After the Phillies collapsed at the end of 2018, it was clear that the team needed to make some major upgrades. Fortunately, the team had an owner who was ready to open his checkbook to make those upgrades.
With both Bryce Harper and Manny Machado available on the free agent market, owner John Middleton made his “stupid money” comment, heavily implying that the team would sign one of them and made some hints that signing both might be an option.
John Middleton's 23 minute interview with @AngeloCataldi is a must listen.
Middleton goes through the timeline of the Harper signing, his "stupid money" comment, Matt Klentak, Harper vs.