- Nice trade by the Sixers overnight, getting, among others, scorer Tobias Harris form the Clippers. They gave up a lot, marginal players plus four draft picks. Plus Harris could walk as a free agent at the end of the season.
The Sixers better be sure they can sign Harris long-term. They needed to make this deal, now having four legit stars in their starting lineup. It may take time for Harris to learn how to play with Embiid, Simmons and Butler. The deal should pay-off for their playoff run.
Now, the team needs to deal Markelle Fultz ASAP. Fultz is a distraction and is wasting time by not playing, a total bust. If they can get bench help for Fultz, I would do it.
There will probably be a follow-up trade by Thursday afternoon.
Kudos to the Sixer organization for putting pressure on themselves to win this year. They have gone all-in for this season and beyond ( if they sign Harris and Jimmy Butler, also a free agent). What a difference from a few seasons ago when the team tanked and only won 10 games.
- As expected, The Eagles picked up the $20 million option on QB Nick Foles, who in turn, voided the option for $2 million. Now, the Birds need to make a deal by March 5 or Foles will walk. The team would receive a compensatory draft pick next year, probably a third-rounder. A trade would hopefully bring back a first or second round pick.
Not that it was going to happen but it's pretty official now that Foles won't be back. The Eagles won't pay their back-up quarterback $ 25 million for one season. They would be taking a risk by franchising Foles. What if no other team would be willing to trade for him? Would the Birds be stuck with Foles? Not only would that screw-up the QB situation but their salary cap situation would be devastated.
- The Flyers go for nine in a row tonight against the Los Angeles Kings in South Philly tonight. The magic of goalie Carter Hart grows with each game.
-As we still wait for Machado and Harper to make up their minds ( Phillies broadcaster Gregg Murphy feels the Phils will get at least one of them, by spring training), there is other news to ponder:
* Rumors of the Phillies' interest in Miami All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto has increased. The Marlins originally balked at the Philadelphia offer, but Miami is finding a surprising lack of interest in Realmuto. The Phillies could offer Jorge Alfaro, one of their stud minor league pitchers ( Sanchez or Medina), plus more to get it done.
I like Alfaro's tools, especially his rocket- arm, but if you have a chance to get a solid All-Star catcher like Realmuto, you do it. His offense would be even better out of the spacious Miami ballpark.
Realmuto will probably end up with the Reds or Dodgers, as rumored. And maybe this renewed spark in the Phillies is all a ploy by the Marlins to jack up their price. Still, having a solid catcher is something the Phils lacked last summer and would put the club even closer to contending, even without Machado or Harper yet.
* This story about Manager Gabe Kapler and an alleged sexual assault incident that happened when Kapler worked for the Dodgers has legs but should be blown-over by the time baseball starts. I don't think much will come of it.
* The candidates for this summer's Phillies Hall of Fame are out. Honestly, I'm really stretching to find anyone worthy. Scott Rolen, a solid third baseman, couldn't wait to get out of Philadelphia and return to the Midwest, where the pressure is less. Bobby Abreu, a good hitter who walked too much, never met an outfield wall he didn't like. Manny Trillo and Bake McBride, both key players in the 1980 championship season, are too old and not remembered by millennial voters. Pitching coach Rich Dubee?
My choice, if there was a write-in option ( there isn't) would be longtime Phillies P.A. announcer Dan Baker. He has been there for the team since 1972 and has been the P.A. announcer for so many huge games, witnessing so many great players on the Phillies and by the opposition over the years,
Both crazy Lenny Dykstra and Curt Schilling . bad guys, are more baseball worthy then others on the list.
Next year the Phillies' WOF will start to welcome the likes of Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins, so there won't be such a problem for several years, as the great 2208-2011 players are inducted.
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