Shout out to Philadelphia, man.
The Philadelphia Phillies and starting pitcher Taijuan Walker agreed on a four-year, $72 million deal Dec. 6, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.
Just one day after snagging shortstop Trea Turner from the Los Angeles Dodgers (and reportedly the San Diego Padres) on an 11-year, $300 million contract, the Phillies turned around and stole another talent — Walker, who was on the New York Mets from 2021-2022. He was one of the top free agent pitchers left on the market.
And that’s not all either: The Phillies also landed a decent reliever to bulk up their bullpen, reportedly picking up Matt Strahm on Dec. 6, who last played for the Boston Red Sox. That deal is for two years, $15 million.
Right-hander Taijuan Walker and the Philadelphia Phillies are in agreement on a contract, sources tell ESPN. A day after signing Trea Turner, the Phillies add to their rotation with one of the top pitcher left on the free agent market. First on the scene was @ByRobertMurray.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 7, 2022
Taijuan Walker’s deal with the Philadelphia Phillies is for four years and $72 million, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 7, 2022
Left-handed reliever Matt Strahm and the Philadelphia Phillies are finalizing a two-year, $15 million contract, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN. @Ken_Rosenthal and @MattGelb had them close.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 7, 2022
I’m an Atlanta Braves fan and I know I’m not supposed to like the Philadelphia Phillies because they’re in the same division as us, but I can’t help it. I’ve got family all throughout Pennsylvania, including my mom, and this also includes having family in Philadelphia. Quite frankly, I’m happy for the city and it’s pretty cool to me that the owner of Black & Mild (John Middleton) is the one spending all the money on his baseball team.
I can’t help but to be happy for the city.
And I know the Phillies will anger a lot of baseball fans with their New York Yankees-esque free agency, but let’s be honest: What fan doesn’t want to see their team spend this kind of money? What fan doesn’t want to see their owner spend like a complete mad man who has lost every sense of rationality? (RELATED: MLB Is Looking For Scorekeepers At $35/Hour And It Looks Like Pretty Much Anybody Can Get A Gig)
I know I’d love to see Liberty Media, who own my Braves, spend like this.
Check out Philadelphia: they have a dominant NFL team in the Eagles, who are currently 11-1, their MLS team in the Union nearly won the MLS Cup in early November and they have the Phillies — who are fresh off of a World Series appearance and spending an incredible amount of money to keep winning.
Shout out to Philly!