- What a special day in Philadelphia sports! The Sixers make another big move and the Phillies surprise with a trade that make them even better. Let's start with the Phillies..
The team acquired All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto form the Miami for catcher Jorge Alfaro and top pitching prospect Sixto Sanchez. Single-A lefty Will Stewart was also part of the day, plus the phillies send international money to the marlins as well.
At first I didn't want to give up a young guy like Sanchez. He's only 20 and throws 100 MPH. But how often does one get a chance to trade for the best catcher in baseball?
To me, a catcher is like a quarterback. He runs the on-field club. Realmuto is a fine defensive receiver and handles the pitching staff well. Getting away from a bad team like Miami and the biggest stadium in baseball can only help the 27-year-old Realmuto to bloom. Look what happened to Christian Yelich when he was traded to Milwaukee- he became the National League Most Valuable Player.
Realmuto is the fastest catcher in baseball, and overall, is one of the swiftest runners in the league. He's a terrific player and light years above the mediocre Alfaro.
The 25-year-old Alfaro has worlds of potential. He has raw power and a cannon arm. But he strikes out way too much. Defensively he is a liability, giving up ill-timed passed balls. He seemed often lazy behind the plate, unwilling to block balls in the dirt.
Sanchez is coming off an injury-filled year. He is a sore-armed pitcher. Plus the Phillies weren't pleased with his conditioning.
The organization has depth at starting pitching in the minors. Adonis Medina is also highly thought of, among others. True, someone needs to step up and take over the mantle of Best Pitching Prospect for Sixto.
Realmuto stretches the line-up. Instead of putting a weak-hitting catcher at the bottom of the line-up, Realmuto can hit near the top of the batting order. In a league where quality catchers are a premium, Realmuto is not only a big upgrade but clearly gives the Phils a nightly advantage with the catching position.
The extra bonus is that Bryce Harper loves Realmuto and has campaigned for the catcher to join Washington. With the chance to finally play with Realmuto, Harper can play with a good team with a chance for a championship.
The Phillies still have all of that "stupid money" owner John Middleton crowed about. Realmuto comes cheap for an All=Star catcher. The Phillies now need to sign him long-term.
Pitching can still be had, as the rotation can use another veteran starter and the bullpen still can add depth.But the real missing piece of the puzzle is either Harper or Manny Machado (preferably Harper). Only then will the Phillies be considered favorites for the NL East title.
- The Sixers added to their team by subtraction, getting rid of former no.1 draft pick Markelle Fultz, dealing him to Orlando. It really didn't much matter what they got back in return ( although they surprisingly did get a No.1 pick back in return). Just getting Fultz' money off the books was a plus. The 76ers didn't need the drama of Fultz' supposed medical problems and whether he plays or not.
If the Sixers hadn't screwed up the draft pick to begin with, this entire Fultz charade would've never happened.
Philly is set-up for a deep run in the playoffs.It's now up to Coach Brett Brown to make it work.
- The Flyers' eight- game winning streak was snapped last night by the lowly L.A. Kings, 3-2 in a shoot-out. The Orange and Black fought hard to tie the game with only 17 seconds left in regulation. Goalie Anthony Stolarz was OK in goal, stopping 37 shots.
I hate the shoot-out. Compared to the exciting 3-on-3 overtime period, the shoot-out is anti-climatic.
The Flyers did pick up an all-important point in the playoff race.Rookie sensation Carter Hart plays goal on Saturday afternoon against Anaheim.
- Soon Eagles' QB Nick Foles will be gone. Everything will come to a head in early March. Will Foles walk as a free agent and end up with the giants? Will the Birds trade him and get a first or second round draft pick for Foles?
I get it that Carson Wentz is the younger. more talented QB. I worry that Wentz, until he wins a Super Bowl, will always be in Foles' shadow. Missed passes and the fickle Philly fans will wonder if St. Nick would've done better.
Of course, Wentz needs to stay healthy as well. Having Foles here as an emergency back-up. Now it will be Nate Sudfeld. Imagine the pressure on Wentz if Foles was still here. There will be pressure anyway, until Wentz succeeds in the playoffs, but you can't have Wentz looking over his shoulder .
Trading Wentz instead of Foles would bring back more value. Foles is only 30. he can play another 10 years. Foles has already done it, winning the Eagles a world championship. Wentz wants to do what Foles has already accomplished. Do you take the risk of saying goodbye to the sure thing in favor of hoping the potential guy stays healthy and performs?
No comments:
Post a Comment