2008 Philadelphia Phillies

[JBH3]

With the moves the Phillies made so far (as of 1/3/08) how do you think they fair in winning the NL East again?

Feel free to talk about anything Philadelphia Phillies wise.

[daflyboys]

Burrell, Victorino and Werth across the outfield (Dobbs and Roberson can back up). Sounds weird, but I'd like to see if Iguchi could play 3rd base. He was solid in backing up Utley during his injury last year. Bullpen is still the Achillies heel and Rowand's glove will be missed.

[gta95]

The Mets really haven't done much to improve themselves. Its looking good for us again unless we **** it up like the usual. Our outfield is not the most solid its ever been, and the bullpen/starters are still a question mark. Can Lidge return to form? Can Myers pitch well out of the rotation? Can we lock up Lohse as a 4th/5th starter? How much production will we get out of the outfielders? Its all unknown.

[jdros13]

Quote: Originally Posted by daflyboys

Burrell, Victorino and Werth across the outfield (Dobbs and Roberson can back up). Sounds weird, but I'd like to see if Iguchi could play 3rd base. He was solid in backing up Utley during his injury last year. Bullpen is still the Achillies heel and Rowand's glove will be missed.

Actually, its Burrell, Victorino and a platoon of Werth and G. Jenkins in right. Roberson is on the orioles now, and Iguchi is on the Padres. I'd expect Dobbs to play 3rd most of the time unless W. Helms surprises me by hitting this year.

Rowand is a solid player, but he is overrated with the glove and won't come close to matching his offensive numbers from last year. I'm not really that excited about our RF position, but I guess it is likely to produce at least .270, 25 hr, 90 rbi's, which would get the job done. Victorino will do just fine in CF.

[JBH3]

Quote: Originally Posted by jdros13

Actually, its Burrell, Victorino and a platoon of Werth and G. Jenkins in right. Roberson is on the orioles now, and Iguchi is on the Padres. I'd expect Dobbs to play 3rd most of the time unless W. Helms surprises me by hitting this year. Rowand is a solid player, but he is overrated with the glove and won't come close to matching his offensive numbers from last year. I'm not really that excited about our RF position, but I guess it is likely to produce at least .270, 25 hr, 90 rbi's, which would get the job done. Victorino will do just fine in CF.

Agree w/ everything you said...Rowand left his career yrs behind in Philly. We probably won't even see him in an All-Star game again now that he is in SF. I love the way the guy plays, but he had a lot of success hitting at the Bank. His numbers will go back to his White Sox days.

Damn...I'm ready for the season to start.

[jdros13]

Phils signed Pedro Feliz today....espn.com

Meet your new 3rd baseman....very well thought of defensively, and should hit 25 hr's in CBP. Nice signing IMO, and a bonus that it is only a 2 year deal. If it means we will see less of Wes Helms and that the 3rd baseman might catch the ball, (which was unlikely with Helms and Dobbs over there) I'm all for it.

[Sully]

Rollins
Victorino
Utley
Howard
Burrell
Werth/Jenkins
Feliz/Dobbs
Ruiz/Coste

I think our lineup has the potential to be better than last year's. I'm a little concerned about the staff. There's a lot of questions marks. Lidge, Kendrick, Myers, Gordon, Madson, and Eaton...to name a few.

[JBH3]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sully

Rollins Victorino Utley Howard Burrell Werth/Jenkins Feliz/Dobbs Ruiz/Coste I think our lineup has the potential to be better than last year's. I'm a little concerned about the staff. There's a lot of questions marks. Lidge, Kendrick, Myers, Gordon, Madson, and Eaton...to name a few.

Our lineup is tops in the NL, and compete w/ the big dogs of the AL too.

In regards to the staff and bullpen I think we will fair better than we did last yr. We will have JC for an entire yr, where early on we couldn't get lefties out late in games w/ Matt Smith. Zagurski filled in nicely, but he still needs to progress and develop some.

Hamels will be lights out again, and Myers was off to a good start in 07 before being moved to the closer role. I think he will have a great 08.

Your right the back end of our rotation is suspect. Can Kyle Kendrick improve on his 10 wins, or even pitch the same as he did in 08? Will Jamie Moyer hold up for another yr? Will Eaton be a bum again?

If Eaton pitches out of the fifth spot he could have some success there. I think he was our #3 to start the yr last season which clearly he is not a #3.

Lidge is the big factor. If he can be the dominant closer he once was then we will have a nice 7th, 8th, and 9th inning setup. Madson can pitch the 7th. Gordon/Romero can setup the 8th, and send Lidge out for the 9th.

It's going to be a really exciting year, and I am psyched for the 2008 season. I'll be purchasing my MLB TV subscription soon.

[gta95]

Quote: Originally Posted by JBH3

Our lineup is tops in the NL, and compete w/ the big dogs of the AL too. In regards to the staff and bullpen I think we will fair better than we did last yr. We will have JC for an entire yr, where early on we couldn't get lefties out late in games w/ Matt Smith. Zagurski filled in nicely, but he still needs to progress and develop some. Hamels will be lights out again, and Myers was off to a good start in 07 before being moved to the closer role. I think he will have a great 08. Your right the back end of our rotation is suspect. Can Kyle Kendrick improve on his 10 wins, or even pitch the same as he did in 08? Will Jamie Moyer hold up for another yr? Will Eaton be a bum again? If Eaton pitches out of the fifth spot he could have some success there. I think he was our #3 to start the yr last season which clearly he is not a #3. Lidge is the big factor. If he can be the dominant closer he once was then we will have a nice 7th, 8th, and 9th inning setup. Madson can pitch the 7th. Gordon/Romero can setup the 8th, and send Lidge out for the 9th. It's going to be a really exciting year, and I am psyched for the 2008 season. I'll be purchasing my MLB TV subscription soon.

Yea you can catch me at the ballpark all summer long. Its gonna be a fun year.

[JBH3]

As most may know by now the Brad Lidge is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.

So if Lidge doesn't bounce back from this and have a productive season then this is the second trade in a row by the Phillies for a pitcher who comes in w/ high expectations and leaves w/ having produced little to nothing.

I'll remain optimistic that Lidge will come back from this little set back, and become a dominant closer for the Phillies.

However I can't help but mention how the Phillies brass decided to pull back their offer to Joe Borowski due to issues regarding his health, but traded for a Freddy Garcia whose football was no better than a little leaguer, and Brad Lidge who throws his 1st pitch in Spring ball and is already on the DL.

Why must every Phillies season begin this way, or have some kind of underlying drama like this???