Spring training is upon us and this year we are the team to beat.

Our rotation is probably the best we've had in quite awhile. Hamels is quite simply one of the best pitchers in baseball. Myers may be a bit of a head case but this is a contract year for him. As such I expect great things from him. I'd rate this the best 1/2 punch in the division. Moyer may be a bit of a question mark given his age, but don't tell him that! While I was against the Blanton trade last year I will admit it does help us mightily this year. For the final spot we have Park/Happ/Eaton/Kendrick/Carrasco all battling it out. From what I understand Carrasco probably needs at least half a year in the minors before he is ready. Park is probably better suited to relief work at this point as well. Although I'm not sure the Phillies know that. I think Happ will probably get the 5th spot, but nothing is certain at this point.

On the field the only major changes are that Ibanez has replaced Burrell. While Ibanez may have a horrible contract his play is equal to Burrell's so we aren't really losing anything except money. I am concerned about how Manuel will balance this lineup though. Our only source of RH power is Jayson Werth. I'm sure AbreuTime can vouch for how much I Jayson ******* Werth, but he isn't going to carry this team all by himself.

Our bullpen is pretty well set with Lidge and Madson at the top. Our biggest issue is with left handed relievers. With Romero suspended 50 games and Zagurski still questionable (he had Tommy John surgery on April 3rd last year) we really should go after either Ohman or Beimel. There really isn't any reason not to as they can easily be flipped should we get back both Romero and Zagurski midseason.

In other news Ruben Amaro is a ******ed monkey masquerading as an incompetent GM. Seriously. He not only didn't offer arb to Burrell but then proceeded to sign the worst LF option available to the highest contract (well Manny will certainly get more, but he hasn't signed yet). He then locks up Howards arbitration years. Ibanez is a mistake that even Sabean Ed Wade wouldn't make! Howard is only mildly ******ed as he probably won't fall off the cliff till his last year anyway. But if he does fall off a cliff this year or next I intend to make a voodoo doll of Amaro and fill it with catnip.

Likely lineup?

Rollins (S)
Victorino (S)
Utley (L)
Howard (L)
Werth (R)
Ibanez (L)
Feliz (R)
Ruiz (R)


I'd probably prefer, at least initially, to have:
Rollins (S)
Utley (L)
Werth (R)
Howard (L)
Victorino (S)
Ibanez (L)
Feliz/Donald (R)
Ruiz (R)

Victorino hits lefties well (.279/.346/.486 career), and he'd be guaranteed ABs against lefties late in games. I also like Werth sandwiched between our 2 lefty mashers, since Werth hits lefties (.291/.374/.545). Plus, with Victorino toward the bottom of the lineup, it allows him to steal bases with less abandon.

Oh yeah...I considered making this thread, but after last season, Breman gets the honors again.

I think the Mets really improved this offseason, and was initially thinking they were division favorites. But then the homer in me took over - Utley's hip injury really hurt his 2nd half numbers, Myers was dreadful for half of the season, Eaton and Kendrick were in the rotation, Rollins had a very sub-par saeson. Reports at Clearwater say Howard and Blanton are in great shape, and Myers dropped 30 lbs.

Feliz, Ruiz and Jenkins also all had very bad years (or at least I hope they were just bad years). Hopefully the Mets bat Castillo first as rumored, and KRod continues his downward progress.

Don't sleep on the Braves either. They could be pretty solid. Honestly though, we won the WS, I am happy with these players regardless of what happens from now on (although many more would be nice).

Thank you EP.

Just taking out Eaton and Kendrick should be a huge boost.

As for the batting order I had no freaking clue what they're going to do. Obv I prefer the 2nd option AT gave.

I'm a little worried about Moyer, but I think our 5th starter spot should more than compensate for regression there. I'm expecting/hoping we go with Happ. I think Park is given a legitimate chance, and Carrasco will only stick around if he is lights out. I don't think Eaton and Kendrick have much of a shot.

gah, I forgot Feliz had back surgery. Apparently he might not be ready for Opening Day. Obv Donald would be a better long term choice (assuming he can field the position) but I doubt there is much chance he could keep the job once Feliz comes back.

Depends on how well he does, and how healthy Feliz is. I can see Feliz being relegated to 2 starts/week, defensive replacement, and RH PH if Donald puts up a .290/.370/.480 line early on (not the most likely scenario).

From what I understand if Eaton does anything at all during Spring Training the Phillies plan to trade him for whatever they can get.

during the offseason, the phils tried to dump eaton to anyone who was willing to take him, as long as that team paid $1m of his remaining contract. nobody took the offer... lol. only way we get rid of him is by releasing him outright, which doesn't benefit us at all. expect to see him toil in the minors all year and then get a minor league contract with someone next season.

he has no chance at cracking the rotation this year.

I was watching a spring training report on Comcast and on the corner of the screen I saw Eaton's face pop-up -- instant "oh god." Funny note: not only were the Phillies offering Eaton for only $1,000,000.00, a hefty rebate was also included in case Eaton sucked.

I really don't understand the Ibanize signing at all. If you're going to sign a left-handed hitter, why not sign Abreau to a one year deal?

I think the 5th spot in the rotation will come down to Haap and Kendrick, and Haap will win.

EP, I hope you posted that in the Mets thread, because you are now allowed to.

rotfl, they offered rebates in case he sucked!!!???

Carrasco 2 ip, 3 k's, 0 bb, 0 hits

one can hope

I just read that Cole Hamels SI article from last week. Pretty sweet. Guy comes off as awesome and has a smoking wife. The whole AIDS children seemed weird but hey different strokes for different folks.

Either way, seeing as I'm only going to be in the area for a few more months if there is a 2+2 gathering at CBP I'd be down to getting hammered in Philly for a day. I promise I won't talk Mets or wear anything Mets and just be drunk.

dangit, the mobile version of the forums doesnt have a "notify mod" button

and anyway wouldnt trash talking be the whole point?

well done

go phils!

Ha, yeah I guess it would. I'd keep my mouth shut though. I think it would be a good time, especially with En Passant telling me how much of an ass I am, .

[QUOTE=AbreuTime;9020447]Likely lineup?

Rollins (S)
Victorino (S)
Utley (L)
Howard (L)
Werth (R)
Ibanez (L)
Feliz (R)
Ruiz (R)


[QUOTE]

I would think that will be the line-up versus LHP then vs RHP it will be:

Rollins (S)
Werth (R)
Utley (L)
Howard (L)
Ibanez (L)
Victorino (S)
Feliz (R)
Ruiz (R)

And then they are screwed when a lefty releiver comes in.

I do like the fact that bad years from Rollins, Howard, Myers and Utley with only half a healthy season means that the Phillies could be better. Hamels has gained a ton of confidence in his stuff and wants to be great. Then again I think Lidge, Madsen and Werth repeating last year is unlikely, plus everything went perfect in the playoffs and Cholly never really had to make a tough game managment decision.

I still think losing Arbuckle was the worst thing that happened this offseason. It was pretty clear though that was the way they were going when the kept Mr. Dumbass as the asst GM.

Of course none of this matters the Phillies are the World ****ing Champions. Waited my whole life to see that. I don't expect them to win it again until I'm at least 60.

I do believe my statement that I'm making a voodoo doll of Amaro and filling it with catnip just isn't getting enough love.

Eaton released today btw.

yay!

Also if anyone is interested I'm trying to get a yahoo fantasy league off the ground. Standard 5x5 league.

League ID: 141308
League Name: Tower of Joy
Password: twoplustwo