Sports Talk Philly: Philadelphia Sports News and Rumors

Jaguars Hire John DeFilippo as Offensive Coordinator

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

Mere days after interviewing with the Jaguars and Cardinals for the offensive coordinator position with each team, the franchise down in Jacksonville has decided to make it official.

On Wednesday, the team announced they had hired John DeFilippo as their next offensive coordinator.

Welcome to #DUUUVAL John DeFilippo!https://t.co/YnvwQeg8ep

— #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) January 16, 2019

This could be an attractive opportunity for Flip because the Jaguars have their head coach and defensive coordinator on “a short leash” next season. Flip could very well end up as the interim head coach and possibly the next head coach for the team.

The reason it could be an unattractive position is that the franchise lacks a starting quarterback. That said, Flip will likely have input into what QB(s) they bring in. Jacksonville has the seventh pick in the draft, so could easily draft one of the two signal callers expected to go in the first round. They could also seek a veteran.

Eagles quarterback Nick Foles explained that his decision this offseason would come down to working with a team and coaches that he liked and wanted to be around. Days later, he commented on how much he loved Flip and thought he had a bright future as a head coach in the league. The move makes a Foles to Jacksonville transaction (be it a trade or a free agent signing) more likely.

If the Eagles pick up Foles’ 2019 option and Foles does not buy his way into free agency, the team would likely be looking to move the veteran. The Jaguars have a decision to make on quite a few players. They need to decide whether Jalen Ramsey or AJ Bouye will be the corner they commit to long term. They have a decision to make on whether Leonard Fournette is an answer at running back with so many talented backs in the draft. In addition to those players, the Jags have the seventh pick in each of the first three rounds to offer as well as picks for the 2020 draft and beyond all of which could potentially be used in a trade for Foles. The Eagles would receive a third-round compensatory pick if Foles left in free agency, so any offer the Eagles would consider would need to beat that mark.

DeFilippo served as the QB coach for the Eagles during their Super Bowl run. He was one of two coaches to leave the staff. With Frank Reich not expected to leave, Flip left for the offensive coordinator job in Minnesota before Josh McDaniels decided he had no need to uphold commitments and the Eagles lost Frank Reich to the head coaching job in Indianapolis.

Report: Phillies Began Offseason 'Keeping Trout in Mind'

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Although some fans may want the Philadelphia Phillies to sign both Bryce Harper and Manny Machado this offseason — the club reportedly has bigger plans on how to spend "stupid money."

Furthering Jon Heyman's Tuesday evening report that the Phillies will make a "big play" for outfielder Mike Trout — if he hits free agency after the 2020 season — SI.com's Tom Verducci writes the club "won’t be so stupid as to close the door on potentially signing" the seven-time All-Star and two-time Most Valuable Player.

According to Verducci, the Phillies began this offseason "keeping Trout in mind," and according to his source "with direct knowledge of their shopping plans," the club indeed has enough funds to sign both Harper and Machado, "but would like to sign just one of them to leave room in the budget in case Trout reaches free agency in two years."

Former Phillies OF Delmon Young Named Venezuela Winter League MVP

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

There's just something about former Philadelphia Phillies outfielders from the pre-Matt Klentak, post-2011 postseason window that seem to find bizarre success internationally.

Domonic Brown continues to hit dingers in Mexico, while Delmon Young — who slashed .261/.302/.397 with eight home runs and 31 RBI over 80 games with the Phillies in 2013  — was recently voted Most Valuable Player by a 12-point margin of the 2018-19 Venezuelan Winter League.

Young, 33, produced 12 doubles, 19 home runs, 52 RBI and 15 walks spanning 61 games and 252 at-bats, while slashing .294/.341/.567. The former ALCS Most Valuable Player also plays in Mexico during the regular season, having not appeared in the majors since 2015 with the Baltimore Orioles.

Lane Adams: Phillies ‘Pursued Me the Hardest, Wanted Me the Most’

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

One month from Friday, the Philadelphia Phillies will hold their first full-squad spring training workout in Clearwater, Florida. Among the players in attendance will be outfielder Lane Adams, who on Monday signed a minor league contract with a spring training invitation.

If he makes the club, the 29-year-old would reportedly earn $570,000. Through 117 big-league games in his career — since debuting with the Kansas City Royals in 2014 —  Adams has slashed .263/.333/.467 with five doubles, one triple, seven home runs, 26 RBI, a perfect 11-0 stolen base success ratio.

The Talihina, Oklahoma, native recently appeared on the Midwest Swing podcast, and said “fit and pursuit" is what ultimately landed him a contract with the Phillies. 

"Philadelphia really pursued me the hardest," Adams said. "There’s other teams out there that were interested, but Philadelphia was the team that was calling every day ... for about a month and a half.”

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Adams, who has appeared with the Braves in each of the last two seasons — as well as in their minor-league system, the Royals', New York Yankees' and Chicago Cubs' since 2015 — said there is never an "ideal, perfect place" for players like himself at this stage in their respective careers.

"If you’re Bryce Harper, yeah there’s going to be a perfect place for you," Adams said, "but there’s never an ideal situation; there’s pros and cons to all of it."

"At the end of the day, Philadelphia wanted me the most, so that’s where I went."

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Adams' podcast segment begins at 27:19

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Adams will have tough competition in Phillies camp. Not only will he compete for a fourth outfield spot with fellow non-roster invitees Adam Haseley, Austin Listi, Mickey Moniak and Shane Robinson, but also that of Aaron Altherr, Dylan Cozens, Roman Quinn and Nick Williams already on the 40-man roster.

If the Phillies end up signing Harper, pairing with Andrew McCutchen and possibly Odubel Herrera, it would only lessen Adams' chances to make the club over the eight aforementioned outfielders. Yet, Adams still has confidence he will get an opportunity at some point within the Phillies system.

"I feel like if I can weasel my up to that major league roster, I’ll be utilized more; if I was to go somewhere else, I’d be in ‘up-and-down, DFA limbo’ all year," Adams said. "That’s not really something I want to do. I kind of want a legit chance to lock down a fourth outfield spot."

"I think if I can’t find my way up there on their major league roster, I’ll have the best opportunity there."

Flyers-Bruins: Postgame Review

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By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

Getting outshot 42-19 usually doesn't get a good result on the scoreboard, but for the Flyers, some timely scoring and good goaltending made it stand out.

The Flyers got three goals from Sean Couturier and another excellent night in goal from Carter Hart on their way to back-to-back wins for just the fourth time this season, defeating the Bruins, 4-3.

More in our Postgame Review.

Couturier Scores Hat Trick, Hart Stands Tall in Flyers Win Over Bruins

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By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

Sean Couturier took care of the offense and Carter Hart continued to show that the future is now for the Flyers in goal.

Couturier scored another hat trick for the Flyers, while Hart stopped a career-high 39 shots in a 4-3 Flyers win over the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night at Wells Fargo Center.

Report: Phillies Likely to 'Make Biggest Offer,' Sign Bryce Harper

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

With nearly 70 days remaining until Opening Day, the hot stove is only going to burn hotter until Bryce Harper and Manny Machado sign to what they hope to be record-breaking contracts.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale — who has been among the most heavily involved reporters this offseason regarding the two superstars — joined SportsRadio 94 WIP's evening show on Wednesday to discuss the latest Harper and Machado rumors.

Sticking by his Sunday report that the Phillies are the "clear-cut favorite" to sign Harper, Nightengale said he thinks the club "will blow everybody out, make the biggest offer and sign [Harper], particularly with the Nationals 'out of this thing.'"

"I think Harper is a perfect fit [in Philadelphia], and I think, secretly, the White Sox are hoping the Phillies get him ... that way Machado can fall in their lap at their price."

Philadelphia Soul to Hold Last Open Player Tryouts Ahead of 14th Season

Athletes at the Philadelphia Soul's first open player tryout on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, at Total Turf Experience in Pitman, New Jersey (Matt Rappa/SportsTalkPhilly.com). 

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

The Arena Football League's (AFL) three-time champion Philadelphia Soul — ahead of final roster cuts and their 14th season in 2019 — will hold their last of two open player tryouts this Saturday, January 19, at Total Turf Experience in Pitman, New Jersey.

Among league and team representatives in attendance will include Soul general manager and assistant head coach Beau Bell, head coach Clint Dolezel, and quarterback Dan Raudabaugh, along with AFL president John Adams.

Phillies Finalize Major League Coaching Staff

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

With pitchers and catchers set to report to Clearwater, Florida, in less than a month, the Philadelphia Phillies finalized on Wednesday their 2019 major league coaching staff. As part of the announcement, longtime mentor to free agent superstar Manny Machado and former Baltimore Orioles coach — Bobby Dickerson — was officially introduced as the Phillies' new infield coach.

• Manager: Gabe Kapler
• Bench Coach: Rob Thomson
• Hitting Coach: John Mallee
• Assistant Hitting Coach: Pedro Guerrero
• Pitching Coach: Chris Young
• Assistant Pitching Coach: David Lundquist
• Infield Coach: Bobby Dickerson
• First Base, Baserunning & Outfield Coach: Paco Figueroa
• Third Base Coach: Dusty Wathan
• Bullpen Coach: Jim Gott
• Bullpen Catcher/Catching Coach: Bob Stumpo
• Bullpen Catcher/Receiving Coach: Craig Driver

The 12-member coaching staff will be led by Gabe Kapler, who returns for a second season after managing the Phillies to a 80-82 finish in 2018.

Flyers-Bruins: Game 47 Preview

(Photo: Kate Frese)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

The Flyers were back in the win column in a big way on Monday with a 7-4 defeat of the Minnesota Wild.

A stretch that saw six of eight games played on home ice comes to an end on Wednesday night for the Flyers. Their opponent is the Boston Bruins, a team riding a hot streak, yet sitting in third in the Atlantic behind Toronto and Tampa Bay.

Game time is at 7:30 p.m.