- The Flyers remain red hot as they tronced the visiting Anaheim Ducks on Saturday afternoon, 6-2. Rookie Carter Hart continued his dominant play as the Orange and Black have won 9 of 10 games.
Monday night is a huge game for the Flyers. They face for the first time in Philadelphia their arch-rival, the Pittsburgh Penguins. Pittsburgh just happens to be the club six points ahead of Philly, holding down the second and last wild card slot. A Flyer win tomorrow night cuts the Pen lead to a mere four points. It's almost a must-win game at home.
- After their huge trade on Thursday for All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto, the Phillies have been quiet, hopefully working on more deals and trying to pound out contracts with Bryce Harper, Manny machado, or even both.
It's been a terrifc, eventful off-season for the Phils. They are much better and should project to be an 86 win team, a step up from thier 80-victory season in 2018. It is a successful winter even if they fail to land one of the top two free agents. Yes, I'll be disappointed if they come up empty. Harper or Machado may put the team over the playoff hump, making them a solid 90-win club.
It's cool that the Phillies are trying to win now.Instead of giving us mediocre players like Peter Borjous or Jerome Williams, we are now getitng quality in Realmuto and Andrew McCuthen. But Phillies owner John Middleton was the one who made the "stupid money" comment.I don't doubt he won't spend it, unlike the previous owners. But now that you've set yourself up, make it happen! Overwelm Harper and make him an offer he can't refuse.
I think most fans are feeling as I do. We are frustrated, not only at the Phillies' management. I believe they are earnest and are trying. Harper/Machado means more wins, which means more fans this summer, which also means more revenue. With playoffs even more revenue. I'm angry at the Harper and Machado and their agents. They have let this drag on way too long. Now, many fans just don't care. Maybe the excitement will regenerate once one of them do sign with the Phillies, but now both are coming off as greedy, passionless, cold-blooded, spoiled brat prima donnas.
Rickey Ricardo was a guest overnight on the Steve Trevelise Show on WIP Sports Radio. He made the great point about, if Harper signs elsewhere, will he become public enemy no. 1 when he plays at Citizens Bank Park this season? Think of J.D. Drew coming back and all that hatred he spawned by refusing to sign with the club that drafted him in the first round.
Not many fans really want Machado, so if he goes some where else, so be it. but Harper will be lustily booed each time he plays here, no doubt about it. It's more fun to have a villain, anyway, especially if he resigns with rival Washington. Only thing is, Harper is really good, especially at CBP, and could quiet those jeers very quickly.
Back to Realmuto: Ricardo made another excellent point when he said that Realmuto will have a huge impact on the Phils' pitching staff, especially with the younger starts like Eflin, Pivetta and Valasquez. He will block more balls in the dirt and will call a better game then Jorge Alfaro.
Out of the losing Miami atmosphere and away from the spacious stadium where the Marlins call home, Realmuto can be even better, maybe a 30-homer, 40-doubles guy? He runs like a deer and is a natural leader on the field. Another reason to get excited for Phillies baseball this summer.
- As spring training camps open this week, let's hope Harper and Machado sign..somewhat-- and break this ridiculous logjam. Their signing will open the door for all the other free agents out there waiting to sign, plus the many trades that need to be made by Opening Day.
Will Phillies Franco, Hernandez, Herrera, Williams or Quinn be dealt? Do the Phils sign a veteran starter? More bullpen help? More work needs to be done before they call "Play Ball" for real.
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