First time poster..question: some pretty respected media types think the Phillies will get Jake and possibly one of Lynn/Cobb. Does anyone on here have any thoughts on our chances of getting Jake? Is there any possibility@ payroll reduction to allow this to occur? Assuming possibility of trade with Marlins is dead? Thx for your time.
Media says Philly won't go over 3 years. Even at 30 Million a year, it sounds like Jake doesn't want to go there. The Phillies will be better this season, but they weren't just a Carlos Santana and full season of Rhys Hoskins away. The young kids will get better, but they need guys to break out, and still guys need to break in from the minors. The Phillies are probably right about around getting their "2011 Nats" team, but I would push out that "ready to compete for a WS" until a few more of those hitting prospects really break in. 2020 I feel is a safer bet than 2019 for them, and if you are Jake Arrieta, you want a team that is ready to compete right now, and even with the loss of Harper, has the ability to be back in the thick of at least a wildcard hunt in 2019.
I think it has less to do with how far over the luxury tax threshold the team goes and more about getting the lowest dollar for Arrieta that he will take.
