Phillies 2019 (Philadelphia, Indiana: appointed, move, friendly)

[Indiana Tony]

Originally Posted by moneymkt

He has to produce with that contract.

With the offense that Harper's produced so far at his age, history is on his side that he will produce even more.


Go Phillies!

[jburress]

Originally Posted by Indiana Tony

With the offense that Harper's produced so far at his age, history is on his side that he will produce even more.


Go Phillies!

Agree.

Great signing by the Phillies. Still leaves them with plenty of payroll flexibility, locked up a successful player whose best years are ahead of him, and created tons of fan excitement.

[mslhu]

Harper is probably the sport's most recognized player, even if he isn't the best. That's why he commanded the contract he did. I couldn't pick Manny Machado out of a lineup. I would also guess a lot of people who are fans of National League teams (other than Philly) don't know what Mike Trout looks like. He doesn't market himself and he's the best player in baseball and has been for years. That Harper chose to spend the rest of his career here, and raise his family here, speaks volumes. And he's only 26 years old, just entering the prime of his career.

His relatively low AAV gives the team flexibility to sign other top players and he has made it known that he wants to recruit. I thought the idea of Trout coming home to play here in a couple of years was just a ridiculous fantasy, but now I don't know. This team could well end up being the Golden State Warriors of baseball, and the sport doesn't have a hard salary cap!

This is an exciting time to be a Philadelphia sports fan.

[Pennsport]

Originally Posted by mslhu

Harper is probably the sport's most recognized player, even if he isn't the best. That's why he commanded the contract he did. I couldn't pick Manny Machado out of a lineup. I would also guess a lot of people who are fans of National League teams (other than Philly) don't know what Mike Trout looks like. He doesn't market himself and he's the best player in baseball and has been for years. That Harper chose to spend the rest of his career here, and raise his family here, speaks volumes. And he's only 26 years old, just entering the prime of his career.

His relatively low AAV gives the team flexibility to sign other top players and he has made it known that he wants to recruit. I thought the idea of Trout coming home to play here in a couple of years was just a ridiculous fantasy, but now I don't know. This team could well end up being the Golden State Warriors of baseball, and the sport doesn't have a hard salary cap!

This is an exciting time to be a Philadelphia sports fan.

Well stated and completely agree on all points! The way the Birds and Sixers are starting to flesh out, we could be in the beginning of a Philly-dominant sports decade. Even the Flyers are getting some new blood and picking it up.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by mslhu

Harper is probably the sport's most recognized player, even if he isn't the best. That's why he commanded the contract he did. I couldn't pick Manny Machado out of a lineup. I would also guess a lot of people who are fans of National League teams (other than Philly) don't know what Mike Trout looks like. He doesn't market himself and he's the best player in baseball and has been for years. That Harper chose to spend the rest of his career here, and raise his family here, speaks volumes. And he's only 26 years old, just entering the prime of his career.

His relatively low AAV gives the team flexibility to sign other top players and he has made it known that he wants to recruit. I thought the idea of Trout coming home to play here in a couple of years was just a ridiculous fantasy, but now I don't know. This team could well end up being the Golden State Warriors of baseball, and the sport doesn't have a hard salary cap!

This is an exciting time to be a Philadelphia sports fan.

There are a ton of Mormons in the Phila. area nowadays so that could have been a big factor.

I have to laugh about the modern Warriors because the Warriors started here.

[NewtownBucks]

Originally Posted by moneymkt

When I saw the contract was 13 years I thought Harper was 19 years old. Never seen a sports contract like that in my life.

The Mets will still be paying Bobby Bonilla after Harper's contract expires.

https://nypost.com/2019/02/28/bryce-...illa-payments/

[NewtownBucks]

There was some discussion in the media/sports radio of "well, what about Nick Williams, who just got replaced at both corner OF spots, how does he feel about all this?" With McCutchen getting older, the number of games Harper misses each season from playing with reckless abandon, and Herrera's penchant for prolonged slumps, I don't think Williams will have to worry too much about playing time. LOL.

[NewtownBucks]

https://www.philliesnation.com/2019/...y-smart-moves/

This is an excellent article, and I agree fully. There is a legitimate buzz around the team now, and I can't wait for the season to start. Of course, pitching will be a big part of how it goes, but one thing that the Phillies also did that is a little under the radar with the splash moves on the offensive side is fortify the bullpen, which was a glaring problem last year.

[Indiana Tony]

Originally Posted by NewtownBucks

There was some discussion in the media/sports radio of "well, what about Nick Williams, who just got replaced at both corner OF spots, how does he feel about all this?" With McCutchen getting older, the number of games Harper misses each season from playing with reckless abandon, and Herrera's penchant for prolonged slumps, I don't think Williams will have to worry too much about playing time. LOL.

That's the first thing I thought of after Williams lost his starting job - We should have a pretty good fourth outfielder.


I'd like to see him walk more, strike out less and swipe a few more bags.

[gwillyfromphilly]

I'm happy that the Phillies signed Harper but I wish a lot of Philly sports fans and the media would calm down with all this "Mike Trout potentially coming to Philly" talk. We are still two years away from even haveing a chance at signing him. It is waaaaay too early for Mike Trout talk in Philly.