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Phillies unintentionally prove Bryce Harper right in odd feud with Don Mattingly originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Bryce Harper said it earlier this week: "Everybody kind of knows what we need."
The Philadelphia Phillies' superstar was referring to the idea that with the trade deadline approaching, they could use a few upgrades to maximize their current roster.
Phillies manager Don Mattingly took exception with that, speaking with reporters Wednesday and essentially expressing that he doesn't like the negative light in which Harper's comments paint the current roster:
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If this was a boxing match, though, the latest round has gone to Harper.
On Wednesday afternoon, he got plenty of validation for his concern.
The Phillies were playing in Miami, and they took a 6-0 lead on the Marlins.
The Marlins rallied to tie the game 6-6, and then a Griffin Conine pinch-hit home run in the eighth inning held up to make Miami an 8-6 victor.
On this day, the Phillies weren't good enough.
They had already allowed the Marlins to beat them by one run each of the last two days. Miami entered this series on a 12-game losing streak but has won three in a row in close games -- 8-7, 1-0 and now 8-6.
The Phillies don't have a deep enough batting lineup, a deep enough rotation or a deep enough bullpen.
Harper isn't the only one who thinks that, because it's reality.
Mattingly might want to stick up for his guys, but his annoyance at Harper's comments can't stop Philadelphia from making moves in the next handful of days. The Phillies have talent, but they need to get better. Whether Mattingly likes it or not, trades ought to be on the way.
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