Philadelphia Phillies: money can’t buy happiness or pennants
The 2019 Philadelphia Phillies are showing us all that money doesn’t necessarily translate to winning pennants.
The Philadelphia Phillies (49-46) made a huge splash this offseason after finishing last season 80-82 and missing the playoffs.
At this point in the season, it doesn’t appear to be going any different as the Phillies are 8 1/2 games behind the Atlanta Braves (58-38). If the season were to end they would at least be in a wild card spot.
That spot is not guaranteed as there are three teams within 3 games of the Phillies. The Milwaukee Brewers (49-47), the St. Louis Cardinals (47-46) and the Arizona Diamondbacks (48-47).
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The Phillies spent so much money on free agents, especially the money they will be owing to Bryce Harper. They signed him to a 13-year, $330 million deal and that was only the beginning of the haul
They also signed Andrew McCutchen (3-year $50 million) and David Robertson (2-year $23 million) to improve their outfield and their bullpen.
Unfortunately, McCutchen is now out for the season after suffering an ACL injury and Robertson has only pitched 6 2/3 innings as a Philly and is out with an elbow injury. There currently is no timetable for his return.
The Phillies also traded for shortstop Jean Segura and J.T. Realmuto. Segura has been underwhelming at best, merely hitting .271 after three straight seasons hitting above .300. Realmuto is hitting .270 and was named an All-Star for the second straight year.
Harper is having an up and down year. He is hitting below his career average at .257 and is on track for a career-high in RBI’s, but also a career-high in strikeouts.
His season has been the story of the Philadelphia Phillies season, up and down. At one point you think they’ll break out and go on a huge winning streak and then in the next sentence, they are struggling.
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It goes to show that money doesn’t necessarily buy a pennant or happiness unless you are the New York Yankees and George Steinbrenner.