2008 Record: 92-70
Key Additions:
Chan Ho Park (P)
Raul Ibanez (OF)
Key Losses:
Tadahito Iguchi (2B)
Adam Eaton (P)
Pat Burrell (OF)
Projected Lineup:
1. Jimmy Rollins SS
2. Shane Victorino CF
3. Chase Utley 2B
4. Ryan Howard 1B
5. Raul Ibanez LF
6. Jayson Werth RF
7. Pedro Feliz 3B
8. Carlos Ruiz C
A lot of people don't respect Ibanez, which is why I draft him late in every fantasy draft, but this guy is a lock for right around 100 RBIs. That is all the Phillies will need with guys like Utley, Rollins, and Howard in their lineup. They will miss Burrell, but Ibanez can pick up most (if not all) of the slack. Utley is somewhat of an injury risk as he battles back from hip surgery. What is scary is the Phillies on it all last year, and Rollins actually had a down year. That tells you how good this team can be.
Projected Rotation:
1. Cole Hamels
2. Brett Myers
3. Jamie Moyer
4. Joe Blanton
5. Kyle Kendrick
CL Brad Lidge
Lidge was dirty last year, and really drove them through the playoffs. Hamels elbow is bothering him, and that scares me, but if he is OK this rotation will be very good. Moyer is ageless and just eats up innings. His fastball is about 83 MPH, but the guy just wins, and I think he can keep it going. Blanton is solid, but can get rocked sometimes, and Myers is a douchebag, and the Phillies need more from him then 10 wins.
Minors Watch:
Carlos Carrasco (P) - I think this kid will play a major part in the Phillies season. He has a chance to grab that #5 spot, and if he does the Phillies rotation will be considerably better.
Joe Savery (P) - Another pitcher that could break into the rotation by midseason. Some people compare him to Mark Mulder. The Phillies have to be happy that they have Hamels, Carrasco, and Savery to build a future rotation around.
Overall:
If Hamels is really hurt then they aren't going to do anything, but for now I will go with the assumption that he is fine. The Phillies lineup will put up a lot of runs, and I am expecting a big year from Rollins. Howard will be interesting to watch to see if he falls off after finally getting his contract. Lidge is a stud, and their bullpen seems to be shaping up nicely. Still, no team has repeated as World Series winner since the 1998-2000 Yankees. The last NL team to do it was the Reds in 1975.
Record: 94-68
No comments:
Post a Comment