3 Phillies at a critical juncture
By Tal Venada
Competition:
As for president Andy MacPhail, dollarwise and lengthwise he prefers aces who are under 30 like Nola, but free-agent hitters are a different story for the exec. In other words, the older Carlos Santana received a three-summer contract to age 35, while Machado could earn a 10-campaign deal ending at age 36.
When it comes to bidders for Machado, New York (AL) needs a second baseman; they have a shortstop and a rookie third sacker. So, if Miguel Andujar impresses at third or their shortstop can handle second base, they might have interest in Machado.
In New York, Harper would have to play center or Judge would have to DH if the Yanks sign the outfielder. On the other hand, the Washington Nationals would have to defer half of Harper’s agreement if they can even do that. Or they receive their claim of over $100 million owed in their television revenue dispute with the Baltimore Orioles.
On the Phils end, inking Machado will depend on 2018’s performances by Franco, Crawford, and Kingery. But signing Harper will rely on the 162s of Nick Williams and Aaron Altherr.
By games played, the outfield rotation will have Hoskins and Odubel Herrera starting 140 contests apiece with 206 games split between Williams and Altherr. Meanwhile, Hernandez will also have 140 contests, but Franco and Crawford will roughly start 57 times before Kingery’s call-up at May’s end.
Results equal playing time!
Game starts: 486 (162 for three positions)
- Hoskins and Herrera: 140 each.
- Williams and Altherr: 103 each.
- Hernandez: 140.
- Franco and Crawford: 125 each.
- Kingery: 70.