Owner John Middleton’s Deep Pockets Should Speed Philadelphia Phillies Rebuild

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John Middleton, Philadelphia Phillies owner,
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

For years, Philadelphia Phillies ownership was like the Wizard of Oz — but instead of just one, it was a gang of 10 old guys pulling levers in the background and staying out of the spotlight.

One of the surprises of the recent press conference introducing Andy MacPhail as the team’s next president was that one of them, John Middleton, actually took center stage. Middleton, who is a certified billionaire after a $2.9 billion sale of his cigar business, owns 48 percent of the team and is actively seeking majority control. There seems to be no doubt that he will get it. The gang of 10 owners that existed five years ago is down to a manageable three and Middleton is the front man.

When he does, watch out. Middleton is the type of guy who has the financial resources to spend to get free agents. If anything can get the Phillies out of the morass they are currently in, it is money and Middleton has it. Middleton is not all that old—he is only 60—and he has entrusted his team to MacPhail, who is two years older. Still, that is like a youth movement compared to the person MacPhail will be replacing, the 77-year-old Pat Gillick, who does not want the job.

The baseball decision part of it will be left to MacPhail and the GM he handpicks, but a good number of those decisions will be based on how much the team is willing to spend. For now, Middleton sounds like he will be able to write a whole lot of blank checks and the Phillies could for the first time go over the luxury tax threshold for some rising players. Middleton’s money will also be necessary to buy out contracts and get rid of the albatross that is Ryan Howard.

If so, that’s the only way to make this rebuild lot less painful to Phillies fans.

Mike Gibson is a MLB Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @papreps , “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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