The Phillies missed the playoffs by one game. I would argue that Charlie Manuels's bonehead moves cost the Phillies around 10 games but Charlie will be returning in 2006. As a result, we'll need to look at other factors to make sure the Phillies make the playoffs.
Sign Billy Wagner - Wagner is a winner and is arguably one of the best in the business. He isn't afraid of Citizens Bank Park and he is willing to return. Management needs to step up to the plate and sign him. Look how valuable he was down the stretch...
Resolve Howard/Thome - The first order of business should be to trade Thome. Most likely, we'll need to take a big salary in his place but maybe we can get a righthanded bat at a different position (3rd base, catcher?). But, it is unlikely that the Phillies will be able to trade Thome prior to the start of 2006 because of questions related to his health. I think the Phillies need to plan for Howard and Thome in the lineup and should immediately begin working Howard in Left Field during winter ball, spring training and through the first few months of next season. One week in spring training doesn't prove a thing. Let a more confident, hungry Howard work out in the outfield and see what he can do. Sure he'll make mistakes but having his bat and Thome's bat in the lineup each day will make up for that. If Thome is healthy and returns to his old form - it will be extremely exciting to watch these two guys. If Thome is healthy but not quite what he used to be, the Phillies might be able to trade him by the all star break. If Thome gets injured then we'll be happy (like this year) to have Howard.
Trade Abreu or Burrell - We need to reduce payroll and/or pick up pitching. Both choked down the stretch but both have value in the trade market. I would prefer to keep Abreu just because of his historic consistency, speed and higher on base percentage but Burrell is a right-handed hitter in a heavily lefthanded line-up. This makes room for Howard to play in the outfield AND to give Shane Victorino a shot. By the way Victorino's great fielding skills could offset some of Howard's mistakes.
Revamp Pitching Staff - Leiber, Myers, Lidle aren't a bad trio. They all stepped up when it mattered. Tejeda must be considered real. He was a more consistent starter than any of the other pitchers, he showed tremendous poise and has a great attitude. Let Padilla go as we can't afford to resign him, he is just too wierd, dump Cormier, re-sign Urbina, be willing to package any other pitcher (including Madson, Floyd, Hamels, etc.) except Tejeda with other players to land a top pitcher. For instance offering Bobby Abreu, Ryan Madson and Cole Hamels could very well get us a top pitcher and perhaps a catching or third base prospect.
Dump Lieberthal - Even if we have to pay 2/3rds of his salary and need to bundle in a good prospect or someone like Jason Michaels, we have got to get rid of him. The goal should be catching and third base prospects or at least a left hand hitting infielder so that we can platoon David Bell. It worked like a charm in center field, it should hork great at 3rd where bell hit over 400 against lefthanders and well under 200 against righthanders.
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Posted by john on Oct 5
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