The Philadelphia Phillies seem poised to enter the 2010 season as favorites to win another pennant. Predictions are on paper though and as a fan, you have to ask yourself what else they need to ensure success again this season.
Starting pitching is the foundation that championships are built on. The Phillies improved the top of their rotation by adding arguably the best pitcher in baseball, Roy Halladay. He will anchor a staff that will include Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton, and J.A. Happ. The number 5 spot is still up in the air. With Jamie Moyer's age and recent injuries, he is far from a sure thing. Kyle Kendrick and newcomer Jose Contreras will both be given a shot, but Kendrick's inconsistency and Contreras lack of success in recent seasons leave a hole at the back end of the rotation that the Phillies will still need to figure out. More depth is needed in the rotation. In addition to the number 5 spot, no one can be sure the Happ can continue to dazzle, that Hamels will return to form, or that someone will suffer an injury. Add one starting pitcher to the wish list.
The bullpen is the team's biggest area of concern. While publicly Ruben Amaro and Charlie Manuel say they are happy with it, behind closed doors there is no way that they can be. Brad Lidge and J.C. Romero both began throwing programs this week. That is far from a guarantee that either will be ready or effective come April 5. If Lidge can get healthy, do we see the guy from 2008 or 2009? If Romero can not return healthy, is Danys Baez the right guy to complement Ryan Madson in the set up role. Contreras and Phillippe Aumont could be other good options for the Phillies, but the team never really replaced Chan Ho Park and will go into 2010 with a less certain bullpen then in 2009. Add a quality set up man to the wish list.
The Phillies did a good job solidifying the catching situation. The Carlos Ruiz contract was a no brainer and Brian Schneider as a back up was a great addition. I question the team's depth at the position in the minor leagues, but barring injury, the Phillies have catching taken care of for the next few seasons.
The Phillies infield is one of the best in baseball. Take away the Yankees and in my opinion it is the best. Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Jimmy Rollins all have the ability to be All Stars in 2010 and one of them could bring another MVP award back to Philly. While I am not thrilled about the Placido Polanco signing, he adds a versatile bat to the lineup and gives the Phillies a very solid hitter in the number 7 spot in himself or more likely Shane Victorino. Greg Dobbs can play the corner infield positions as well as the corner outfield spots and gives the team a nice left handed bat off of the bench. Juan Castro can play all four positions and is a slight upgrade from Eric Bruntlett.
The outfield could once again have three All Stars. Raul Ibanez will be healthy coming into the season while Shane Victorino and Jayson Werth enter the prime of their careers. Could Werth hit 40 homeruns this season? It is certainly possible. Ben Francisco and Ross Gload give the team two more solid bats off of the bench. Francisco plays solid defense at all three positions while Gload plays the corners and can play first base.
The Phillies enter the 2010 season with perhaps their best roster in franchise history. They have six players in their starting lineup that could make the All Star team and three that could win an MVP award. Their rotation is led by one of the best pitchers in the game who could win the team's first Cy Young Award since Steve Bedrosian in 1987. If the Phillies can figure out the back end of their rotation and bolster their bullpen, this could be the year that they win 100 games in the regular season and bring the City of Brotherly Love another World Championship!














