Hittin' Season: A Phillies Podcast

On Episode 172 of the podcast, host John Stolnis discusses the Phillies search for a free agent starter and takes a closer look at the lower-tier options that are probably a more realistic option for the Phils at this point. Then, Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports stops by to talk about his important piece regarding the slow Hot Stove and the major structural problems in the game that must be fixed before a work stoppage that is certain to occur before the 2021 season.

On Episode 171 of The Felske Files, host John Stolnis examines why any starting pitching help the team may acquire is more likely to come via free agency and not through a trade. Also, Philly.com's Matt Breen stops by to chat about minor league pitching prospects to keep an eye on this year, and what are the Phillies going to do about their logjam at catcher? Plus, the team now has a surprising number of Top-10 players around the diamond.

Is there collusion going on in baseball? On Episode 170, host John Stolnis speaks with SB Nation's MLB Editor Marc Mormandin to talk about whether owners set up spending rules to keep salaries down among prospective free agents. Also, the latest Phils Hot Stove rumors, involving Christian Yelich, Alex Cobb, Jake Arrieta and more.

On Episode 169, host John Stolnis investigates a potential market inefficiency that the Phillies could exploit in order to land a free agent starter who can actually help in 2018. Also, The Good Phight's Paul Boye stops by to talk about Carlos Santana and what he'll mean for the offense and who he thinks the Phils are targeting in the starting pitcher trade market. And, why are we still fighting the war on WAR?

On Episode 168, host John Stolnis talks to The Ringer's Michael Baumann about the Carlos Santana signing, what it means for the Phillies moving forward, and which starting pitchers the Phils should be targeting in the trade and free agent market. Also, what does Maikel Franco need to do to be effective in 2018?

On Episode 167 of The Felske Files (a bonus episode!), host John Stolnis breaks down the signing of free agent first baseman Carlos Santana and the trade of long-time shortstop Freddy Galvis to the San Diego Padres.

On Episode 166 of The Felske Files, host John Stolnis talks with The Athletic's Meghan Montemurro about the recently completed Winter Meetings in Orlando. Specifically, how serious were the Phillies in trading for Manny Machado this week? Also, how do the Phils fix the starting rotation, and how do the new bullpen additions fit into their master plan for 2018?

On Episode 165 of The Felske Files, host John Stolnis is joined by Justin Klugh of The Good Phight, The Athletic, and the podcast "The Dirty Inning," to preview the Winter Meetings in the latest Felske Files Mailbag. Should the Phils trade for Manny Machado? Who should the team target in free agency? What about the Phils' coaching staff? How will Gabe Kapler handle Odubel Herrera next year?

On Episode 164, host John Stolnis talks about the two big names on MLB's Hot Stove, Miami's Giancarlo Stanton and Japanese star Shohei Ohtani. Can the Phillies land either player? WIP's Jon Marks joins the show to offer his thoughts and talk about ways to improve the pitching staff in 2018. Also, some new coaches were hired and the biggest name the Phils ever signed out of Cuba died suddenly.

On Episode 163, host John Stolnis previews the Phillies' off-season plans with Jim Salisbury, Phils beat writer for NBC Sports Philadelphia. Will the Phillies make a splash over the next few weeks, or make more moves around the edges? Also, thoughts on Baseball Prospectus' 2018 Top 10 prospects list, the MLB awards season and new pace of play rules for next year.

On Episode 162, host John Stolnis is joined by Liz Roscher and Justin Klugh of The Good Phight and The Athletic to talk about the life and death of Phillies great Roy Halladay. Favorite memories are shared, and the panel discusses why Halladay was universally beloved as both a player and a person.

On Episode 161, host John Stolnis is joined by the GREAT Jayson Stark to discuss the hiring of new Phillies manager Gabe Kapler. What kind of guy is he and what kind of manager will he make? Also, Stark gives his final thoughts on the 2017 World Series, and whether the Phils can follow in their footsteps. Baseball America has their latest Phillies Top-10 prospects list, MLB Trade Rumors is predicting two MLB starters to end up with the Phils, and an old friend is coming back to the NL East!

Episode 160 is a BONUS edition of The Felske Files. Host John Stolnis breaks down the hiring of Gabe Kapler as the team's next manager. Is he the right man for the job, given that he has virtually no on-field coaching experience? How do his strengths in analytics and health & nutrition factor into his new gig with the Phils. Does Dusty Wathan get a job on the MLB coaching staff? And this move proves this ain't your older brother's Phillies.

On Episode 159, host John Stolnis talks with The Athletic's Kevin Cooney about the latest on the Phillies' search for a new manager. Would former Yankees skipper Joe Girardi be a fit? And how is their long search affecting their need to grab an experienced pitching coach? Also, will this be the year Freddy Galvis finally wins a Gold Glove, and was Game 2 of the World Series the most exciting non-elimination World Series game ever played?

On Episode 158, host John Stolnis discusses a wide range of issues, specifically the first two years of the Matt Klentak era. Which moves have worked? Which haven't? And what can we learn about how he'll handle this off-season? Also, the managerial search continues, for the Phillies and two other teams in the NL East. MLB is discussing a radical realignment plan, and why are MLB postseason games taking so long?