Phillies Become 1st in MLB History to Add 3 All-Star Position Players From Previous Season

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

December 3. February 7. February 28.

Eighty-seven days have passed since December 3, the day the Philadelphia Phillies acquired All-Star shortstop Jean Segura from the Seattle Mariners.

Twenty-one days have passed since February 7, the day the Phillies acquired All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto from the Miami Marlins.

And then, today, Thursday, February 28, the day the Phillies signed All-Star Bryce Harper to a 13-year, $330 million contract with a full no-trade clause and no opt-outs.

The Phillies' additions of Segura, Realmuto and Harper are the first time any club in Major League Baseball history has added three position players in an offseason, all of whom were All-Stars in the previous season, notes ESPN's Kevin Negandhi.

Fans have high hopes for 2019 because of these additions, and others, which include RHP David Robertson and left fielder Andrew McCutchen. More could come, such as LHP Dallas Keuchel and/or closer Craig Kimbrel.


And while Harper's contract is the first-ever 13-year pact in MLB history, it is only the 13th-highest-ever AAV contract at $25.4 million, notes Spotrac.

Harper could have demanded an opt-out in the deal. He could have signed elsewhere for a shorter commitment but higher AAV. He could have signed closer to his hometown of Las Vegas. But he didn't. He chose Philadelphia.

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