Hey Reuben, Cheers To a Happy Halladay

What do I want from Santa this year? Well...I did want a third basemen, a back up catcher, and a quality pitcher to fill out the rotation, but I think that is a little too much to ask for. However, as of Wednesday December 16th, Reuben Amaro Jr., Philadelphia's new Santa Claus, has granted all of my wishes this holiday season. When the Phillies trade with the Mariners and Blue Jays was finalized earlier last week, Roy Halladay, arguably the best right hander in the league, became a Phillie. That capped off a remarkable off-season for the club. Not only did Amaro reel in Halladay, he also brought in; career .300 hitter Placido Polanco and a solid back up Catcher in Brian Schneider, everything I asked for. My next wish for the Phils, to keep up the recent success, and that...just became a lot more likely.

While the Phillies lineup may have seemed flawless during points of the '08 season, the signing of Placido Polanco made it substantially better. While Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino have been excellent catalysts at the top of the Phils lineup, they haven't been catalysts in every sense of the word. Victorino, in the two spot, swings and misses a lot, has trouble moving the runners over and really would benefit from taking a spot down in the lineup. With Polanco we are getting a guy who makes a living out of being a situational hitter, hardly ever strikeouts, and hits .300 consistently from year to year; the exact hitter that the club has been yearning for. With all of the homers, doubles, and late inning heroics, the Phillies' hitting has struggled with consistency, and that is exactly what Polanco brings to the table.

While Cliff Lee being Philadelphia's Jesus during the playoffs last year makes it all the more harder to see him go, the Phillies now have Roy Halladay and with that one of the strongest rotations in the league. What Halladay brings to the table; the pitches of a superstar and the mentality of a work horse. He just eats up inning after inning every year regardless of the score. An arm of pure rubber. As one of the best right handers in the league, Halladay joins a staff with the young developing star Cole Hamels and arguably the "real" rookie of the year in lefty J.A. Happ. While Cliff Lee was the ace that the Phillies needed, Roy Halladay is the pure star that this rotation has lacked since Steve Carlton in the 80's. Since the days of Carlton, Philadelphia has never seen anyone dominate the pitching hill like Doc Halladay. What does the signing of Halladay ultimately bring to the Phillies? Possibly an edge in the rotation that the club never had.

As for the new back stop, Schneider finally brings good balance to the position. While Coste could hit and not field, and Bako could field and not hit, Schneider can virtually do both and will be a solid off day replacement for Carlos Ruiz, as well as a solid bat off the bench as a pinch hitter. The experience of the NL East journeyman will be valued as well in the locker room and his savvy "vet" ways will also earn him a leadership role.

So in the end I am echoing my thoughts displayed in my '09 wrap up article; that the chances to win are better this year. The chances to win are now even better because, we upgraded at our one weak spot on the field, third base and brought in the best arm on the market. Want me to make a prediction right now? Halladay + Polanco + All of the studs that are returning from the '09 team = parade down Broad St. next November. The Yankees and Red Sox are tough, but we just got a lot tougher. What do I want for Christmas now? How bout a bullpen Amaro? Give me a reason to write again in a couple of weeks; for now, you've earned this one.

JD