Report: Hellickson to reject qualifying offer?

Tonight is Game 1 of the World Series! The Cleveland Indians host the Chicago Cubs at 8 p.m. on Fox.

Here’s today’s Phillies news:

• Jon Heyman writes in Today’s Knuckleball that a rival executive says Jeremy Hellickson (and agent Scott Boras) would turn down the $17.2 million qualifying offer the Phillies could make to the right-handed pitcher.

Chances are good the Phils offer Hellickson a qualifying offer; if he accepts, the Phils probably made their external addition to the pitching staff, but if he rejects, the Phils get a compensatory draft pick after the first round.

As far as Heyman’s report, “rival executive” is pretty tame. The executive could be trying to goad the Phils into not offering Hellickson the QO (he is probably the best pitcher on the market this year).

• A few days ago ESPN revealed its Ultimate Standings, which looks at the full fan experience for every major four-sport franchise. The Phils were ranked No. 23 in baseball
  and No. 88 overall. The highest-ranked Philly franchise? The Flyers, at No. 58.

We’re all in rebuilding mode. Whatever.

• The Phillies are hiring! They’re looking for a senior quantitative analyst and senior software engineer, both as part of the team’s baseball analytics department.

Grow, analytics department, grow!

• Today we begin our look at the Phillies’ offseason needs, starting with the outfield. Check in later today for that!