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Spring Training games have begun, so it's a good time to look at our division rivals. Rather than the same old banter that comes in every preview, we've set up a series of seven-question sessions with each team in our division's Bloguin blog. We'll start with the three-time defending NL East champs (and two-time defending NL champs), the Philadelphia Phillies. Thanks to Mike from We're the Team to Beat for answering our questions!
Fight For Old DC: Cole Hamels had a rough year in '09 (for him at least; it was still pretty good by most pitchers' standards). Are you at all concerned about his dip in innings pitched or rise in hits allowed? Do you think it had anything to do with his early season elbow tightness or do you think it was just an off-year?
We're The Team To Beat: Concerned is an interesting word when talking about Cole Hamels. Am I leery that our future/present dominant ace suddenly lost his mojo in '09? Absolutely. However, I'm going to cross my fingers and pray to the baseball gods that it was a fluke and we'll see the return of King Cole in '10. Whether it was elbow issues (and the result disappearance of any curveball), an off-year, distractions (wife and baby), too much glamour (Hollywood Hamels), I don't know. I wish I did, but if the Phillies are going to reach a third straight series, they're going to need him baffling hitters again, no more five inning, five run outings.
FFODC: Which of your Non-Roster Invitees do you think has the best chance of making the team?
WTTTB: Truthfully, I don't see any of the non-roster invitees making the big club. A couple of the big prospects ( Domonic Brown, Phillippe Aumont, etc.) should showcase some talent, but inevitably be sent back down for more seasoning. Barring injury, I don't think any of the guys with find a roster spot.
FFODC: Placido Polanco signed a 3 year deal worth $18 million total with the Phillies this offseason. Thumbs up or thumbs down?
WTTTB: Economically, I'm giving it a thumbs down. The Polanco deal cemented the Roy Halladay OR Cliff Lee dynamic, erasing hope of keeping both and I think it's a bit much for a guy of his late-thirties demographic. However, Raul Ibanez showed in '09 that these old guys aren't to be counted out so I'm going to hold off on the official ye or ne. Polanco can hit in the bottom of the order and push around runners and knock in the leftovers. I'm expecting to be pleasantly surprised with his production however, I think we're going to miss Pedro Feliz big time defensively.
FFODC: Which Phillies prospect surprised the most in 2009, and which disappointed the most?
WTTTB: The most surprising prospect new of '09 was that none of the big names (Brown, Michael Taylor, Kyle Drabek, Jason Donald, Travis D'Arnaud, Lou Marson, etc.) took the leap to super prospect. Everybody slowly progressed, but none set the world on fire. Then wouldn't you know it, most of them got shipped out of town, maybe there's something to that. On the prospect subject, I think Michael Taylor is going to come back to haunt us down the road.
FFODC: J.A. Happ put up nice numbers for the Phils in '09. What are you expecting out of him in 2010?
WTTTB: Another step forward is all I can ask from J.A. He's consistently gotten better during his time on the big club and if he can settle into the no. 3 starter role in the next year or so I'd be ecstatic. He's got the makeup and flashes the ability -- the Phillies rotation needs some stability in the back end and I think Happ will pick up a nice chunk of wins in 2010. Everyone will stress about Roy/Cole and in the end, Happ may finish with a sneaky 15-17 or so wins.
FFODC: Is there a free agent that was out there this offseason who you think could have been the key piece to fielding another World Series winning Phillies team?
WTTTB: There really weren't any free agents that peaked my interest this offseason, at least not for this Phillies team. I think another starter or bullpen guy would've been nice, but there weren't too many quality options out there are the right price. On a personal level I would've loved Mark DeRosa for his positional versatility, but mostly because he's a former UPenn Baseball player where I currently play now.
FFODC: You've gotten to see Ruben Amaro, Jr. in action for about 18 months now. What is your general opinion of him?
WTTTB: I think it's early -- most moves won't be in proper context for a few years -- but I'm pleased with Ruben's work so far. Although, it could be a completely different story in the next two or three years when Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth, Hamels, etc. all come to potential free agency. I don't envy Amaro in the task of deciding the direction of this franchise over that period. Move Howard? Lose Werth? Lock up Hamels long term? There's lots of risky business coming and I'm interested to see how Amaro handles it. I hate to admit it, but I'm secretly worried that he'll botch it.
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