- Angelo Cataldi had a brilliant opening this morning on his WIP radio show. He predicts the Phillies will not win the NL East or trade for Manny Machado- because they aren't hungry enough. Look at how they were sleepwalking thru their winnable weekend series in Miami, a three-game set full of missed opportunities and metal mistakes. Franco tossed a fair ball into the stands, Knapp committing another costly base running mistake,and Santana forgetitng the outs and costing the team an additional four runs during an 8-run Marlins' inning..
Is GM Matt Klentak competent enough as a general manager to pull off a Machado ( and closer Zach Britton) deal? Is the organization ready to win? Are they all in? Or are they still in rebuilding mode? Are they ready to handle the pressure of being expected to win?
Andy MacPhail is "surprised" at the Phillies' first half success. I know that owner John Middleton will be aggressive to get Machado. Rumors are that Middleton is ready to spread all the money the club has been hoarding for years, perhaps even signing both Machado and Bryce Harper long-term. Klentak is a known how he is reacting to this activity, as in the pat he has been a seller around the July trade deadline. No pressure.
Manager Gabe Kapler needed to call-out the players who went brain-dead over the weekend. Instead he made excuses for them, giving Santana a "pass." Kapler warned before the Miami series that some Phillies may have already checked-out and were mentally on break. Kapler warned that the Marlin series was important and may make the difference between winning the division at the end or staying home. Obviously the players didn't care.
Doesn't the manager have to make the players accountable?
Why wasn't Miami, playing for nothing at this time in the season, laying down as well? They may not have the talent anymore but they played hard all weekend. The Phils are a target now for the weaker teams in baseball.
True, the team is in 1st place. Hardly anyone, including Phillies' front office personnel, thought the team would be so good so fast. But after giving the fans exciting, meaningful baseball again, they won't remain at or near the top if they don't bear down, beat the teams they are supposed to be ( especially NL East rivals), and stop making stupid mistakes.
- It still looks like Philadelphia is in the running for Machado, along with Milwaukee, Arizona and Los Angeles. Will they pull the trigger when push comes to shove? If the rumors are true, the club would not be giving up really top prospects. Machado would obviously help the team for the rest of the summer and beyond. He will opt for free agency either way, but the Phils would get a close-up look at the player they will shell-out big bucks to after the season while Machado gets a taste of playing in Philly.
- The Home Run Derby is tonight. Will Rhys Hoskins win it all?
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