Bryce Harper likes to play Fortnite. He also likes to play GM.
On Thursday night, after a Phillies intra squad game, Harper was streaming Fortnite on Twitch and had a lot to say about Spencer Howard.
"If Spencer Howard isn't starting in our rotation by Game 6 in New York against the Yankees, there's a problem. That's all I'm saying."
So @CSeidmanNBCS just quote tweeted a link to Bryce Harper giving his opinion on Twitch regarding Spencer Howard. Assuming it's authentic, some pretty interesting stuff: pic.twitter.com/Ou05oQUK2v
— Bob Wankel (@BobWankelCB) July 17, 2020Howard pitched very well in last Thursday's intra squad game, lasting three innings and surrendering a run. His breaking pitches were impressive, and Joe Girardi described it as "electric stuff" after the game.
Spencer Howard, Filthy Breaking Balls. -- pic.twitter.com/oJeepw8hhb
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 17, 2020Harper intentionally suggested starting Howard in Game 6 due to service time considerations. "I think it's five days and you get an extra year out of him," continued Harper on his stream, "So he would be my number six starter at Yankee Stadium."
As ESPN's Jeff Passan explains, for a player to receive a full year of major league service, they must spend at least 61 of the 66 days on the active roster. In Howard's case, the Phillies can opt to leave him off the 30-man roster at the start of the season and add him five days later. Harper is correct in his assumption that the Phillies would get another year of Howard at a cheap price if they choose to leave him off the roster initially.
Harper has also been a massive proponent of resigning J.T. Realmuto, something he has vocalized to reporters and fans alike. At the same time, advocating for a player to be resigned is vastly different than advocating for a club to utilize service time manipulation for a future teammate. 94WIP's Evening Show host Joe Giglio has more thoughts on that end.
It's fun that he's invested, and thinks like a fan. But it's not a great long-term thing, especially if his voice has weight (which it likely does). He's not a GM. And when he doesn't lobby for a player down the line, a clubhouse issue feels inevitable.
— Joe Giglio (@JoeGiglioSports) July 17, 2020The Phillies opening day begins this Friday, July 24 against the Miami Marlins. You can catch all the action on 94WIP.
