And yet, if the Phillies all along had the highest offer by far on the table, and being part of them felt so right, the question begged (but was never sufficiently answered by any of the principals): What the hell took so long? Why did Boras, without anything close, allow Middleton’s offer to sit out there so long before accepting? Heck, why did Middleton allow it to sit out there so long? One can only surmise Boras and Harper were hoping a surprise team, from a more desirable city or situation, would emerge at the last minute.