PHILLY SPORTS CORNER

Another busy weekend in Philadelphia sports...

SIXERS-

The Sixers made a big splash over the weekend by signing shooter J.J. Redick and forward Amir Johnson.

Redickw as the target all along. A veteran, he is consistent and durable. Signed for a one-year deal for $23 million, Redick is betting on himself to get a bigger deal He is 33- hard to believe- but with the way he shoots, he could play for years.

The Sixers were smart to sign him for only one season. They could extend him or simply cut bait and go for even bigger named free agents next summer. They still have over $72 million to spend.

I can easily see a scenario of Fultz driving the lane, dropping the ball off to Embiid, who then kicks out to Redick, who buries a 3-pointer from 25 feet away. Ridick will open up the floor for Fultz to drive to the hoop and for Simmons/Eniid to play down low.

Redick is also a 90% plus foul shooter and a decent defender.

The 76'ers also signed forward Amir Johnson over the weekend as well. He is a big-body experienced presence on the front line, playing last season for Boston. He is another piece of the puzzle, also on a one-year deal.

If anything, the Sixers will be exciting and fun to watch.

FLYERS-

The team made it official by inking goalie Brian Elliot to a two-year contract. Elliot had a so-so season last year with Calgary. Prior to that, he spent 5 productive seasons with the St. Louis Blues.

So, the Flyers go sideways by this move. He's no better or worse than Steve Mason ( who signed with Winnepeg) Elliot will split time with Michael Neuvirth. The plan is to buy time for a few years until hot-prospect goalie Carter Hart is ready.

Worth a shot, as you knew what you had in Mason, which was average and inconsistent.

PHILLIES-

The Phils have lost 21 of 32 one-run games this year. They lost again yesterday, dropping a bitter 7-6 loss to the rival Mets in New York.

Tommy Joseph had given the Phillies a 6-3 lead in the top of the 7th with a monster 3-run homer. Reliable ( and probable all-star) Pat Neshek blew the lead in the bottom of the inning, taking  a tough loss.

* Speaking of Joseph, the club will have some hard decisions soon about what to do with him. Joseph is projected to finish with 29 home runs. Despite a slow start, Joseph has come on after April.He gives the line-up much-needed power, if not always consistent.

The problem is 1B Rhys Hoskins continues to play very well at minor league Lehigh Valley. He made the International League all-star team and will play in major league baseball's Futures Game before the all-star game. He gets on past yet has stroked 19 homers this year, after brushing 38 last season n Reading.

So, the Phillies, who have a history of being poor talent evaluators, need to decide who has the higher ceiling- Joseph (26 years old) or Hoskins ( 24).

Joseph would be a nice trading chip in the off-season. It seems he can only play first base. A move to left field, where the Phils have tried to play other bats in the past, would allow both Joseph and Hoskis to be in the line-up. Joseph was also a  catcher, but not anymore due to repeated concussions.

It may all come down to money and age. It'a nice problem to have, especially for an organization that didn't have much depth not so long ago.

* Neshek will probably be named to the all-star game today. Who else? The problem is that Neshek is a diva, who refuses to pitch at times, and is a guy who may get traded soon after the game.

He blew the game yesterday, and basically gave the annoying Cliff Lee sarcastic answer to reporters of ""That's Baseball."

No, it's not baseball. You sucked, Take responsibility for the fact you sucked. No excuses.

I like the way Neshek pitches- the funky, side-armed delivery. He works fast and, despite the nervous body gestures, is fun to watch.

He is perfect for this bunch of lackluster, unmotivated, prima dona players.



* It was reported that GM Matt Klentak vetoed a move that would've sent slumping Odubel Herrera and/or Mychael Franco to Lehigh Valley several weeks ago.

Herrera seemed to come out of his funk, going on a doubles-binge. But since his brief hot streak, Herrera is now in the midst of an 0-13 slump, going 0-5 yesterday and striking out 3 times.

Franco isn't much better, hitting a disgraceful .221.

Both continue to swing at bad pitches, and it seems, no matter how much hitting coach Matt Stairs  works with them, the message isn't getting through.

Both could be on the trading block, if not later this month, more likely during the off-season.

Herrera continues to make boneheaded mistakes and often appears as a malcontent. I would be surprised if Herrera and Franco are demoted to Lehigh Valley.Time with the Iron Pigs may clear their heads along with making the physical adjustments, but a demotion would also lower their trade value.


 The only hope os that both improve before the summer ends. Herrera may be easier to part with, since Aaron Altherr can play center field. There is no fill-in at third base for Franco, so the team boxed themselves in with Franco. Despite Herrera getting a $31 million contract last summer, Franco has got to be the more disappointing player of the two. Once thought to be a perennial all-star and cornerstone for the rebuilding future,there is no third base prospect in the farm system to replace Franco with.