PHILLY SPORTS CORNER

It's Monday, the start of a new week of sports drama. The Phillies continue their long, dreadful season, the Eagles are always in the news, the Sixers and Flyers are preparing for their upcoming drafts. Here's the latest...

EAGLES-

In a surprising move late Friday night, the Kansas City Chiefs- AKA Andy Reid- released former Eagles WR Jeramy Maclin. Maclin was injured last year, playing in 12 games. His production was down, still the cut was a shocking move by the Chiefs, who signed Maclinas a free agent two years ago.

Will the Birds make an offer to bring Maclin back to Philly? Probably not. He's 29 now, has a hefty contract and the Eagles are almost set at wide receiver going into training camp. They brought in a pair of free agents ( Jeffery and Smith), drafted two rookies ( Hollins and Gibson) and have Jordan Matthews in the mix.

Would I rather have a Maclin rather than a Dorial Green-Beckham or Nelson Agalor? Yes! Maclin, if healthy, could still be a solid no. 2 receiver. Both Jeffery and Smith ar eon 1-year contracts; Hollins and Gibson  are unproven. So, bringing back Maclin would add depth. I'm still not confident in Afalor, despite reports that he looked good in recent OTAs.

I think there will be many more suitors for Maclin around the league. Still, GM Howie Rossman liked Maclin, so, although unlikely, it wouldn't be surprising wither to see no.1 8 come home to the team that drafted him out of Missouri.

PHILLIES-

It's great the Phillies won the last two games against San Francisco, winning their first series in 11 tries, and winning back-to-back games  for the first time since April. I'm still down on this team, still on a pace to lose over 100 games. Playing at home against a weak Giants team, it's no great feat for the Phils to win 2 out of 3 weekend games.

Hopefully Herrera will turn it up after two great games over the weekend. I'm still not a Herrera guy. To me, he will always be an inconsistent, Rule 5 type of player. He's not as good defensively as the media makes out. He goes brain-dead on the bases at times. He swings at over 49% of balls out of the strike zone. And he often dogs it, not running full tilt, with an annoying habit of bat-flipping, a real hot dog.

He's a quirky, colorful character, a player you would hate if he wasn't on your team. He will need to be motivated during his entire career. His recent 3-game benching may be the reason for his weekend resurgence.

It's great he is playing better. Not only does it help the current club, but it increases his trade value. I wouldn't be surprised if the Phillies dangle him again this off-season.

There was talk of Herrera- and Franco- perhaps being demoted to Lehigh Valley to send a message to these two underachieving guys. That won't happen now, as GM Matt Klentak has stated that he has confidence in both. Sending both to the minors would only decrease their trade value. Better to bench both, or fine both hen/if they don't hustle

The Phils go back on the road for 9 games, with stops in Atlanta, St. Louis and Boston. Not easy, especially considering how the team has played. The bats will need to continue to come alive and the starting pitchers will need to consistently go 7 innings or more. Anything less will add up to another losing road trip.

I think they will split their 4 games with the Braves, lose 2 out of 3 to the Cardinals and get swept by the Red Sox, which adds up to a 3-6  record.

I still believe  the team needs to do 3 things immediately to try and salvage this hopeless season. We aren't even into summer yet, and the team is 15 games out of first place in National League East. Here are my 3 suggestions:

1. Where is Andy MacPhal?

The team president needs to speak to the fans. Some one needs to reassure the city, not piss them off as Klentak has done, with stupid, nerdy, geeky analytic remarks. MacPhal needs to let fans know he cares, he hears their concerns and shares their frustration, that changes will be made. MacPhal is the architect of this rebuilding process. Come out of your bunker, take responsibility for the poor season so far, and breathe some life and hope into a so-far dreary season.

2. Fire pitching coach Bob McClure.

 I get it that McClure hasn't thrown a pitch this season. But the young pitchers on this staff aren't getting any better. It will be interesting to see how Nick Pivetta pitches tonight in Atlanta. He has been called up yet again to join the rotation. He is 5-0 in Lehigh Valley this year, yet has struggled with the big club. Is it the major league hitters or the difference in pitching coaches? Does Pivetta have the mental make-up of a major league pitcher? To me, the Phils can do better than Bob McClure. They need a fresh positive perspective, especially with young kids making their way to Philadelphia.

3. Start to open roster spots.

You can't promote prospects unless there are openings on the big league roster. Begin to release (  Michael Saunders- what's the point?, trade ( Rupp, Hellickson, Kendricks, Joseph) and promote this summer. Give the fans something to watch. See who can play and who can't so you can build your team in the future.

Keep an eye on the future, but don't forget the present team. Does a Manny Machado want to come to a 100-loss squad after the 2018 season?  Give the potential free agents a reason to come to Philly.

Interesting note: The Phillies farm system has the potential MVP in the International League (Rhys Hoskins) and the Eastern League ( Scott Kingery). Hope is on the horizon. Now, the organization needs to do the right thing and promote Kingery to Lehigh Valley and bring Hoskins to Citizens Bank Park later this summer.

ON DECK-

Mark June 23 on the calendar as draft day for both the Sixers and Flyers. Now, there are rumors that the Lakers are backing away from selecting point guard Lonzo Ball with the overall no.2 pick. If he slides to the Sixers at 3, would they take him, despite all the baggage that goes with him? Would that mean they have given up their plan of playing Ben Simmons at point guard? Would the team trade down, maybe to Sacramento at 5, select a needed shooter such as Milik Monk, and get something else in return form the Kings?

As predicted here, it looks like both Golden State and the Pittsburgh Penguins will win world titles again. The {ens will have a tougher time with Nashville than the Warriors will have with Cleveland. It only foes to show how far the Sixers and Flyers have to go to even reach the finals, much less win championships.