Phillies Bankroll Developments Guarantee a Championship?
Brad Diamond Sports
With the acquisition of Jim Thome a few years back the Phillies started spending money to bring bodies to their new facility, Citizens Bank Park. Finally, a sports organization in Philadelphia was willing to spend money, meanwhile setting their sights on championships. To the fan base of Philadelphia, this was an anomaly. After all, this is the town that has never won a Super Bowl or an NBA Championship going back over 40 years.
With the development of the Phillies farm system and the cash cowl down at the Bank, the unbelievable finally happened. The Phillies won a WORLD SERIES. The parade that I will never forget. Two Stadiums filled with people, sidewalks jammed with a chaotic personality, seemed not of this world. The Philadelphia Phillies had become a champion, the first time since 1980. It was 2008 and the future looked bright.
Unfortunately, the crippled Phillies could not defeat the Yankees in 2009, so in retrospect, Broad Street was calm until the off-season. The Phillies brain trust, Gillick and Amaro, were always looking for support in the starting rotation. Once Amaro took over at the GM position for the retired Gillick, his obession with Roy Halladay of Toronto, finally came full bore. Yes, the Phillies acquired the Doc, but they did not win a Championship.
In 2010, injuries and a faltering lineup took its toll causing the bandwagon to drop a little girth. What is next for the Big Dollar Phils? First, this off-season, we found the most dedicated and effective right-handed hitter, Jayson Werth being signed by the Nationals of the East Division of the National League. Were the Phillies losing their heart for the BIG DEAL? No, we find out very recently the organization was blue platting the Lee family. Petitioning the leadership to move back to an area where they would be loved and respected.
Former Phillies and Rangers left-handed ace Cliff Lee signed with Philadelphia. The organization, fan base and the Lee family could not be happier. What happened to the Phillies BANKROLL BUDGET? GM Amaro (with no cure in the farm system) decided Lee was more important than suffering with a platoon system in right field. However, we do remind our friends down in South Philadelphia that their left fielder is slump prone and aging. The switch hitting CF has started to show physical wear and tear. Also, prized rookie Dominic Brown still looks shaky in the outfield and needs more priming, maybe a half-season in the minors.
Finally, having four potential #1 hurlers in their rotation is wonderful. Still, before the organization gets too deep into the holidays, they may want to consider keeping Kentucky Joe Blanton in the rotation. He showed some real heart late in the season and appears to be on the up-tick career wise. Former Houston starter and Phillies star RHP Roy Oswalt has a history of back problems. If Amaro uses some real guts and trades the veteran for a steady right fielder, he just might be thinking outside the box.
Now is the time for the Phillies to insure a CHAMPIONSHIP with Halladay aging, Rollins, Utley, Howard and Polanco hurting physically, MAKE THE MOVE TO IMPROVE THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE LINEUP, or the bandwagon might be emptying in late August. Just consider the Braves are improving with their off-season moves and the Reds, Rockies and Giants will not go away. Oh well, it should be an interesting September down at the Bank. Merry Xmas to all, and to all just think, Cliff Lee just might....