Monday, March 05, 2007

Endy in the Outfield's Philadelphia Phillies Preview

Philadelphia Phillies
By Endy in the Outfield


Offseason Additions - RP Antonio Alfonseca; C Rod Barajas; SP Adam Eaton; SP Freddy Garcia; 3B Wes Helms
Offseason Losses - OF Dave Delucci; SP Gavin Floyd; C Mike Lieberthal; RP Arthur Rhodes; SP Randy Wolf
2007 Preview - To quote SS Jimmy Rollins (pictured), "We're the team to beat. I can't put it any other way ... Look at our team and what we're bringing." So what exactly are the Phillies "bringing into the 2007 season besides the talk? First of all they have the most feared hitter in the Major Leagues in reigning NL MVP Ryan Howard (Sorry Bonds). A young 2nd Baseman in Chase Utley whom they've locked up with a 7 year extension worth $85 million. Utley and Rollins also proved to be a powerful infeild with both hitting at least 25 home runs in the same season (Utley hit 32, and Rollins 25). But of course the big question is their pitching, more so their bullpen with aging 40 year old close Tom Gordon.
Prediction - 88 Wins 74 Losses; Jimmy Rollins needs to get things straight, the defending division champs usually are the team to beat, not the runner-up. With the Mets adding more offense and hoping for the same type success from their multiple man rotation as last year, and the Braves hoping to return to their previous 14 year dominance of the NL East, look for the Phillies to once again finish in 2nd despite a better record than last year. Phils fans can be happy about one thing, another huge year from 1B Ryan Howard, and multiple bong jokes about SP Freddy Garcia.

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