Did it help? did it help by adding one of the best pitchers over the past three years? Did it help to add a pitcher that has almost been unhittable in the postseason? I say it did. Pitching wins in the playoffs and the Phillies have the best rotation going into next season.

 

Obviously it's a great addition. My question is valid though. They were already great in the only spot they spent money. They needed to add other parts IMO. Whoever they play in the playoffs will obviously have a tough series.

Obviously it's a great addition. My question is valid though. They were already great in the only spot they spent money. They needed to add other parts IMO. Whoever they play in the playoffs will obviously have a tough series.

 

They don't need to worry about getting younger next year. Maybe 2-3 years down the road it'll be a problem but not until then.

 

Also your other concerns for them aren't major either. They made themselves the clear favorite for the NL. I think it helped a lot. They still have Utley, Howard, Rollins, Polanco, Ibanez, Victorino, and a top 20 prospect ready to fill in on the offensive side. Plenty of fire power if you ask me.

They don't need to worry about getting younger next year. Maybe 2-3 years down the road it'll be a problem but not until then.

 

Also your other concerns for them aren't major either. They made themselves the clear favorite for the NL. I think it helped a lot. They still have Utley, Howard, Rollins, Polanco, Ibanez, Victorino, and a top 20 prospect ready to fill in on the offensive side. Plenty of fire power if you ask me.

 

They were the heavy favorites on paper last year too and they couldn't score in the playoffs and they lost their best right handed bat. Their bullpen is still not good either.

They don't need to worry about getting younger next year. Maybe 2-3 years down the road it'll be a problem but not until then.

 

Also your other concerns for them aren't major either. They made themselves the clear favorite for the NL. I think it helped a lot. They still have Utley, Howard, Rollins, Polanco, Ibanez, Victorino, and a top 20 prospect ready to fill in on the offensive side. Plenty of fire power if you ask me.

At this point in their careers, how many of those guys are actually that good aside from Utley and Howard?

I think the Rays could've used Pena's big bat more than they needed his leadership.

 

Yeah, they'll really miss his sub-200 average and .325 OBP.

Yeah, they'll really miss his sub-200 average and .325 OBP.

Exactly ... they needed offense from him more than they needed leadership.

At this point in their careers, how many of those guys are actually that good aside from Utley and Howard?

 

Good compared to what?

 

Polanco is a great 2 hitter, IMO. Especially for that lineup Rollins was injured all season last year. He is what he is. 15-20 HRs, .270 hitter. Better than what most SS's will produce. Victorino provides a spark at the top of the lineup. and Ibanez is still solid as well.

 

I'd gladly take Polanco, Rollins and Victorino on my team any day of the week for their respective positions. Although Polanco would be better served as a 2B due to lack of power. Ibanez is getting up there in age but still solid.

^Don't forget Ruiz, who had one heck of a season offensively last year...

Good compared to what?

 

Polanco is a great 2 hitter, IMO. Especially for that lineup Rollins was injured all season last year. He is what he is. 15-20 HRs, .270 hitter. Better than what most SS's will produce. Victorino provides a spark at the top of the lineup. and Ibanez is still solid as well.

 

I'd gladly take Polanco, Rollins and Victorino on my team any day of the week for their respective positions. Although Polanco would be better served as a 2B due to lack of power. Ibanez is getting up there in age but still solid.

Rollins hasn't hit in two years. Ibanez is 38 and clearly in decline ... check out his numbers away from home last year. Victorino is average and at age 30, isn't likely to get any better.

 

The Phillies' lineup is in decline. They will need the great pitching to meet expectations.

Rollins hasn't hit in two years. Ibanez is 38 and clearly in decline ... check out his numbers away from home last year. Victorino is average and at age 30, isn't likely to get any better.

 

The Phillies' lineup is in decline. They will need the great pitching to meet expectations.

 

I'd take their 'lineup in decline' over just about any other lineup, 1-8, in the National League.

I'd take their 'lineup in decline' over just about any other lineup, 1-8, in the National League.

Without Werth, arguably their best player last year?

Without Werth, arguably their best player last year?

 

You can go ahead and make an argument for other lineups that are better, 1-8, in the National League if you want. But you'll be hard pressed to come up with more than 2, maybe 3 that are clearly better.

You can go ahead and make an argument for other lineups that are better, 1-8, in the National League if you want. But you'll be hard pressed to come up with more than 2, maybe 3 that are clearly better.

 

It doesn't change the fact that their holes weren't starting pitching. They have other needs that could have been adressed. They may still do it and I'm not argiung that it was a great move. I just think it doesn't really help them all that much in October. Their offense was not good at all in the post season. That's why they watched the fall classic. Not because they needed Lee.

It doesn't change the fact that their holes weren't starting pitching. They have other needs that could have been adressed. They may still do it and I'm not argiung that it was a great move. I just think it doesn't really help them all that much in October. Their offense was not good at all in the post season. That's why they watched the fall classic. Not because they needed Lee.

 

What exactly would you have done to upgrade their offense?

 

If you haven't noticed this wasn't exactly a good year for offensive FA's. Crawford was pretty set on staying in the AL and Werth wasn't resigning.

What exactly would you have done to upgrade their offense?

 

If you haven't noticed this wasn't exactly a good year for offensive FA's. Crawford was pretty set on staying in the AL and Werth wasn't resigning.

 

Once again it was a nice move but they needed bullpen help and offensive help. I think they were better off Werth and having Ibanez not play much.