Velasquez got some nasty stuff.

I read that the Phillies could be major players for Bryce Harper in 2018 when he is a FA.

He could join a core of Crawford, Franco, Williams, Alfaro, Knapp, Ortiz and the pitchers that they have coming.
- J35Bacher

They better be willing to give him the biggest contract in North American sports history.


But I salivate at the idea.

Velasquez got some nasty stuff.

I read that the Phillies could be major players for Bryce Harper in 2018 when he is a FA.

He could join a core of Crawford, Franco, Williams, Alfaro, Knapp, Ortiz and the pitchers that they have coming.
- J35Bacher

Well the one team that you can eliminate Harper going to is the Yankees. Zero chance he signs with them. Better chance he signs with the Brewers imo.

Teams really place an emphasis on a closer nowadays. It's ridiculous. Not to mention Giles has been downright awful this year (though somewhat unlucky).

I always wanted the Flyers to convert Aumont into a defenseman. That guy was huge.
- TobyFlenderson

If I remember correctly with Philippe Aumont, he was a three pitch guy who had a fastball that clocked near 98 and threw three pitches. Sounds like a late inning guy to me.

They better be willing to give him the biggest contract in North American sports history.


But I salivate at the idea.
- jak521

Get Mike Trout first.

Well the one team that you can eliminate Harper going to is the Yankees. Zero chance he signs with them. Better chance he signs with the Brewers imo.
- PLindbergh31

Out of curiosity, why not the Yanks?

If I remember correctly with Philippe Aumont, he was a three pitch guy who had a fastball that clocked near 98 and threw three pitches. Sounds like a late inning guy to me.
- jak521

He always had good stuff. Problem was he never knew where it was going.

I guess I just dont buy the fact that Hartnell wasnt worth ANYTHING else to ANY other team.

I mean, a 3rd rounder? A couple of young players? I dont buy it. They made that trade becasue they thought Umberger could bring what Hartnell brought (albeit at a bit lower end) and would have less term. That wasnt the case.

Since day one, I said I didnt like the trade, not that Hartnell was traded.
- jak521

I don't buy that for a second. I think it was all about the term, and that they believed Schenn and Couturier would be picking up the slack. And for Read not to figuratively fall off a cliff. Umberger is now on his way out so now there will be some more space to sign players.

The plan is working out, albeit not as smoothly as they originally thought, I'm betting they were expecting maybe HALF of what Hartnell provided, so in that aspect, you are correct when you say on the lower end. I guess we disagree on the "a bit" part.

Out of curiosity, why not the Yanks?
- jak521

The decades-long Yankees/Expos rivalry

Get Mike Trout first.
- jmatchett383

Not until 2021.

Out of curiosity, why not the Yanks?
- jak521

For the same reasons Stamkos isn't ending up in Philadelphia.

I guess I just dont buy the fact that Hartnell wasnt worth ANYTHING else to ANY other team.

I mean, a 3rd rounder? A couple of young players? I dont buy it. They made that trade becasue they thought Umberger could bring what Hartnell brought (albeit at a bit lower end) and would have less term. That wasnt the case.

Since day one, I said I didnt like the trade, not that Hartnell was traded.
- jak521

And I don't buy that if there was a better deal that Hextall wouldn't have taken it. Hextall has shown to be shrewd in his dealings so I can't imagine he took a lesser deal if there was better.

They better be willing to give him the biggest contract in North American sports history.


But I salivate at the idea.
- jak521

I saw it would be a 400-500 million deal.

Also after 2017 the Phillies have basically no big contracts and a new TV deal so they will have tons of money.

Get Mike Trout first.
- jmatchett383

I would much rather have Trout. Kids is literally an old schooler. Does everything great. Hasnt been as aggressive a base runner as he was early on, but is an all situations hitter who is a career .300 and is virtually a lock for 30+ homers and 90+ RBI's. His defense is just as good as his offense.

And he is from Philly!*




*Vineland is Philly now.

They better be willing to give him the biggest contract in North American sports history.


But I salivate at the idea.
- jak521

with Trout and Harper the Phils would have to add another decker to the Bank

I would much rather have Trout. Kids is literally an old schooler. Does everything great. Hasnt been as aggressive a base runner as he was early on, but is an all situations hitter who is a career .300 and is virtually a lock for 30+ homers and 90+ RBI's. His defense is just as good as his offense.

And he is from Philly!*




*Vineland is Philly now.
- jak521

Trout: Available after 2020.
Haper: Available after 2018.

Depends on the Phillies window, I guess. Not that it should be closing in either of the above years, but they'll obviously need to make a splash at some point and waiting too long might stagnate growth, etc. Either way, Phils should be fun for the next few years.

Not until 2021.
- MBFlyerfan

INVENT A TIME MACHINE!!!

They should have called up LA/Anaheim/whatever they are and just asked what it would take to get him 3 years ago. Just basically give them the entire team, and start over with Trout. Just play him and a bunch of Single-A players, or sign Fred McGriff and Jose Canseco if you need to, go 2-160, let Trout win the Triple Crown, and build around him.

I saw it would be a 400-500 million deal.

Also after 2017 the Phillies have basically no big contracts and a new TV deal so they will have tons of money.
- J35Bacher

Mikey Frank is going to get paid soon enough.

I saw it would be a 400-500 million deal.

Also after 2017 the Phillies have basically no big contracts and a new TV deal so they will have tons of money.
- J35Bacher

I read it online, and it heard on the radio, that Phillies literally could offer Harper a blank check come that offseason he is FA. For how good and dominant he is now, it;s scary to think about his game in his prime in a couple of years

I read it online, and it heard on the radio, that Phillies literally could offer Harper a blank check come that offseason he is FA. For how good and dominant he is now, it;s scary to think about his game in his prime in a couple of years
- arichardson22

Considering how low their payroll could be by that point, and how much cash they will be sitting on, I can absolutely see them being a top contender for landing Harper.

How bout those Fightin' Phils. What a pleasant surprise they have been thus far. They can pitch!
- PLindbergh31

Called it!

I've been saying their SPs are gonna be nasty. They just can't hit for poop

I've just been saying they're going to surprise people. And they are!

I read it online, and it heard on the radio, that Phillies literally could offer Harper a blank check come that offseason he is FA. For how good and dominant he is now, it;s scary to think about his game in his prime in a couple of years
- arichardson22

Was he the guy that Strasburg had to chide into signing, a mere 1 season after Strasburg almost didn't sign?

Called it!

I've been saying their SPs are gonna be nasty. They just can't hit for poop

I've just been saying they're going to surprise people. And they are!
- Giroux_Is_God

Sadly, at some point, the lack of offense is going to catch up with them. However, their pitching has been better than I expected and maybe, just maybe, they could reach .500 this year. It would be a helluva accomplishment if they did.

Called it!

I've been saying their SPs are gonna be nasty. They just can't hit for poop

I've just been saying they're going to surprise people. And they are!
- Giroux_Is_God

I hope Hellickson keeps pitching well.

Then maybe flip him at the deadline.

Also hoping they sign Lincicum for the same type of plan.

Called it!

I've been saying their SPs are gonna be nasty. They just can't hit for poop

I've just been saying they're going to surprise people. And they are!
- Giroux_Is_God

I too said in the offseason that the Phillies would be that one random team that gets hot when unexpected and pushes for a playoff spot. Much like the Astros, As, O's, and Royals in recent years

Yeah the lineup is thin, and the bullpen isn't great. But starting pitching is the toughest thing to get. They have some good arms in the rotation. I thought before the season started 100 losses was a foregone conclusion. That isn't going to happen, I know 25 games is a tiny sample, but I think they could maybe win 75 games or so. That is a step in the right direction for sure. They have been playing good, solid, fundamental baseball. The sweep in D.C. was sweet.
- PLindbergh31

Bullpens are "easy" to build. You always see random guys popping up as good lefties, or end of game guys.

If they can grab some bats...