Phillies: Four reasons they should pass on Manny Machado
The Phillies can make a splash this offseason, but it has to be the right one
The Philadelphia Phillies are in a fun position. The team is young, they have money to spend (a lot of it), and they’re in a thriving sports market with the Eagles and 76ers having exciting rosters of their own.
This is a baseball club that’s gone through many long, losing seasons, with focus on the future.
For Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, on the field, it’s a chance to join a team that’s full of youth, looking to break out and make noise while being competitive for years to come.
The Phillies have an ownership group that’s ready to build, invest and make any necessary improvements to create a World Series caliber team. Off the field, fans are passionate, it’s a team that sells, selling brings revenue with marketing and endorsement opportunities and having the ability to live in a top U.S city like Philadelphia is a perk too.
The Phillies are missing a face of the franchise; Eagles have Carson Wentz, 76ers have Joel Embid, Flyers have Claude Giroux and now the Phillies have the chance to get their guy.
From a front office perspective, It’s easy to see why the urge is there to be trigger happy, these are two, young, world-class players with many prime years left. However, it’s one thing to spend ”stupid money”, and another to be stupid with money, just ask the Los Angeles Angels how the Albert Pujols contract worked out?
It took years to construct the Phillies current roster, they need to be smart, and here are four reasons on why signing Machado would be a short-sighted mistake.
Is Machado the right fit in the clubhouse?
I find it tough to criticize professional athletes’ work ethic, players as good as Machado don’t become successful without putting in the work, so I feel it’s unfair to say.
Are their times he takes plays off? Yes. Which is fine to an extent, he’s human, we all clock out at work a little early sometimes and with 162 games plus playoffs, it’s bound to happen. But one thing that’s highly questionable is his maturity.
Purposely colliding with Milwaukee Brewers first basemen, Jesus Aguilar, in game 4 of the NLCS, on a routine ground out wasn’t a great look. Neither was letting go of his bat after a hard swing, directing it towards former Athletics and current Phillies pitcher Fernando Abad, which followed after an off-pitch that almost hit Machado, who was then playing for the Orioles, who were losing in a 10-0 blowout.
Philadelphia Phillies
Slamming down his helmet and challenging Josh Donaldson after being tagged out in a series between Oakland and Baltimore back in 2014 wasn’t ideal.
With many dominos still to fall in free agency and only three weeks to go until spring training, it seems unsettling that after many face to face meetings with different clubs, there still isn’t a deal to be had for Machado.
The New York Yankees, who met him personally, have the funds and the roster spot available to sign the all-star, so why are there now strong indications of them looking towards a trade for Colorado Rockies third basemen Nolan Arenado? The Chicago White Sox, have made a reported seven-year, $175 million dollar contract offer, an offer that’s low for today’s player value standards, especially a player that’s as good statistically as Machado.
Where the Phillies stand isn’t entirely clear as the race for Harper seems to be top of their priority list. There was a well-speculated mystery team that now has been revealed as the San Diego Padres, a team that’s full of youth and ready to make the next step, but it’s suggested that talks between the two sides aren’t as advanced yet.
All of this suggests two things, first, clubs are being rational, a signing like this is a long-term commitment, if they’re going to take the leap of faith, they want to make sure all the boxes are ticked.
No room in the infield?
Statically in 2018, Machado finished with 37 HR, .294 BA, .537 SLG, and a .905 OPS. All signs lead to the thought of character concerns, what else could it be? These clubs have the money to spend and the positional need. Yankees, White Sox, Padres and Phillies all have young teams, does the statistical performance out-weigh the potential damage of cohesive clubhouse? After all, It only takes one bad part to break down an entire car.
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The current state of the Phillies infield isn’t in dire need of fixing. The team acquired Jean Segura in a trade with the Seattle Mariners in exchange for J.P Crawford and Carlos Santana.
Segura is one of the best leadoff hitters in baseball, finishing last year with a .304 BA, along with being sound defensively. Cesar Hernandez may not be offensively gifted, you don’t expect him to hit home runs regularly, but he gets on base and is productive defensively, there’s untapped potential in the 28-year-old second basemen who still has room to get better.
Criticism towards Scott Kingrey is harsh, the man is only 24 years of age, he finished with an underwhelming eight home runs and a .226 BA in at-bats. Writing him off early would be a mistake, point being, calm down Phillies fans, he’s only going to get better.
Third baseman, 26-year-old, Maikel Franko is just fine. Finishing the season at the plate with 22 home runs, .270 BA, .738 OBS, and still room to grow, he’s in no way a must replace player moving forward.
Future cash considerations
This is when spending smart comes into play. By spending heavy now because the money is there, the Phillies could be potentially shorting themselves in the future with upcoming free agent classes.
Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts becomes a free agent in 2020, no way do I feel the Red Sox will let him walk, but I said the same thing about Harper two years ago so stranger things can happen.
Arguably the best player in baseball, Philadelphia area native, Angels center fielder, Mike Trout becomes a free agent in 2020. I feel it’s almost guaranteed that the Phillies will take a heavy run at Trout.
Being from the area, an Eagles season ticket holder, and having the ability to play in front of friends and family regularly, the sales pitch is already set.
Related Story. Should Trout dictate the Phillies spending?. light
Fransisco Lindor, 25, who plays shortstop for the Cleveland Indians, is eligible in 2021.
If the Phillies front office feels the need to boost up the infield, Lindor would be the top candidate, as he will be for the majority of MLB teams.
You can’t forget that the Phillies will have to pay Aaron Nola and Rhys Hoskins in the not so distant future. Nola has two more years of arbitration eligibility after 2019, while Hoskins is under team control through the 2023 season.
Jean Segura is making at least $60 million over the next four seasons plus a $17 million option in five years.
Other priorities this offseason
The Phillies could use another arm in the starting rotation, primarily a lefty, which, Keuchel so happens to be.
The current free agent starter would add strong depth to the starting rotation in a time where pitching is paramount. dominant dominate left-handed pitcher would help in matchups as the current rotation is majority right-handed.
The emergence of Arron Nola, alongside World Series champions in Keuchel and Jake Arrieta, would provide the perfect combination of quality depth and experience.
Not signing Machado, would allow for more flexibility financially to give them a legitimate shot of sighing the free agent ace. There’s no such thing as too much pitching depth and for a team looking to make a postseason push, why pass up the chance to bolster the rotation?
Being able to have it all is a fun proposition for a ball club to be in, but the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Would it be strong entertainment value to have Machado and Harper on the field together? Of course. But with years of work to build a solid foundation of talent, it’s equally important to be well-balanced in all facets.
Next. 5 Phillies pitchers to watch in Spring Training. dark
Often, sports organizations make the mistake of chasing the shiny new toy, the big name star, when really the answer could be under their own roof.
Sometimes the new Ferrari isn’t as reliable as the modest Honda Civic, with a little time, a little patience, and investment in the right areas, Phillies fans could be celebrating in a championship parade down Broad Street in the near future.