If the Phillies don't make the playoffs, how would you rate this season?

better than most. i think it will be remembered as a step in the right direction if they continue to imrpove the team int eh offseason. if they let good players go and they are worse next year, it will be seen as more phils ineptitude. hopefully they can open their park with a little more flair than the eagles.

I agree el, a step in the right direction. They shot themselves in the foot when they let the trade deadline come and go w/o addressing the closer situation, they were just too stubborn!

But I am pleasantly surprised to see how well they did. I think next year they need to dig in the pockets a bit for better pitching and Burrell getting some life back in his bat would be a good thing too.

__________________
Philadelphia SEO consultants | Ringtones|Contact Lenses

How about last nights game? Let's just hope that we didn't blow our offense out all at once last night!

How would you rate the contributions of the players that we signed in the offseason?

Thome - Great
Millwood - not too bad if he were 3rd or 4th starter where he belongs
Bell - who?

I believe that to do better in 04, Phillies need to hire good people for:

Starting pitching - x2 (at least)

3rd base

Left field

Closer

Manager

General Manager

As disappointing as the end of the season has been, I'm very happy with how the team had performed this season. They've played the majority of the season without their starting third baseman. Burrell had a terrible season, but showed improvement in the last month, so there's hope that he'll do better next season.

Get a closer and they should be in the hunt next season.

Do you really think we need a third baseman? Bell didn't play most of the season and when he did I thought he was pretty good. We really won't know about him until next year though.

And what about a new closer?