Interesting article from Tom Verducci (Sports Illustrated) on the storylines in Clearwater, the brilliance of our front office, and how to piss off Ruben Amaro.  Linky   Some interesting quotes:

One thing you notice in camp is that Philadelphia has deep talent in its front office, not just on the field. The Phillies have collected one of the biggest, smartest and most experienced front offices in baseball, including Ruben Amaro, Scott Proefrock, Benny Looper, Chuck LaMar, Pat Gillick, Dallas Green, Charley Kerfeld, Steve Noworyta and Gordon Lakey. I've said it many times before and I'll say it again: forget revenues for a moment; front office intellect is the real currency in baseball.

On Cliff Lee:

The quickest way to get under the skin of GM Ruben Amaro is simply to mention the name of Cliff Lee. Amaro has explained time and time again that he could not afford to keep Lee and Roy Halladay...

Well, the GM is tired of explaining. One day Lee said on television that the Phillies traded him on the same day his agent presented the club with a counteroffer toward an extension. Asked about Lee's account of that timing, Amaro snapped, "Incorrect. And I'm done talking about it."

 It's understandable that RAJ wants to end the Cliff Lee recriminations, much like Tiger Woods wants to end the parade of bimbos that come forward every few days.  But as Verducci points out, that's not likely to happen.  Wonder where we're at on the smug advisory system?