QUESTIONS IN PHILLY SPORTS

Questions and answers to ponder on the Philly sports scene..


Q. Will the Phillies finish at .500 this year?

A. No. Early signs show the flaws in the Phillies. They are actually scoring less runs than last year when they were last in baseball in runs scored. The starting pitching is spotty and injury-plagued. The bullpen is still uncertain with roles changing. 73 wins may be the ceiling for this summer. Next year, .500 would show improvement as the young prospects slowly make their way to Philadelphia. 2020 is still the year to circle, as the kids should be solid on the team, and free agents should also be entrenched on the roster.

Q. Should the Phillies trade for Mike Trout if he becomes available?

A. Yes. He is entering his prime. He would be the face of the Phillies' franchise, a local hero. Giving up 4-5 prospects is worth it, as they are exactly that- prospects. And if the farm system is doing it's job, replacements will fill in.If the Angels don't trade Trout, he is bound to come to Philly as a free agent.  A match made in heaven.

Q. Who is the next Philly team to win a championship?

A. The Eagles. They are trying to win now, plus they are building for the future with solid drafts. The Sixers should have the talent to win, but they will screw it up somehow. Their young stars are all injury-prone. The Flyers seem to be stuck in a fog, between rising young prospects and aging veterans. The Phillies are still years away from contending,

Q. Who will the Eagles take with their first round pick in the upcoming NFL draft?

A. RB Christian McCafferty. The need is defensive back, but the Eagles can get two or three good corner backs later in the draft, since this draft is deep in secondary help. I tthink the Birds will try and surround QB Carson Wentz with young weapons. McCafferty fills the need for a running back/wide receiver. It would be nice if the Eagles traded back into the first round and took WR John Ross. He ran a 4.22 combine record speed. You can't teach speed. Imagine the dynamic arsenal of weapons at Wentz' disposal if Eagles got BOTH McCafferty and Ross?

Q. Who will be the Flyers' goalie next season?

A. Not Steve Mason. He talked his way out of town recently at  a post-season press conference. Michael Nirwirth is signed and should be on the team, if the expansion Vegas team doesn't select him in the expansion draft. Look for the Flyers to trade for an experienced goaltender until their young net minders are ready in the minors.

Q. Will the Sixers get to .500 and make the playoffs next season?

A. No. They need to show that their young stars can say healthy. They need to attract free agents this summer to Philly. They need to draft wisely in the years to come. It seems like Sixer fans have waited an eternity for a decent team, and sadly, they will be forced to wait even longer. If healthy, improving to 35 wins would be a step in the right direction.

Q. Should Dave Hakstol return as Flyers coach? Should Brett Brown return as 76'ers coach? Should the Phillies give manager Pete MacKanin a contract extension?

A. No, yes, and yes. The Flyers will give Hakstol another year, but can you really see him taking the Flyers to a Stanley Cup? Brown deserves to see "the process" through, until he finally gets to coach good players. MacKanin should get an extension, as he seems to be a communicator with the young players, he is honest, fair and can relate to the fans. Again, let's see what he can do with good players.

Q. Will the Eagles make the playoffs this year?

A. Yes, a wild card spot. No NFC East has repeated as champs in 13 years, so I can't see Dallas on top again. The Eagles have a last place schedule.  which should secure them a wild card at least.

Q. Will the Sixers have more than one top ten pick in the NBA June draft?

A. No. They will pick # 4 or 5 with their own selection, but the Lakers will pick in the top 3, which means they will keep their pick. Next year the Sixers get the LA pick no matter where they finish, and in 2019, Philly gets Sacremento's #1 pick as well.

Q. Who will be the next GM to get fired in the City?

A. Howie Roseman. Matt Lentak should be with the Phillies for years, as it will take that long to see if their current crop of uyoung prospects pan out. Brain Colangelo may leave the Sixer son his own down the road, but he won't get fired. Ron Hextall may seem under the gun if the promising kids in the minors turn out to be over-evaluated by the Flyers. Plus, there is no main leader, like the late Ed Snider, running the ship. Jeffrey Lurie likes Roseman, and if he drafts well, his job will be safe. If not, Lurie seems to be getting antsy for a winner, and Roseman's head may roll within three years if the Eagles don't make the playoffs.

Q. Will Villanova finally lose a Big Five game this winter?

A.  Yes. Villanova loses key players, but they always seem to reload, and they are the best recruiters in the City. Still, St. Joe's should be better, Temple is always a challenge, and Penn is improving. Someone is going to upset 'Nova sooner or later.

Q. Will the Cubs win the World Series again this year?

A. No. My pick for the World Series is the Red Sox and the Dodgers.

Note: it was 8 years ago yesterday since the late, great Harry Kalas died. Still miss Harry.