What the Derek Lowe Signing Means for the Philadelphia Phillies

As most of us shall know by now, the Atlanta Braves have signed free agent pitcher Derek Lowe to a four-year, $60 million deal. The 35 year-old right-hander was searching for about $16 million a year, and around four years. Looks like he got just what he wanted.

Before the signing, rumors were floating around that Lowe could possibly land in Philadelphia. Most of the city did not completely buy in to the gossip, but it was an idea to get a little giddy about.

Now that Lowe has signed with the Braves, it likely ends any possibility for a big name signing by the Phils. Manny Ramirez is the only marquee player left in the market and with the Raul Ibanez signing it is evident that the Phillies will not need his services.

So now that the Phillies are likely done with the big name market, it's time to head into the time where Pat Gillick was a mastermind—the signings of role players.

There are just two gaping holes on the Phillies—right-handed bat and bullpen help--and this is the time they should be addressed.

With the absence of J.C. Romero for the first 50 games, the team will need to bring in an arm to pull some of the set-up load off of Ryan Madson. Who that pitcher could be is a mystery. He could simply be a minor-league pitcher, or the team could sign one of the many pitchers out there.

The pitcher will likely be used as a middle relief, giving Ryan Madson and Chad Durbin a break on some nights, but still letting them both pitch normal innings.

The right-handed batter could be a similar situation.

Players like Nomar Garciaparra, who may be interested in the Phillies, are still out on the market. A signing like Nomar would give the Phillies the option use him as their second basemen if Chase Utley misses time, and then move him to the bench as a role player.

The club could also bring up a prospect like Jason Donald to fill the hole. The Phils would likely use Donald the same way as Garciaparra.

No starting bat is needed, as the rest of the lineup is set in stone. Although, if there was one lineup change at all, it would be at third base. But, we can rule that out as it is pretty much out of the realm of possibility at this moment.

A trade would be required to reel in a third basemen, and the team has shown that they are unwilling to trade pitching prospects J.A. Happ and Carlos Carrasco, which puts them in a tough position. Teams are looking for pitchers more often than in recent years these days, so one of the pitchers would need to be sacrificed.

Besides role players, the only event left on the post-season calender is arbitration. We all know the arbitration situations, as I myself have gone over the Phillies' situations quite a few time. It's not going to be a real fun time, but it sure should be interesting.

After arbitration will come the start of a new season. Spring Training opens in a little over a month and I, like all baseball fans, are chomping at the bit to get the season going again.

But until then, enjoy the rest of the off-season.