Philadelphia Phillies: 5 Proposed Fixes GM Ruben Amaro Jr. Should Ignore

With one resounding grounder to second base, the Philadelphia Phillies' dream season was stopped in its tracks and hurled into an extended winter filled with questions and uncertainty. Instead of hoisting the World Series trophy, the front office will be mired in the war room trying to find a way to get their hands back on it.

The Phillies were on track to win their third championship before being derailed by the Cinderella St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS. Failures in situational hitting, baserunning and most surprisingly, starting pitching all led to the downfall of a team that won 102 games in the regular season.

Two weeks after watching Ryan Howard tumble out of the batter's box and put an end to World Series hopes, there is little value in wondering what could have been for the five-time defending NL East champions. Philadelphia is now turning a blind eye to the final series in the Major League Baseball season and setting its sights on an offseason filled with intrigue.

How GM Ruben Amaro Jr. chooses to handle personnel over the next four months will go a long way toward determining the longevity of the team's playoff window. With the bulk of their historic staff under contract heading into the 2012 season, there is reason for optimism among the gloom hanging over the city.

Tweaks, minor changes, adjustments—however you choose to describe what needs to be done to keep the Philadelphia Phillies in position to return to glory, it does not include a fire sale that would change the face of the franchise.

If fans are still bitter from the loss at home in Game 5, it would be wise to hold off before shipping away superstars or selling the farm to push the team over the top. The ballclub is still a talented bunch, a fact Amaro Jr. keeps in his back pocket heading into negotiations.

The Phillies GM still faces a tall task in the coming months and will have to answer for his decisions in a city that is always tough to please. Here are five moves that Philadelphia and its front office should look to avoid making before next season: 

Overpaying for a Bench Bat

On their magical run to a drought-ending title in 2008, Philadelphia received a great deal of support from players who did not see the field regularly. Crucial pinch hits carried the team throughout the late push and postseason battles and will be remembered for decades in Phillies' lore.

The 2011 season saw a large amount of early success from bench players, whether it was John Mayberry Jr. capping an Opening Day comeback or Ross Gload striking early and often. It seemed as though the team was never out of a game with the way in which their subs would impact a game.

Unfortunately for the ballclub, the golden moments produced by unlikely heroes ran out well before the playoffs. So why should Amaro Jr. keep his finger off of the panic button on their bench situation and not pull the trigger on bringing in a well-known bench bat? 

The answer lies in the rolling changes the team has seen in its pinch-hitters over the past five years and the consistent success they have still enjoyed. A left-handed bat can be found within the farm system or in a healthy Ross Gload, who played most of the season with a torn labrum.

If need be, the trade deadline could see names like Jim Thome or Jason Kubel, players that the front office would have no problem acquiring in exchange for a low-level prospect. Opening up the checkbook for a substitute will decrease the payday for veteran starters, lowering offers that could impact the starting lineup.

Bringing Back the Fourth Ace

It was fun while it lasted for the Phillies' four aces. Though they dominated in the regular season and controlled opposing hitters for months on end, the starting staff faltered in the postseason and could not bail out an anemic offensive attack.

While it would be nice to bring back the entire rotation for the 2011 season, the abundance of arms has made the least cost-effective relatively expendable, particularly for his 2012 price. Roy Oswalt will be the largest salary facing the chopping block this winter, slated to make $16 million next season after winning just nine games last season.

For just $2 million, Philadelphia could buy out Oswalt and decline his option for the upcoming season, saving $14 million in the process. But money wouldn't be the only reason Amaro Jr. should consider allowing Oswalt to walk, as the Phillies have a considerable amount of talent at the back end of the rotation.

The emergence of Vance Worley and the sudden consistency of long reliever and spot starter Kyle Kendrick would still provide stability after the three aces if Oswalt is shown the door. Paying the veteran his seemingly exorbitant salary could hurt negotiations and cash availability when trying to extend the contract of Cole Hamels, a franchise cornerstone.

Leaving the Light on for "Lights Out"

After being a symbol of success early in his Phillies career, Brad Lidge has seen his fair share of highs and lows while wearing the red pinstripes. Following his perfect season in 2008, Lidge has battled injuries, blown saves and had several shots at redemption en route to a minor role in relief.

Slated to earn $12 million off of a club option in 2012 while pitching sparingly out of the bullpen, the lights would seem to be going out on Lidge's career in Philadelphia. Using his salary to pay free-agent-to-be Ryan Madson will put a qualified closer into the pen without piling onto the payroll.

Amaro Jr. may be tempted to bring back Lidge at a discounted rate for a veteran presence, but should let him walk into a flooded closer's market. Compensating Lidge for production that can be characterized as decent at best over the past three seasons would enrage fans who have been scarred by his implosions.

As unsettling as some of Lidge's appearances have been, Philadelphia would have little problem parting with a closer that seems to have passed his prime. Leaving the door open for his return would tie up much-needed funding for an offseason of change and slow the youth movement in the bullpen.

Breaking the Bank for Loyalty

The largest decision facing the Phillies front office has the potential to change the face of the franchise. Outspoken shortstop Jimmy Rollins is set to hit the free-agent market unless Amaro Jr. is willing to show the veteran a massive payday.

Rollins is reportedly seeking a five-year deal worth upwards of $40 million, a hefty price for a middle infielder that has been declining steadily since his MVP season in 2007. He will be 33 years of age when the first pitch is thrown in 2012 and just beginning a contract that will take him near 40.

Conventional wisdom would say that overpaying an aging player that relies on speed for much of his game would be a grave mistake. But what happens when this player is a leader in the clubhouse and a fan favorite in a city that is notoriously hard to win over?

Amaro Jr. must stay the course and continue to stand firm, remaining unafraid to make the tough call. His history in dealing or releasing fan favorites like Cliff Lee and Jayson Werth would indicate he will let Rollins leave Philadelphia if the asking price is too high.

What the Phillies want to avoid is a situation similar to the way the Yankees treated the Derek Jeter contract negotiations. New York is now locked into a deal that will grossly overpay Jeter for the next several years based on his production.

It may be best to give a young prospect a chance to replace the veteran, particularly if Rollins expects to be paid out of loyalty.

Forcing the Big Splash

After such a terrible end to the season with Ryan Howard at the plate for the second consecutive year, many fans are blaming the struggling first baseman for another early exit. And with a populated market for middle-of-the-order bats, there have been radical cries for a change at first.

While Amaro Jr. won't likely be shipping off his star first baseman, he may need to find a replacement for the first few months of the season. Though the free-agent market will be filled with big names like Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder, the Phillies need to focus on a short-term fix rather than making a big splash.

Philadelphia's GM has made a number of major moves over the past several seasons, but now is not the time to bring in another big piece. When the anger over the loss finally fades, fans will be right back behind a healed Ryan Howard.

Avoiding a major move and massive cosmetic alteration will help preserve the championship window the team is staring down. The lineup has as much potential as any in baseball; they simply need to perform when it counts.