Last night in Denver, the Colorado Rockies completed the first step to the World Series. They defeated the Phils 2-1, in a pitchers duel ironically, and completed the NLDS sweep. The Phillies ran into a buzz saw that won’t be beaten by the D’backs.
“To be within one strike of being eliminated (with a San Diego win eight days ago), you start to think maybe it’s our time,” third baseman Garrett Atkins said. “It’s things you just don’t see. After a few more of those things keep happening, you start thinking maybe we are destined for this.”
It has been a terrifically exciting season. This Phillies team was driven to cast out the playoff demons of the last 14 years. Jimmy Rollins, soon to be named NL MVP I am sure, laid it all out there before a pitch had been thrown. The Phillies were the team to beat in the NL East. In typical fashion, they had a terrible April, and played from behind the entire year. Their offensive team, built around several clydesdales and led by a thoroughbred, pulled the team along as pieces of their ill-designed pitching staff brokedown, or fell off the wagon and under the wheels. They strove mightily down the stretch, over came long odds and at the last, learned that they had what it takes. In doing so, they left nothing in reserve for the playoffs. The players and coaches celebration on Sunday, September 30, in the arms of their fans, was a beautiful event. The fans rededicated their love for thePhightins and the players showered it right back on them.
There is a list of off season issues to address. They need to revamp the pitching staff. The only no doubt keepers are Hamels, Kendrick, Lohse, Myers and Romero. The lineup has issues and uncertainties. What happens with Werth and Rowand? That will depend on how the team approaches the pitching staff. Rowand and Werth are unsigned, and Burrell could be traded. Would this outfield be good enough:
- Left - Werth
- Center - Victorino
- Right - Bourne
What if they move Victorino? How about this one:
- Left - Burrell
- Center - Bourne
- Right - Werth
I would move Burrell or Victorino, or both, if the right deal(s) is there. I would consider trading J Roll for a 16+ win/220 inning top of the rotation starter.
What is the plan at third?
Is there a place for Tad Iguchi?
Finally winning the division title is a big achievement, and will hopefully be just a step forward for the core nucleus of this team, with the frustrations of the Rockies series serving as an off season motivator. Now it is up to Pay Gillick to design the upgrades to take this group to the next level.
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