Philadelphia Phillies: How to Setup for the World Series and the 2012 Season

The main topic for everyone is who the Phillies should trade for to shore up the roster for the playoffs.  While I am big on the "must win now" mentality, the Phillies have a great opportunity to set themselves up for not only now, but for the 2012 season.  That is only if they make the right decisions now, and not just think short term.  I have the utmost confidence in Ruben, but here's my take on how we should approach the trade deadline.

The first move is to get Hunter Pence, and here's why.  At the end of the season, Raul Ibanez will either retire or go somewhere else.  Dominic Brown will have a full year in the majors under his belt and continue to improve at the plate and in the field.  Shane Victorino will still be under contract and will continue to perform at a Gold Glove level.  So with that in mind, our outfield would look like this.

• Left Field: Hunter Pence (R) Age: 28, Career BA: .290
• Center Field: Shane Victorino (S) Age: 30, Career BA: .281
• Right Field: Dominic Brown (L) Age: 23, Career BA: .238
• Reserve: John Mayberry Jr. (R) Age: 27, Career BA: .243

It doesn't get much more balanced than that.  Our oldest outfielder is also the fastest man on the team, and there is only one lefty among them.  Add to that the fact that Victorino is a switch hitter, the outfield can bat all righty, or two rights and a left.  That takes care of the outfield.

As for the infield, we have some options there.  No one really needs to be acquired to modify the infield.  Howard and Utley aren't going anywhere and can play on almost a daily basis.  Rollins may be getting older, but like a 90's era Toyota, he doesn't need to be replaced anytime soon.  At third, we bring back Polanco and allow Martinez to give him some relief as the season wears on.  Catcher is set with Chooch running the show, and Schneider can provide rest when necessary.  So with that in mind, here would be the infield.

• 1st Base: Ryan Howard
• 2nd Base: Chase Utley or Michael Martinez
• Shortstop: Jimmy Rollins
• 3rd Base: Placido Polanco or Michael Martinez
• Catcher: Carlos Ruiz or Brian Schneider

That brings us to the pitching staff.  No additions required, but we should part with some.  Namely, Brad Lidge and Roy Oswalt.  Lidge has been unused this season and we have not seen any ill effects from it.  Let his option go and allow him to try and develop his speed again with some other team.  As for Lil' Roy, his injuries have rendered him ineffective this year.  Too much money for too much uncertainty if we bring him back.  We should also part ways with Contreras for the same reasons.  So here's the pitching staff for 2012.

• SP 1: Roy Halladay
• SP 2: Cliff Lee
• SP 3: Cole Hamels
• SP 4: Joe Blanton or Vance Worley
• SP 5: Vance Worley or Pick one from the minors
• LR: Kyle Kendrick, Drew Carpenter, Trevor May
• MR: Michael Stutes, Drew Carpenter, Jared Cosart
• SU: Antonio Bastardo
• CL: Ryan Madson

So that would be your 2012 Philadelphia Phillies.  The payroll would be cut down dramatically, and the production wouldn't suffer.  We would lose the costly players like Lidge, Ibanez, and Oswalt.  We would also be drawing from our minor leagues instead of shopping around for talent.  It would give Ruben ammo to hit the market in the offseason or at the next trade deadline.  We've all seen what he can do with a little money. 

What could be possible if we got way below that luxury tax?  The sky's the limit.