Philadelphia Phillies: 10 Reasons They Can Compete—and Win—in 2013
November 22, 2012 by PHIL KEIDEL
Filed under Fan News
The Phillies continue to be linked to numerous prominent free agent center fielders (per mlbtraderumors.com) as the hot stove begins to take on that familiar orange glow.
It would be wonderful if the Phillies’ problems were so easy to solve that one big-money free agent signing would catapult them back into playoff contention. Sadly, the Phillies have many more holes to fill than just center field.
They need another outfielder, a third baseman, bullpen arms to ferry games from Cole Hamels, Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee to Jonathan Papelbon and, depending on Freddy Galvis’ health, possibly a utility infielder. Also, it would help if any of the hitters they sign could hit from the right side.
On a happier note, Darin Ruf hit .258 with 10 home runs and 27 RBI through 32 Venezualan Fall League games. Perhaps left field is not as great a concern as previously believed.
The better news is that the Phillies will not need Ruf to hit 40-plus home runs in 2013 to contend. What follows are the reasons why.