The easiest way to draw the ire of Philadelphia? Insult its sports fans.
Speaking to CSN Philadelphia about the Phillies being aggressive with moves before the Major League Baseball July 31 trade deadline, the team's general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. says fans really don't understand the inner workings of baseball.
"They don't understand the game," Amaro said. "They don't understand the process. There's a process. And then they b**** and complain because we don't have a plan. There's a plan in place and we're sticking with the plan. We can't do what's best for the fan. We have to do what's best for the organization so the fan can reap the benefit of it later on. That's the truth."
And talk radio in Philly goes berserk. Wow...tell them how you really feel, Ruben! You can say that fans don't know anything, but what they do know is that the Phillies are terrible. Flat out terrible. It's bad enough that the Phillies finished 73-89 last year and are only 19-28 so far this season. The last thing the organization needs is more backlash from its fanbase. But re-shaping a $107 million payroll could be getting to Amaro.
The Phillies have several ex-All-Stars who could be moved before the trade deadline. Some of those players include starter Cole Hamels, reliever Jonathan Papelbon, first baseman Ryan Howard and second baseman Chase Utley. Moving Howard, in particular, is the most arduous task, as the struggling veteran is owed $25 million in each this season and 2016 with a $23 million team option for 2017. Ouch...good luck unloading on all of that.
"I've had dialogue on a variety of things over the last several weeks and that will continue," Amaro added to CSN Philadelphia. "There's been dialogue on all these guys. But nothing is imminent."
Until something is imminent, try not to disrespect the fans' knowledge.
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