The 2007 season for the Philadelphia Phillies was tumultuous, to say the least, but it was the end result of the fed-up fans who lost their 14th year of October baseball. Through multiple injuries to key players, manager Charlie Manuel managed to keep this club on the right track until last season. Combined with the historic collapse of the New York Mets, the Phillies claimed the National League first title. season since 1993. But, as luck would have it, with the hottest teams in the history of the World Series , the Colorado Rock. Yes, the Colorado Rockies. No matter how many times you think about it, it still doesn’t fit.
Going into the off-season, the most obvious thing this club needs to fix. A start, or relief, they need weapons. The revolution is about to start with the young ace Cole Hamels, the amazing rookie Kyle Kendrick, Jamie Moyer, and the forgotten Adam Eton Kyle Lohse is a free agent, but he would command a huge contract so quite frankly he wouldn’t be worth the investment in the Phillies’ lineup. Eton is the most famous question of all. In the first year of a three-year 24 million dollar contract, he was arguably the worst starting pitcher of any pitcher during the ERA. Whether Eaton’s problems lie with their mechanics or a physical problem, something needs to be done or else Charlie Manuel better place a defibrillator in the dugout for 2008. Curt Schilling’s name has been thrown around in the rumor mill. Schilling has rare ideas of returning to his former team to finish his career. Schilling would bring a strong veteran presence to this turnaround. Kendrick could take the youngster under his wing the way Jamie Moyer has to Hamels. Plus he knows what it takes to win big games.
The relief pitching was a boost to the Phillies side all season long. Things got so bad that opening day, Brett Myers, was moved closer to the party. Myers has every right to be a definite big league closer, he poses a problem for a game in which he is not actually walking a tightrope. Tom Gordon shoots with his arm hanging by a thread. The only other bright spot in the bullpen was JC Romero, a wire transfer waiver in June from the Boston Red Sox. Romero had the best ERA in the major league in 2007. Romero should be a priority as far as reporting in the house. talent Mariano Rivera’s name has been put into the conversation recently. Acquiring Rivera will be a dream season for the Phillies, but it will likely be just that.
Centerfielder Aaron Rowand will command a large contract on the free agent market, more than likely the kind of money he will be making before the Phillies lose their job. Rowand is a great clubhouse guy, he gives him 100 percent every day on the field, but is it a long-term, big-money contract? If he can convince the Phillies to take somewhere close to three years and $30 million, that will be a deal. Most of all he will like the market and he will be allowed to walk. The Phillies have outfielders Shane Victorino and Michael Burns to fill the vacancy left by Rowand, but general manager Pat Gillick has made it known that if that is the case, they will be on the market for another outfielder.
He has been the club’s third baseman ever since Scott Rolen was traded to St. Louis. This position has become one of the most sought after positions in the Phillies ball club. Not surprisingly, there aren’t exactly Mike Schmidt clones walking off the street to fill this position. For in the past two seasons, it has been said of the troops in this place. This year’s edition was Greg Dobbs, Benedict Helms, and Abraham Nunez. Dobbs is able to hit, but the peasant is defended. Helms didn’t do well either in 2007. Like Nunez, he was late in the game defensively for almost the entire season. Nunez was then released, opening the door to get third base every day. Mike Lowell said it like that. Lowell has stated that it is his intention to remain in Boston, but Philadelphia is his second choice. That choice will become a little easier in the news that Boston is only willing to offer Lowell a two-year deal. Lowell would be the closest thing the Phillies would have to a perfect third baseman in some time. This seems like an ideal sign for this team, but there are no guarantees in free agency.
The Phillies will look to build on their success this season with a successful off-season to bolster their chances of returning to the postseason in 2008. However, it is inappropriate for this front office to spend a lot of money. They are designed for cheap equipment and fans too. This is their chance to prove everyone wrong.
