After an overall disappointing 81-81 finish to the 2012 season, the Phillies began to regroup and prepare for the 2013 season. Trades and signings of free agents took place, but this may not be enough to get the Phillies back to the top of the NL East this season.
The Nationals and Braves should prove to be extremely talented and tough competition after finishing 98-64 and 94-68 respectively. The Nationals are a young and talented squad with a stacked rotation featuring Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Dan Haren, Jordan Zimmerman, and Ross Detwiler. While the starting rotation looks to be an area of strength for the Nationals, they also boast a strong bullpen and a lineup that will include 2012 NL Rookie of the Year Bryce Harper. After a busy off-season, the Braves look to be no easier of an opponent than the Nationals. The Braves made a big splash by signing and trading for the Brothers Upton, B.J. and Justin, who will share the outfield with Jason Heyward. While the Braves starting rotation looks to be about average, it should have one of the strongest bullpens in the majors with the likes of Craig Kimbrell and Jonny Venters.
While the Nationals and Braves look to be stiff competition, the NL East appears to be pretty top-heavy. The Mets look to remain in the rebuilding phase that has plagued them since the Phillies started their run of Division Championships. The Marlins will also look to rebuild after ownership proved they were not willing to maintain their high payroll after only one year, holding another infamous Marlins fire-sale that saw about half the team and most its best players, with the exception of Giancarlo Stanton, relocating to other teams. The Phillies have been on a streak of having a high payroll since 2008 and have decimated the farm system in an attempt to compete for the World Series title each year. While Ruben Amaro Jr., has gotten creative in his acquisitions and trades, the Phillies may need to look more towards developing some home-grown talent in the next few years if they would like to sustain their previous winning ways.
After an injury ravaged 2012 season that saw the Phillies drop from 102 wins in 2011 to only 81 and a .500 record in 2012, look for health to play a major role in the Phillies attempt to recapture the NL East crown. From the health of Roy Halladay to Ryan Howard, the questionable knees of Chase Utley and recovery of new acquisition Delmon Young from off-season surgery, the Phillies will need to look for healthy, bounce-back seasons from its star players as well as further development by its younger roster members. Recapturing the NL East and making the playoffs in 2013 should be a daunting task for the Phillies in a top-heavy division that features the young and overall solid team that the Nationals will field, as well as a good Braves team who made a few major off-season signings and acquisitions. The Phillies will need health and a little bit of luck to get back to the top of the mountain in 2013, but expectations weren't as high in 2007 when the Phillies started their run of 5 straight division titles, so anything is possible. Here's to wishing for a healthy and exciting 2013. Go Phils!
No comments:
Post a Comment