Your 2008 Philadelphia Phillies (Opening Day Version)

by David S. Cohen on Mar 31, 2008 11:58 AM EDT Comment 6 comments

Rosters were set yesterday at 3pm. Here's a list of your 2008 Philadelphia Phillies -- the opening day version:

Starting catcher: Carlos Ruiz
Starting first base: Ryan Howard
Starting second base: Chase Utley
Starting short stop: Jimmy Rollins
Starting third base: Pedro Feliz
Starting left field: Pat Burrell
Starting center field: Shane Victorino
Starting right field: Geoff Jenkins/Jayson Werth (platoon)
Bench: Chris Coste, Eric Bruntlett, Greg Dobbs, Wes Helms, So Taguchi
#1 Starter: Brett Myers
#2 Starter: Cole Hamels
#3 Starter: Jamie Moyer
#4 Starter: Kyle Kendrick
#5 Starter: Adam Eaton
Closer: Tom Gordon
Short relievers: Ryan Madson, J.C. Romero
Long relievers/mop-up: Clay Condrey, Chad Durbin, Tim Lahey
DL: Brad Lidge, Scott Mathieson, Francisco Rosario, Mike Zagurski

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The more I look at this list, the more I'm struck by the fact that there's nothing about this opening day roster that makes me think they'll be better than last year. Last year's opening day roster was better because of more pitching depth. (Yeah, I know, it didn't work out that way, but on opening day it was better.) And last year's actual roster got surprise and/or career performances from many contributors. Without adding anyone who is obviously better, other than arguably the Lidge/Myers upgrade, the team is relying on more surprise and/or career seasons, as well as another Mets collapse. I'm not buying it.

by David S. Cohen on Mar 31, 2008 12:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

David, I don't really disagree, but just to play the devil's advocate: wouldn't you agree that the Mets are relying on surprise/career seasons as well? Wright, Reyes, and Beltran have the same pressure to duplicate big numbers as Howard, Utley, and Rollins. Perez was solid last year, but can he duplicate that? can guys like Martinez, Hernandez, Alou, Castillo, and Delgado prevent age/injury-related decline?

I do think that the Phils have more and bigger question marks than the Mets, and if I had to pick the NL East winner I'd go for NY. but it's worth noting that while the Mets made one tremendous move, other than that they didn't do much to improve their team or guard against decline either.

by perfectdepth on Mar 31, 2008 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

hmm

I see what you're saying. I guess grounds for optimism have to reside in the bullpen being better with Lidge (everyone knew Flash was in bad shape a year ago) and a little more lineup/bench depth.

But on balance, they didn't do enough to address their problems, particularly pitching depth.

by dajafi on Mar 31, 2008 12:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Offensive Decline?

Joe Sheehan mentioned that today in BP online -- decline in most offensive positions. I don't really see it. Rollins had a big, big year -- probably a career year.

Who else? Howard? Utley? Burrell? Ruiz? Victorino? I don't see it. Feliz isn't too good but he's better than last year's mess at 3B. The bench looks better. Getting rid of Nunez helps a lot.

Where is all this offensive decline going to come from?The pitching was horrible last year too. Mesa, Alfonseca, the Real Deal,Sanchez, Ennis and guys like that pitched a lot of innings.

The pitching holds the key. I like Myers/Hamles at the top of the rotation and Lidge closing. I think that's a big improvment over last year. The key will be health and how well the rest of the pitching does.

by smitty99 on Mar 31, 2008 2:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ruiz

I wouldn't be at all surprised if he puts up an .800-plus OPS. Howard should be slightly better; Utley might not be better, but he should be there for the full year. Aside from Rollins and replacing Rowand's production, I don't see "decline"--and even those two (Rollins '08, Jenkins/Werth) should be well above average. The offense will be more than fine.

Sheehan (whom I love) always writes about not overconcluding from spring stats, but I wonder if that's what he's done here.

by dajafi on Mar 31, 2008 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sheehan's piece

I usually agree with him but he mailed in the paragraph about the Phillies. He ignores the two biggest improvements - slotting Myers back in the rotation and the offensive upgrade at 3B. And one of his cited improvements - an extra month of Utley - will only help so much b/c Iguchi hit well in Utley's absence. I agree with you about the supposed offensive declines. Rollins is really the only strong candidate for that.

Sheehan may be right that the team won't improve but he makes a poor case here.

by ken on Apr 1, 2008 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs