Will the Phillies Return to Greatness? - Feldman011teen's Blog

Feldman011teen's Blog

Will the Phillies Return to Greatness?

Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:20 PM.

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The Philadelphia Phillies are on pace to do something no other team has ever accomplished, go from winning 100 games one season, then go on to losing 90 the next season. The worst collapse in MLB history is fitting for the most losing franchise in all of sports. There was hope based on what this team did in the past, and what the Cardinals did last year to make a late run and sneak in the playoffs. However, after getting swept by Atlanta, they dumped their best offensive threat in Hunter Pence yesterday at the trade deadline, as well as Shane Victorino, who has been a mainstay for this franchise since before their run in 2007 began.

The team did manage to hold onto Cliff Lee, and resigned Cole Hamels last week. This team needs bullpen help, desperately. The Phillies had the best bullpen in baseball last year, but struggled to generate runs. The offensive woes carried over to a degree, but then the bullpen has collapsed in 2012. Even if Chase Utley and Ryan Howard hadn't started off the season hurt, I don't believe this team would be too much better.

The night the trades took place, Cliff Lee was on the mound against the division leading Washington Nationals. The Phillies shut them out 8-0. Cliff Lee had an RBI and even stole his second base of his career. Did the team go through some sort of realization? Will this carry over to today? Will this spark them to go on a run? Were those two players part of an internal problem? I guess we will find out starting today.

Is this team done? Not necessarily. The team is aging. Carlos Ruiz is finally hitting his prime offensively. Who says the two players they traded away won't be back next year? Especially Victorino, who they might be able to pay less to come back. If this team can stay healthy, they can still be a playoff contender for the next few years. The window for a championship, however, has closed on this team. Maybe the team will rally behind that thought.