Building the 2008 Phillies

It's been a little over a week since the Phillies were swept away by the Rockies in the NLDS and I have given plenty of thought on how to keep them a contender.

1. Make sure you get a CF - If the reports that are out there are true about the money Aaron Rowand was looking for (Mike Radano reported on our show that he was looking for about $14 million per season), then I will have to take a pass. However, I am not satisfied with Shane Victorino as te starting CF next season. Mike Cameron is ok...he actually might be a pretty good fit hitting at CBP. Though is isnt a good hitter for average, he could be good for about 30 home runs in this ballpark. My guess: Mike Cameron

2. Build the bullpen - I wouldnt mind a bullpen of Brett Myers closing, J.C Romero pitching the 8th and Ryan Madsen pitching the 6th or 7th innings, but I cant see Tom Gordon having much more left in the tank. There isnt a whole lot out there, but even if you have to overpay some closrer just to be a set-up man, then do it. I wouldnt mind seeing Joe Borowski in here pitching the 8th innings, he had a pretty good year closing games with the Indians. David Riske is a guy who pitched pretty well for the Royals and could command some decent dollars, I might take a shot on him. But the guy I would go after is Japanese LHP Hitoki Iwase. I wase had the most saves ever by a Japanese pitcher with 46 and has a real nasty slider, he is that nasty lefty they Phillies have always seemed to lack. My Guess: The try to catch lighting in a bottle on Al Reyes (closer from Tampa Bay) and he falters.

3. Get an run producing 3B - The Phillies tried to go cheap this season at 3B with Wes Helms and he was really not the answer. Greg Dobbs is not really a 3B and isnt really a starting player and is looked at as a bat off the bench. The Phillies let Abe Nunez go so it says to me that they are going to get a 3B. Somehow, someway that must make sure this guy can hit and field the position. There are a few FA out there that fit the build, mainly Mike Lowell, but something tells me he will be back in Boston. I am looking more at the trade route and there are a few names that I am thinking about. Some names that might be available vis trade include, Troy Glaus (Not really a natioanl league type of player anymore), Scott Rolen ( he hated it here the first time, but there is a lot that has changed since he has left, mainly they win now. Either way, I dont see it happeneing), Garrett Atkins is a name that has been mentioned a bit, the Rockies have a young kid they like at 3B and Atkins could be had. Would Michael Bourn get the deal done? I think I would take a chance on Atkins who might be ready to be a all-star or he could be another Morgan Ensberg. I think he is the fomrer and would fit in real nice. My guess: I have a feelign about Atkins, but if they dont get him, I think they go cheap and try to get a "name" that has under-preformed, like...Wilson Betemeit, who stinks.

4. Get me a starting pitcher - I will take my chances with Hamels, Kendrick and Moyer, but please dont give me Eaton every fifth day. Problem is he is going to be called on every fifth day and that means the next guy they get becomes very important. They will have very few options on the FA market and the trade market probably isnt going to be very attractive either. My Guess: Jose Contreas, they are going to hope he can "give you innings, but I am not happy if this is the move. I might take a shot with a guy like Paul Byrd, a guy who can be an effective regular season guy who has proven he can win games. He isnt the answer, but I would take him over Contreas, who just doesnt seem like a Philly guy.

5. Get a little more depth on the bench - By making Dobbs and essentialy Helms full-tme bench players, they have added some depth with-in to their bench. Add in Jason Werth who should be back in a reserve role, you have three guys who have some pop on the bench. I think Chris Coste will be the back-up catcher and he is a nice bat on the pine too. I would like to see them get a guy who can play some corner INF and OF, maybe like a Mark Loretta, Aurbey Huff, Scott Spiezo...guys who could start if needed but are much better as back-up players and are versitile. My Guess: Marlon Anderson was once the future 2B, now he is a top-notch reserve player who can play the OF.

Its a long offseason, but spring training will be here before you know it. We will have the Phillies covered, listen every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for Phillies offseason updates.

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