Hear me out–if they trade Wheeler, signed last year to a five-year, $118 million deal, there's no way in hell they're going to sign JT Realmuto to stay with the team. You don't trade one of your best starters to save money to sign Realmuto. You don't create a huge weakness in order to sign an all-star catcher. Who's he going to catch?
If they trade Wheeler and Realmuto signs elsewhere, how is Bryce Harper going to feel? He allegedly signed here because the Phils were close to getting back to the playoffs. Losing Wheeler and Realmuto, no matter what the return, would be two gigantic steps backward. They already decided to let shortstop Didi Greogrius go. There's also talk that Jean Segura will be traded as well.
I guess billionaire owner John Middleton is really worried about the economics of the game for 2021. Nobody knows if fans will be allowed in the stands. The team reportedly lost more than $100 million last season and offered buyouts or laid off more than 80 people in the front office. But just how bad are the finances for this team? In 2014, the Phillies signed a 25-year TV deal with Comcast reported to be worth more than $2.5 billion. Surely, that money can be found somewhere in the accounting department at Citizens Bank Park.
I hate when billionaires cry poor and then cut off the cash at the expense of their employees and ultimately, their customers. Philadelphia is a top-five television market. They should have a top-five payroll as well, pandemic or not. (Photo from Slate.com)
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