is the release of the 2008 prospect handbook. The new hasn’t been released yet, so I can’t really compare anything.

…is the future phillies lineups. I originally posted this before the Phillies signed “Happy Pete” (aka Pedro Feliz), which means that it still had Wes Helms on the team. Some changes reflecting the deals the Phightin’s have made since then:

2009

Greg Dobbs moves from third to left field (being bumped by Pedro Feliz), replacing Geoff Jenkins, who moves to the bench. Jayson Werth stays in right field (replacing the departed Chris Snelling and Greg Golson). Due to his AAA struggles, Jason Jaramillo repeats the level, and is replaced by Chris Coste. Because I so very under-appreciated Lidge, he returns as the closer, moving Myers back to the rotation, who bumps Scot Matheison (he is out for most of the season because he had Tommy John surgery). Joe “the Lumber” Blanton is now a mainstay in the rotation for awhile, and he bumps Kyle Kendrick to the ‘pen. So Taguchi has already been bought out, but he’s more than replaced by Matt Stairs, while Brad Harman (who sucks now) is replaced by Jason Donald (how did I miss this guy last time?).

The bullpen is a naturally volatile area, so it should be no surprise that only three of my projected ‘09 relievers are even with the big team still. I think that now, the bullpen would look like this: Eyre, Romero, Madson, Durbin, Kendrick, and Adam Eaton (as a Barry Zito-type mop-up man). Hopefully, I’m wrong.

2010

Golson was traded, so he’s obviously not a candidate for right field now. I imagine that Jayson Werth will stay on board through this season, and then most likely departs after. By this point, if Lou Marson hasn’t forced himself to be the starting catcher, this organization is doomed. He takes over, and relegates Ruiz to the bench. Dobbs and Harman are replaced at third by Pedro Feliz, in the final year of his contract. Because of recent moves, I feel that Jeremy Slayden is no longer wanted by this organization, and he will be on someone else’s roster, possibly as early as the Rule V draft. I feel that he should be replaced by the recently acquired John Mayberry, Jr., a rookie. My bench from then is looking pretty desperate, but this time, Dobbs is full-time bench player, Ruiz backs up “Sweet Lou”, Donald in the infield, and Dominic Brown, primarily as a pinch-runner ala Michael Bourn two years ago).

My projected rotation from then, looks alot like a joke now. It should be: Hamels, Myers, Carrasco, Happ, Blanton (I predict that Moyer is going to retire before the season).

The ever-volatile bullpen is going to be “made over” (I put that in quotes because it is a prediction in both cases): Romero, Madson, Kendrick, Durbin, Sergio Escalona, and Antonio Bastardo, with “Lights out” Lidge closing.

It’s the one year anniversary of Phillies.tk.  Starting Monday, we will bring out our top-rated posts, and make new ones, all while partying it up.  Monday brings you top post #5, Tuesday (November 25th) is the site’s birthday, so Tuesday will bring an extra-special surprise, in addition to the  fourth-highest post, Wednesday the third highest, Thursday the second, and then we’ll end the work week with the best-rated Phillies.tk post ever.  I can hardly hold my excitement.

Scott Lauber breaking the news. It seems that new GM Ruben Amaro, Jr. is not afraid to make daring, original deals. The Phillies traded the double-A prospect to the Texas Rangers for power-hitting prospect John Mayberry, Jr.  I think this deal adds another potential bat into the mix for left field, if Pat T. Bat leaves as a free agent.  I like the  deal.  It’s basically a speed prospect-for-hitting prospect deal.  Mayberry is primarily a left fielder, and split his time  between AAA and AA, and I think he could make a fine replacement for Burrell in the 5-hole.

[Ed.'s Note: I'll get numbers up eventually (yeah right).  I'm too tired right now, and NBC Thursday is on, as  well as Dodgeball on FX.]

Second baseman Chase Utley is going to have hip surgery next week, which could put him out until May or June. Uh-oh. Third baseman Pedro Feliz is also going to be out (but only for 8-12 weeks from now), but won’t be as big of a hit as Utley.

Who’s going to replace Utley? Good question. My favorite option is farmhand Jason Donald. He’s currently focusing on third base in the Arizona Fall League, but a transition to second should be easier for him, compared to a move to third (from shortstop, of course). Another in-house option would be Tadahito Iguchi, providing he doesn’t bolt for free agency.

A current list of free agent second basemen can be found here. Some interesting names include: David Eckstein (played with the Jays and Diamondbacks last year), Ray Durham (who played with the Brewers), Type A Orlando Hudson (Diamondbacks), Marcus Giles (who last played for the Padres in 2007) and former Phillie pharmhand Nick Punto (Twins, primarily as a third baseman, though).