The Fightins Keep Fightin'

Philadelphia Phillies 2007 Record: 89-73 (NL East Division Winners)
2008 Prediction: 2nd in NL East


In

• Brad Lidge, Eric Bruntlett (HOU) - acquired for Michael Bourn, Geoff Geary and Michael Costanzo - 11/7/07
  
• Chad Durbin (DET) - signed to a 1 year, $900,000 contract - 12/20/07
  
• Pedro Feliz (SF) - signed to a 2 year, $8.5 million contract - 1/31/08
  
• Geoff Jenkins (MIL) - signed to a 3 year, $13 million contract - 12/20/07
  
• So Taguchi (STL) - signed to a 1 year, $1.05 million contract - 12/23/07
  
• J.C. Romero (PHI) - resigned to a 3 year, $12 million contract with a $4.75 million Club Option for 2011 - 11/10/07
  

Out

• Rod Barajas (TOR) - signed to a 1 year, $1.2 million contract - 1/24/08
  
• Tadahito Iguchi (SD) - signed to a 1 year, $4 million contract - 12/12/07
  
• Jon Lieber (CHC) - signed to a 1 year, 3.5 million contract - 1/16/08
  
• Aaron Rowand (SF) - signed to a 5 year, $60 million contract - 12/12/07
  
• Chris Roberson (BAL) - traded for a player to be named or cash - 1/2/08

Remaining Free Agents

• Kyle Lohse
• Jose Mesa
• Freddy Garcia
• Antonio Alfonseca

Projected Opening Day Starters
C - Carlos Ruiz
1B - Ryan Howard
2B - Chase Utley
3B - Pedro Feliz
SS - Jimmy Rollins
LF - Pat Burrell
CF - Shane Victorino/So Taguchi
RF - Geoff Jenkins/Shane Victorino

Projected Opening Day Rotation
Brett Myers
Cole Hamels
Jamie Moyer
Kyle Kendrick
Adam Eaton

Projected Opening Day Closer
Brad Lidge

Improvements: Acquiring Brad Lidge to the full-time closer in Phliadelphia allows 2007's closer Brett Myers to go back to the rotation, where he is more comfortable. Aaron Rowand is going to be patrolling center field for the Giants in 2008, but the signing of Jenkins will alleviate the offense vacated by Rowand's departure. Feliz gives the Phils a steady bat at the hot corner, something they've lacked since the days of Rolen.
Lack of improvement: The rotation for the Phillies seems to be in order, especially with Myers heading back in. But the bullpen is still a question mark. Lidge is a solid closer (as long as his mental issues are behind him in Houston). But the middle relief of Ryan Madson, J.C. Romero, and 40-year old Tom Gordon might not be enough to bridge the gap between the starters and Lidge in a close 3-2 ball game.
Keys to success: The Phillies have the potential to be a very dangerous and explosive team. But they also have the potential to disappoint and be a sloppy team. Lidge will have to prove that he's forgotten that Albert Pujols hit a homerun off of him in the 2004 playoffs and get back to being the dominant closer he can be. Jamie Moyer is 45 years old, and is going to be expected to be a intricate part of the rotation. That could be a lot to ask someone of that age and he will have to use his experience and 83 mile-an-hour fastball to prove he can still pitch in the big leagues.