Phillies- Exciting and active week at the Winter Meetings in San Diego. Unlike last year, when the big free agents signed late ( including Bryce Harper in March), The big trio of Garrit Cole, Anthony Rendon and Stephen Strasburg all signed this week.
For the Phillies, they had a good but not great week. They improved their starting rotation by adding fireballer Zach Wheeler. They improved their infield defense by signing shortstop Didi Gregorius. However, GM Matt Klentek stated in the papers that the team probably would not be adding anyone of note this off-season.
In reality, the club needs another starter, especially a left-hander.They passed on Cole Hamels, who signed with the braves of all teams, and seem to be lukewarm to Madison Baumgarner. The worry is that cheap Klentek will convince owner John Middleton to bring back lefty Drew Smyly, who is garbage. Klentek better not be counting on the young threesome of Zach Eflin, Vince Valasquez and Nick Pivetta. Aside from Eflin, they have already shown they are inconsistent and choke under pressure.
There is still a long way to go until spring training but the Phils need a third baseman, bullpen help and a stronger bench.
I say they need 4 pitchers in the bullpen. They need power off the bench. Is rookie Alec Bohm the answer at third base this season if he impresses in Florida? Will the club move Scott Kingery or Jean Segura to third? Who plays center field? A healthy Roman Quinn? Kingery? Adam Heasley? Or someone not on the roster yet?
Middleton doesn't want to go over the luxury tax. But he needs to build a winner around Harper as Bryce enters his prime. After 2020, David Robertson and Jake Arrieta come off the books. Middleton needs to go all in this summer.
Klentek also needs to step it up. If he fails to improve this club in 2020, he will be out of a job next off-season.
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Eagles- Why did it take so long to play, let alone recognize the potential of, receiver Greg Ward and running back Boston Scott? Both helped the Eagles overcome the awful Giants last week. With Alshon Jeffery and Jordan Howard out again this game, both Ward and Scott will be counted on to help beat the 3-10 Redskins in Washington.
There should be more Eagles fans in D.C. then Skins fans. Win, along with a Dallas loss to the Rams on Sunday, and the Birds go 7-7 and take over 1st place in NFC East. The big game of the year is next week at the Linc, a winner take all brawl with the dreaded Cowboys.
Beating the Cowboys makes the final game of the season with the Giants in New York mute. The Eagles could rest QB Carson Wentz and prepare for a home playoff game against Seattle or San Francisco.
Even though Philly is playing on the road after a home Monday Night game ( never a good thing), the Eagles should roll this bad Washington team.
What Eagles team will show up this week? The one that sucked vs Miami and for three quarters against the Giants? Or the thrilling, bold squad that drove down the field on consecutive drives in the 4th quarter and in overtime?
Wentz seemed to click when he was calling the plays at the end; When he was able to roll out and scramble; and when the offense used the hurry-up, no huddle.
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Sixers- Did it really take criticism from Charles Barkley and Shaq to motivate Joel Embiid to play harder? Isn't that up to head coach Brett Brown and to Embiid himself?
It is great how the Sixers are the only team in the NBA to still be undefeated at home. 14-0. which is their best home mark in 53 years. Without J.J. Reddick and Jimmy Butler, I thought the 76ers would not be as good this basketball season.
We will see when spring comes and it is playoff time. For now, the Sixers are rolling, winners of 5 in a row.
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Flyers- The Flyers continue to play well in the early part of this NHL season. But it's only hockey and there is a sad story to the flyers' saga.
Oskar Lindblom, tied for the team lead in goals (11) and only 23 years old, recently was diagnosed as having a rare type of bone cancer. He is out for the year as he undergoes treatment.
More so than any other franchise in the city, the Flyers seem to be a hard luck organization. Barry Ashbee died from Leukemia long ago. Goalie Pelle Lindburg was killed in a car crash in the 80s. Now Lindblom.
They say it is a tough cancer to beat, but the survival rate is 80%. Hopefully Lindblom is okay in the end as hockey becomes very secondary to real life.
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