[Mick]

I've been curious re why so many Bailey passed balls which were totally catchable, especially in the second half of the season.

Good question. He was 1st, 2nd and 2nd in NL passed balls these last three years. At the same time, he was 1st in assists among catchers and second this year and last in catcher double plays. First in games played, so that solves durability. 3rd in putouts as catcher, 4th in errors (down from 1st two years ago). 8th in caught stealing percentage but second most runners caught stealing. That's on the pitchers.

Separate topic, Around the Foghorn opines that Philly's GM is including Bryce Harper in trade talks. Harper's OPS+ from 2022 to 2024 was remarkably consistent (144, 144, 148) but declined to 129 last year. Still robust, he had 32 doubles, 27 HRs in 132 games, ots of injuries. Still stole 12 bases in 14 attempts.

Up until this year, I'd say no thanks. His career splits at Oracle are terrible and they're best in Philly. Except this year, his splits were off the charts at Oracle (in a small sample size). He was better at Oracle than any other park in MLB, and that was against Landon Roupp, Robbie Ray and Justin Verlander. His OPS was 1.313. And his second and third best parks in which to hit were Coors Field and Dodger Stadium. Padres was sixth best.

[Mick]

I've been curious re why so many Bailey passed balls which were totally catchable, especially in the second half of the season.

Good question. He was 1st, 2nd and 2nd in NL passed balls these last three years. At the same time, he was 1st in assists among catchers and second this year and last in catcher double plays. First in games played, so that solves durability. 3rd in putouts as catcher, 4th in errors (down from 1st two years ago). 8th in caught stealing percentage but second most runners caught stealing. That's on the pitchers.

Separate topic, Around the Foghorn opines that Philly's GM is including Bryce Harper in trade talks. Harper's OPS+ from 2022 to 2024 was remarkably consistent (144, 144, 148) but declined to 129 last year. Still robust, he had 32 doubles, 27 HRs in 132 games, ots of injuries. Still stole 12 bases in 14 attempts.

Up until this year, I'd say no thanks. His career splits at Oracle are terrible and they're best in Philly. Except this year, his splits were off the charts at Oracle (in a small sample size). He was better at Oracle than any other park in MLB, and that was against Landon Roupp, Robbie Ray and Justin Verlander. His OPS was 1.313. And his second and third best parks in which to hit were Coors Field and Dodger Stadium. Padres was sixth best.