Charlotte Varnes
@charlottevarnes
I cover the Phillies for @TheAthletic. Northwestern alum. Space Coast native. Ran 26.2 miles once.
Phillies paid Fisher, a seventh rounder, the equivalent of the 68th pick in the draft. They are expected to sign 19 of their 20 draft picks from this class.
Matthew Fisher signs w/@Phillies for $1.25 million (slot 221 value = $257,700), new @MLBDraft record for 7th rd. Indiana prep RHP, high-spin fastball touches 95 mph, feel for four pitches, athletic, also star QB. Indiana recruit.
Just when you thought the Phillies-Red Sox walkoff catchers interference couldn’t get any weirder… Retrosheet founder Dave Smith reports that the last walkoff catchers interference was on Johnny Bench in 1971… For stepping in front of the plate as Manny Mota tried to steal…
The Phillies won 4-1. It’s time for Nelly. Hope he plays the song from “Challengers.”
The final strike of Cristopher Sánchez’s complete game:
Anddd Rangel is here in time for the fifth.
RHP Joe Ross has been placed on the 15-day IL (retro. to 7/21) with back spasms. Alan Rangel recalled.
Frankie Two Scoops stuns in the Phillies’ new ice cream hat
The Phillies signed Gage Wood under-slot for $3 million. More on Wood’s first trip to Philly: nytimes.com/athletic/65094…
RHP Joe Ross has been placed on the 15-day IL (retro. to 7/21) with back spasms. Alan Rangel recalled.
Phillies signed Gage Wood for $3 million today. His family had their first taste of Philly at last night's game. Good time to read @charlottevarnes' feature on how Wood became an Arkansas legend: nytimes.com/athletic/64988…
Sounds like @lochlahn and me on the Phillies beat
Rich Hill debuted in 2005. Bobby Witt Jr. was 5 years old. Jac Caglianone was 2 years old. They’re now all teammates.
Max Lazar threw a pitch he’s never thrown in the big leagues to strike out Jarren Duran in the 10th last night. On Lazar showing some confidence & earning some trust, and the bigger picture in the bullpen: nytimes.com/athletic/65078…
This is the second walk-off catcher’s interference in at least the divisional era (1969), joining: 8/1/71 Dodgers
A walk-off on catcher’s interference. Well, that’s new.
There was considerable interest in a 40-year-old reliever who hasn't pitched in 10 months. It might be indicative of a concern spreading among contending teams. Where the Phillies stand with 10 days until the trading deadline: nytimes.com/athletic/65074…
Phillies expect Dave Robertson to be ready by Aug. 5 — which is the earliest he can be activated. He consented to an optional assignment to Triple A, and he must spent 15 days there.
David Robertson’s deal is official, and he’s been optioned to Lehigh Valley.
Some Phillies takeaways: Suárez’s velocity dip, Kemp at third base and Robertson’s return to the bullpen. nytimes.com/athletic/65054…
Per @MattGelb, total cost of Robertson to PHI will be ~$12M, including 110% tax they must pay on every dollar for being over fourth luxury-tax threshold. Robertson getting ~$5.5M on pro-rated one-year, $16M deal. First on money: @Feinsand. Story: nytimes.com/athletic/65054…
Some Phillies news from Ken:
Phillies in agreement with free-agent reliever David Robertson, pending physical, source tells @TheAthletic. Story: nytimes.com/athletic/65054…