By: Steve Johnson
Here are 2 teams in Philadelphia, both very successful over the past decade, both beloved, but only 1 receives criticism. Here is what they've done in this off season and over the past few years.
Team #1: Replenished their roster. Signed their home grown players to long term contracts. Filled needs in both free agency and the draft. Still have more money left to spend (in a league that faces a salary cap) than most teams in its league.
Team #2: Spent money on aging players. Have more salary on the DL than 2 teams entire salary in their league. Failed to address 2 major positions that have their 2 best players over the past 5 years injured. Now are facing money problems, forcing them to debate whether to trade their home grown talent or not.
Team #1 is the Philadelphia Eagles, and the city is calling for their managements head, despite doing all the right moves in the off season. They face hatred from people in their own city, that root for the other 3 teams in the city...but hate them for some God forsaken reason.
Team #2 is the Philadelphia Phillies, and they can do no wrong amongst the fans, despite their GM putting them in a position that has their future in jeopardy. They have gained more fans since 2008 than any other team in sports and when they make moves, there is rarely a question to if it's right.
The reason this is brought up is our beloved Phillies are on the verge of losing a 28 year old left handed pitcher in the prime of his career, simply because Phillies management thought money grew on trees. Who's to blame them though? Money does grow on trees, trees located at One Citizens Bank Way in South Philadelphia. In 2003, the Phillies were in the middle of the pack in payroll, around 70 million. Now they're top 3, over 100 million dollars more, competing with the one time evil empires of Boston and New York. Now the problem they face is what to do with Hamels, who will be seeking top dollar. Can the Phillies afford him? They have fellow left-hander Cliff Lee signed till at least 2015 with an option for 2016 at $21 million this year and $25 million every year after that. Roy Halladay, who was just placed on the DL, is signed through 2013 and a 14 option at $20 million a year. Ryan Howard, who is in the Ruben Amaro witness protection program in Florida, will start making a whopping $25 million a year in 2014 through possibly 2017. Not to mention another $40 million locked up to new closer Jonathan Papelbon, often injured second baseman Chase Utley and struggling shortstop Jimmy Rollins. The Phillies are close to the 178 million dollar luxury tax Major League Baseball has set. This means unless Ruben Amaro does some trade deadline whealing and dealing, or Cole Hamels really loves Philadelphia and takes a pay cut, the Phillies are likely to lose one of their own. Is it possible that the California boy heads back to California to play for the Dodgers? What if he went to Detroit to team up with fellow ace Justin Verlander. The Cubbies need a bright new star to keep their team going. The Rangers adding a stud #1 pitcher would pretty much lock up their dynasty. The fear of losing a beloved home grown player, a World Series MVP, and possibly the best young lefty in the game is real, and you should be worried. But this could never happen to the beloved Phillies, who never make mistakes...could it?
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