Following the club's loss to San Francisco in the NLCS last October, Phils GM Reuben Amaro Jr. embarked on the 2010-11 off-season expressing the bull pen as his number one priority. As pitchers and catchers report, Amaro has made no major changes to a pen that still provides as much uncertainty as the Pennsylvania Power Ball. The most significant transaction was the departure of right-hander Chad Durbin who threw the most innings out of the pen for the Phils last season. Losing the work horse of the bunch certainly won't make 2011 any brighter for the boys in relief.
Reports have been repeatedly saying that the club has plans to deal fifth starter Joe Blanton for a third outfielder/right-handed bat. Since all-star Jayson Werth took his talents to Washington this off-season, Philly's lefty-dominated lineup has been left "righty-less," which will provide many obstacles in the upcoming season. With the roster they have right now the team has a few options, them being, start Ben Francisco, or platoon him with either Ross Gload or blue chip outfielder Dominic Brown. Another case where Reuben Amaro Jr. failed to assess a major off-season need, now has the club scrambling for answers just weeks away from Opening Day.
Cliff Lee is a Phillie again, and it not only gives us one of the best rotations of all time, but a good bet for a parade down Broad Street come fall. However, while Amaro's big moves have made him a successful GM for the majority of local fans, his inability to add smaller pieces to the puzzle still has me asking questions. Can we win? Absolutely. But could we flop? Just maybe.
JD
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