Philadelphia Phillies: Ranking the 10 Most Valuable Phillies in 2012
In 2012, the Philadelphia Phillies are a known commodity.
Sans a few bullpen arms and the possible emergence of Domonic Brown in the outfield, you’ve seen the type of play to expect from the core players of this Phillies squad.
The starting pitching is going to be excellent, spearheaded by Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels.
The offense is going to be inconsistent, but sufficient enough to win a lot of ballgames.
The defense is going to be rock solid, as always.
And with the considerable age of this roster, the injury bug is going to be hard at work all season long.
Ruben Amaro has constructed a group of guys that gel together perfectly, and balance each others strengths and weaknesses excellently. So, what happens if one of those guys, for whatever reason, is pulled from the mix? Certainly the bevy of bench depth helps this problem, but you can’t expect Michael Martinez to fill in for Chase Utley as if he had never left.
There are a few players on this Phillies team that truly carry them to the degree of success that they have achieved in recent seasons. They are the most valuable pieces to the puzzle of success in Philadelphia.
This list will view who is most valuable based on how easily they could be filled in for if need be, and how capably their contributions could be replaced by another player on the roster.
The question then arises—who is going to be the most valuable player to the Phillies in 2012?
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.
The 5 Best Things About Citizens Bank Park
Since its opening season, in 2004, Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has completely changed the face of the Phillies organization.
In 2003, the Phillies ranked 24th in the MLB in attendance. After the inception of Citizens Bank Park in 2004, they rose all the way to fourth. The Phillies have now led all of baseball in attendance for the past three seasons. They are now working on a 204-game sellout streak going into the 2012 season. The stadium sells out every single night, and the atmosphere is perpetually electric.
Not only does this state-of-the-art, $336 million stadium draw in massive crowds, but it supplies them with everything that a baseball fan could possibly dream of.
The Philadelphia Phillies have created a model of success for other teams to follow in Major League Baseball. Over the past decade, they have gone from the basement of the National League to a perennial powerhouse. This turnaround all began with the introduction of the baseball paradise that is Citizens Bank Park
MLB Philadelphia Phillies: Grading Concerns at Each Position
After a big 2011 season, one would think that concerns for another playoff run would be minimal.
However, the 2012 Phillies are a team that has drawn some considerable concern. This concern generally arises from nagging injuries and lack of major-league-ready depth. After a 102-win season, it certainly isn’t time to hit the panic button yet, but there are a few holes on the team that may become exposed as the season progresses, which ultimately may prove problematic.
The grading system will be as such: An A+ means that there is absolutely no concern at the position. An F means that there is major concern, and that the position will more than likely prove detrimental to the Phillies in 2012. I will be focusing more so on the expected opening day roster, and will not focus as much on possible late season call-ups.
MLB Philadelphia Phillies: 5 Players Who Will Improve in 2012
Coming off a franchise- and league-best 102-win season in 2011, the Philadelphia Phillies certainly have a lot to feel good about.
However, an early and unexpected exit from the postseason has left an overwhelming sour taste in the mouths of the Phillies Nation. The team has undeniably been built around the starting rotation, and they performed admirably, if not spectacularly from start to finish. But the offense simply lacked consistency all year long. Luckily for the Phils, over the course of the season, the lineup was able to muster enough run support to complement the exemplary efforts of the pitching staff.
The offensive shortcomings are something that must be addressed. And who knows? Maybe the answer to a poor offense is even better pitching. Regardless, right now it doesn’t look as if Ruben Amaro Jr. intends to make a big splash in either the free agent or trade market. This means that the boost will have to come in house—something this group of guys is perfectly capable of doing.