Philadelphia Fans Receive Even More Bad News Hours After the Carson Wentz Trade
After Carson Wentz was traded by the Eagles to the Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia fans thought their Thursday afternoon couldn’t get much worse. But they were wrong.
Just a few hours after the Wentz trade was reported, Philly fans received even more bad news in regards to their beloved Phillies. J.T. Realmuto, who the Phillies just signed to a five-year, $115.5 million contract last month, fractured his right thumb right before training camp got started.
Talk about a rough day.
Philadelphia sports fans had to say goodbye to Carson Wentz Thursday
At around noon on Thursday, Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen of ESPN reported that the Eagles traded Carson Wentz to the Colts for a 2021 third-round pick and a conditional 2022 second-round pick. The 2022 draft pick can become a first-rounder if Wentz plays 75% of the Colts’ snaps next season or if he plays 70% and Indianapolis makes the playoffs.
The announcement wasn’t a surprise by any stretch, but it’s still hard for the city to say goodbye to someone fans thought was going to be the franchise quarterback for the next decade. The Eagles sold their souls for Wentz back in 2016, and he instantly became one of Philadelphia’s most beloved athletes.
That love affair quickly crumbled this season, though. Wentz was one of the worst statistical quarterbacks in the NFL in 2020, got benched for Jalen Hurts, and immediately made his intention to be traded clear after the season ended.
The Eagles finally said goodbye to Wentz on Thursday, and even the Wentz haters in Philadelphia felt a piece of them leave with him.
The Philadelphia Phillies suffer a brutal injury blow hours later
Just two hours after the Wentz news broke, Philly fans suffered another punch in the gut from their baseball team a short walk down the road. Phillies manager Joe Girardi announced Thursday afternoon that star catcher J.T. Realmuto fractured his right thumb six days ago during a bullpen session.
Realmuto will be immobilized for two weeks as the team assesses the severity of the injury. Girardi did not give a timetable for Realmuto’s return, but his chances of suiting up for opening day on April 1 could be in doubt.
The Phillies just gave J.T. Realmuto a $115.5 contract extension
Realmuto’s thumb injury comes at a brutal time for Philadelphia fans. Not only did the news get released just hours after Carson Wentz was sent out of town, but the Phillies just forked over $115.5 million on a five-year contract for Realmuto last month.
The Phillies need Realmuto in the lineup this season maybe more than anyone else on the roster. Bryce Harper brings the most power, but Realmuto might be the most consistent hitter and the most important defensive player on the team.
Philly is lucky Realmuto didn’t suffer the same injury once the season got underway, though. He still has a chance to make it back in time for the season opener on April 1. If the baseball Gods have any respect for Philadelphia fans, they’ll make that happen.
