Philadelphia Phillies: 5 Ways They Still Win 100 Games Without Chase Utley

On the first day of spring training, all of Philadelphia was excited.  Finally, one of the most hyped pitching staffs ever reported to camp. 

Prognostications were made, and some said the Phillies could even challenge the 2001 Seattle Mariners’ all-time mark for wins in a season.

Then the games started, and things started to unravel.  Phillies fans started getting worried.  Domonic Brown broke his hand.  Roy Oswalt got hit in the neck.  Brad Lidge started having problems with his shoulder.

And, of course, Chase Utley’s knee started flaring up. 

Suddenly, it seemed like people forgot that the Phillies had the best pitching staff in the league.  They forgot that they still have Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Placido Polanco, Shane Victorino, Ben Francisco and Carlos Ruiz. 

Obviously the Utley injury is a big deal, but it’s not the end of the world.

Philadelphia, RELAX! This team will be just fine.  WOOOOOSAH!!!

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Philadelphia Phillies: 5 Prospects Having Monster Springs

If the Phillies struggle with their health again this season, guys are going to have to step up besides Wilson Valdez.  A couple of prospects have shown some rather nice signs in camp. 

At the start of spring training, there were approximately 12 pitchers fighting for two to three spots in the bullpen.  A few have emerged.

Let’s take a look at five prospects who have caught my eye in spring training.

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Philadelphia Phillies: 5 Candidates to Take Domonic Brown’s 25-Man Roster Spot

With Domonic Brown’s hand injury, another opportunity presented itself as an extra roster spot opened up. 

Who knows when Brown will get called up this season, if he even gets called up at all?

Ben Francisco continues to hit the ball hard during spring training, and he’ll be the starting right fielder.

Nobody knows what’s going on with Chase Utley’s knee, and this will play a role in regards to whom the Phillies will select to make the opening day roster as well.

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MLB Spring Training 2011: 10 Camp Goals for Philadelphia Phillies to Achieve

We’re well into spring training, and some storylines with the Philadelphia Phillies have emerged. 

Ben Francisco has been stellar and is ready to replace Jayson Werth in right.  We may even see Francisco in Werth’s 5-hole slot by season’s end.

Domonic Brown broke his hand at the wrong time.  He’s been in free-fall in camp, and he needed as much spring training as possible.  He needs to regain his confidence.

Chase Utley’s knee has raised some concerns.

Other than that, everything’s just dandy.

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2011 MLB Preview: Looking at Cliff Lee and the Philadelphia Phillies “On Paper”

Prior to the start of the 2009 season, the Yankees made a huge splash in free-agency by landing CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. They won 103 games and the World Series. Looking back, the Sabathia signing sent shock waves, but nothing like the Cliff Lee spectacle this past offseason.

The Phillies won a MLB high 97 games a year ago, and it was a down year. Players were falling down like flies, and many fans were doubting if the team could even make the postseason. During the summer, the Braves held a large lead in the NL East.

Now with the signing of Lee, the fans are dreaming big and rightfully so. In the end, the Phillies may be the World Series Champions on paper, but now they have to go out and earn it.

ALSO CHECK OUT

Pitcher Rankings

Positional Rankings

2011 Atlanta Braves Preview

2011 Florida Marlins Preview

2011 New York Mets Preview

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MLB Spring Training: Analyzing What We’ve Learned About the Phillies So Far

In the most anticipated spring training in Phillies’ history, the Phightins opened up Grapefruit League play Saturday and Sunday against the Yankees.

Let’s take a look at what we’ve learned so far…

 

ALSO CHECK OUT

Pitcher Rankings

Positional Rankings

2011 Atlanta Braves Preview

2011 Florida Marlins Preview

2011 New York Mets Preview

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The Five Most Important Phillies (Not In Rotation) Needed to Win Another Ring

So the starting rotation isn’t the worst, but ultimately it won’t matter how dominant the rotation is if the bats stay quiet once again in October.

In last year’s NLCS, the Phils hit an abysmal .216.  The Giants weren’t much better at 244, but they got the timely and clutch hitting from Cody Ross, Juan Uribe and Edgar Renteria that Philadelphia was looking for all series.

The big boppers, Utley, Howard, Werth and Ibanez, were just 19-for-82 with 27 strikeouts.

With Werth now in Washington, someone needs to step up and protect Howard in the fifth spot in the lineup.  At times, Werth single-handedly carried the Phightins last postseason.

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2011 MLB Preview: Power Ranking Roy Halladay and The Best Pitchers In Baseball

Check out last week’s rankings here.

In the year of the pitcher, the Giants proved that they had the best overall staff in baseball by winning the World Series.

The Phillies counter-punched in the offseason with the acquisition of Cliff Lee.  On paper, the Phillies now have the best starting rotation in baseball.

Depth-wise, the Yankees starting rotation is pitiful.  

After Lee signed with Philadelphia, the Bronx Bombers instead addressed the bullpen with the signing of Rafael Soriano. 

With a solid pen and a deadly lineup, Yankee starters won’t have to do much.  Soriano and Mariano Rivera shorten the game.

 

I give each player a number. Here’s the layout:

10: Best player/pitcher in baseball

9-plus: Superstar, MVP/Cy Young Candidates

8-plus: Consistent All-Star

7.5: Periodical All-Star

7.25: Solid Starter

7: Average Player

ALSO CHECK OUT

10 Reasons to Take Halladay over Lee in a Game 7

Top 25 Underrated Starting Pitchers

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2011 MLB Preview: Power Ranking All Of The Positional Players

This is something that I’ve been experimenting with for a few years now with the NFL, MLB and NBA. Not only will I be ranking all of the starting players, you’ll see a number between 7-10 beside the player.

These numbers break the players up into essential categories; here’s a rough layout. 

10- Best player/pitcher in baseball

9+- Superstar, MVP/Cy Young Candidates

8+- Consistent All-Star

7.5- Periodical All-Star

7.25- Solid Starter

7- Average Player

The numbers do more than rank the players, you can also figure out which positions have the most/least depth. I just think it’s a fun way of looking at it.

I also want to reiterate that these are projected starters. For example, I believe Ben Francisco starts the season off as the right fielder, but eventually I believe Dominic Brown takes over. 

Another example you’ll see is Alex Avila, my projected starting catcher in Detroit. I believe Victor Martinez will DH.

ALSO CHECK OUT

10 Reasons to Take Halladay over Lee in a Game 7

Top 25 Underrated Starting Pitchers

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MLB Rumors: Free Agents Available Who Could Fit the Phillies in 2012

I hate to try to look into the future, but it’s looking like the 2012 free agency period may be an important one for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Many of the main cogs of the franchise will be over the age of 35 or close to it.  The window of opportunity isn’t exactly opened all the way.

Not only do some of the Phillies prospects have to prosper down the line, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. is going to have to make some tough decisions.  Who does he want to re-sign or sign during this time frame?  Philadelphia’s farm system is ranked in the top five, by the way.

I think there’s two focal points that Amaro will target: a power hitting right-handed outfielder, and arms in the back of the bullpen.

Here are 10 guys I can see Amaro targeting after the 2011 season….

 

ALSO CHECK OUT

Power Ranking the Starting First Basemen

Power Ranking the Starting Second Basemen

Power Ranking the Starting Shortstops

Power Ranking the Starting Third Basemen

Power Ranking the Starting Left Fielders

Power Ranking the Starting Center Fielders

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