"PHILLIES SPRING & SEASON OUTLOOK"

STARTING & RELIEF PITCHERS:

SP-- Cole Hamels

SP-- Jamie Moyer

SP-- Brett Myers

SP-- Kyle Kendrick

SP-- Adam Eaton P-- Chad Durbin (could be 5th SP)

P-- Kris Benson (if healthy)

P-- Ryan Madson

P-- Tom Gordon

P-- J.C. Romero

CL-- Brad Lidge (Closer)

POSITIONS & UTILITY PLAYERS:

C-- Carlos Ruiz

C-- Chris Coste

1B-- Ryan Howard

2B-- Chase Utley

3B-- Wes Helms/Pedro Feliz

SS-- Jimmy Rollins

OF-- Pat Burrell

OF-- Shane Victorino

OF-- Geoff Jenkins

UT-- Greg Dobbs, So Taguchi, Jayson Werth, Pedro Feliz, Eric Bruntlette,

RESERVES/ROLES:

The Philadelphia Phillies, after getting swept out of the playoffs (Rockies), are looking to power forward with a deeper bench and more reserve roles this year. In the long August and September months, the Phillies have added a stable of position players (hoping to keep their top and middle tier players fresh). The players come in as, Pedro Feliz, who has always been around a .280 hitter, 20 homer, 80-100 RBI guy, who can play three infield positions and the OF (if need be). Wes Helms (if not put out by Feliz), could start at third. Greg Dobbs, So Taguchi, Jayson Werth, and Geoff Jenkins provide plenty of bats and outfield experience. Plus, Taguchi and Bruntlette will give the Fighin' Phillies some speed on the bases, in late innings (plus, Bruntlette also adds infield depth, as well).

In the pitching department, "the city of brotherly love" is hoping to not be, so brotherly, to opposing hitters. Adding contract extensions to Romero and bringing in Lidge to close (which allows Brett Myers, to go back to the rotation), mixed with Gordon, will allow the starting pitchers (who are not the most imposing bunch, after Hamels), to just go six to seven innings, then handing it over to the pen. Kris Benson, who is more known for his model and outspoken wife (than pitching, due to injuries over his ten year career), was added with a minor league contract. Although, he may not be ready by opening day, the front office is high on him, possibly adding bullpen depth, if not being in the rotation (when healthy, Benson is a solid guy, and eats innings and batter for breakfast. However, he is not healthy a lot).

ROOKIES:

Kyle Kendrick went 10-4 last year, but with only 46 K's, he is not a power pitching express. He did manage to go more than five innings, in all but one start last year. The Phillies are looking for him to fill the number four slot in the rotation, after his trial by fire start last year, that went pretty good. Other than Kendrick, the only other shot at a rookie making any impact, before September may be Brad Harmon. He is a little old, for his AA slot, but he is a solid hitter and makes all the play. Ultimately, he would be trade bait, as he is behind Chase Utley at second base. Unless the Phillies need a bat, which is not likely early, middle, or late in the season, Harmon will stay below.



OVERALL OUTLOOK FOR SPRING:

The Phillies have that "winning swagger" after winning the NL east, last year. They are lead with huge bats throughout their lineup. Led by the NL MVP Ryan Howard, Chase Utley (possibly the best player at his position, in the majors), Pat Burrell, speed demon Jimmy Rollins (underrated, with the shortstops of our day), and playing in that "band box of a stadium" in Philly, the Phillies should still score tons of runs.

Cole Hamels is the "Cream of the Crop," on the team, but also in the NL, at present. His breakout season last year (going 15-5, pitching 183.1 innings, with a 3.39 ERA), keep on with those numbers, as he only got stronger as the season went on. There were no lingering, or nagging injuries, with the number one starter on the NL east champs, but he will need a lot of help in this division this year, in the form of his other starters. Eaton, Kendrick, Jamie Moyer, and whomever fills out the rotation are not the pitchers to keep the ball in the park, every time out. However, like stated above, the middle and back end of the pitching staff should help.

Overall, the Phillies may need to make some moves, around July to stay in the race. The Mets (Wright, Reyes, and the addition of Cy Young Candidate Johan Santana) and Braves (Texiera, Jones, Jones, and crew) are not going to hand over the division this year. Playing in one of the, if not the toughest division n baseball, the season will either go to plan (where Utley, Howard, Burrell and Rollins score 4-6 runs a game and the bullpen wins the games for them), or else things could go south in a hurry.

The 2008 Phillies could be another 1996-97 Colorado Rockies team, all offense, no pitching, and nothing to show for great talent, in the end. Then again, they seem to have some deeper pockets and are willing to make a trade, so maybe they will keep their crown.?

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