Even though rumors are swirling around the Philadelphia Phillies, the clock is ticking for something to happen.
On the day the Philadelphia Phillies were set to meet with Bryce Harper in Las Vegas – including owner John “Stupid Money” Middleton – the rumors about the Beast of the East a Decade Ago continued to swirl around them. The latest came late Jan. 11 from Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
His discussions with other GMs than the Phillies’ Matt Klentak (presumably), or maybe their underlings, led him to the preferred method of presidential communication to announce, reservedly, “There are several GMs who believe that even if the #Phillies sign Harper or Machado, they will be aggressive in the market for Keuchel and Kimbrel.”
“That and $2.50,” as Philadelphians say, “will get you onto a SEPTA bus.” Some of them go to South Philly, where the Phillies had trouble for a lot of last season attracting fans to see a team that improved by 14 games won over 2017.
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However, the new tradition of the Hot Stove season is S. L. O. W. N. E. S. S., especially for big-name players, and as impatient and cynical as Phillies fans are, Nightengale’s suggestion might be encouraging.
As noted previously, the Phillies faithful have not really been impressed by the signings of a former MVP, an All-Star shortstop, and most lately, a quality late-inning reliever. Two of these three players were so highly thought of they actually got to play for the famous New York Yankees. No matter, Phillies fans are difficult.
But signing Harper or Machado and Keuchel or Kimbrel would very likely add to attendance near Broad and Oregon even in a cold Philadelphia April. That would bring the total Phillies improvements through five acquisitions to seven: 1) an improved outfield; 2) the return of the first baseman to first base; 3) a vast improvement at shortstop in defense; 4) an improved bullpen; 5) a significant upgrade in offense (Jean Segura and Rhys Hoskins at “home” on the field); 6) either even more improvement to the infield defense and offensive production or outfield offensive production, and 7) even more improvement to the bullpen or the rotation.
This would be an extremely good winter for the Philadelphia Phillies and GM Klentak.