Phightins

Projected Roster as of 1/10 Lineup: SS Jimmy Rollins 3B Placido Polanco 2B Chase Utley 1B Ryan Howard RF Jayson Werth LF Raul Ibanez CF Shane Victorino C Carlos Ruiz Bench: Brian Schneider Greg Dobbs Ben Francisco Ross Gload Juan Castro Possibly one other guy Other bench candidates: DeWayne Wise, Wilson Valdez, Andy Tracy, Cody Ransom Rotation: 1. Roy Halladay 2. Cole Hamels 3. Joe Blanton 4. JA Happ 5. Kyle Kendrick/Jamie Moyer Bullpen: Closer: Brad Lidge Setup: Ryan Madson Late innings righty: Danys Baez Late innings lefty: JC Romero Left handed specialist: Antonio Bastardo Long Relief: Chad Durbin One/Two other spots, likely to be filled by some combination of the guys listed below/another free agent addition Other bullpen candidates: Ryan Vogelsong, David Herndon, Sergio Escalona, Mike Zagurski Potential Needs: -Lefty Specialist -Starting Pitching Depth On paper, this is the best Phillies lineup of my life time (and that is saying something). This rotation 1-4 has the potential to be one of the best in the league if Cole Hamels can bounce back and if JA Happ can prove his last season was not a fluke. Lots of question marks in the bullpen. I'd love to see Chan Ho Park come back but it sounds like he wants to be a starter, and has teams interested in him as a starter. I'd like to see them add a veteran lefty to replace Scott Eyre who just retired, but I do think Antonio Bastardo has the potential to be very solid in that role. He already has the blow-away fastball and has some raw off speed pitches that if developed could make him a very good pitcher. I think their biggest need is starting pitching depth. I am fine with Kyle Kendrick or Jamie Moyer as the 5th starter if Pedro Martinez isn't brought back or if another free agent isn't added, but behind that they don't have too much established depth for AAA to tap into in case of injury.

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Eh, it just kind of says something to me when a team like the Reds gives him $30 million, and none of the big boys even attempt to top it. I will be honest, other than just a few internet videos I have not seen much of Chapman, but most people in the know seem to think he is a decent bit away from being an effective Major League pitcher and they all have a considerable amount of doubts. It's a lot of money for a guy with this many question marks, IMO.

The promise is there, but that is way too much money for a guy who is at least a year or 2 away from pitching in the Majors. Obviously tons of raw talent and he looks like he'll be a stud but this is no slam dunk, that is for sure. Reds taking a big risk.

Eh, it definitely went both ways yesterday in terms of being disrespectful to the opponent. And it always does, it's the NFL.

Nobody with the Reds have said anything yet but yes it seems he is going there.

He has signed with a mystery NL team, apparently.

Honestly McNabb plays better when he's having fun and not being totally serious. Didn't work out yesterday obviously, but I was happy to see he was loose.

Yeah it's so weird, the Astros are becoming the team of misfit Phillies. But seriously, I was kind of surprised the Phillies made absolutely no effort to bring him back. That kind of "hybrid" pitcher seems to be their biggest need right now since Chan Ho Park is in all likelihood leaving.

Yeah thank God, or the rest of this winter would be unbearable.

Well I think this is a team that CAN win right now if the right adjustments are made, and for the next handful of years, I don't see a better option at QB than Donovan. But at the same time, it makes no sense to give him a big extension at this age, and potentially lose Kolb next year when he has been groomed as the replacement. So yeah it is a very sticky situation and I am mixed as well, I just think that for now Donovan still gives us the best chance to win on a regular basis.

I have a feeling McNabb is back as well, at least that's the impression I got from Andy's press conference. He will be burned at the stake over the next few weeks because of these last 2 games, and rightfully so, but being realistic this team's window to win is right now and Donovan McNabb still gives them a better shot to win than whoever they could possibly bring in to replace him. Most Eagles fans don't want to hear it, but that is the truth. How about we start by shoring up the front 7 on defense, particularly the linebackers, getting a safety, and getting a running back to team with McCoy. I think it's all but certain that B-West is a goner.

Not to add fuel to this fire, but knives in our hands? Really? This argument has absolutely nothing to do with this game. I am upset, but I am over it. I believe all I said about the game was that I was disappointed, interested in this coming offseason, and remain hopeful for my other 3 Philadelphia teams. The rest stemmed from you baiting.

You are so pompous, so condescending, and most of all, so hypocritical.

38 days until Spring Training, and after tonight it can't come soon enough.

It will be an interesting offseason.

Eh, in the end of the day it is pretty gratifying sticking with my home town teams through hell and high water. It will make it that much sweeter when they eventually do break through. The Phillies 2008 World Series was probably the greatest moment of my life and I anticipate it being very similar when the Eagles, Flyers, and Sixers finally get their moment, whenever that may be. So nah, it doesn't really suck, just the trials and tribulations of being a loyal fan.

You are a Lakers fan and in the two most recent major sports postseasons you have rooted for the Yankees and Cowboys....yet you still get offended when people call you a frontrunner. Anyway, I am glad you "loved it" as you posted on page 3, now you know how we all feel every time the Lakers lose. And believe me it has nothing to do with any of the players on the Lakers, just the fans.

Shocked

Whatever. 40ish days until pitchers and catchers report. Go Flyers/Sixers. And Vikings.

Minor league deal with an invite to spring training, so chances are he doesn't even make the roster. Can't hurt for depth purposes though.

MVP = most valuable player, not necessarily best statistical season. I'd say Manning getting this is a no brainer.

In terms of popularity, probably. But the Sixers are a far far distant 4th. The other 3 teams sell out pretty much all of their games.

Emery sent to the Phantoms so he could play in their game tonight for rehab purposes, and he will be back with the Flyers tomorrow. Michael Leighton will start again tonight. I'd say the writing is on the wall for Boucher...

Nah, just shows that nobody cares about the Sixers (although 5 of their 10 loyal fans happen to be members on OTR...). Personally I laid down in bed when the Sixers were up by 10 and accidentally fell asleep, and then woke up at 10:00 to see that they lost by 2. Whatever, I'm used to it...