There is something going on down the turnpike in Philadelphia and its probably not what you were expecting. Despite their first sub-.500 finish since 2002 and first finish lower than third since 2000, the Phillies organization is still going for it. Their midday signing of the revitalized Marlon Byrd may have actually been trumped by the late night rumors that they are in talks to acquire Jose Bautista from the Toronto Blue Jays.
While I'd like to poke fun at the franchise and their ill mannered fan base, the Phillies have little to lose. Over the next two seasons, the Phillies have no less than $170MM tied up in the contracts of Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels. That is a ton of money to spend on a team with no conceivable chance of making a World Series run, so why not attempt to reload where you can.
Eventually Mets fans will get to see the franchise in Philadelphia fade away for a period of time because these contracts will catch up to Ruben Amaro Jr., but it doesn't look like that day has arrived just yet. With the Mets looking to upgrade their outfield offense this winter, it would certainly be frustrating to see the Phillies do the same while we sit idle. Time will tell, as the Mets are yet to strike, but the Phillies are certainly off and running.
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