Philadelphia Phillies: Top 5 Storylines Going into Spring Training
It’s that time of year again.
Pitchers and catchers report in one week, on Feb. 19, and the rest of the of the team will head down to sunny Clearwater, Fla. five days later, on Feb. 24.
The Phillies will take to Bright House Networks Field with one mission this year.
Bring home a World Series title.
After two disappointing playoff performances in 2010 and 2011, the Phillies are coming in to 2012 with a chip on their shoulders, and spring training is where the work begins.
This offseason did not, outside of the Jonathan Papelbon deal, involve any earth-shattering moves akin to those of offseasons and trade deadlines past. However, Ruben Amaro, Jr. made some minor moves that may prove to have a serious impact on the outcome of the season.
Spring training is the time where we begin to see how these minor pieces may fit in to Charlie Manuel’s system, if they make the team at all.
Still, any particular storyline coming into spring training is completely overshadowed by one simple fact: It’s baseball season.