Phils look to repeat as NL East Champs

Originally Posted on 2/22/08

Series of Team Overviews for 2008; Philadelphia Phillies

My dad is bigger than your dad... my girlfriend is hotter... I'm a better athlete than you... my team is better... this is how it's been all off-season between the two NL East rivals, the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies. Both teams coming out in the media and calling the other out saying they're the team to beat! After all, shortstop Jimmy Rollins of the Phils called it in Spring Training last year and then the Phils went onto leap frog the Mets during the final two weeks of the season and Rollins ended up with his first ever MVP award!

Well, this year the Mets are coming back and coming hard. They made a huge splash by trading for the best pitcher in the game with the acquisition of Johan Santana and that was all Carlos Beltran needed as the Mets centerfielder promptly hailed the Mets as the best! I guess we'll see but one thing for certain is the two most talented teams in the NL East are beginning to compare to those in the AL with the Sox and Yanks. Both the Phillies and Mets poses incredible young talent and veterans surrounding them however the addition of Santana to the Mets has given me the confidence to place the Phillies in the two hole and eventual wild card winner in the NL (West teams will just beat up on each other). Let's look closer at the Phillies roster for the 2008 season.

When assessing the Phils, one usually turns straight for that impressive infield of Ryan Howard at first, Chase Utley at second, Jimmy Rollins at short and whoever is playing third... For Howard who won the MVP award in his sophomore season of 2006, which was then followed up by Rollins winning it last year in 2007, just successfully won something else, his arbitration hearing. Howard was awarded a record $10M in arbitration but I don't think the Phillies mind too much, especially if he continues to hit 50+ HR's a year! With Rollins, he just entered into the top class of current players with an unbelievable season last year. Rollins hit in the leadoff hole for the most part but still ended up with 30 HR, 139 runs, 94 RBI's, 41 steals and a .296 average while playing an excellent shortstop. Then we have Utley who could be the best of three. Most refer to him as the Phils clubhouse leader and why not, he's all hustle (as is Rollins) and really sets the pace. He is by far the most potent second baseman in terms of fantasy baseball. The final piece of the infield has changed yet again as the Phils signed Pedro Feliz over from the Giants. One scary thought on Feliz though is if the Giants didn't want him then whats the deal??? I mean the Giants have the worst offense in the league but couldn't find room for this guy? I guess it doesn't matter, the Phils still might have the best infield in all of baseball.

With the rest of the starters it gets a little more shaky. Two of the three outfield spots seem to be locked up with Pat Burrell in left and Shane "the flying Hawaiian" Victorino moving over to center this year but in right we'll probably see a platoon of newly signed Geoff Jenkins and Jayson Werth. Catcher will be a combo of Chris Coaste and Carlos Ruiz.

On the mound the Phillies have some more question marks but not with their ace, Cole Hamels. Hamels is one of the best young left-handed starters in the game and a top 10 fantasy starter too. The rest of the rotation however includes the on again off again starter / closer in Brett Myers (I for one think he belongs in the rotation), the ever aging Jamie Moyer, the over-priced Adam Eaton and last years durable rookie in Kyle Kendrick. You might recognize Kendrick more recently from a team prank that left Kendrick wondering if he had been traded to Japan. It's pretty funny, check out YouTube for more (click here)... if anyone falters we're looking at two Durbins, one named Chad and the other J.D. to step in. Philadelphia also has Carlos Carrasco in the minors, who is a possible starter too.

The bullpen has a brighter outlook than this time last year as the Phillies were able to add Brad Lidge this off-season in a trade with the Houston Astros. Lidge will be set up by the veteran Tom Gordon and J.C. Romero along with Ryan Madson. Also getting a look in the pen will be Clay Condrey and possibly Travis Blackley.

There are a lot of reasons to like this team and most baseball fans would attest that this will be a fun team to watch on the baseball cable package... and they're most definitely capable of representing the National League in the World Series.

Projected Lineup:
1. Jimmy Rollins, SS
2. Shane Victorino, CF
3. Chase Utley, 2b
4. Ryan Howard, 1b
5. Pat Burrell, LF
6. Geoff Jenkins / Jayson Werth, RF
7. Pedro Feliz, 3b
8. Carlos Ruiz, C

Final Five:

1. Fantasy Value: As was mentioned above, you can't go wrong with Howard, Utley or Rollins and each will probably be drafted within the first three rounds of any draft. Howard is a top five first baseman and probably the most prolific power hitter in the game, Utley is tops at second and Rollins is just behind other NL East shortstops in Jose Reyes and Hanley Ramirez. Burrell should put up solid numbers like 25+ HR's and close to 100 RBI's and Victorino has lots of upside with tons of speed and some pop. On the mound you have an ace in Hamels and some great potential in Myers returning to the mound. Kendrick isn't much as a strikeout arm but he could win 12-15 games for the Phils. Finally, Lidge looked sharp in the second half last year and will continue to put K's in bunches.

2. Most likely to be traded: Assuming the Phils will be in contention all season, I don't expect much movement on the trade side but if they need to improve the club during the season it will probably be a starter and/or relief help that will be brought in... on the out might be Werth (who has some value), minor leaguers or even some depth from the bench with infielders Greg Dobbs and Wes Helms.

3. Break out player in 2008: Not many surprises on this roster but my top two picks are minor leaguer Carlos Carrasco in a late season call-up and Victorino on a more consistent season long basis. Last season in less than 500 at bats, Victorino batted .281 with 12 HR's, 46 RBI's, 78 runs and 37 steals. Expect all those numbers to climb in 2008.

4. Farm Top Five: The Phillies aren't known for having a great farm system in recent years and nothing has changed this season. Most notable and promising names though to go with Carrasco are pitchers Andrew Carpenter, Joe Savery ('07 #1 draft pick), Scott Mathieson and finally a second baseman that is blocked by Utley named Adrian Cardenas.

5. 2008 Record Prediction: 95-67, 2nd in NL East - win NL Wild Card