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| Chase has me feeling optimistic. Photo by Richard Wilkins Jr. |
There hasn't been much optimism over the 2014 Phillies this Winter. That's how it goes when you go 73-89, and make no major signings. People temper their excitement.
I want to be excited though, so I'm going to make up reasons to be, from now until pitchers and catchers arrive in Clearwater. Are the Phillies the favorites in the NL East these days? No. Could they make one last run? We'll see. Today's reason to have hope though?
The Infield May Play 120 Plus Games Together This Year
In 2013, the Phillies had a carousel of characters play third base and first base. Ryan Howard was hurt, Michael Young wasn't that great, and Carlos Ruiz was both hurt and suspended. In 2012, Utley missed half the season, as did Ryan Howard, as did Placido Polanco. In 2011, it was Utley out half the year. In 2010, Utley missed serious time with a broken wrist. Jimmy Rollins had some calf issues in there too.
So basically, go back to 2009 to remember a starting infield playing most of the season together. Pedro Feliz manned third base at that time, but Ruiz, Howard, Utley, and Rollins were all together. That team, as you remember, made it to game six of the World Series before they stopped. The year before, that same group won. Having one infield can lead to a lot of wins, as the Phillies showed.
Ryan Howard has been in Clearwater, rehabbing, since his surgery last year. There is reason to hope that he can be healthy. Does this mean he'll strike out less, hit the ball the other way, or do any of the things that internet fans want him to do? No. Will he live up to $25 million of pay? Probably not. Could he be a useful guy that hits 30 homers and therefore drives in 100 runs, puts up an .800 OPS, and hits .275 or better? Yeah, he could.
Jimmy Rollins had a down year in 2013 in every way. For him, 2014 is about proving that he has something left in the tank. Jimmy usually has responded to personal challenges like this before, so hope that he does again.
Cody Asche is another point of hope. This will be his first full year in the majors, and you have to hope that the trend continues for him- he starts slow at each level, then becomes a very plus offensive player. His defense is probably going to be considerably better than Michael Young (though that doesn't say much), and combining his game up, he should be a WAR improvement on Young over the full season. If he flops, Maikel Franco might be ready to come help at some point this season.
Utley and Ruiz, we have to hope, don't slip at all. They are a year older, but they showed last year they can still play.
Now, the contrary could be true on all of these. Howard could be busted goods that continues to suck in 2014, killing us in the checkbook and on the field. Rollins could truly be in decline after a fantastic career. Asche could bust. Utley and Ruiz could both slip. Maybe. Maybe even likely. They could all have a good year together though too- Maybe.
