BRYCE HARPER'S DEAL. WHO DOES IT BENEFIT REALLY?

You know the answer... it's Scott Boras. But of course Bryce Harper gets paid very well now and at 13 years, it's almost insane to think that the Phillies are OK with this.

But this is baseball, and this deal is historic. Now we sit back and see if the Phillies can be competitors.  As my 16 year old says, "They definitely have a big chance the next few years. They made some great moves. Look at David Robertson. A smart move too and while people don't think so, you watch. He'll be big in that closer role. He's a leader."

I tend to believe that. The Phillies are a much better team right now. But the key is RIGHT NOW, and honestly, that's all that's needed in baseball.  You don't always think future, sometimes if you're team is close the year before, you need to build to get over the hump. And that's what the Phillies have done.

Bryce Harper, as whiny as he can be, is very talented and can help lead a club NOW.  Plus, you have him in that same NL East division, and so he'll be on when he faces the Nationals and they'll probably pound the Mets pretty well the next few years.  But ultimately, when the glimmer and shine wears off, and if the Phillies win or even fall short the next few years, the rust will eventually form on Harper, just like it has on all these veteran players that sign long term deals before him.

Age is a bitch, and yes, these long term deals never pan out... NEVER.  Look around you. It's fun right now and that's great, and again, YES, the Phillies are playing to win now, and that's a terrific strategy, but at 13 years, $330 million, it's gonna look pretty embarrassing in year 6 when they have Bryce Harper, are sitting in 4th place and now have no big time dough to sign other potential "leaders".

Look at the Padres for instance.  10 years, $300 mil for Manny Machado, and what do they have around him? Not much. As my kid said, "Have fun with that. They no solid pitching. Pitching wins ballgames. Wait until 3 years from now when Manny will start complaining about not being a winning franchise. Well too late, the Pads spent all their money on 1 guy. One guy doesn't bring you much."

My kid's a genius if you haven't figured it out already.

Look. I wish Harper well. I love the guy. I didn't care one way or another if he came to New York or not. I did however know this deal would eventually happen though.  The Phillies were fools to go that long and spend that much on him, but they got their guy and they did the right thing, they built around Harper. And now... for the RIGHT NOW, they in fact DO have a big opportunity to win in the immediately future.

In year 6, 7 8 and 9 however, it won't matter if Harper is good or not, they unfortunately are locked in to paying this guy no matter what, with no trade clause and no idea what to do with a guy like him. They'll be stuck.

And don't get it twisted. I know Harper's only 26. Yes, he's very young and that's great. But complacency is an interesting thing when it comes to sports and when guys get big contracts with guaranteed money involved, they don't work as hard, they don't need to... they just got paid... handsomely.  My opinion as a fan of course. Harper could definitely prove me wrong... but I don't think so. Coasting is just as good because of who they are. We've all seen it, this should be no different down the line.

Go Phils. Nice move. But in the end, Scott Boras benefits from this one, no question.