Bryce Harper had $330 million in his budget and an inquiring

PHILADELPHIA (AP) —mind as he tossed out questions to his 1.5 million Instagram followers on how to spend his cash in Philadelphia.“Philly help me out!” he wrote on a post like a typical tourist.Harper solicited suggestions for best restaurants Steven Wright Jersey , things to do, best art and live music — yes, even Pilates places — and local hot spots.The last one was easy: The hottest spot on Thursday in Philly is Harper’s new home at Citizens Bank Park .Philly has been amped for Harper’s arrival since he left the Washington Nationals to sign a $330 million, 13-year contract with the Phillies and the 2015 NL MVP has stirred anticipation in town for opening day not felt in years. The Phillies and their various merchandise partners have assuredly seen the Harper merchandise machine start to stuff the coffers. The latest fashion trend in Philly is the wave of various Harper T-shirts, caps and jerseys worn by everyone from die-hards and kids to casual fans and concession workers.Harper is the 26-year-old New Kid in Town and he’s trying to fit in like any transplant — and he’s hit all the right notes much in the way he hits fastballs.He posted a black-and-white photo from his first workout in Philly , writing, “how I longed to see the Liberty Bell,” and signing it “(hashtag)Phamily.”Harper may fit the exuberant mold of former Phillies stars Pete Rose and Jimmy Rollins more than the understated stardom of Mike Schmidt and Chase Utley. Either way, if he hits, he’ll feel at home in Philly.Harper takes his first swing toward Philly’s first postseason appearance since 2011 in the opener against Julio Teheran and the NL East champion Atlanta Braves. Harper has eight career home runs and reached base 29 times in 51 plate appearances against Teheran.“I’m just very excited to be in front of a new fan base and see what it’s all about,” Harper said this week. “I walked into the clubhouse and it was open arms from everybody. You never know what you’re going to get. I’ve only played in one clubhouse, I’ve only played on one team. It’s a little nervous as well, walking in there. But from Day 1, it felt right.”Harper was the centerpiece of a significant offseason for the Phillies. Phillies manager Gabe Kapler, starting his second season, may as well have handed the lineup card to Oprah Winfrey: You get an All-Star! And you get an All-Star! And you get an All-Star! The opening day lineup is impressive: Andrew McCutchen http://www.redsoxproshops.com/authentic-dustin-pedroia-jersey , Jean Segura, Harper, J.T. Realmuto, Odubel Herrera and starter Aaron Nola (17-6, 2.37 ERA) have all made All-Star teams.After six straight losing seasons, the Phillies (80-82) already were expecting to contend for a postseason berth before adding Harper. Now, they should be a serious challenger for a pennant. They led their division with the second-best record in the NL one week into August before they collapsed and lost 33 of the final 49 games.Teheran (9-9, 3.94 ERA) once drilled Harper with a fastball to the leg in a 2013 game that saw both the Nationals and Braves benches clear. Harper had homered off Teheran earlier in the game and used a 23.66-second trot that riled up the Braves ace and had him looking for retribution.Teheran will make his sixth straight opening day start for the Braves, who lost to Dodgers in Division Series. NL Rookie of the Year Ronald Acuna Jr. (.293, 26, 64, 16 SBs) gives Atlanta (90-72) an exciting new face of the franchise, joining Freddie Freeman, who remains in his prime after placing fourth in NL MVP voting last season.Harper may get all the hype.But he’ll have to wrest the East crown out of Atlanta.“The East is crazy,” Freeman said. “It’s going to be a fight to the end. A lot of people are talking about everybody else and they forget we won 90 games and got better.”So did the Phillies, and Harper is ready to prove he can become the MVP candidate in Philly the franchise expected when it signed him to the massive deal.And it all starts with that first at-bat on opening day.“When I step into a batter’s box Jackie Bradley Jr Jersey , 45,000 people going crazy, I would love to put a heart-rate monitor on and see what it looks like,” he said. “I enjoy those moments. I enjoy the craziness.” DETROIT (AP) — For the Detroit Tigers, success isn’t really measured in wins and losses these days.That’s what happens when a franchise knows it is rebuilding and has almost no expectation of contending.“I don’t think anybody likes a rebuild. I think everybody would rather have a team that’s prepared to win a hundred games and get into the playoffs — as we would,” general manager Al Avila said. “But it is a painful process.”The Tigers lost 98 games in each of the past two seasons, and it may be a while before the top prospects make any significant impact at the major league level. The Tigers actually managed to finish third in the AL Central last season, since the White Sox and Royals both lost at least 100 games. But Detroit is probably behind Chicago, at least, in terms of which franchise is better positioned for quick improvement.This will be an important season for Detroit’s minor league prospects, and a year from now, Tigers fans might have a better sense of how soon they might be able to watch winning baseball again. In the meantime, Detroit will hope for a healthier season for slugger Miguel Cabrera, who played just 38 games last year before having biceps surgery.“If he feels as good as he’s talking right now — because it sounds like he’s really happy, really excited — that’s important for this baseball team because we need him,” manager Ron Gardenhire said.The 35-year-old Cabrera is the most prominent link remaining to the Detroit teams that won four straight division titles from 2011-14. The focus now is on the future. The Tigers do have a few young players who have already contributed in the majors Roger Clemens Jersey , such as right-hander Michael Fulmer, reliever Joe Jimenez and third baseman Jeimer Candelario. But Fulmer and Candelario are already 25, and neither was all that great last year.NEW LOOKIt may still be a while before the Tigers are in the mix for top free agents, but they made a few modest moves early this offseason. Detroit added pitchers Matt Moore and Tyson Ross, both of whom could help the rotation if healthy, and the Tigers also signed shortstop Jordy Mercer. Detroit also made an interesting move when it claimed Kaleb Cowart off waivers from Seattle. The Tigers have listed Cowart as an infielder and a right-handed pitcher. He hasn’t pitched in the majors, but he was a prep star on the mound and at the plate.“They say he has a great arm,” Gardenhire said. “Now, you just take it out there and let it fly and see what happens.”ROOKIES TO WATCHOutfielder Christin Stewart, a first-round draft pick in 2015, made his big league debut in September and played 17 games. Outfielder Daz Cameron, who came to the Tigers in the trade for Justin Verlander in 2017, could arrive in the majors at some point this year after reaching Triple-A in 2018. Most of the team’s top prospects are pitchers, though. Casey Mize, the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft, hasn’t pitched above Class A Andrew Benintendi Jersey , and Franklin Perez, who was also acquired in the trade for Verlander, had an injury-plagued 2018. But Beau Burrows and Alex Faedo — first-rounders in 2015 and 2017 — got significant work at Double-A last year.THEY’RE SETThe Tigers have questions throughout their roster, especially since almost any veteran who plays well could become a trade candidate. Mercer could be a solid pickup at shortstop, and the versatile Niko Goodrum — who played every infield position and both corner outfield spots in 2018 — gives Gardenhire a good bit of lineup flexibility.THEY’RE NOTJames McCann played regularly behind the plate for Detroit for the past four years, but although he hit for some power, the Tigers let him leave via free agency after he posted a .267 on-base percentage last year. That leaves Grayson Greiner, who hit .219 in his debut season, at catcher along with John Hicks.ON DECKMize received an invitation to spring training, so even if he’s unlikely to make the team, he should receive plenty of attention from Detroit fans hoping for better days ahead. The Tigers open the regular season at Toronto on March 28.