- The Phillies made the first big splash of the baseball Winter Meetings by signing Andrew McCutchen to a 3-year, $50 million deal. McCuthen, the 2-13 National League MVP and five-time All-Star, spent nine years with the Pirates where he achieved superstar status. He played last season for the Giants and Yankees.
McCutchen, 32, isn't what he used to be. He doesn't run as fast and he won't hit .320 again ( he hot .255 in 2018). But he is still a smart, solid player. Offensively, he can hit between 20-25 home runs, doesn't strike out much, walked 95 times last season, and is a famed gap hitter. Defensively, he may not be able to play center field any longer but he plays a solid corner outfield spot.
Add to the fact that McCutchen is a veteran leader in the clubhouse.
I don't mind the $50 for a player maybe over his prime. It's not my money and the Phillies have tons of it. Sometimes you do have to overpay a little to get a quality player. He is an upgrade and makes the team better.
McCutchen has hit lead-off in the past, but will probably bat fifth or sixth in the Phillies line-up. He is a professional hitter, something the Phillies have needed for a long time.
Meanwhile, the club was in serious trade talks with Miami for catcher J.T. Realmuto, but have hit a snag. Despite rumored offers of prized-pitching prospect Sixto Sanchez, who was once deemed an untouchable, plus a young outfield ( Nick Williams?) The Marlins turned down the offer and will continue to try and deal the young catcher, even after Opening Day.
I do think the Phils need to upgrade their catching situation. I like Jorge Alfaro, but he strikes out way too much and one can't ignore the many passed balls last season. He does have tremendous raw power and possess a rocket arm behind the plate.
The team is getting closer to signing veteran hurler J. A. Happ to a contract. Happ is a lefty the rotation sorely needs, and, even at age 35, is a solid performer. The Phils need a left-hander in the rotation to combat division lefty stars Soto, Freeman, and maybe Harper again.
Lefty bullpen help may be on the way as well, as the Phillies are very interested in Zach Britton.
Sine McCutchen signed, is the door to Machado and/or Harper closing? No, most experts agree. There is still an open outfield slot in the line-up, especially if Williams or Odubel Herrerra are dealt. Third base remains wide open as well, just waiting for Machado to fill with his Gold Glove. I think Machado fills more of a need but Harper is the glitzier signing, selling more tickets and hitting more home runs.
As long as the Phils get one of them Ill be happy. I would rather have Harper, especially since Machado publicly remarked that he isn't always an all-out hustler.
Late note: It appears as though Happ will sing with the Yanks. That's OK> Does that start the Phillies being more aggressive in trade talks involving a Madison Bumgarner or Robbie Ray?
- As I predicted, Villanova finally lost a City series game, losing to Penn last night at the Palestra.The Cats had won an amazing 25 straight Big Five games in a row, a record perhaps never to be broken. Penn had not defeated Villanova since 2002. In a so-called "down" year, the Wildcats fall to 8-3 while the Quakers are 9-2. If Villanova was the No. 17 team in the country before the loss, where does that put Penn?
With the re-emergence of Penn, could Philly see as many as 3 or 4 of its college basketball teams in the March Madness tournament next spring?
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