Is Ruben Amaro Jr. Crazy for Wanting to Deal Domonic Brown?

Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reported earlier today that Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. was looking to deal All-Star Domonic Brown, and would plan to sell high. What would make Amaro want to deal arguably the best hitter on the Phillies, at a time when the Phillies need young talent? Is he crazy for wanting to do this? For once, I actually agree with Amaro Jr., especially if he deals Brown in a package that includes Jonathan Papelbon, as was reported by Jim Salisbury, a CSN Philly Insider.

If Brown is indeed the Phillies best hitting option, that means a guy that had a .272 batting average with 27 homers and 83 runs batted in will be the heart of the Phillies for the future. That is pretty good for a years span, but consider that half of Brown's homers came in that three week stretch at the end of May and beginning of June where he was arguably the best player in baseball. What does that mean? It means that Dom Brown was great for three weeks last year, and was average the rest of the season. 

The Phillies do not need to have an average player as their best option when they could trade him for more than he is worth. If Amaro Jr. could trade an average player in Dom Brown along with Jonathan Papelbon and can actually good prospects/young talent in return, he would be insane not to do it. Get rid of Brown while his stock is high, and if the Phillies have to eat money with Papelbon, Amaro Jr. should not hesitate to do so.

It is evident that the Philadelphia Phillies will not be good for a couple of years, maybe more, as they have an aging core and a horrific farm system. There is no point in keeping your best player, who is average, if his talent will not be contributing towards success. Trade him while his stock is high as he's entering his prime, and eat the money on Papelbon if he's a part of the package. 

If Ruben Amaro Jr. can trade Dom Brown for top prospects along with Jonathan Papelbon, it would be a genius move (Ruben Amaro Jr. and the word "genius" in the same sentence, you won't see that too often). I would actually like to see Papelbon go before Brown, but no team will take him unless they get Brown, which I would not be upset with either. 

To sum things up, Ruben Amaro Jr. is not crazy for looking to trade Domonic Brown, the most average All-Star I have ever seen; and he especially is not crazy for wanting to deal Brown along with Papelbon. But, if Ruben cannot trade Papelbon in the same package as Brown, I would not trade Brown at all. Take it for what it's worth Ruben, I am with you on this one. 

Image Source: CSN Philly (http://www.csnphilly.com/sites/csnphilly/files/062513_domonic-brown.jpg)

The Philadelphia Eagles Continue to Fly

On Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles continued their winning ways with a 34-20, in a game that will go down as the "Snow Bowl". This was the Eagles fifth win in a row, three of which have been in Philly, where the Eagles could not buy a win earlier in the year and in the latter part of last year. The offense is clicking on all cylinders, and the defense continues to make key stops along with forcing turnovers. Chip Kelly critics are now struggling to come up with ways to blather his apparent "college offense" that put up 34 points in a blizzard, and ran for 299 yards against the NFL's second best rush defense in Detroit.

What more do people need to see from Nick Foles? The dude is an efficient, scoring machine. It took eight inches of snow and horrific conditions for Foles to throw his first interception; and he would not have thrown an interception on that specific play if Mother Nature had been favorable yesterday. Foles is plowing through the checklist that all young quarterbacks need to go through in order to prove that they can be a franchise quarterback. Have consistent play for an extended period of time? You can check that off (I'd say a five-game winning streak and a 7-1 record in his starts is consistency). Play well against a respectable defense? Check (Cardinals and Lions). Battle in a tough environment and get the win? Check (Won at Green Bay and in yesterday's blizzard). If you rode Foles off after his horrendous start against Dallas, he has proven you wrong; and if you still think Foles has something to prove, you're insane.

LeSean McCoy along with the rest of the Eagles offensive weapons have proved why they should be considered one of the best in the NFL.  McCoy personally is not only making a case for MVP, but he is also making the case to be considered the best running back in the NFL. He has the most rushing yards in the NFL with 1,305, and has the most yards from scrimmage with 1,744 (439 receiving yards). DeSean Jackson and Riley Cooper are emerging as a dominant WR combination; and lets not forget that Jeremy Maclin is out. When Maclin comes back next year, the Eagles WR core will extremely dangerous with Foles throwing to them. These past two games against the Cardinals and Lions, the Eagles have shown that teams should not sleep on tight ends Brent Celek and Zach Ertz. With Shady McCoy doing Shady McCoy things, Jackson and Cooper continuing to light it up, and Ertz along with Celek emerging as a respectable TE combination, the Eagles offense will be tough to stop for the remainder of this year, and for years to come.

The Eagles defense is finally starting to get the respect that it deserves around the league. They only gave up eight points to an explosive Lions offense (12 of the Lions 20 points came off of punt and kick returns). People may use the weather as an excuse for the Lions only scoring eight points, but the Eagles offense had to function in the same conditions, and they put up 34 points. No excuses. The Eagles defense has not given up 21 points or more since they went up against Peyton Manning in week 4 back in September. One of the main arguments bashing the Eagles defense is that they give up "too many yards". Who cares? Last time I checked, the score board counts points, not yards.

Both the offensive and defensive line units have been the unsung heroes of this Eagles team. Evan Mathis, the Eagles right guard, is one of the most underrated players in the NFL. He was left in a horrible situation last year when the rest of the Eagles offensive lineman got hurt, and Mathis was stuck blocking with a bunch of scrubs, which made him look bad. This year, with All-Pro tackle Jason Peters along with All-Pro guard Todd Herremans and center Jason Kelce returning from injury, the Eagles offensive line has been one of the best units in the NFL, needless to say they also have a rookie in Lane Johnson at right tackle. The Eagles defensive line has also done a tremendous job causing havoc at the line of scrimmage with their blitz schemes. Bennie Logan, Fletcher Cox, Cedric Thornton, Vinny Curry, Trent Cole, Brandon Graham, and Connor Barwin deserve a tremendous amount of credit for their pass rushing abilities along with how they've slowed down opponents rushing attacks, which is something the Eagles could not do at the end of the Andy Reid regime.

Andy Reid did not leave this team in shambles when he got fired, the players themselves were just literally in shambles. There was talent on this team, but Reid's philosophy and ways of doing things were just no longer working. Chip Kelly and his coaching staff's fresh approach to football is both effective and entertaining.

The Philadelphia Eagles will win the NFC East this year, there is no doubt in my mind. If week 17 at Dallas means anything, the Eagles will go down there and take of business, clinching a playoff spot for the first time in three years. Football is meaningful in Philadelphia again, and it is fantastic to watch.

Image Source: USA Today (http://usatq.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/ap_lions_eagles_football_60412752.jpg?w=640&h=426)

Ruben, Ruben, Ruben

Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. should consider renaming the Phillies ballpark to "Senior Citizens Bank Park", as all of his players will be eligible for Social Security by the end of the season. Amaro may be putting together the worst Phillies team since the late 90s, which would be very hard to do. The Phillies will have five of their eight everyday players over the age of 34 to start the season in Rollins, Utley, Howard, Ruiz, and Marlon Byrd. Now, the Phillies would be in no position to win regardless of who Amaro brings in this off season, but Amaro has to start setting this team up for the future, and he is not doing that.

I am all for bringing in veteran talent when the youth in the farm system is developing and is not that good; but when you overpay and over-sign that veteran, I start to have problems. Yes the Phillies need a right-handed bat with some power, but the Phillies do not need to have a 36-year old in Marlon Byrd signed for two years and 16 million dollars, with a vesting option for a third year. What is one of the first things Ruben Amaro Jr. does once the off season hits? He signs Marlon Byrd to a two-year deal worth 16 million with a vesting option for a third year. I would have no issue bringing in Byrd for a year with an option for a second, but do not bring him in for two years with an option for a third, especially when you sign him for 8 million dollars per year.
Signing Grade: D

Carlos "Chooch" Ruiz is one of my favorite players on the Phillies, but do I think that he is worth 8.5 million dollars for three years? No. The issue with the Phillies, which falls right back to Amaro, is they do not have a suitable replacement for Chooch at the moment. Their top catching prospect, Tommy Joseph, suffered concussion after concussion last year, which set his development back. For Ruben's sake, Joseph has to work out, as he was the top prospect in return for Hunter Pence back in 2012; but enough about Joseph. The Ruiz signing seemed to be a situation where Ruben Amaro Jr. panicked. He knew that Boston really wanted him, and offered Ruiz a higher contract than what Amaro himself originally offered. So Amaro added some more dough along with an extra year because he currently did not have a replacement for Chooch. Amaro should have offered Chooch a two-year deal for 16 million, and said "take it or leave it". Ultimately, I am happy to see one of my favorite Phillies re-sign with the team, but I do not like the price and length at which he returned for.
Signing Grade: B-

Although he has been great for the Phillies for 2 1/2 seasons, Ruben Amaro Jr. should not resign Roy Halladay, let him walk. Ruben would be the one who overpaid Doc, only to be his fourth or fifth starter, which Halladay would be if he returned to Philly. Keep Jonathan Pettibone in as your fifth starter for the season and see what he can do over a season's length (barring injury).

Ruben Amaro Jr. could do something great in the off season, or he could continue to tear a part the Phillies organization with bad signing after bad signing. Bringing in Byrd and re-signing Ruiz were not awful moves, he just overpaid both players and signed them for a year too long. Lets also not forget that Amaro also has Jimmy Rollins (35 years old) signed through next season with an option for 2015, while also having Ryan Howard signed through 2016 with an option for 2017.

This was and will continue to be a big off season for Ruben Amaro Jr., considering most Phillies fans are unhappy with the job that he has done and with the position he has put their beloved Phillies in. In the end, I see this being the last off season Amaro has as the Phillies GM, due to the tremendous hole he has put this franchise in, and with another disappointing season of Phillies baseball awaiting.

Image Source: (http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/001/614/277/107615232_crop_650x440.jpg?1322485031)

Are the Philadelphia Eagles Legit?

After four games, the Philadelphia Eagles were 1-3 and it looked as if this team was not going anywhere. The defense was giving up 25 points or more every game and although the offense proved effective at times, there were still many flaws in the system that Chip Kelly was trying to implement. Then came along the Philadelphia Eagles savior: Nick Foles. Finally an efficient quarterback who can read through his progressions, gets the ball out quickly, and gives his receivers a chance to catch the ball every throw. At first, many questioned whether or not Foles could run Chip Kelly's offense, since he is not known to run. Foles has proved in his starts this season that he can in fact run Kelly's offense, and will even tuck the football and run if he has to. The offense has been efficient, rarely turning the ball over, if they ever do, and the defense is starting to come together, as the Eagles defense has not given up more than 21 points since they faced Denver in week 4. Heading into their bye week at 6-5, a top the NFC East, are the Eagles actually legit, or has this just been a hot stretch that every team goes through?

Yes, the Philadelphia Eagles are legit. Are they good enough to win a Super Bowl? Not this year. But, are they good enough to make the playoffs this year and continue their success in future years? Yes. One of the reasons the Eagles have become legit, and will stay relevant for future years is their starting quarterback that has emerged: Nick Foles. People doubted whether or not Foles would be the future, and he has certainly proved those doubters wrong. He is able to run Chip Kelly's offense, and will have no problem running it for the years to come. Although there are quarterbacks in college such as Teddy Bridgewater, Marcus Mariota, and Johnny Manziel who may end up being better than Foles, the Eagles will not be able to take any of those guys in the draft. Why? If Foles keeps winning, he puts the Eagles further back in the draft order to potentially drafting his replacement. There is nothing to hate about Nick Foles. He wins football games, and takes care of the football, as his only turnover is a fumble; and on that play he was clocked by a Packers defensive lineman who went unblocked.

Foles has yet to throw an interception in 162 passes this year,  he is first in the NFL in yards per pass attempt at 9.59 yards, has the highest passer rating in the NFL at 128.0, and is second in the NFL in total QBR at 78.2, right behind Peyton Manning. He also has 16 passing touchdowns and is five touchdowns away without an interception from breaking Peyton Manning's record of most touchdowns without an interception. Foles' 16 passing touchdowns in only five starts are more than Andrew Luck, RGIII, Tom Brady, Joe Flacco, Cam Newton, and Colin Kaepernick have had all season. But, Foles can't run, as the haters would say. He actually has two rushing touchdowns (more than Russell Wilson and RGIII), 123 rushing yards in 30 attempts (4.1 yards per attempt), and has picked up 10 first downs running. Of course, Foles is not a running quarterback, but he can run if he has to. Whether you want to accept it or not, Nick Foles can play.

The Eagles defense has not been given enough credit for the team's turn around. Every week I hear NFL analysts and so called "experts" say that the Eagles defense is atrocious. Do these people check the scores of the games, or do they base all of their opinions off of yards allowed? The Eagles defense has not given up more than 21 points in SEVEN GAMES. Week 4 was the last time a team scored more than 21 points against the Eagles, and that team was the Denver Broncos, who arguably have the best offense in the NFL. Chip Kelly has brought a new philosophy on the offensive side of the ball, and his defensive coordinator, Billy Davis, has brought a new philosophy to the defensive side of the ball. Davis's philosophy of football being "a points game, not a yardage game" struggled at the beginning of the year, but has started working now that the players have had more time in the system. His philosophy is accurate. It does not matter how many yards your opponent gets, as long as they do not score. Let them drive 70 yards down the field and end up with three points. I will take that every day of the week in the NFL.

The Eagles defense is ranked last in the NFL in total yards given up with 4597, 3301 of them being passing yards (ranks last in the NFL as well), and 1296 of them being rushing yards. Those are awful numbers, but the yards are not adding up to points for the Eagles' opponents. Teams are averaging 23.6 points per game against the Eagles, and if you were to only count the past seven games where the Eagles defense has not given up more than 21 points, teams would only be averaging 17.4 points per game, which would be FOURTH in the NFL. Either way, 23.6 points per game or 17.4 points per game, is sufficient when your offense is scoring 25.1 points per game, which the Eagles offense is.

Heading into the bye week, the Philadelphia Eagles should be feeling confident. Nick Foles, as running back LeSean McCoy would put it, is playing with a ton of swagger, and so is the rest of the Eagles team. Riley Cooper is proving all of the haters wrong, while DeSean Jackson and LeSean McCoy keep doing what they have been doing throughout their entire careers. I see the New York Giants being the Eagles only threat for the NFC East. The Dallas Cowboys will choke, as they always do, making one of the hottest teams in the NFL, the Giants, the Eagles only true threat. I think that if the Eagles play as well as they have been after their bye week, the last game of the regular at Dallas may not mean anything, since the Eagles would already have the division wrapped up.

Do I see the Eagles winning the Super Bowl this year? Of course not, they still have some work to do talent wise. However, I do think that the Eagles have their future quarterback in Nick Foles that can be the centerpiece of the Eagles offense with dangerous weapons named DeSean Jackson and LeSean McCoy for the remainder of this season, and for years to come. Many people doubted whether or not Chip Kelly's system would work in the NFL and game-by-game, he is proving all of those doubters as the Philadelphia Eagles look like a bigger threat every week.

You can follow me on Twitter @AddHunsicker11 and please check out my website as well! (www.SportsTalkAllDay.com)

Image Source: (http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/images/photos/002/552/869/hi-res-184416368-quarterback-nick-foles-of-the-philadelphia-eagles-talks_crop_north.jpg?w=340&h=234&q=75)

What to Make of the Sixers Start

The Philadelphia 76ers came out to start the 2013-2014 by beating the Miami Heat, shocking everyone including Sixers fans. They then went on to take their next two games against the Washington Wizards away, and then the Chicago Bulls at home. Last night, the Sixers were brought back to Earth after the Golden State Warriors clobbered them 110-90. The question is, what should Sixers fans, the Sixers themselves, and the public make about this spectacular and puzzling start? In my opinion, it is quite simple: teams in the NBA will pick up their fare share of wins if they play hard and hustle, no matter the talent level. Now, as we saw last night, at times the talent will take over and the Sixers will not be able to get anything going, no matter how hard they play, or how hard they hustle. Sam Hinkie, the Sixers general manager, is in a win-win situation this year. If the Sixers win, he looks like a genius, and if they lose, he looks like a genius.

Michael Carter-Williams has been playing out of his mind throughout the first three games of the season, and he played well in last night's loss against Golden State. Carter-Williams outplayed LeBron James, Derrick Rose, and John Wall en route to leading the Sixers to their first three wins in their first three games. What has been so great about his play so far is his phenomenal defense, and his ability to orchestrate the offense. If you were Sam Hinkie, you would be watching this young man play and think that you have your future point guard. Carter-Williams has been shooting  the ball relatively well, considering his jump shot was the biggest question mark heading into the season. Shooting has not even been the best part of the Sixers and Carter-Williams' offensive game so far. The Sixers have been getting to the basket, which leads to higher percentage shots, explaining why the Sixers are seventh in the NBA in points per game, something unheard of the past couple of years. I do not know if it is Brett Brown or the players, but the Sixers are scoring, and Michael Carter-Williams has been the main factor in the Sixers success.

Although Sam Hinkie is a win-win situation, he must in a strange mindset right now. Do I want the team to win and risk not getting a high coveted pick, or do I root for the team to lose so I get that high draft pick, possibly getting Andrew Wiggins? The answer for him is both. This year for the Sixers, winning and losing are both good. Winning would show the fans and Hinkie that there is a young core that can play the game. Losing would give Hinkie and the Sixers a higher percent chance of obtaining a high draft pick, making Sam Hinkie happy no matter what happens.

The Philadelphia 76ers are young team with little talent that plays hard. In the NBA, that formula can get you wins. Even though I am shocked at the Sixers start, I can see them not necessarily winning three out of four games every time, but rather winning more often thenthey were predicted to. Regardless the Sixers look like a team with a bright future, led by point guard Michael Carter-Williams. As a Sixers fan, I hope that the team continues to play hard and whether they win or lose, it will be exciting to watch Carter-Williams grow and mature as a player, while veterans Thad Young, Evan Turner, and Spencer Hawes continue to play hard and give everything they have to the Sixers franchise.

Image Source: (http://sports.cbsimg.net/u/photos/basketball/nba/img24177010.jpg)