If we’ve learned anything in the past year, it’s that Philadelphia Phillies managing partner John Middleton believes in the value of polls.
Middleton cited a poll done by MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki last offseason that asked whether Phillies fans would prefer Bryce Harper or Manny Machado as a free-agent signing. Harper overwhelmingly won the poll – which wasn’t scientific, but probably wasn’t insignificant either – and the Phillies ultimately signed him to a 13-year/$330 million free-agent contract.
In the 10-plus days that Middleton spent weighing the future of former manager Gabe Kapler, he reportedly discussed Kapler with some members of the 2019 Phillies.