5 Things the Phillies Can Do to Optimize Their Transition Plan in 2013
December 31, 2012 by Matt Boczar
Filed under Fan News
The Philadelphia Phillies have made a list of moves this offseason, but the chances of any of these transactions single-handedly improving the team next season are slim.
Instead, the additions of Ben Revere, Michael Young, Mike Adams and John Lannan will have the biggest impacts if players such as Chase Utley, Roy Halladay and Ryan Howard return healthy next season.
But what about after next season?
Matt Gelb on philly.com recently wrote that this offseason, with its uncharacteristic low-key moves under general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., could signal that 2013 will be a transition year for the Phillies.
Three-fifths of the starting rotation, as well as Carlos Ruiz, Chase Utley, Michael Young and even manager Charlie Manuel, are entering what is (or will likely be) the last or only years of their contracts.
The good news is that the Phillies have a good amount of minor league talent that could be ready just in time to step up and fill in any potential voids left by these players.
The bad news is that these prospects must still have solid 2013 seasons, and even then it is still no guarantee that their success will translate to the major league level.
Nevertheless, the Phillies will be in an interesting situation as they try to return to their 2007-2011 form next season while keeping an eye toward the future.
Here are five things the Phillies can do to optimize their transition plan in 2013.