While everybody is sitting back and awaiting the decisions from Manny Machado and Bryce Harper on where they will be playing baseball for the foreseeable future, the Philadelphia Phillies are already thinking about 2021 free agency.
You might be asking yourself, why are the Phillies concerning themselves about free agency two years away when they haven’t even signed Harper or Machado yet?
According to Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated, the Phils have enough money to sign both generational talents but would like to sign either Harper or Machado, just in case Los Angeles Angels superstar outfielder Mike Trout becomes a free agent.
Verducci also mentioned that Philly’s dream outfield scenario for the 2021 season would be: Harper, Trout, and Andrew McCutchen.
Nevertheless, it does not come as a surprise to see the Phillies being interested in another generational talent. Owner John Middleton mentioned earlier this offseason how the team will have “stupid money” to spend in free agency.
If they were to sign Harper, for example, it would leave them the opportunity to spend more “stupid money” on Trout, who grew up Millville, New Jersey and still lives there.
And not to mention, the 27-year-old superstar is also seen at a lot of Philadelphia Eagles home games.
Outside of the local connection, Trout only has two years left on his contract with the Angels.
In fact, Jon Heyman of Fancred Sports mentioned earlier this week that the LA Angels will try to extend the superstar outfielder this winter, but the whispers are saying that an extension is unlikely.
The Angels are definitely under the gun when it comes to keeping Trout. They have not won a playoff game since he made his debut in 2011 and for a talented player like himself, he will eventually want to play for a World Series contender.
This is where the Phillies could come into play. Depending on how the next two seasons play out, Philadelphia could put themselves in position to be a top destination for free agents.
Could you imagine a potential Phillies batting order that has Harper, Trout and Rhys Hoskins? That is scary to think about not only for fans but for opposing pitchers.
Last season, Trout had another great year at the plate for the Angels, being named an All-star and finishing second in the AL MVP race.
The 27-year-old slashed .312/.460/.628 with 39 home runs and 79 RBIs. He also drew a career-high 122 walks and only struck out 124 times in 608 plate appearances.
Over his eight-year career, the future Hall of Fame outfielder has compiled 240 home runs with a batting average of .307.
That being said, it should be interesting to see what the Angels do with the seven-time All-star as the clock is ticking on his long-term future.
