* The Phillies signed pitcher Jake Arrieta to a 3-year deal worth $75 million. I love the signing. He's 32 but should still have a few years of quality pitching left. This is a guy who has been an Al-Star, has pitched well in big games, and has thrown two no-hitters.
I don't care that Arrieta will be making a Phillies record $30 million this season. It's not my money and the Phils have money to burn.
Arrieta gives the top of the rotation a nice 1-2 punch with Aaron Nola. They should avoid long losing streaks with these two aces. Arrieta will be the experienced mentor, as Cole Hamels was, to a young staff. Maybe guys like Pivetta, Valasquez, Thompson, Eflin and Lively will learn how to pitch from a pro like Arrieta.
His signing also signals to future free agents, such as Manny Machado, that the rebuild is over and it's time to win. Playing .500 baseball this summer, maybe even contending for the national league East title or a wild card berth should be seriously considered. Meaningful games in September should be demanded now.
Will the pressure get to Arrieta? He needs to perform this season or risk getting booed by our fans. But Arrieta has done well under pressure in the past.
I really don't care about his politics (pro-Trump?). He makes the Phillies better immediately.
Sure, his velocity has declined over the years. He's 32. But they got Arrieta at three years rather than his initial asking price of four, five or six years.
Will he be ready for the season? He should be, and signing yesterday was probably a big part of that decision. Wait any longer and you may not be ready and may not make the same amount of money.
Will Nola still be the opening Day starter/ He should be. Kapler named Nola his Opening Day starter earlier in the spring, leaving himself an out form that decision if things changed. They have, but Kapler should throw Nola a bone and allow him to be the No. 1 starter, with Arrieta going in Game Two.
Overall, I like the signing. Hey, if Klentak and MacPhail didn't sign a veteran pitcher we would be bitching, right? As much as I hate to give the front office credit fair is fair, and I do give a thumbs up to Klentak & co. for waiting, being patient and signing the best free agent pitcher on the market.
It should be an interesting summer.
* Former St. Louis pitcher Lance Lynn signed with Minnesota over the weekend. Alex Cobb remains on the market. Lynn's deal may have forced the Arrieta signing.
* I'm disappointed with the Phillies treatment of Rhys Hoskins. They short-changed him with a recent salary increase, let alone the fact they have been jerking him around, playing him in left field instead of his natural position of first base. Hopefully the club pays Hoskins, who is their future, when it counts.
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* Big week for the Eagles. Free agency starts. Players will go. reports are that the team wants to bring back corner Patrick Robinson. They should seek to retain linebacker Nigel Bradham. Vinny Curry will go. maybe Jason peters too. Probably Trey Burton will walk. Will Brent Celek stay? What about Nick Foles? I don't see Foles, if traded, being dealt during the draft. I see it happening soon, so Howie Rossman and Joe Douglas can plan their draft.
* The Browns continue to be..the Browns, by trading a third-round draft pick to buffalo for QB Tyron Taylor. Good news for the Birds. If an average quarterback like Taylor can bring back a third-rounder, what would a Super Bowl MVP bring back?
Cleveland won't win with Taylor. They are a stupid organization. That's why they are in the situation they are in.They can't evaluate talent. That's why they passed on Carson Wentz, so they can't groom a young QB, like most teams do, for the long-term. So, they are seeking the quick-fix with a guy like Taylor.
*Meanwhile, the 49'ers get corner Richard Sherman form Seattle. The Seahawks are in rebuild-mode, while San Francisco is a rejuvenated, up-and-coming franchise. The brash Sherman, if he has anything left, should help the Niners, who have a shot to contend in the NFC West with the Rams.
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Kudos to Villanova for getting a No. 1 seed. They should have no problems on Thursday against a play-in team. meanwhile, Penn, the Ivy league champ, got screwed with a No. 16 seed. They play top-seeded Kansas on Thursday afternoon.
I doubt that either Temple or St. Joseph's will get NIT bids. For the Hawks, it was a lost season. They had key injuries (like promising forward Charlie Brown) and lost heart-breaking, last-second games. They came on at the end, thrashing Rhode Island on the road, and coming within three points of upsetting the Rams again in the Atlantic Ten playoffs. I think St. Joe's rebounds next year and makes the NCAA tournament.
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The Sixers destroyed Brooklyn last night, while the Flyers play at home tonight against the brilliant expansion team, the Vegas Golden Knights, who lead the Pacific division.
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