The 2013 Philadelphia Phillies’ projected roster contains some opposing totals, and some clues as to how General Manager Ruben Amaro thinks he can find his way into the playoffs after missing the year for the first time in 6 seasons.
At 33, first baseman Ryan Howard will be the youngest starting infield with 34-year-old Chase Utley at second base and Jimmy Rollins at shortstop. Michael Young, the 36-year-old former All-Star acquired from the Rangers in December for prospects Lisalverto Bonilla and Josh Lindblom, will return to third base full time for the first time since 2010. They will earn a combined $62 million in 2013.
Cole Hamels will anchor the three-point rotation with fellow lefties Cliff Lee and John Lannan and righties Roy Halladay and Kyle Kendrick. . They will earn a combined $71.5 million in 2013.
But six outfielders (Delmon Young, John Mayberry, Jr., Ben Revere, Domonic Brown, Darin Ruf and Laynce Nix) will earn $4.05 million at the 2013 combine.
Five teams (Tampa Bay Rays, Pittsburgh Pirates, Oakland A’s, Miami Marlins, and Houston Astros) will have paychecks $60 million or less for the entire 25-man roster, or less than the cost of the Phillies’ infield or starting rotation. The average salary in the major league was $3.44 million per player, below what the Phillies pay for six outfielders. in the mixed ranks.
Amaro has placed a solid bullpen with young Phillies arms in his farm such as Antonio Bastardo, B.J. Rosenberg, Tyler Cloyd, and Jake Diekman. He helped them with free agents to get shortstop Mike Adams and closer Jonathon Papelbon. But clearly, Amaro is more concerned with years of aging and often injured on the field, with a young and inexperienced outfield now a question mark.
Here’s how the lineup card Charlie Manuel is likely to look opening day in Atlanta, barring any injuries or late acquisitions;
- 1. Jimmy Rollins, SS: 13th full season as a Phillie starter, Rollins entered a struggling 2012 season in which he posted an average percentage and on-base percentages that were near career-lows, despite winning the 4th Gold Glove. With Shane Victorino gone to Los Angeles, and Freddy Galvis or Ben Revere still a year or two away. ready to lead-off, Rollins is the best option.
- 2. Ben Revere, CF: Asked in December for Trevor Mayo and Vance Worley, Revere could be a preseason starter. But he has 22 doubles and home runs in nearly 1,000 career ABs and career on-base hits. a percentage of .319 He needs to develop the power gap, or a better eye to generate more walks.
- 4. Ryan Howard, 1B: After missing the first half of 2012 with an Achilles injury, Howard struggled to make his return, especially against lefties. His 45 HRs and 150 RBIs years may be behind him, but he can still put up a 30 HR / 100 RBI season.
- 5. Michael Young, 3B: His batting average and power numbers fell in 2012, but after his 2005 career season, his batting average has consistently followed a declining year. he will give up his efforts. If he can match that career .301 with 16 HRs, he will be a major upgrade on the Kevin Frandsen / Placido Polanco split of 2012.
- 6. Laynce Snow, RF: The Phillies opened up against the Atlanta Braves and Tim Hudson, so Snow could get the start in right. The team assumes this, and as the only veteran among a crop of young outsiders, he will likely have a poor 2012. Delmon Young will start right away if he is healthy, though he is expected to start the season on the disabled list as he recovers. hand to ankle
- 7. Brown Domonic, LF: Brown is in for a breakout season, or for the Phillies to admit their mistake and turn it in. He will likely be in the lineup with Darin Ruf, but with the speed, power, and ability to perform in both corner outfield positions, the opportunity is there to earn job time.
- 8. Erik Kratz, C: Phillies offensive weapon and first baseman, Carlos Ruiz, has been suspended for the first 25 games of a PED test. Kratz filled in at full capacity when Ruiz was injured in 2012, and should hold the plate until Ruiz returns.
- 9. Cole Hamels, P: Entering his 8th season, Hamels officially assumed the role of ace in 2013, and with it the start , opening day. This will also allow the Phillies to free up three lefties in their rotation and start Roy Halladay in the home opener against the Royals “.
- Player status and salaries provided by BaseballReference.com.
consecutive half-season due to injury, Utley is healthy and really playing wrestling for the first time since 2010. He is playing in the last year of his contract, he could be the key to getting the offense back on track. .
Dave Weaver is a die-hard Phillies fan who believes winter officially ends the day pitchers return to Clearwater, which is what Punxatawny Phil thinks.
