Yup, here we are another New Years, er, Spring Training. Pitchers and catchers report today and while the Phils have everyone signed and seemingly healthy, a shiny World Series trophy, a gaggle of potential Cy Young and MVP candidates, there is one thing missing: a righthanded bopper.
Much to my own amazement Ruben Amaro has done a pretty good job in his first off season as the official GM. Signing away the remainder of Ryan Howard's arbitration years was a major surprise, and while they haven't made any marquee additions, they didn't need to. I'm not one to say that Pat Burrell was a major loss as his inconsistencies at bat were only overshadowed by his lack of range in the field, but I don't see how they plan to handle left handed pitching with their very left handed-oriented lineup.
I guess we'll see as another season unfolds.
Can this team that manages to come on (with help from our blue and orange neighbors to the north) each September, out together a more consistent regular season and win the division outright? Can they actually defend their crown? Will Jimmy Rollins predict another division crown? Will Chase Utley be ready to go on opening day and can he fulfill the MVP trifecta, albeit a season late? Will the slimmed down and happy Ryan Howard put up gargantuan numbers again? Will Cole Hamels' post season swagger carry over to a Cy Young award? And when will Brad Lidge finally blow a save?
Those are some of the dramatic questions to be answered as another baseball season begins in the sunshine of Florida and Arizona.
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