- Bryce Harper, go to hell. A decision needs to be made. Reports are Harper is talking to San Francisco about a long-term contract. Phillies owner John Middleton spent last weekend in Las Vegas wooing Harper. The Dodgers sent their manager and front office executives to meet with Harper again on Sunday. Now it's the Giants.
The Phillies have been played and their fans have been used and abused. yes, the Phils tried and seemingly offered a huge contract over $300 million. But they balked at a three-year opt-out that Harper and his agent, Scott Boras, seemingly have insisted on. Phillies management may have screwed up the deal, not closing when they had the chance and allowing other teams, like the Giants and Dodgers,get re involved.They will second-guess themselves by not being more aggressive with Manny Machado. With both Moustakis and Arenado signing, third base is Maikel Franco's, win or lose.
Why would Harper want to play in San Francisco? Bad team, poor hitter-friendly park, not as much money. I can see glitzy Los Angeles, who at least have a championship-ready club. But the stinkin' Giants?
Harper never really wanted to play in Philly. Maybe he is afraid of the tough fans. Maybe he doesn't like analytic Gabe Kapler. Maybe he prefers to play on the West Coast near his Vegas home. He has visited Philadelphia enough with the Nationals to get an idea what the city is like.
There are no winners in the sad Harper saga. The Phillies are losers, failing to sign Harper or Machado despite having the most "stupid" money to spend. Harper comes off like a greedy diva. Boras is evil. Harper's wife, who reportedly fought with Harper to stay on the West Coast, seems to be clueless and ditzy. The fans will be angry and frustrated and will boo the hell out of Harper when he visits in the summer.
Meanwhile, life goes on. What will the outfield look like? Herrera ( who is hurt), Quinn ( who is hurt), McCuthen, Williams, Altherr or Cozens? Will the front office turn it's attention to bolstering the pitching? Would Craig Kimbrel in the back end of a deep bullpen look good?
What do the Phillies do with all of that "stupid" money they didn't spend? I'm all in on landing the really big fish in two years. Mike Trout, please come home!
- Goodbye to St. Nick Foles. The Eagles will allow him to become a free agent on March 13. Thanks for everything, Nick! Good luck in..Jacksonville?
- The Sixers have never beaten Oklahoma City. They are 0-19 all time against the Thunder. They play in OKC tonight. What are the chances, without Joel Embiid, that the 76ers break that losing streak tonight?
- The Flyers play Columbus tonight, hoping to keep the momentum going , making a playoff push even if the odds are slim.
- March is a great time to be a sports fan. Spring training is well underway. The NFL free agent period is about to begin. Both the NBA and NHL are heading into the home stretch of their seasons. And college basketball March Madness will be in full swing soon. Who can ask for more?
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