Phillies Start Off Season

A month since the Phillies took over the city of Philadelphia, they now must look to the future.

In their quest to repeat as World Champions, the Phillies have every single one of their key players returning. Barring some unforseen trade, the Phillies will return Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Cole Hamels. Though Hamels will be due for a raise, as well as Shane Victorino and Jayson Werth, all of them are expected to be back.

The two key Phillies who are in limbo are Pat Burell and Jamie Moyer. Today is the deadline for the team to offer both of them arbitration. It is expected that both will be offered, but that dosn't mean they will be signed. This just means that if another team signs them, the Phillies get draft picks in return.

Burrell has been on the team longer then any other player on the roster. However, if they had not won the World Series, the likely hood of him returning would be slim. Burrell had a good season, tallying 33 homers, 86 RBI's, and batted .250. However, he was seen as a defensive liablity and was taken out of many close games for both base running and defensive reasons. Though he has been consistent in his time in Philly, he has never been able to make that leap from good to great. He will want more money then the Phillies are willing to give him. But, people believe he wants to return to Philly, and the Phillies want him back for the right price. I find it unlikely he will be back, becasue a team that could use him as a DH could decide to through some money at him. Maybe the Angels, who will most likely loose Mark Texeira to the Red Soxs, will decide to take some of that money and throw it Burells way.

Jamie Moyer, probaly the best dead line pick up of Pat Gillicks time in Philly, is 46 years old, and is up for arbitration this year. He was a steady hand for the Phillies this season, and won game 3 of the World Series. He had a 3.71 ERA, and was 16-7 this season. He will probaly be back, as he is from outside of the Philly area and would like to return. It would also most likely be a one year deal, which would benefit the Phillies. If they are unable to sign Moyer, they could look to Derec=k Lowe or A.J. Burnett. Both are avaibale, and could be signed even if they to come to terms with Moyer. Lowe was 14-11 with a 3.24 ERA. He would be a good addition, as the Phillies would then have a rotation of Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Derek Lowe, Joe Blanton, and Jamie Moyer.

The Phillies open spring training on Feb. 14.