The news came in Thursday afternoon and a feeling of sickness came over Philadelphia Phillies fans all over the region.
The Anaheim Angels had signed stud superstar outfielder Josh Hamilton, the last big free agent fish left on the market, to a five-year, $125 million contract. The Phils had made an offer – three years, $80 million – but it wasn't THE offer.
Then the Philadelphia Eagles decided to place defensive tackle Mike Patterson on the inactive list because of a viral illness – a move that meant Patterson would lose $150,000 in salary.
This move was really a slap in the face for a player who was fighting back from brain surgery – yes, brain surgery – to play for the Birds once again. Why be so cold to a dedicated player who was the longest tenured on the roster.
Eagles management, which has been dragged through the mud the whole year for its decisions, were blasted by the Philly media and fans all day. Then, late Thursday afternoon, management reversed course, saying Patterson's salary wouldn't suffer. (Ah, the power of the media.)
The loss of Hamilton, though, cannot be reversed. And while it was nice to hear talk from new centerfielder Ben Revere, that wasn't enough to get the juices flowing for Phillies fans about the upcoming season. No Hamilton probably means no playoffs. And no hope.
Phils General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. had the cash to get Hamilton and there was hope earlier in the week that the big fish would be reeled in. But now we have to settle for guppies.
The football season will end in January with a losing record for the Birds and the loss of the team's longtime coach. Yet, we can't even get excited about spring training in February with no Hamilton.
At least the Grinches in Eagles management did the right think with Patterson. But the Phillies decided to go the Scrooge route.
Bah Humbug!
The Angels overpaid for Hamilton - he won't play a full season again before he retires, and he won't last five years with the Angels. As for Patterson - I don't get paid if I don't work when I'm sick, neither should Patterson. If he is the longest-tenured Eagle, and if one game is worth $150,000, then he should have quite a cushion saved - in his profession, he knows the risks. Sorry, the Eagles did the wrong thing here. Stupid article.
Stupid autocorrect.
The difference is that the Yankees don't really care about money. But BOTH stars are huge risk players now. A-Rod's production and health has slipped precipitously; and Howard's ability to return to form after his injury is a huge question mark. Does anyone question whether the Yanks would have jettisoned A-Rod this year if they could have found a suitor WHILE paying a substantial portion of that bloated contract? And not for nothing, but check out Hamilton's physique last year compared to prior years, and convince me he wasn't "juiced up". I'll be shocked if the Angels view this as a value acquisition in five years, especially if they don't win the World Series in that timeframe.
Josh Hamilton is a totally different story. There is no reason to give a $125 million deal to a low-life drug addict who misses games like Michael Vick misses open receivers. Cheap has nothing to do with the Phillies not wanting to pay for a guy who isn't going to play a full season.
He has a special clause in his contract that allows the Eagles to reduce (not eliminate) his salary should he go on the non-football-related inactive list. This was to protect them in the wake of his off-season brain surgery should a complication from that leave him unable to play. But he ended up going on for a different reason, the viral pneumonia he contracted. Any other player in the league would still get their full salary in that instance. That he makes a lot isn't the issue; it's that to deprive him of any of it is a slap in the face.