- Phillies' General Manager Matt Klentak spoke yesterday, emerging from his burrow like the upcoming groundhog in the next two days. Klentak was asked about free agents Harper and Machado. He didn't backtrack on either, but did downplay the idea that the Phils would get both.
Even though this may drag into March and beyond I think the logjam will break next week, after the Super Bowl. Harper will come to the Phillies and Machado will go to the White Sox.
Klentak had to take notice this week when rumors of Harper signing with Philadelphia ran rampart. Fans bought tickets and got excited, even before an announcement was made.
Meanwhile Klentak hinted that, Harper or not, the organization was not finished this off-season. I can see the Phillies getting involved with a starting pitcher and maybe even a closer/relief pitcher. Criag Kimbrel is still available. Having a strong back of the bullpen- with Siranthony Dominguez, David Robertson and Kimbrel, would lessen the load on the starters. Plus it would give Manager Gabe Kapler a lot of flexibility. If he needs a big out in the seventh inning or so, he has a hammer in Dominguez or Robertson.
Trades need to be made as well. What happens to Franco? If Harper is signed what happens to Nick Williams or Roman Quinn?
Report out of Washington D.C. this morning says that Harper is meeting with several teams in Vegas today. Now that the price may have dropped it sounds like mystery clubs are swooping in and trying to steal Harper's services.
This may be a Scott Boras tactic to build interest and drive up the price- or it may be true. The bottom line is- Phillies, if you really want Harper, sign him now! If another team signs him now, after all the hype, fans will be majorly disappointed and the seats at Citizens Bank Park will be empty this season. John Middleton, time to put up or shut up. You talked about "spending stupid money." Show your fan base some guts and make it happen!
- The Sixers play at Golden State tonight, taking on the defending world champs, the same squad that has won 11 games in a row. Embiid, Butler and Simmons need to shine tonight.
- The Flyers play at Boston tonight. Winners of five in a row, the Orange and Black are making a late run but is it too late? They shut-out the Rangers in Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night, 1-0. The team is playing the bruins tonight before coming home and facing the Edminton Oilers and Connor McDavid Saturday afternoon. I'll be there, hoping the Flyers win 7 in a row.
- After Sunday, when the NFL season officially ends, the Nick Foles rumors will pick up again. Rumors persist that Foles may end up with the Redskins or Giants. I see him landing in Jacksonville.
- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell finally spoke yesterday, and, as expected, didn't say much. He wimped out on the issue of the terrible refs' calls this season. Sounds like replay may be implemented on pass interference calls in the future.
- I want the Rams to win the Super Bowl. Knowing the elite New England Patriots, with their obnoxious owner and the great but evil Tom Brady, may win a sixth world championship ( tying the Steelers for most SB victories) is sickening. But I see experience being big this Sunday. L.A. got lucky to win at New Orleans. Even though the Eagles fought-off the New England experience factor last season, revenge and experience may be too much to overcome this time for Los Angeles.
This could be a statement game for the Pats, trying to prove once and for all that they are the dynasty in NFL history unlike any other.
The Patriot losses- to bad teams like the Jags and the Lions, has to be considered. We have been saying that New England isn't the juggernaut like in the past, yet here they are again in the Super Bowl, this time without benefit of home field advantage.
The Rams have so many weapons, plus they do have the defensive line that can get after Brady and make him move. If they allow him to stay in the pocket all day he will pick the Ram secondary apart.
Does youth and firepower beat the rock-steady experience? As always, the keys will be turnovers, penalties and ball control. I see a high-scoring affair in any case, and if Brady has the ball at the end, how can you not like New England's chances?
As much as I hate to say it, I like the Patriots to win a record-tying sixth Super Bowl this Sunday, beating the Rams 35-31.
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