In true 2019 offseason form, we are all so desperate for something to happen that it takes only a couple teases from a video game and some betting odds changing for folks to get really riled up.
Basically, the obsessive rumor-watching world is in flames right now, believing that top free agent Bryce Harper will sign with the Phillies today based on these tweets:
You'll want to keep an eye on this account tomorrow… just saying.
Get hyped: https://t.co/MeSPqa1pm2 pic.twitter.com/TIBlOBgif0
— MLB The Show (@MLBTheShow) January 28, 2019
Just don't say that in front of the @Phillies fans… https://t.co/3vzIm8MvPj
— MLB The Show (@MLBTheShow) January 28, 2019
Odds to win the 2019 World Series (BetOnline):
NYY +700
BOS +750
HOU/LAD +800
CHC/PHI/STL +1200
MIL +1400
ATL/CLE/NYM +1600
WAS +2000
COL +2500
CWS/CIN/LAA/OAK/TB +3300
ARI/MIN/SEA +5000
PIT/SD/TOR +6600
SF/TEX +10000
DET/KC/MIA +15000
BAL +25000— OddsShark (@OddsShark) January 29, 2019
Would Harper’s signing *really* be announced by a video game? I guess anything can happen in this crazy market, but could they have kept such an enormous story secret for long enough to make it work logistically?
Then again, maybe they didn’t keep it secret. Look at those betting odds, which have the Phillies right up there with the Cubs and Cardinals, and only behind the Dodgers in the NL. Why exactly would that be – the Phillies being tops in the NL East – if there wasn’t a huge splash coming? (The flip side to that, of course, is that folks expect the Phillies to get one of Harper or Machado eventually anyway, so maybe this is just the natural progression of betting odds in that direction.)
To that end, a gambling-focused account on Twitter – cited by others as having broken big news in the past (sometimes Vegas does know things) – tweeted that it’s a done deal:
Confirmed Report:
Bryce Harper has agreed to multi year mega contract with Philadelphia Phillies, source says deal was wrapped up pending medicals #Vegas has taken all Bryce Harper prop bets off the board— Vegas Gambling Steam (@Pregame_Steam) January 29, 2019
To be sure, my bet has been Harper to the Phillies for a little while now, given that no other team seems to be in serious pursuit. It’s bizarre and uncomfortable, but that might be the reality of this market. And that also could be what is going on today – people just making a smart bet based on the market, and freaking out a little bit about a video game tease.
Now we wait.