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The story is getting so old now it’s a shame. Everyday for months now, we’ve been hearing about the saga of Manny Machado or Bryce Harper and the possibility of them joining up with the Phils this year.
What is the benefit of getting either player? Well, they are very good ballplayers. Are they actually worth all of the money that we’re hearing they will be paid? In the long term deals that each are seeking, it probably will be a negative thing years down the line.
The Phillies aren’t really ready for either player in my opinion. They haven’t been in contention for a while and even though they have showed some promise last year, the likelihood of adding a superstar player and ending up with a playoff team is possible, but not guaranteed. Look at Mike Trout and the Angels, they are a team with perhaps the best player in baseball but they can’t make the playoffs.
A superstar player sometimes comes with a lot of baggage. In my opinion, Harper and Machado will both bring a lot of baggage to any team that they go to. Both players have been in some high profile situations that haven’t been all that endearing to them.
Take Machado’s “I’m no Johnny Hustle guy” comment, that is an instant red flag for Phillies fans. He’s one of the pampered guys of the game. You hustle each and every play, we don’t need a player like Manny with an attitude like his.
If I were John Middleton, I would withdrawal any offer to either of them, the Phils have a fairly solid team built for 2019, I don’t think that the addition of Machado or Harper make them that much better. I’d rather go out and get a decent starting pitcher to add to the rotation and the impact of that might even be better for this team.
Soon, the Machado Harper circus will be over, and the baseball season will begin, the story will fade and thank goodness, I for one, am so tired of hearing about both players and where they will end up at this point.
