Sports Talk Philly: Philadelphia Sports News and Rumors

Franco Homers as Phillies Sting Rays in 'Pitch Timer' Debut

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Before 5,609 fans, the Philadelphia Phillies edged the Tampa Bay Rays Friday afternoon in the club's 2019 Grapefruit League opener at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Florida.

With Manny Machado gone to the San Diego Padres, Maikel Franco and Scott Kingery will battle this spring for the starting third baseman role. Ironically, both players combined to produce the Phillies' three runs en route to their 3-2 victory.

Phillies, Cole Irvin Oppose Rays in 2019 Grapefruit League Opener

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

The Philadelphia Phillies and No. 16-ranked club prospect LHP Cole Irvin, a non-roster invitee, will kick off 2019 Grapefruit League spring training action in opposition of RHP Austin Pruitt and the Tampa Bay Rays Friday afternoon at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Florida.

Opening Day: The Rays open their spring training schedule today at 1pm when they host the Phillies in Port Charlotte. #fox35 pic.twitter.com/Pf8OfUCKPr

— Ryan Elijah (@ryanelijah) February 22, 2019

The game will take place just hours after Manny Machado, one of the Phillies' top free agent targets over the past few months, is introduced by the San Diego Padres following his 10-year, $300 million deal. While Bryce Harper still looms in free agency, the Phillies have moved on from Machado, and will take a look at Maikel Franco and Scott Kingery closely this spring at the hot corner. If both impress, a platoon situation could be likely for the 2019 season.

Center fielder Odubel Herrera (slight left hamstring strain) will be out; he took batting practice and threw long toss on Thursday, notes The Athletic's Meghan Montemurro. Phillies Manager Gabe Kapler said there is a "good possibility" Herrera could play in the third or fourth Grapefruit League game, but that they will "take that day by day and not make any predictions at this point."

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Starting Pitching Matchup:

Philadelphia Phillies			Tampa Bay Rays
LHP	Cole Irvin		RHP	Austin Pruitt
	(2018, Triple-A: 14-4, 2.57 ERA)			(2018, MLB: 2-3, 4.65 ERA)

Report: Phillies to 'Consider' Keuchel, Kimbrel 'After Harper Signs'

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Lost in the seemingly month(s)-long free agency frenzy surrounding perennial All-Star outfielder Bryce Harper, it is easy to forget that the Philadelphia Phillies are also significant players as among interested teams for free agent southpaw starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel, as well as free agent closer RHP Craig Kimbrel.

While the Phillies' "total focus" is currently on signing Harper, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman, after he signs — "either with them or elsewhere" — the club will reportedly next "consider" Keuchel and/or Kimbrel.

Phillies Re-Sign INF Trevor Plouffe

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Nine-year veteran infielder Trevor Plouffe is returning to the Philadelphia Phillies on a minor-league deal, according to ZoneCoverage.com's Brandon Warne.

The deal includes a big-league spring training invite; Plouffe will earn $750, plus incentives, if he reaches the majors.

Plouffe, 32, appeared in seven games with the Phillies last season from July 10 to July 26; spanning 12 plate appearances and as many at-bats, he slashed .250/.250/.500 with one run scored, two singles, one home run, three RBI, no walks and six strikeouts. Plouffe is most known for the parts of seven seasons he played with the Minnesota Twins from 2010 to 2016.

For now, Plouffe replaces fellow non-roster invitee veteran INF Sean Rodriguez. Rodriguez has a tear in his right meniscus that might require surgery, however the Phillies are optimistic surgery might not be needed, and that Rodriguez is "really coming along well" and might play in a game soon. 

Plouffe's signing also fill two other voids: by non-roster invitee INF Gift Ngoepe, who has yet to arrive to camp due to visa issues, and needing another first baseman to help Rhys Hoskins, who "has been handling much of the drills the past few days at first base," notes MLB.com's Todd Zolecki.

Phillies Spring Training Notes: Early Rotation, Herrera Injured, Lidge, Top Prospects List

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Even with the Philadelphia Phillies "willing to walk away" from new San Diego Padres 3B Manny Machado, while remaining in the hunt for Bryce Harper, the club has Grapefruit League action to prepare for ahead of the 2019 season. The Opener is set for Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays, and the club has already set their rotation for at least the first five spring training games, some of which could be without their starting center fielder from the 2018 season due to injury.

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Early Rotation

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On Tuesday, manager Gabe Kapler announced the Phillies' starting pitchers for their first five Grapefruit League games, all starting at 1:05 p.m.:

• Friday at TB: Cole Irvin
• Saturday vs. PIT: Enyel De Los Santos
• Sunday at DET: Drew Anderson
• Monday vs. DET: JoJo Romero
• Tuesday at NY: Ranger Suarez

It’s been announced... I’m excited to start the first game of #SpringTraining for the @Phillies

Who’s ready for some baseball?!#phillies #baseballseason #OpeningDay #springtime

— Cole Irvin (@Swirvin_irvin19) February 20, 2019

Sean Rodriguez Suffers Meniscus Tear, Knee Sprain

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

It is just the second day of full practices for the Phillies, but the team received more bad news on the injury front on Tuesday.

Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic reported Tuesday morning that veteran utility man Sean Rodriguez, who was signed just over 10 days ago, has suffered both a meniscus tear and a knee sprain.

Sean Rodriguez has a tear in his right meniscus and a sprain in his right knee. He will receive treatment the next few days and allow the swelling to subside. TBD if he will have surgery to fix the meniscus. He was in camp to compete for a bench spot. #Phillies

— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) February 19, 2019

Padres Sign Manny Machado to 10-Year Deal

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

The San Diego Padres have signed superstar slugger Manny Machado to a 10-year, $300 million contract — the biggest free-agent contract in the history of American sports — according to multiple reports. Machado, 26, is a four-time All-Star, two-time Gold Glove Award winner at third base, and has finished in the top-10 in American League Most Valuable Player Award race three times (2013, 2015, 2016).

Machado will take his physicals with the Padres on Wednesday and Thursday, followed by a press conference Friday. A fifth-year opt-out is in the deal, as well as a limited no-trade clause. Machado will likely play third base; Luis Urias currently plays short for San Diego, and will likely be replaced at some point by fellow top prospect Fernando Tatis Jr.

Phillies Rumor: Club Asking Staff to Work Presidents' Day Holiday for Harper Signing

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Presidents' Day is tomorrow, which is also the Philadelphia Phillies' first day for full squad workouts. And while most Phillies staff normally have off for the federal holiday, reportedly that will not be the case in 2019.

According to Barstool's Smitty on Sunday, the Phillies are "making" staff work on Monday, their scheduled off day, as possibly an "all hands-on-deck" scenario to handle some "big news" that would result in a surge in ticket sales and exposure.

What big news could warrant this? News that would fill the stands again as seen in the picture above: the Phillies signing perennial All-Star outfielder Bryce Harper.

Earlier in the day, Jon Heyman reported talks are heating up, or "intensified" regarding Harper, with the Phillies the favorite. While Heyman could not confirm the deal is "done," he did say it will be a long-term contract. SNY.tv's Andy Martino said he there is a "definite sense from rival clubs" that the Phillies are in the lead for Harper.

Also, there's this:

WE'RE (maybe) AIRBORNE ALREADY!!! #BryceWatch #GoPhils #RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/OjX0yJ0mF6

— Smitty (@SmittyBarstool) February 17, 2019

Stay tuned.

SportsTalkPhilly.com's Latest Harper Coverage:

• Former Marlins President: Harper to Phillies Would 'Bail Out' Boras
• Phillies GM Klentak Discusses 'Hero' Nola, Players Holding Out to Maximize Free Agency
• Report: Lot of 'Momentum, Traction' on Harper Signing Soon with Phillies

Former Marlins President: Harper to Phillies Would 'Bail Out' Boras

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Bryce Harper to the Phillies is picking up momentum, and as it "rounds third," many baseball minds are chiming in, including former Florida/Miami Marlins President David Samson.

Sunday morning, Samson tweeted that rumors are spreading that Harper will be a Phillie for 10 years and $310 million, and that Harper's agent, Scott Boras, is getting "bailed out again by an owner."

"Still doesn’t beat [Giancarlo] Stanton, but will certainly beat [Manny] Machado," Samson tweeted. "Like saving half a face for the player and the agent. Now, back to your regularly scheduled rumors."

Phillies GM Klentak Discusses 'Hero' Nola, Players Holding Out to Maximize Free Agency

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Philadelphia Phillies pitchers and catchers have reported to Clearwater, and just hours are left until the first full-squad workout. Baseball is back; and yet, plenty of free agents remain on the open market. One of them, of course, is Bryce Harper, represented by agent Scott Boras.

Saturday morning on SportsRadio 94 WIP with Howard Eskin, Phillies GM Matt Klentak alluded to the perennial All-Star outfielder when saying he does not they are in a position yet to know what factors are driving "a certain free agent."

RELATED | Report: Lot of 'Momentum, Traction' on Harper Signing Soon with Phillies

"I would guess that money is at least one of them, but until a player signs, we don’t know that," Klentak said, adding there have been a couple times in his career "where a player has signed not purely for the money."

One of those players was during his time spent as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim's assistant general manager — a fellow Boras client, RHP Jered Weaver. Despite Boras not "supportive of what amounts to a hometown discount," Weaver signed a rare mid-season extension in late August 2011.

At the time, Weaver said:

“If $85 (million) is not enough to take care of my family and other generations of families then I’m pretty stupid, but how much money do you really need in life?

I’ve never played this game for the money. I played it for the love and the competitive part of it. It just so happens that baseball’s going to be taking care of me for the rest of my life.”

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Klentak noted that Weaver signed an extension with the Angels "about a year before he reached free agency," and at his press conference said:

‘I’m signing here because I like it here. I like living here, my family’s in the area. I love this team, manager, everything about it. I don’t need to get to free agency to maximize every penny, because I’m where I want to be. They offered me a fair contract, and I want to take it.'

The Phillies GM added that from that point forward, Weaver was a "local hero." "He was really good, too. He was an awesome pitcher, but he was perceived as a local hero," Klentak said.

Seven-plus years later, Klentak experienced the second instance in his career where a player signed "not purely for the money." That happened on Thursday at the Phillies' press conference to announce Aaron Nola's multi-year extension.