Off Season Checklist

The NLCS is over.  It doesn't deserve attention.  The Phillies did not play well, and they deserved the loss.  Cody Ross almost beat the Phils himself, but Juan Uribe contributed big in Game 6.  It's disappointing to see the season end on that loss.  The Phillies should've won that series or at least competed.  They have on of the best rotations in the league and a lineup headed with power hitters, that never hit there stride, with the exception of Jayson Werth, who coincidentally is the only slugger leaving the team.  The Giants, besides the big 3 starters, and the black bearded freak, Brian Wilson, are a band of cast offs, who played to the best of there ability.  But now, there are more things on the agenda.  It's time for the off season, one of the most interesting times of the year.



Preliminary Moves:

1) Tender Ben Francisco a contract.
Ben Francisco is a good fourth outfielder, and could serve as a platoon option with Domonic Brown in right field, for the first part of the season.  Francisco shouldn't be too expensive.

2) Offer Jayson Werth Arbitration.
Werth is a Type A free agent, therefore the Phillies will receive two draft picks, from the team that Werth signs with.  In the occasion that one team signs multiple Type A free agents the Phillies will get the top pick, because Werth has the highest elias rating of any free agent.  In 2009, the Angels received the Yankees top pick, because Mark Teixeira had the highest elias rating, the Brewers and Blue Jays received the Yankees 2nd and 3rd picks.  Werth is highly unlikely to accept arbitration, as he will have many suitors.

3) Decline J.C Romero's 4.5 million club option.
The Phillies do not have the money for Romero's option.  The team is likely to lean on Antonio Bastardo.  This will impact the pen once again.

4) Do not tender Greg Dobbs a contract.
Dobbs was barely good enough to make the major league team and the 1.25 million he earned pretty much went to waste.  I'd rather have Andy Tracy or John Mayberry on the roster.

5) Offer Jose Contreras a deal.
I'd offer Contreras a deal for about 2 million over a year.  Contreras was the Phillies most reliable reliever this year.  Jose will probably seek for more kinda like Chan Ho Park did last year.  The Phillies should not budge however, let him walk.  I wish the Phils gave Contreras two years, and Baez only one.

6) Tender a contract to Kyle Kendrick.
Kendrick will be the Phillies fifth starter.  It seems as if Kendrick has been around forever, but he is only 26.  Kendrick should be relatively inexpensive.

7) Grant Chad Durbin, Mike Sweeney, Jamie Moyer, and JC Romero there release.
I know everyone, including myself do not wanna see Moyer leave the Phillies but if he doesn't go for a minor league deal, the Phillies will not be able to keep him.  Durbin has been very durable, but he is aging, and isn't getting any better.  Mike Sweeney was a nice fill in for Howard, but there really isn't a spot for him, unless he likes Lehigh Valley.

To Be Continued