Philadelphia Phillies 2010 Spring Training

Clearwater, here's your defending NL champs. Will the Phils make it 3 trips in a row to the big one? They've got the fielding, bench, starting rotation, and hitting covered, but their drawback is a much weaker bullpen which will make or break them. Here's a look at all the non-roster invitees (courtesy of Monozyogtic and MLB.com):

Pitchers B/T Ht Wt DOB

– Phillippe Aumont L/R 6-7 220 01/07/89
– B.J. Rosenberg R/R 6-2 215 09/17/85
– Joe Savery L/L 6-3 215 11/04/85
– Ryan Vogelsong R/R 6-3 215 07/22/77
– Ehren Wassermann S/R 6-0 190 12/06/80
– Bill White L/L 6-3 225 11/20/78

Catchers B/T Ht Wt DOB

– Tuffy Gosewisch R/R 5-11 190 08/17/83
24 Paul Hoover R/R 6-1 210 04/14/76
– Kevin Nelson R/R 6-3 215 04/08/81
– Dane Sardinha R/R 6-0 215 04/08/79
– John Suomi L/R 5-11 200 10/05/80

Infielders B/T Ht Wt DOB

– Ozzie Chavez S/R 6-1 160 07/13/83
– Freddy Galvis S/R 5-10 170 11/14/89
– Cody Ransom R/R 6-2 190 02/17/76
33 Andy Tracy L/R 6-3 240 12/11/73
– Wilson Valdez R/R 5-11 170 05/20/78

Outfielders B/T Ht Wt DOB

– Domonic Brown L/L 6-5 204 09/03/87
– Chris Duffy L/L 5-9 185 04/20/80
– Tyson Gillies L/R 6-2 190 10/31/88
– Dewayne Wise L/L 6-1 190 02/24/78

The 2010 Phillies are going to look much like the 2009 version, but with a much deeper bench and the arrival of Jayson Werth as a super-star. I think it's easy to say after all, the Phils can make it three World Series appearances in a row...should the bullpen not falter. The rotation looks about the same aside form acquiring Roy Halladay. Look for Halladay to win 20+ games(it's gonna happen). Cole Hamels needs to bounce back after his abhorrence last season. Hamels needs to re-introduce his curveball effectively to become the dangerous '08 Hamels. Behind him will be under-rated Joe Blanton who is more than just an "innings-eater." Blanton has improved on his free passes and strikeouts a game and has lowered his opponents BA. Behind him should be J.A. Happ, who I feel may have a sophomore slump. The fifth spot is up for grabs between Jamie Moyer and Kyle Kendrick, but I think Jose Contreras could make a run at it. Starting rotation looks good for the Phils. The pen is a bit more concerning. Brad Lidge needs to be confident and re-find himself or he won't be around by All-Star Break. Ryan Madson is capable of being a closer, but is a much better set-up man. The Phils main problem was closing games last season. Will Danys Baez help? Can Chad Durbin be good? How about the impact of J.C. Romero when he returns in May? These are the most important questions the Phillies need to answer.

As for the hitting, I expect the tandem of Utley and Werth to go on an ass-kicking mission. Not to say I've forgotten about Ryan Howard( he'll certainly be important), but look for Werth to have a monster season. Jimmy Rollins will continue to bat lead-off, but he's really declining at this point ans the Phils need to start thinking about his replacement. His numbers should stay about the same. As for Polanco at third, I don't understand why the organization didn't go after Mark DeRosa or Miguel Tejada. Polanco is a great 2B, but third I'm undecided on. He's an upgrade offensively over Pedro Feliz. Ruiz can expect a similar season, but I cringe with Brian Schnieder on his off days. Victorino is rumored to be dropping lower in the order to strengthen the bottom, but I wonder how much of an impact it will make? Victorino has no problem getting around the bases, but someone has to bring him in. Maybe Ibanez drops down? His age may catch up with him this season especially after the hernia.

Outlook: Phils win NL East again no doubt. No problems to NLCS if anyone can challenge them (Rockies are the only I can think of). Should be another trip to the series. If the Yanks make it for the AL, Phils get revenge on them, but if the Sox make it I don't think the Phillies are deep enough in the bullpen to beat them.