Off-Topic Forum

I'm on the periphery now, unlike years ago when I could talk to you about any team in any sport, but it seems like MLB is avoiding problems such as the NBA with stacking players on elite teams. Machado going to the Padres and Harper to the Phils, and neither to the Yankees or Dodgers. 

I like that except for a few franchises most MLB teams will go after players needed to win. Ridiculous money, sure, but it's not mine to spend. And I'm sure the bean counters have taken into account all the ramifications for this being a bust of a signing.

Let's play some ball! Let's play some ball!

I will give Harper credit on this however - Apparently, the biggest factor wasn't money but stability. Full no trade, no opt out option years. He wants to end his career in Philadelphia, even if it meant taking less money per year to make it happen. We probably won't see a contract like this again.

i wouldn't say, " we probably wont see a contract like this again".. contracts over the years are just getting ridiculous, both money and incentatives. With that, most players don't live up to the hype much after it, look at Arod, Pulous, etc goes the same with football too. and its the crazy price tags that owners have to force ticket prices or other amenities to go up and its the managers, owners and the leagures fautly for allowing that to happen. I can say witout a doubt there will be another crazy azz contract to come , when who knows, but without reading between the lines, i hope there are clauses in there that say if that player doesn't perform xxxxx or up to expectations then $xx amount gets deducted. In most cases, we only hear about that top overall $ number and not the fine line.

I hope Harper brings as many championships to Philly as he did to DC. So glad the Bryce/Manny hype is over. Now let's play some ball!

If I sound jaded, it's mostly because we're still paying for Prince Fielder and Justin Verlander in Detroit and we got close twice or thrice, but no cigar the last decade. Their best talent team in '14 got swept by the O's in the first round and I was there to witness it. I was really hoping to see a celebration sweep at home, but it was the wrong team. Now the Angels get to watch how a coach can squander great talent.

Good luck to all this year. My hopes are for Detroit to win 65 games or more this year. Mercer and Harrison will be fun to watch turning double plays until our youngsters blossom. I hope Zimm comes back strong and Cabby stays healthy to pad his career stats.

Well their tied for first right now!

Dont forget, in two years Trout will be available.  He wants to come home.  He is at every Eagles home game.  

While it might seem like a good deal now, it will be terrible for everyone but Harper a few years down the line.

So are you saying Trout swim upstream to spawn?