Red Sox Rumors: Dodgers' Gomes, Phillies' Fuld Decline Interviews for Exec Role
Oct 17, 2023
PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 15: Brandon Gomes, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, speaks to the media during the Spring Training Cactus League Media Day at Arizona Biltmore on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
The Boston Red Sox are in search of their next head of baseball operations, but they are reportedly having trouble securing candidates for the position.
According to The Athletic's Chad Jennings, Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes, Philadelphia Phillies GM Sam Fuld and Minnesota Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey "have all declined to interview for the Red Sox job."
Jennings noted that in addition to those three rejections, it was reported by WEEI's Rob Bradford that former Texas Rangers president of baseball operations Jon Daniels also declined to interview "solely due [to] the desire to prioritize his family." Daniels currently works in the front office for the Tampa Bay Rays but still resides in Dallas.
The Red Sox are hoping to replace former chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom, who was fired after four years in the role last month with one year remaining on his contract. While it's still early in the process of finding someone to take his place, these early rejections could be a cause for concern.
"The reality is, very few people are both good candidates for these jobs and interested in them," a longtime executive told Jennings. "You'd be surprised."
Including this season, Boston finished last in the AL East three times during Bloom's tenure with the lone outlier coming in 2021 when the team made a run to the ALCS. The Red Sox posted a 78-84 record this year, which was identical to their finish in 2022.
Jennings noted that Boston assistant GM Eddie Romero "is widely viewed as the favorite among internal candidates" to replace Bloom. Externally, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported on Monday that Twins GM Thad Levine is set to interview for the position.
It remains to be seen if the Red Sox are able to find the right person to help turn around the franchise's recent run of misfortune.
Welcome to Bryce-tober: Bryce Harper Has Taken over MLB's Biggest Stage
Zachary D. Rymer
Oct 17, 2023
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 16: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies touches home plate after hitting a solo home run in the first inning during Game 1 of the NLCS between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, October 16, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Bryce Harper turned two things on Monday: 31 years old and into even more of a postseason legend.
It was a familiar story, really. Or at least a story that's beginning to feel more and more familiar. There were the Philadelphia Phillies, notching yet another W in October to inch closer to the World Series. And there was Harper, smack in the middle of it all.
It was technically Kyle Schwarber who got the party started for the Phillies in their 5-3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series, but Harper was quick to follow with a first-pitch homer of his own off D-backs ace Zac Gallen.
That was just the beginning of a banner day for the former No. 1 pick turned seven-time All-Star and two-time National League MVP. He went on to drive in another run and score one as well.
Harper even used his own fingers to blow out a mock set of candles as he was touching home plate after his homer. And why not? He was, after all, experiencing literal wish fulfillment.
"I've always wanted to play on my birthday," Harper had told reporters before Game 1. "A Game 1 win would be awesome. That's what you want any time you're in your own ballpark and doing that. I've always wanted to do this, so I'm excited to have the opportunity and the chance to do it."
There's Hot, and Then There's Harper in October
OK, let's pause and make sure that Yordan Ălvarez and Nick Castellanos also get the credit they deserve.
Ălvarez has been positively scalding for the Houston Astros on the American League side of the Major League Baseball playoffs, putting up a 1.701 OPS and six home runs. This is first-of-its-kind stuff for a hitter through his first six games in one postseason.
Castellanos, meanwhile, has arguably been more valuable than Harper just among Phillies hitters. He's homered five times just in his last three games, and two of those were crucial in sinking Atlanta in a 3-1 clincher in Game 4 of the NL Division Series.
But the 1.522 OPS and the four home runs that Harper has in seven games so far? Yeah, that's pretty good.
Even better? It's not as if he's only just stumbled into October dominance.
Harper had some good playoff runs in his days with the Washington Nationals, but what he's done in his two chances as a Phillie really is something else. In 24 games, he's put up a 1.260 OPS and 10 home runs.
Six other guys have reached those marks in a span of 24 playoff games before, but only three before Harper did so for a single team: Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Reggie Jackson.
Literally Babe Ruth. Literally Lou Gehrig. Literally Mr. October.
MLB Is Going to Need a Bigger Spotlight
The numbers are worth mentioning because numbers are always the first thing that future baseball archaeologists dig up. And when they dig up what Harper did in October of 2022 and 2023, they'll have an easy answer for how the Phillies won so many games.
It's a shame, then, that there's no such statistic as HARP: Hunger Over Replacement Player.
It's a stat Harper would have been lighting up last October, and never more so than when he hit that home run off Robert SuĂĄrez in Game 5 of the NLCS to put the Phillies in the Fall Classic for the first time in 13 years. And this year, he'd be breaking the dang scales.
Everything he's done in these playoffs has been capital-B Big, with Act 1 consisting of his 115.3 mph seed into the bleachers off Spencer Strider in Game 1 of the Division Series and Act 2 consisting of him quickly turning the death of a rally into a rallying cry.
Did he make a mistake in venturing too far off first base on Castellanos' deep drive in the ninth inning of Game 2 of the NLDS? That's a yes.
But did Orlando Arcia make an even bigger mistake with his mocking "Atta boy, Harper!" comments after the fact? Judging from the gaping holes that Harper stared through his soul after not one but two home runs in the very next game, that's also a yes.
If all the T-shirts are any indication, it's now the Phillies and their faithful who own "Atta boy, Harper!" It's a bit of about-face appropriation that defies comparison, save for maybe in some unknown Bizarro World where Pedro Martinez himself made New York Yankees fans rue the "Who's your daddy?" chant.
Whatever the case, it is a rare treat indeed to be watching a player who's not only performing his best on the biggest and brightest stage, but who clearly wants to and knows he is.
Should this text survive, future baseball archaeologists should take note: That's Harper right here, right now.
How Is Anyone Supposed to Stop the Phillies?
The Phillies, meanwhile, are now 6-1 in these playoffs. They're a perfect 5-0 at home at Citizens Bank Park, bringing their home record to a perfect 10-0 in their last 10 playoff contests against National League foes.
Three more will get them into the World Series for the second time in as many years. And if that's the line for how many more wins they have left in them, one is inclined to take the over.
It's not just Harper, after all. Or even Harper and Castellanos. Trea Turner has a 1.426 OPS in his own right, with J.T. Realmuto falling just shy of a .900 OPS at .898. And on the pitching side, Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola are but two parts of a pitching staff with a 1.60 ERA.
In case anybody's asking, those six guys' contracts add up to more than billion dollars. Who else but Harper said it best: "That's why you spend the money, baby."
Credit where it's due, nobody had the Diamondbacks beating the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers to even get to this point. They swept both of them, and they even made things interesting on Monday by scoring the last three runs of the game.
It's up to Merrill Kelly to keep turning the tide in Game 2 on Tuesday. If there's any reason to think he's equal to the task, it may be that Harper's only hit off him in five career at-bats is a mere single.
For now, though, the series is his and the Phillies' to lose. And the longer they keep rolling, the more likely October 2023 is to be remembered as Bryce-tober.
Bryce Harper, Phillies Hailed by Fans as 'Scorching Hot' in NLCS G1 Win vs. D-Backs
Oct 17, 2023
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 16: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting a solo home run in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks during Game One of the Championship Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 16, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
If everyone could have a birthday as good as Bryce Harper's the world would be a better place.
Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies continued their red-hot streak to kick off the NLCS against the Arizona Diamondbacks with a 5-3 win at Citizen's Bank Park.
The reigning NLCS MVP got his defense off to a great start as he was all over Arizona ace Zac Gallen, who gave up three home runs on the night, including one to Harper in the first inning.
The fireworks started early in Philadelphia as Kyle Schwarber hit a lead-off homer to start the game and Harper followed suit just two at-bats later to send the home crowd into delirium.
And to top things offâon his 31st-birthdayâHarper blew out the "candles" as he crossed home plate following the homer in what is one of the iconic celebrations of the postseason thus far. He ended his birthday celebration going 2-for-3, with a homer, two RBI and two runs scored.
Nick Castellanos also kept up his hot streak and hit a homer of his own off Gallen in the second inning, making history in the process. He joined Reggie Jackson as the only other player to hit five homers in a three-game span in postseason history.
It couldn't have been a better night for the Phillies, who are looking to return to the World Series for a second-consecutive season.
And baseball fans couldn't stop praising their scorching offense.
It's not quite LeBron-level, but we were told Bryce Harper was a potential Hall of Famer when he was like 18 years old, and he turned out to be just that. Pretty remarkable.
The home run barrage continues for the Phillies, who now have the most homers in a 3-game postseason span (12) in MLB history.
Nick Castellanos also joined Reggie Jackson in 1977 as the only players all-time with 5 HR in a 3-game span in a postseason. pic.twitter.com/lx0F3hTbob
Harper and the Phillies will look to stay hot and try to take a commanding 2-0 series lead on Tuesday night. They will have Aaron Nola on the mound taking on the Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly.
Phillies' Bryce Harper Wants MLB Players in 2028 Olympics; 'Dream' to Play for USA
Oct 16, 2023
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 12: Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Bryce Harper (3) celebrates winning game four of the NLDS game between the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies on October 12, 2023, at Citizens Bank Park. (Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper is locked in on his team's upcoming matchup against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
But with the International Olympic Committee's announcement Monday that baseball and softball would return to the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, the two-time NL MVP also has his eye on the future.
And he's hoping that major league players will be allowed to compete.
"You talk about growing the game and that's the way you grow it to the highest peak, you have guys who are playing in the league take that break, just like in the NHL, and see what happens," Harper said. "I think it would be really cool and a lot of fun.
"I don't know if they'll ever go for it, but I would love to put 'USA' on my chest and represent it at the highest level. I know the WBC, and everyone loves that and it's great for the game, but it's not the Olympics."
The Olympics and baseball have had a bumpy relationship dating back to the 1984 Summer Gamesâalso in Los Angelesâwhich first had it as an exhibition sport. It eventually became a demonstration sport at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul before getting an official run from 1992 through 2008.
Baseball then disappeared from the Olympics until the 2020 games in Tokyo (held in 2021).
And unfortunately for the world's best players, they haven't been permitted to play on that stage.
Unlike the World Baseball Classic, which runs during MLB's offseason and spring training, the Olympics present a direct schedule conflict with the regular season. The league hasn't ever released its players to compete despite professionals being allowed to play since the 2000 Summer Games.
Instead, minor leaguers have filled Team USA's roster ever since.
Other professional leagues have shown flexibility with the Olympics in the past. Most recently, Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan paused its regular season so its best players could compete in 2020.
Nonetheless, Harperâwho will be 35 at the time of the 2028 gamesâhopes he'll have the opportunity to make that roster and represent his country on home soil.
"I'm going to be old at that point, so I don't know if they're going to want me on the team, but it's always a dream," Harper said. "I think it's everyone's dream to be in the Olympics, especially coming here."
MLB Rumors: Phillies' Aaron Nola Eyed 8-Year, $200M+ Contract Last Offseason
Oct 16, 2023
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 04: Aaron Nola #27 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on during the first inning against the Miami Marlins in Game Two of the Wild Card Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 04, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Phillies "never came close" to an extension with starting pitcher Aaron Nola last MLB offseason, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale.
Nightengale reported the 2018 All-Star was looking to sign for eight years and more than $200 million. The Phillies, on the other hand, preferred to make the contract four or five years.
Nola is now due to hit free agency this winter. Based on his raw numbers, a $200 million payday might be tough to collect.
In 32 starts, he went 12-9 with a 4.46 ERA and a 4.03 FIP, both of which were well above what he delivered in 2022 (3.25 ERA; 2.58 FIP). His strikeout and walk rates both went in the wrong direction, too, as he fanned 9.4 batters and walked 2.1 per nine innings.
Nola's 3.77 expected ERA was a little more flattering, but still a full run higher than where it was in 2022 (2.74), per Baseball Savant.
The 30-year-old could send his value soaring in the playoffs, though. Through 12.2 innings so far, he has allowed two earned runs with nine strikeouts and one walk with the Phillies advancing to the National League Championship Series.
Free agency doesn't boast a robust market in terms of starting pitching, either.
San Diego Padres ace Blake Snell could be looking at his second Cy Young Award, but some teams might be a bit wary of his general inconsistency from year to year or even start to start. Elbow trouble raises concerns over whether Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani can remain a two-way threat not just in 2024 but beyond that. Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto will garner a lot of interest, but there's no guarantee his dominance domestically will translate to MLB.
Any way you cut it, Nola is one of the best arms on the board. Given his age, an eight-year pact is probably a bit too much of an ask. But he might be able to command a salary that matches the roughly $25 million he would've received annually from the Phillies if they had acceded to his demand.
The American and National Leagues Championship Series are upon us, with two match-ups featuring the four hottest teams in the game. The Philadelphia PhilliesâŠ
Here comes the Championshop Series round, so let's make some predictions.
Phillies' Bryce Harper on Clutch Playoff Performances, Pressure: 'All This Is Cake'
Oct 13, 2023
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 11: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates after hitting a three run home run against Bryce Elder #55 of the Atlanta Braves during the third inning in Game Three of the Division Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 11, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Philadelphia Phillies superstar slugger Bryce Harper explained Friday why he is seemingly so adept at handling high-pressure situations during the playoffs.
Appearing on the Pat McAfee Show, Harper explained that the true pressure in his baseball career came before he was even drafted, and because of that, he is equipped to handle anything thrown his way:
"The pressure was when I had to be the number one pick and taking care of my family forever..
All this is cake and this is what it's all about..
"That was the pressure. I have to be the No. 1 pick. If I'm not, I'm a failure. I have to get my family out, take care of them and do the things I can to just take care of them forever. That was the pressure.
"Now all this? This is cake. This is what it's all about. This is the fun part of that. Going out there and playing in front of 45,000 people and harnessing that energy into hitting a baseball. Letting the game come to me and not worrying about anything else, not worried about the outside or the inside, just worried about what I can control. ... The pressure is all behind me. This is what I love to do."
Thanks in large part to Harper's clutch hitting, the Phillies knocked off the National League East champion Atlanta Braves in the National League Division Series for the second consecutive year, and they are now preparing to face the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League Championship Series.
Despite dealing with an elbow injury, Harper was a force for the Phillies during their runs to the World Series last season, winning the NLCS MVP Award and hitting .349 with six home runs and 13 RBI during the playoffs.
Harper underwent Tommy John surgery during the offseason and missed the start of the 2023 campaign, but he returned in May and hit .293 with 21 homers and 72 RBI on the season.
Also, since Harper has been unable to play the outfield, he learned how to play first base in addition to spending time at designated hitter, which gave the Phillies significantly more flexibility.
Across the Phillies' two-game sweep of the Miami Marlins in the National League Wild Card Series and their four-game series win over the Braves in the NLDS, Harper is hitting .368 with three home runs and five RBI this postseason.
His biggest performance came in the Phillies' 10-2 win over the Braves in Game 3 when he went 2-for-5 with two home runs and four RBI.
As Harper alluded to, he faced high expectations early in his career, as the Washington Nationals selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 MLB draft out of the College of Southern Nevada, which was the junior college he attended after leaving high school early.
Harper made it to the majors by 2012 and was an All-Star as a rookie, and he was NL MVP by 2015.
His seven-year tenure in Washington featured some personal and team-wide playoff shortcomings, as the Nats never made it past the NLDS, and he hit just .211 with five home runs and 10 RBI in 19 games.
The Nationals winning the World Series after Harper left in free agency didn't help the narrative surrounding him, but he has largely silenced his doubters over the past two years.
The Philadelphia Phillies are one step away from returning to the World Series following Thursday night's 3-1 series-clinching victory over the Atlanta BravesâŠ
Phillies' Bryce Harper Says He's 'Fine' After Injury vs. Braves: 'Hit My Funny Bone'
Oct 13, 2023
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 12: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies jogs to first base after being intentionally walked in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves during Game Four of the Division Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 12, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper reassured fans that his mid-game injury wasn't too serious after the team's series-clinching victory against the Atlanta Braves.
In an interview postgame, the two-time MVP downplayed the severity of his elbow pain after he collided with the Braves' Matt Olson while catching a throw at first base. "I'm good. Just hit my funny bone," Harper said, according to Yahoo Sports.
The Phillies will face off against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League Championship Series.
Harper left the game at the top of the eighth inning after the collision, heading into the Phillies' clubhouse. However, he returned before the end of the inning and resumed his position at first base for the top of the ninth.
It seems as though Harper avoided a significant injury, which should allow Philadelphia fans to breathe a collective sigh of relief. After all, he had underwent Tommy John surgery on that same exact elbow in Nov. 2022.
Heading into the 2023 regular season, many expected Harper to be out until the All-Star break. However, he shocked fans and analysts alike by making his debut on May 2 as a designated hitter.
Harper was instrumental to Philadelphia's series victory, hitting .462 in the NLDS while finishing with three home runs. This included a 10-2 win in Game 3, where the 30-year-old hit two homers to help secure a commanding 2-1 lead.
This was the second consecutive year that the Phillies ended the Braves' season in the National League Division Series, as they similarly defeated Atlanta in three games during the 2022 postseason.
Philadelphia will now host Arizona in the NLCS after the Diamondbacks swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in their NLDS matchup.
