoughts.com
Pinned
Matt Winkelman
@mattwinkelman.bsky.social
· Mar 25
New season, new pinned post:
Depth Chart - docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Org Roster - docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Pitch Tracking - docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Top Prospects - philliesminorthoughts.com/phillies-202...
Weekly/Monthly Recaps - philliesminorthoughts.com/scouting-rep...
Depth Chart - docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Org Roster - docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Pitch Tracking - docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Top Prospects - philliesminorthoughts.com/phillies-202...
Weekly/Monthly Recaps - philliesminorthoughts.com/scouting-rep...
Reposted by Matt Winkelman
Rob Manfred's ineptitude cost MLB a billion bucks in ESPN money, to make up for it he's selling off MLB dot TV to ESPN, and now he's claiming that makes up for it? What if he had NOT fucked up and lost a billion dollars and STILL sold MLB dot TV? Would that not have been better?
After near-billion-dollar blunder, MLB's Rob Manfred puts on rally cap with new TV deals
www.nytimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Rob Manfred's ineptitude cost MLB a billion bucks in ESPN money, to make up for it he's selling off MLB dot TV to ESPN, and now he's claiming that makes up for it? What if he had NOT fucked up and lost a billion dollars and STILL sold MLB dot TV? Would that not have been better?
Reposted by Matt Winkelman
the problem with trying to build a team through a series of individual hyperrational decisions is that you end up with a very efficient very average team
Mike Elias might be the most hyperrational executive in MLB history when it comes to pitching—for better and for worse. He’s been in charge of the Orioles for seven full years now and he’s never: 1) signed a pitcher to a guaranteed multi-year contract; or 2) drafted a pitcher with a top-50 pick.
November 19, 2025 at 5:59 PM
the problem with trying to build a team through a series of individual hyperrational decisions is that you end up with a very efficient very average team
I love trades that seem to make no sense for anyone involved (I assume that Grayson will just never pitch again because he didn't get to escape the Orioles before they killed him)
November 19, 2025 at 4:02 AM
I love trades that seem to make no sense for anyone involved (I assume that Grayson will just never pitch again because he didn't get to escape the Orioles before they killed him)
I made my opinions on Griff clear in my preview (I think he will be selected, it won’t work, and functionally he is done with the Phillies and they should have just traded him), but the other three really should factor in varying roles to the 2026 Phillies
Phillies protect the three obvious adds in Andrew Painter, Alex McFarlane, and Gabriel Rincones. They do not trade or add Griff McGarry and appear to have not added via trade
November 18, 2025 at 11:47 PM
I made my opinions on Griff clear in my preview (I think he will be selected, it won’t work, and functionally he is done with the Phillies and they should have just traded him), but the other three really should factor in varying roles to the 2026 Phillies
Phillies protect the three obvious adds in Andrew Painter, Alex McFarlane, and Gabriel Rincones. They do not trade or add Griff McGarry and appear to have not added via trade
November 18, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Phillies protect the three obvious adds in Andrew Painter, Alex McFarlane, and Gabriel Rincones. They do not trade or add Griff McGarry and appear to have not added via trade
Will the Phillies ever do their business prior to right before a deadline? No, that is asking too much
November 18, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Will the Phillies ever do their business prior to right before a deadline? No, that is asking too much
This offseason is going to be slow and painful because there is going to be 0 long term money out there
November 18, 2025 at 9:08 PM
This offseason is going to be slow and painful because there is going to be 0 long term money out there
Reposted by Matt Winkelman
I am much more conservative on roster protections than the Phillies, but I expanded on my thoughts from last week about why I believe not protecting Griff McGarry is essentially giving up on the player and how counting on a guy not to stick after being selected is a large negative to their dev.
Tuesday is the Rule 5 protection deadline, the Phillies have 3 locks, one very interesting case, and then some names to know.
Phillies 2025 Rule 5 Protection Preview
On Tuesday MLB teams will need to add players eligible for the Rule 5 draft to their 40 man rosters in order to protect them from the major league phase of the Rule 5 draft on December 10 (they also need to set their AAA roster for the minor league phase, but that is not publicized). You can find the full list of eligible Phillies…
philliesminorthoughts.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:55 PM
I am much more conservative on roster protections than the Phillies, but I expanded on my thoughts from last week about why I believe not protecting Griff McGarry is essentially giving up on the player and how counting on a guy not to stick after being selected is a large negative to their dev.
Reposted by Matt Winkelman
Tuesday is the Rule 5 protection deadline, the Phillies have 3 locks, one very interesting case, and then some names to know.
Phillies 2025 Rule 5 Protection Preview
On Tuesday MLB teams will need to add players eligible for the Rule 5 draft to their 40 man rosters in order to protect them from the major league phase of the Rule 5 draft on December 10 (they also need to set their AAA roster for the minor league phase, but that is not publicized). You can find the full list of eligible Phillies…
philliesminorthoughts.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Tuesday is the Rule 5 protection deadline, the Phillies have 3 locks, one very interesting case, and then some names to know.
Reposted by Matt Winkelman
Chase Utley played in the perfect era for defensive metrics to adulate him...but too early for awards voters to notice.
Today at The Lewsletter, I probed an alternate timeline where analytics had been part of Gold Glove voting during Utley's prime — and how that would change his Hall of Fame story.
Today at The Lewsletter, I probed an alternate timeline where analytics had been part of Gold Glove voting during Utley's prime — and how that would change his Hall of Fame story.
Chasing Utley's Missing Gold Gloves
How retconning awards would reshape Chase Utley's Cooperstown case
www.thelewsletter.lewispoll.is
November 17, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Chase Utley played in the perfect era for defensive metrics to adulate him...but too early for awards voters to notice.
Today at The Lewsletter, I probed an alternate timeline where analytics had been part of Gold Glove voting during Utley's prime — and how that would change his Hall of Fame story.
Today at The Lewsletter, I probed an alternate timeline where analytics had been part of Gold Glove voting during Utley's prime — and how that would change his Hall of Fame story.
Tuesday is the Rule 5 protection deadline, the Phillies have 3 locks, one very interesting case, and then some names to know.
Phillies 2025 Rule 5 Protection Preview
On Tuesday MLB teams will need to add players eligible for the Rule 5 draft to their 40 man rosters in order to protect them from the major league phase of the Rule 5 draft on December 10 (they also need to set their AAA roster for the minor league phase, but that is not publicized). You can find the full list of eligible Phillies…
philliesminorthoughts.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Tuesday is the Rule 5 protection deadline, the Phillies have 3 locks, one very interesting case, and then some names to know.
Meryl just has a way of turning the cute to 11
November 15, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Meryl just has a way of turning the cute to 11
I have been thinking a lot about the Phillies and Eiberson Castellano and I am becoming more convinced they fucked up the Rule 5 situation even if he didn’t stick. He went to spring training with the Twins, threw much harder, hurt his shoulder, was not the same when he came back, and I’d Joe milbFA
November 14, 2025 at 6:59 PM
I have been thinking a lot about the Phillies and Eiberson Castellano and I am becoming more convinced they fucked up the Rule 5 situation even if he didn’t stick. He went to spring training with the Twins, threw much harder, hurt his shoulder, was not the same when he came back, and I’d Joe milbFA
BBWAA isn’t on here so I went to the other site to grab links, and holy fuck how do you stay there if you post anything with a link
November 14, 2025 at 12:39 AM
BBWAA isn’t on here so I went to the other site to grab links, and holy fuck how do you stay there if you post anything with a link
I am once again asking how Paul Skenes outvoted Cristopher Sanchez so much.
This is going to get me run out of town, but Turner>Schwarber
This is going to get me run out of town, but Turner>Schwarber
November 14, 2025 at 12:37 AM
I am once again asking how Paul Skenes outvoted Cristopher Sanchez so much.
This is going to get me run out of town, but Turner>Schwarber
This is going to get me run out of town, but Turner>Schwarber
I am not revisiting any past events for what ifs, but the Monroe Doctrine was a bad idea especially in the context of imperialism and Manifest Destiny. Just a culture of absolutely abusing our global neighbors.
November 13, 2025 at 10:53 PM
I am not revisiting any past events for what ifs, but the Monroe Doctrine was a bad idea especially in the context of imperialism and Manifest Destiny. Just a culture of absolutely abusing our global neighbors.
Late to this, but OF Bryan De La Cruz's minor league deal is official in the transaction log
November 13, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Late to this, but OF Bryan De La Cruz's minor league deal is official in the transaction log
C Bennett Markinson who was a NDFA signing last year is listed as retired
November 13, 2025 at 10:40 PM
C Bennett Markinson who was a NDFA signing last year is listed as retired
The fact that you can go back and review an offside call well before a goal is stupid.
November 13, 2025 at 3:15 AM
The fact that you can go back and review an offside call well before a goal is stupid.
I think the writers decided Skenes was supposed to be Cy Young well before the end of the year and then did not actually revisit that expectation
🔁 @Ken_Rosenthal retweeted
@FoulTerritoryTV Paul Skenes told us back in January that he wanted to make voting easy on the writers after winning Rookie of the Year.
Fast forward to today, and he's the unanimous NL Cy Young Award winner.
https://t.co/FvpMeGWz3G
@FoulTerritoryTV Paul Skenes told us back in January that he wanted to make voting easy on the writers after winning Rookie of the Year.
Fast forward to today, and he's the unanimous NL Cy Young Award winner.
https://t.co/FvpMeGWz3G
Tweet
🔁 @Ken_Rosenthal retweeted
@FoulTerritoryTV Paul Skenes told us back in January that he wanted to make voting easy on the writers after winning Rookie of the Year.
Fast forward to today, and he's the unanimous NL Cy Young Award winner.
https://t.co/FvpMeGWz3G
t.co
November 13, 2025 at 2:37 AM
I think the writers decided Skenes was supposed to be Cy Young well before the end of the year and then did not actually revisit that expectation
I am annoyed no one put Sanchez #1. I am glad he was 2nd on all the ballots. Props to Kiley for putting Wheeler 5th.
November 13, 2025 at 2:02 AM
I am annoyed no one put Sanchez #1. I am glad he was 2nd on all the ballots. Props to Kiley for putting Wheeler 5th.
I was looking up an old Logan O'Hoppe ranking write up for reference and I reread my pre 2022 Bryson Stott ranking, and I feel comfortable knowing I will never write something this spot on ever again. It is a good place to be mid writing this year's list.
November 12, 2025 at 11:32 PM
I was looking up an old Logan O'Hoppe ranking write up for reference and I reread my pre 2022 Bryson Stott ranking, and I feel comfortable knowing I will never write something this spot on ever again. It is a good place to be mid writing this year's list.
This is probably over reading tea leaves, but the Phillies have a tendency to broadcast their overall intentions, I just think the Phillies are really trying to position the roster so Crawford and Painter are on it opening day and there is a spot for Miller, and that takes them out of big trades.
November 12, 2025 at 4:24 PM
This is probably over reading tea leaves, but the Phillies have a tendency to broadcast their overall intentions, I just think the Phillies are really trying to position the roster so Crawford and Painter are on it opening day and there is a spot for Miller, and that takes them out of big trades.
The whole horizon was green behind the clouds
November 12, 2025 at 2:28 AM
The whole horizon was green behind the clouds