It Was Fun While It Lasted But Now We Should Be Going

After a 14 year absence the Phillies made their post season debut and were swept out of the first round by the Colorado Rockies, 3-0. There were poor performances across the board, and there is no one person to blame. Utley was bad. Howard wasn't much better. Rowand started strong and fell off. Rollins, except for a superb game two, was disappointing. The bullpen wasn't great, and who thought J.C. Romero would give up the hits and runs that lost the final game? Gordon gave up a homerun in the first game. Burrell's fielding was... no worse than it had been all season, but not any better. The 2007 Phillies' season ended in heart-breaking fashion, but it should not be remembered as anything short of a successful year. While it was easy to get swept up by Brandon Lang and everybody on ESPN picking the Phillies to end up in the World Series, reality must set in. Eventually the pitching staff (game two), streaky hitting (entire series) and lack of a tactical manager (game two) would be exposed. After a story-book season, all the holes in the roster were brought to the spotlight by the very talented and very HOT Colorado Rockies. The playoffs were a learning experience for this club, and, hopefully, the experience will pay off in years to come. So while the 3-0 sweep may still sting to many in Phillies-Nation, please remember 2007 was a season to remember fondly. Chase Utley solidified himself as one of the top players in the game. Ryan Howard, in a "down" year, finished second in the National League in both homeruns (47) and RBI (136). Jimmy Rollins called the Phillies the team to beat in the NL East and delivered an MVP-caliber season, a season in which Rollins started all 162 games. Pat Burrell, despite a below the mendoza-line first half, finished strong and carried the offense during Utley's absence due to a broken hand. Aaron Rowand's offense matched his Gold Glove-worthy defense, as he set career highs in all basically every offensive catergory. Michael Bourn and Shane Victorino added the speed that had been missing in the offense for the last several years, and also played extraordinary defense. Cole Hamels, when healthy, proved to be a true ace, finding a way to keep his team close and pull out victories even in situatins where he was not at the top of his game. Kyle Kendrick was promoted from struggling AA-ball player to solid Major League starter. Brett Myers became a solid closer. So while it is a shame the Phills, after all this time, went down quietly into the night, 2007 as a whole was far from a failure. This team has plenty to build upon, and now that they have the experience should be in the postseason for several years to come.
There are plenty of ways for this team to improve, and after a season in which over three-million people came through the gates of Citizens Bank Park, and not to mention all the cash that came i during the brief playoff run through merchandising and ticket sales, as well as a projected rise in the number of season ticket holders due to recent successes, the Phillies front office should have plenty of money to put an even better team on the field in 2008. The first issue in need of attention needs to be pitching. As far as the starting five are concerned, the best potential rotation would be Cole Hamels, Jamie Moyer, Kyle Kendrick, Kyle Lohse and Brett Myers. That's right, Myers. But Brett can only be moved back in to the rotation if the bullpen is solidified, and not just pieced together with popsicle sticks and bubble gum as it has been recently. The first order of business would be to re-sign J.C. Romero. Romero was excellent for the Phillies down the stretch and can be a light-out set-up man, Romero needs to be back. Hopefully Ryan Madson will return to full health and become a rock in the bullpen as he has been at times in his career. Flash Gordon, still under contract, will return but cannot be depended on for very much. Alfonseca will, in all likelihood, leave via free agency. A closer is needed. If a top-two starter is not acquired then it is imperative Myers be moved back in to the rotation and a closer is somehow brought to the roster. Ed Wade pulled the Billy Wagner-rabbit out of his hat for Brandon Duckworth, surely Pat Gillick can do something to improve the back end of the bullpen.
Infielders. Tadahito Iguchi is a key to the infield and is an excellent right-handed bat off the bench. Although Utley is the franchise, he has shown signs of wearing down near the end of seasons, and having Iguchi as an option at second base will make it easier for whoever manages in 2008 to justify an off-day for Utley. Third base also needs to be addressed. If Greg Dobbs is the man he needs to improve his inconsistent fielding and learn to hit lefties the way Utley and Howard learned. If third base will continue to be platooned, Wes Helms serves no real purpose and the duties should be split between Dobbs and defensive-specislist Abraham Nunez. The efforts of those two players should be enough in an in-field consisting of three other superstars. Carlos Ruiz proved himself as a major league catcher, but a dependable back-up is always a hot commodity at such a physically demanding position. It would be great to see Chris Coste take that roll, but management hasn't shown much trust in Coste, for whatever reason, so don't be surprised to see a veteran brought in, if for no other reason than to help Ruiz progress and give him an occassional day off.
Outfielders. First and foremost is Aaron Rowand. Rowand will be commanding big money after a career year and the Phillies need to open up the purse strings, especially if the pitching staff is not sugnificantly bolstered. However, if several high-priced hurlers are added, that could justify the loss of Rowand. Beyond Philadelphia's favorite kamikaze, the are several other issuses in the outfield. A big contract, including a no-trade clause will keep Pat Burrell in a Phillies uniform for at least 2008. Shane Victorino may be moved to center field if Rowand is not re-signed. Moving Victorino would leave right field to be occupied by Jayson Werth and/or Michael Bourn. Bourn, however, is rumored to be on the move in exchange for pitching. Trading Bourn doesn't seem to make much sense for a few reasons. 1- Bourn probably won't be traded for any anyone better that Kyle Lohse, and trading one of the team's X-factors for a third or fourth starter doesn't seem logical. 2- Depth. the strength of the outfield this season has been its depth, whether it be platooning due to a slumping Pat Burrell, pinch running and fielding for an un-athletic Pat Burrell, or filling in for Shane Victorino during injuries, having Michael Bourn's speed and defense as well as Jayson Werth's all around solid play off the bence were one of this team's greatest assets in 2007. Free-agency is an option for outfielders, but if a free agent is signed, especially to play center, that will beg the question as to why not just re-sign the fan-favorite, face-smashing legend who has occupied center field for the past two seasons.
I know it is early to talk about 2008, as the 2007 playoffs have yet to reach the LCS round. But the Phillies first round loss lead me to believe this season was a building block for the future. The entire roster matured. And even though Philly was swept out of the first round, the experience gained through the year and through the playoffs will ensure the 2008 Phillies are a World Series contender. And now that must be the goal. After finally getting a taste of the postseason, this team has to prove they are the team to beat in the East. And if 2008 ends in anything less than a World Series victory, that will be an under-achievement. But as for '07, everyone should take a step back and realize exactly how much OUR team accomplished over the past 165 games.