Philadelphia Phillies 2011 MLB Playoffs Collapse: Morning After

The Philadelphia Phillies lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 5 of the National League Division Series. No, it wasn’t a dream. Yes, it is a massive disappointment for a Phillies team that won 102 regular season games. Last night, Philadelphia fans went through stages of shock, anger, sadness, more anger and then just utter disappointment.

These Phillies are beginning to look a lot like the Atlanta Braves team that won the NL East from 1995-2005, and advanced to the World Series three times, but only won a single championship. They need to prevent this and make a push to get over the hump, something another Philadelphia team, the Eagles, have not been able to do under Andy Reid either. Good but not good enough just doesn’t cut it, and Philadelphia fans deserve better.

Therefore, trying to put this Phillies team in perspective, here’s just a simple list of their best players. Try to look at this and not think of it as the Phillies team or any team in particular, just look at this list of players: Roy Halladay, Chase Utley, Cole Hamels, Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, Roy Oswalt, Hunter Pence, Cliff Lee, Shane Victorino. 

That’s as good of a group of players as you’re ever going to see on one baseball team. So the question is, now what? Do they try again with the same group of players, or do they emulate the Flyers and overhaul the roster this offseason? 

The answer is obvious. The Phillies need change. They have talent, but something isn’t clicking. Not to make it to the World Series in either of the past two seasons, with the talent they have, is reason enough to make significant changes. More so to the offense than the pitching staff. So, what should they try to do?

The Phillies should let Oswalt go. His best days are behind him, and Vance Worley is a more than capable fourth starter. They also need to go out and get one more arm in the bullpen, other than that, the staff is solid.

 

Offensively, bigger changes should be made. Rollins and Ibanez should be let go via free agency. This may cause some controversy, but Ryan Howard, Shane Victorino and Placido Polanco should all be moved as well. They are all into their 30’s and don’t seem to have enough left in the tank when it counts for the Phils. 

Here are some possibilities on how to fill the vacancies left behind by those players:

Domonic Brown and John Mayberry can fill in the outfield gaps left behind if they can’t get someone in a trade or sign a free agent. However, Grady Sizemore and Josh Willingham are both good players who may be available.

In the infield, two names stand out over at first base. Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder could potentially both end up on the market. If the Phillies moved Howard for some prospects and took a big run at those two superstars, it would be franchise shattering (for the better). Aramis Ramirez and Michael Cuddyer are two other veterans who could get signed and shake things up for the Phils. 

It’s going to be a long, long winter without baseball in Philadelphia. If some big changes aren’t made, don’t be surprised to hear the boos start during spring training.  

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