NL East Offseason Ranking: #4 Philadelphia Phillies

Yesterday I talked about the Miami Marlins and why I believe that they will finish last in the division. Today, I'm talking about the team that I believe will barely beat the Marlins out in that race for last place.

Howard hasn't been healthy in a few years.
He has to be for the team to succeed.

The Philadelphia Phillies were pretty much the main team in the East in the mid 2000's. They won division titles from 2007-2011, and won a World Series in 2008 while going back and losing in 2009. But baseball is cruel and time moves on. For Philadelphia, time has really been one of their main opponents.Ryan Howard in now 35, as is Chase Utley, and Jimmy Rollins is 36. In baseball terms, these guys are on their last legs. Can the three turn this year into a winner and produce? Yes, they have that ability but Howard hasn't played a full season since 2011 (yes that was 3 years ago) and Utley hasn't since 2009 (unless you count missing 30 games last season).If this team is going to succeed at all, these guys have to be healthy.

As far as the offense goes, they will need Dominic Brown to have a season unlike any other season. Even if Ryan Howard hits 35 home runs, while him and Utley have 100 RBI each, they will be pitched around in order to get to the guys not named Howard, Rollins, Brown, Utley. They did sign Marlon Byrd to a 2 year contract, and if he hits like he did in New York last year, that could be the guy that can change the lineup on it's feet.

Jonathan Papelbon may have complained
his way straight out of Philly

Ah, the pitching. This is going to be fun. This Philadelphia Phillies pitching rotation in 2013 was simply amazing. They finished 9th in all of baseball with 91 quality starts (well over half of the 162 games played). It is worth noting that they will have to do without Roy Halladay, who was better than any other pitcher in the 2000's. They still will have Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, and Kyle Kendrick. Those three guys all have the stuff to win 15 games, which is more than most other teams in the division have.

 However, the teams ERA, batting average against, and WHIP were 27th, 27th, and 26th in the league, respectfully. It get's as simple as this, they have a..how do you say this..bad bullpen. And guess what? They are attempting to get rid of their best piece in that bullpen, Jonathan Papelbon. He has been outspoken against the fans of Philly and it seems like they are willing to let him go, and even pay part of his contract for him to just not be there anymore. That would leave Antonio Bastardo and John Lannan as the two guys in the bullpen that would have to carry the load.

Word is, if the Phillies aren't in contention come mid-summer, that a Miami Marlins fire sale could happen here. Think of the names, Howard, Utley, Rollins, Lee, Hamels, Brown. Those names could be on the market come June or July. However, the news burst yesterday that the team just signed a TV deal with Comcast that will pay them over 2 billion dollars until the contract ends. Yes, 2 billion. I'd say even with a fire sale this year, they will be able to rebuild somewhat like the Yankees of the 1990's.