- The Flyers fired General Manager Ron Hextall yesterday. About time. He was too slow in building the team and bringing up the young kids. Most of all, and ironically, he failed to bring in a proven, No. 1 goaltender.
With Hextall out the door it looks like coach Dave Hakstol is out too soon. Hextall made the mistake of hiring the inexperienced Hakstol. For some reason Hexstall insisted on hiring guys who coached his son.
It will be interesting to see how the squad plays tonight, at home against Ottawa. Rookie goalie Carter Hart needs to come up. An article published yesterday read how Hart was frustrated when he didn't make the Flyers out of training camp. Rather than going with marginal, mediocre, older goalies, why not ride your talented kid and allow him to grow alongside your other blossoming stars?
Right now the team is 10-11 and struggling. Kudos to Flyers' President Paul Holgren for pulling the plug on Hexstall. It's not too late to turn the season around. In the long-run it will be interesting to see what happens after a new GM is hired.
- Rumors of a big Phillies trade with Arizona surfaced yesterday. All-Star 1st basesman Paul Goldschmidt is on the trading block. Phils management apparently approach the Diamondbacks recently, with a proposed deal being worked out. This was the reported deal: Phillies get: Goldschmidt and pitcher Zach Grinke ( who has $105 million for 3 more years on the books). Dbacks get: outfielder Odubel Herrera, pitchers Zach Eflin, Vince Valasquez and Adonis Medina. When the Phillies insisted the Snakes take Carlos Santana as well, they backed off.
Phillies management seem to be acknowledging that they made a huge mistake by signing the inconsistent Santana. He's an older player without a position and is limited where he can play. He strikes out too much, walks a lot, and his average is generally poor. He hits an occasional home run and is below average in the field.
Maybe the Phils can still make the deal at the upcoming Winter Meetings, but without Santana. Better to seek an American League team , where Santana can possibly be a designated hitter.
Other hot rumors: The SF Giants are talking about trading ace lefty Madison Bumgarner. Apparently the Phils have already talked to San Francisco about Bumgarner. Along with Aaron Nola he would give the team a potent 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation.
Also, rumors persist that the team wants a lefty reliever to go along with Adam Morgan. Andrew Miller, former Yankee and Indian, is on the short-list.
Seems like the organization is going all-in on proven stars and ready to deal prospects. High-prospect stud Sixto Sanchez may be the only real untouchable on the farm.
I love Paul Goldschmidt- but he plays first base. Rhys Hoskins would have to stay in left field, where he has shown he sucks. Plus the Phillies may only have Goldschmidt for this season. I would rather have Goldie at first for one season than Santana at first for two more seasons.
Phillies' GM Matt Klentak could be the next GM to go if he doesn't improve the team this off-season. The Sixers' Elton Brand is safe; so is the Eagles' Howie Rossman, despite this subpar season. The process of elimination leaves Klentak as the odd executive out.
- The Sixers watch as head-case Markelle Fultz gets his so-called injured shoulder examined in New York tomorrow. The Sixers are actively shopping Fultz, but who will take him, and what would be the return/ The best the team can hope for is a solid veteran ( like a Kyle Korver) who would help this year. They won't get a first rounder for Fultz and a second rounder is useless.
- The Eagles are 6 1/2 point favorites this Monday night against Washington. A win ( along with a Cowboy loss on Thursday night to New Orleans) gives theBirds a tie in NFC East. That would set up another huge division match-up the following Sunday night in Dallas.
Will the Birds continue to run the ball effectively vs the Redskins as they did vs the giants? Running the ball controls the clock, gives the injured defense a rest and protects Carson Wentz from sacks. Running the ball would also open up more deep throws down the field. Use Josh Adams and Corey Clemente and run the ball down Washington's throat.
- Houston won it's 8th game in a row last night. The Texans come to Philly in Week 16 to play the Eagles. The weather and the need to win should benefit the Eagles.
No comments:
Post a Comment