Is Bryce Harper really worth the grief and money?

[egri]

I didn’t watch the Phillies closely last season, but I was under the impression that they were a lot more than an outfielder away from being a contender. They were a couple games below .500; Harper might get them over that, but it’s going to take more than that to win the NLE.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by egri

I didn’t watch the Phillies closely last season, but I was under the impression that they were a lot more than an outfielder away from being a contender. They were a couple games below .500; Harper might get them over that, but it’s going to take more than that to win the NLE.

They've done a helluva lot more than add an outfielder this off season. Not a fan, but they've certainly made some big moves.

[packs]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

They've done a helluva lot more than add an outfielder this off season. Not a fan, but they've certainly made some big moves.

Like what? They didn't sign anyone to start. Rotation is thin behind Nola.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Keuchel is still out there.

[timn1]

Like signing probably the best catcher in MLB, for one thing - and McCutchen, who some people think is washed up, but his WAR has been rock-solid and he plays 140 games every year, plus provides a great clubhouse presence. Arietta and Pivetta (?) are solid too, and Nola is a true ace. I don't actually like Harper much myself, but I think they've put themselves in a strong position this off-season.

And they did get Harper for a yearly salary that's a relative bargain at 26m. I was surprised he wanted the long-term contract above every penny he could extract in the short term.

Originally Posted by packs

Like what? They didn't sign anyone to start. Rotation is thin behind Nola.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by timn1

Like signing probably the best catcher in MLB, for one thing - and McCutchen, who some people think is washed up, but his WAR has been rock-solid and he plays 140 games every year, plus provides a great clubhouse presence. Arietta and Pivetta (?) are solid too, and Nola is a true ace. I don't actually like Harper much myself, but I think they've put themselves in a strong position this off-season.

And they did get Harper for a yearly salary that's a relative bargain at 26m. I was surprised he wanted the long-term contract above every penny he could extract in the short term.

You didn't even mention signing Segura

[timn1]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

You didn't even mention signing Segura

Yes, I forgot about Jean Jean the hit machine. It’s a strong division, but I think the Phillies have definitely improved themselves. Also you’re mistaken about the badness of the Phils outfield last year. Did you see Hoskins out there? It was brutal, and the other two guys didn’t hit. Was one of the majors worst outfields.

[Jim65]

Originally Posted by timn1

Yes, I forgot about Jean Jean the hit machine. It’s a strong division, but I think the Phillies have definitely improved themselves. Also you’re mistaken about the badness of the Phils outfield last year. Did you see Hoskins out there? It was brutal, and the other two guys didn’t hit. Was one of the majors worst outfields.

Phillies would definitely benefit from the DH, Hoskins is the worst outfielder I've seen since the Mets tried putting Todd Hundley out there.

[packs]

Originally Posted by timn1

Like signing probably the best catcher in MLB, for one thing - and McCutchen, who some people think is washed up, but his WAR has been rock-solid and he plays 140 games every year, plus provides a great clubhouse presence. Arietta and Pivetta (?) are solid too, and Nola is a true ace. I don't actually like Harper much myself, but I think they've put themselves in a strong position this off-season.

And they did get Harper for a yearly salary that's a relative bargain at 26m. I was surprised he wanted the long-term contract above every penny he could extract in the short term.

Pivetta has a career 5.33 ERA and bad peripherals (HR rate) despite striking guys out. He's probably a bullpen arm long-term. Arrieta has seen his ERA rise every year since his CY.

I don't think outfield is where they needed to improve. The rest of their division is pitching heavy; the Mets and their rotation, the three headed monster of Scherzer / Strasburg / Corbin in Washington, the Braves and their stocked starting pitching prospects; I don't see a right fielder being the problem in Philadelphia.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by packs

Pivetta has a career 5.33 ERA and bad peripherals (HR rate) despite striking guys out. He's probably a bullpen arm long-term. Arrieta has seen his ERA rise every year since his CY.

I don't think outfield is where they needed to improve. The rest of their division is pitching heavy; the Mets and their rotation, the three headed monster of Scherzer / Strasburg / Corbin in Washington, the Braves and their stocked starting pitching prospects; I don't see a right fielder being the problem in Philadelphia.

Yeah what the hell has happened to Arietta, he was unhittable for a while there.