Philadelphia Phillies: 40 Bold Predictions over the Next Five Years

A lot can happen over a span of five years.

In the game of baseball in particular, five years is quite a long time. It's enough time for clubs that have been at the bottom of their division to capture that division's title, and enough time for powerhouses to fall to the bottom of the pile.

Five years is long enough for some of the game's top talent to take over at the MLB level, but it is also enough time for some top talent to fizzle out in the Minor Leagues before making their debut. On the same scale, we'll watch All-Stars begin or continue reigns of dominance as the game's elite, but we'll also see our fair share of one-hit wonders, streaky players, and those who never live up to their talents.

We'll see plenty of free agent contracts signed. Some will be bargains and others will become a team's albatross. We'll see teams strike big deals that change the course of their franchise, and maybe some that hurt the future. We'll also see little trades with big consequences. Simply put, anything can happen over five years time.

What does five years hold in store for the Philadelphia Phillies?

Roy Halladay's Dominance

Prediction: Roy Halladay is dominant throughout the duration of his contract.

When the Phillies acquired Roy Halladay from the Toronto Blue Jays, most people around baseball expected him to cruise through his first season in the National League, the less competitive of baseball's two divisions, some would say, with relative ease—and he did. The vote to award Halladay with the Cy Young was unanimous.

Now with a year in the NL under his belt, the naysayers kicked into high gear. It was argued that the NL was more familiar with Halladay, and most popularly, he was getting older. However, with an impressive 2011 campaign, he but those doubters to rest.

It's almost scary to think, but by the numbers, at age 34, Doc is only getting better.

He's not a power pitcher, which should give him an advantage in the future. Halladay is crafty. He relies on movement and changing speeds—not throwing a fastball by a hitter. While most pitchers would begin a decline at his age, Halladay is only putting more distance between he and the rest of the competition.

Roy Halladay Throws a No-Hitter

Prediction: Roy Halladay throws a no-hitter within the next five seasons.

Picking Roy Halladay to throw a no-hitter is almost a safe bet. In his first season with the Phillies, he threw a perfect game against the Florida Marlins and a postseason, no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds.

The scary part about it is that Doc has the potential to throw a no-hitter each time he takes the mound. That's why you have to take your best approach against him each time he opposes you, because if not, it's going to be a long day at the dish.

Cliff Lee Also Shows Minimal Decline

Prediction: Cliff Lee also maintains status as one of game's best pitchers.

The biggest argument against the Phillies' rotation is that they're getting older, and truth be told, they are. However, you have to question whether or not "getting older" is the same as "becoming less effective."

The simple answer is no.

Under a different set of circumstances, a team with aging starters may be in trouble, but not the Phillies. Much like Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee relies on control and changing speeds to be effective. Those are a couple of things that don't decline rapidly with age, unlike the skill-set of a power pitcher.

Lee will be terrorizing the NL for quite some time.

Cole Hamels Signs a Contract Extension

Prediction: The Phillies and Cole Hamels agree to a long-term contract.

In a rotation studded with All-Star caliber pitchers, Cole Hamels has always been the guy that the Phillies know best. He was drafted and developed under their watchful eye, helped bring a World Series to Philly, and now, has emerged as one of the best left handed starters in all of baseball with his fastball / change-up combination that leaves opposing hitters sick at the plate.

Having three pitchers earning more than $20 million a year has never happened before in the history of baseball, but the Phillies knew that possibility existed when they signed Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee to their deals.

Simply put, Hamels is the youngest of the three and still has room to grow. Even with Halladay and Lee under contract for the next few seasons, the Phillies wouldn't be foolish enough to let their best homegrown starter walk in free agency.

With Extension Signed, the "Third Ace" Reigns Supreme

Prediction: Cole Hamels continues his upward progression.

Cole Hamels is an accomplished pitcher. Simply put, he's done it all before reaching age 30. He has won a World Series, been to the All-Star Game—you name it. He's even gone through that dreadful period of ineffectiveness that most pitchers go through, where the good ones evolve and the bad ones fizzle out.

Hamels has evolved. Ever since adding the cutter to his repertoire, he's become one of the game's best pitchers. With arguably the best change-up in baseball at his command, Hamels has baffled hitters in recent years. His fastball has the ability to run in and away from hitters at either side of the plate, and his change-up has been so effective that he's been able to all but abandon his curveball.

Simply put, Hamels is not going anywhere.

Vance Worley Continues to Impress

Prediction: Vance Worley continues to improve moving forward.

A lot baseball statistics show that Vance Worley is due for quite a regression next season, and I'm not usually one to debate statistics. However, in the case of Worley, I'm willing to make the argument that he has what it takes to beat the odds.

Will he post a record and ERA like he did in 2011? Probably not. However, that doesn't mean that Worley will not continue to grow as a starting pitcher. Let's not forget, it was just last season that he was sent to AAA Lehigh Valley to "build arm strength" and work on his control.

When he came back, he was great for the Phillies. Worley has a unique repertoire of pitches, highlighted by that nasty two-seam fastball. As long as he can adapt to hitters, they'll continue to struggle against him.

Joe Blanton Is on His Way Out

Prediction: 2012 is Joe Blanton's last season with the Phillies.

The emergence of Vance Worley seems to be the final nail in Joe Blanton's coffin. Though he's dealt with similar competition before from the likes of Kyle Kendrick, Worley jumped over Blanton last season on the depth chart and cemented himself in the rotation, making Blanton one of baseball's most overpaid fifth starters.

However, the signs have been written on the wall for Blanton's departure for a while now. The Phillies shopped him around to no avail last winter, and during the season, he suffered an arm injury. They'll give him one more shot in the rotation this season, but if he is as ineffective as in the past, he'll get the boot much quicker, especially with young reinforcements on the way in the near future.

Trevor May Is on the Way

Prediction: Trevor May cracks the Phillies' starting rotation as soon as 2013.

With Joe Blanton's inevitable departure, other uncertainties to the pitching staff, and a climbing payroll, the Phillies are going to need to start incorporating some of their top talent into their MLB plans in the near future. This scenario creates the perfect storm of possibility for Trevor May, who could be a full season away from the show.

Named the Paul Owens Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2011, May has made great strides in his development over the last few seasons. Though his control still leaves something to be desired, the big right hander is a strikeout machine, with a power fastball, a sharp curveball, and a developing change-up.

Slated to begin the 2012 season with the AA Reading Phillies, if all goes well, it is not irrational to pen May into the 2013 rotation as the Phillies' fifth starter.

The Phillies Are Surprisingly Quiet on the Market for Pitching

Prediction: The Phillies won't land a big-name starting pitcher over the next five seasons.

The cat is out of the bag: Phillies' general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. is a firm believer in the "pitching wins championships" guide to baseball success, and he hasn't been afraid to go out and land some of the winter's big prizes, like Roy Halladay prior to the 2010 season and Cliff Lee a year later.

Don't expect much of that in the future.

Unlike in year's past, the Phillies don't need to go out and land a big starter. With Halladay, Lee, and Cole Hamels likely to become the first three starters for quite a while, the Phillies have a ton of young pitching on the way, led by Vance Worley and Trevor May, but limited to them.

With a bulging payroll and an offense that is aging much more quickly than the rotation, expect the Phillies to spend money on hitting the ball and use young talent to throw it.

Kyle Kendrick Gets the Boot

Prediction: Kyle Kendrick is non-tendered within the next two seasons.

It's going to happen.

Kyle Kendrick may not be non-tendered this winter, but it seems to be an inevitable outcome at this point. At the moment, it appears as though the Phillies will keep Kendrick because he represents pitching depth and a semi-reliable option for one inning or more out of the bullpen.

However, that is contingent on the fact that his salary won't break the budget in 2012, though, it is quickly becoming a burden. Eligible for arbitration again after next season, it won't be long before the Phillies realize that not only are their more affordable options than Kendrick as the long reliever, but there are better ones.

David Herndon Becomes Kyle Kendrick? Think Again

Prediction: David Herndon is stashed in the Minor Leagues in the very near future.

For those of you who believe that David Herndon is a suitable replacement for Kyle Kendrick at a cheaper rate, you may want to browse a little further than wins, losses, and ERA to see the whole truth.

While Herndon would represent a cheaper option than Kendrick as the club's long reliever, he'd be far from a better option. Advanced statistics show that Herndon was much worse than Kendrick in 2011, allowing close to 1.5 home runs per nine innings, posting a tERA of 5.25 and a FIP of 5.08. For those who aren't fluent in advanced statistics, just take my word for it—those numbers are terrible.

I guess that's what happens when you throw a sinker that manages to sink right onto the barrel of the bat. The best option for the Phillies would be to send Herndon to AAA, where he can harness some of the few moments that have made him a viable reliever.

Michael Scwhimer in 2011 Was Not the Michael Scwhimer of the Future

Prediction: Michael Scwhimer shows a vast improvement from 2011.

You could tell that, as he made his Major League debut against the Washington Nationals last season, Michael Scwhimer was feeling the nervous jitters a bit. Surrendering a mammoth home run surely didn't help, and he seemed to struggle through the first few outings of the season, specifically with his control.

However, this isn't the version of Schwimer that people should come to expect. He is a much better control pitcher than he showed with the Phillies last season, something that should improve heading into 2012. He has the potential for big strikeout numbers, and should make for a solid middle-innings type reliever, if not better.

Mike Stutes Also Finds His Role as a Middle Reliever

Prediction: Mike Stutes is an effective reliever for the Phillies in the middle innings.

Thanks to an absurd amount of injuries in the back end of the bullpen last season, the Phillies were forced not only to call up Mike Stutes, but to throw him into the fire late in ball games, and in a sink or swim moment, Stutes swam.

However, his numbers tailed off at the end of season, thanks in large part to a loss of control. Those results are simple to figure out—the more batters you walk, the more trouble you find yourself in.

In a healthy season, the Phillies have options at the back end of the bullpen, allowing Stutes to settle into a middle innings roles. As long as he finds his control, he should find success, something the Phillies will count on for the next few seasons.

Antonio Bastardo Emerges as One of League's Best Set-Up Men

Prediction: Antonio Bastardo becomes one of baseball's best set-up men.

The development of Antonio Bastardo has been fun to watch over the last few seasons. Just a couple of years ago, we watched Bastardo make his debut as a starting pitcher for the Phillies, throwing more fastballs than you could keep count of.

A few seasons later, he is a fastball / slider specialists with one of the most un-hittable repertoires in the game. For most of the season, Bastardo did not fail in his role in the later innings. Even after struggling in the month of September, opponents managed to hit just .141 against him for the year.

With new closer in tow, the Phillies will rely on Bastardo to get tough lefties out late in the game, and he should be able to do so without much problem, if last season is any indicator.

Joe Savery—Surprising Lefty

Prediction: Joe Savery joins the Phillies' bullpen during the 2012 season, and beyond. 

Speaking of great stories, how about the road traveled by left handed reliever Joe Savery?

After failing to cut it as a starting pitcher and a hitter, Savery made the full-time transition into the bullpen last season as a left handed specialist and may have found his niche. A member of the 40-man roster, the Phils will give him a good look in Spring Training.

Why?

They'll give him a look because Antonio Bastardo is currently the only left handed reliever penciled into the bullpen, and carrying just one lefty has its disadvantages. If Savery impresses the right people this spring, he could be on the MLB roster in the near future.

Last Season's Forgotten Reliever: Jose Contreras

Prediction: Jose Contreras plays big role in 2012. 

With just a year left on his contract, the 39-year-old Jose Contreras probably doesn't factor much into the Phillies' plans for the future, but then again, we said that about Jamie Moyer as well. However, in that one season, Contreras could make a huge difference in the Phils' bullpen.

Slated to be a young group, Contreras represents one of Charlie Manuel's lone veteran options. That's not a bad thing. Just a couple of months ago, the Phillies intended to use him as the closer over Ryan Madson when Brad Lidge went down with injury before Contreras went down himself.

He's on pace to begin a throwing program in January, and if all goes well, could be ready by Opening Day. In that event, he'd provide the second half of a dynamic set-up duo with Antonio Bastardo. The opposition hit just .216 against him last season.

Justin De Fratus Becomes One of Bullpen's Best

Prediction: Over the next five seasons, Justin De Fratus becomes one of Charlie Manuel's go-to guys late in games.

Justin De Fratus has all the tools to be a great reliever late in ball games. He boasts a good fastball and a better slider, a combination that has worked well for relievers in the past. Over the last few seasons, he has soared up the Phillies' rankings of top prospects, and of the most successful of the young relievers, has the best control.

With Jose Contreras on his way out, he has all of the goods to become the team's next right handed set-up man, but another young reliever should fill that role. De Fratus will provide incredible bullpen depth and give the Phillies' a legitimate option in the seventh inning.

Phillippe Aumont Becomes Next Right Handed Set-Up Man

Prediction: Phillippe Aumont becomes dominant, late innings reliever.

Had the Phillies not made the commitment they did to Jonathan Papelbon, they would have eventually landed their reliever. However, Phillippe Aumont was not ready to take over that role in 2012. The big right handed reliever does, however, have all of the tools to be a dominant closer, and it won't be long before he's with the MLB club.

The biggest knock against Aumont has been control, but he is a strikeout machine. He has a live fastball that sits in the mid to upper 90s and a curveball that has been fooling hitters left and right. He has closer potential, and even with the large number of walks, should be effective with the Phillies, and soon.

Joanthan Papelbon Proves His Worth

Prediction: Jonathan Papelbon comes as close as humanly possible to living up to his contract.

Realistically, there is no way for a pitcher to live up to the contract that Jonathan Papelbon signed, but it's not his fault the Phillies felt the need to row a boatload of money his way. One thing that rings true about the guy is that he is a natural competitor, and he'll fit right in with the Phillies who seem to have a clubhouse full of those.

Will he live up to every last dollar on his contract? Absolutely not. The Phillies paid him that money to lock down wins in the ninth inning, and Papelbon is more than capable of that. As long as the Phillies' starters keep it close, Papelbon will nail it down. He's moving into a much easier league from a much tougher division.

Jonathan Papelbon Poised for Phillies' History

Prediction: Jonathan Papelbon converts 40 saves in at least three seasons with Phillies.

This prediction is quite bold, but outside the realm of possibility? I don't think so. Built around pitching, the Phillies play in a lot of close games, hence, the importance of acquiring a dominant closer. With four guaranteed years on his contract and a fifth year vesting option, the question is simple—how many saves can Jonathan Papelbon rack up as a Phillie?

In his seven year career, Papelbon has averaged 37 saves per season. The Phillies don't have the same explosive offense that the Boston Red Sox are capable of. Will that create more saves opportunities for Papelbon?

Young Phillies' Bullpen Shows Dominance

Prediction: Though young in age, the Phillies' bullpen is one of the team's greatest assets over each of the next five seasons.

The Phillies already have arguably the best rotation in baseball, even without Roy Oswalt, and especially if Vance Worley continues his progression. Pair them with a dominant bullpen and you're talking about a successful team, and the Phillies have all of the pieces in place to do just that.

For the 2012 season, the Phillies will have Jose Contreras, Antonio Bastardo, and Jonathan Papelbon ready for battle in the late innings, as well as guys with upside, like Mike Stutes and Michael Scwhimer. Moving forward, that bullpen gets even better.

With Papelbon at the end for the next four seasons, and more than likely, five, the Phils will use some of their young arms to dominate late in games. Imagine for a moment having to face Roy Halladay for just seven innings, followed by some combination of Stutes, Schwimer, Justin De Fratus, Bastardo, Phillippe Aumont, and Papelbon. It just isn't fair.

Carlos Ruiz Finally Makes an All-Star Team...

Prediction: In the next five seasons, Carlos Ruiz will make an All-Star team at least once.

Carlos Ruiz has played All-Star level defense over the last few seasons, and teams are finally beginning to take notice. He handles one of the league's best pitching staffs with ease, keeps the running game in check, and is a rock behind the plate.

Over the last couple of seasons, however, Ruiz has been no slouch at the plate either. Though he has little power, he has shown a consistent proficiency for reaching base. His OPS over each of the last two seasons has been .847 and .754, respectively.

One of the game's most well-rounded catchers, it is only a matter of time before Ruiz is in the All-Star Game.

...But Is Eventually Sebastian Valle's Back-Up Catcher

Prediction: By year five, Carlos Ruiz moves in the back-up catcher's role, allowing Sebastian Valle to take over as the starting catcher.

It's no secret that the Phillies have been grooming Sebastian Valle as Carlos Ruiz's heir to the catching throne for quite some time now, and there is good reason for that. Valle is an impressive backstop with the ability to hit for some power and grow defensively. After moving Travis D'Arnaud for Roy Halladay, they refused to entertain trade talks including his name.

So what happens to Carlos Ruiz in the future?

As much as Phillies' fans would love to think that Ruiz can catch forever, he can't. Picking up his contract option for the 2013 season is a no-brainer, but what happens after that? I'm sure he'll sign another contract with the Phils, who value him more than any other team, but he'll be 34-years-old. Being a starting catcher much longer than that is a rarity.

On the other hand, it makes perfect sense for Ruiz to come back to the Phillies as a semi-back-up catcher. He'll play more regularly than, for instance, Brian Schneider does, but will serve as a mentor to Valle, who will see a majority of the playing time.

Ryan Howard's Recovery from Injury Leads to Productive Season...

Prediction: Ryan Howard experiences a rise in 2012 offensive numbers.

Ryan Howard has been playing injured long before he tore his Achilles' tendon on the final play of the 2011 season. Ever since injuring his ankle sliding back into second base against the Washington Nationals a few seasons ago, Howard has not been the same. Taking a power hitter's legs from beneath him can be devastating.

Howard is expected to make a full recovery from the Achilles injury, which could mean that he'll finally be playing healthy again in 2012. Of course, that remains to be seen. The recovery is a lengthy process, and we won't know just how well he has recovered until he is actually playing baseball.

With a drive to get back on the field, Howard could experience a rise in his 2012 numbers, should he be healthy.

...Before a Long, Gradual Decline

Prediction: Even after a slight surge in offensive totals, Ryan Howard begins a long, gradual decline of offensive output.

Ryan Howard doesn't have much going for him right now. Even before the injury, he was a big-bodied first baseman, and history hasn't treated those guys well. He has struggled to find himself at the plate and off-speed pitches become more of a struggle for him each season. Add to that a devastating Achilles injury, and he may be in trouble.

My personal belief is that Howard still has something left in the tank; something left to prove. Common sense tells me that it's not going to be long before he becomes

The Phillies Explore Dealing Howard to an AL Team, but to No Avail

Prediction: In the next five seasons, the Phillies will explore trading Ryan Howard to an American League team, but will be unable to do so.

Ruben Amaro Jr. has never been the type of general manager to shy away from making a big move, and trading Ryan Howard would be a big move. If the Phillies are willing to eat a large portion of his salary, there should be at least a couple of American League teams interested in employing Howard as a designated hitter, where he can focus solely on hitting.

Needless to say, the chances of that happening are slim to none. At some point, teams have to ask themselves whether or not it's worth eating a lot of money off of a contract just to move a player, and for the Phillies, it wouldn't be worth it unless an obvious upgrade appeared.

Still, it could be a possibility.

Chase Utley Returns to Form

Prediction: Chase Utley returns to form in 2012, and for the long haul.

Anyone who has played baseball, at any level, knows that hitting is difficult without the lower half of your body. So imagine for a moment what it was like for Chase Utley trying to hit off of one leg. Now that he has this knee condition under control, it shouldn't be long before we see a return to form from Utley, specifically in his power.

With a healthy knee, Utley will be able to drive the ball better, something that was obviously lacking in his game last season. Controlling the condition and health of his knee is obviously going to be a challenge moving forward, but it is a manageable condition, as Utley proved last season.

Jimmy Rollins—Career Phillie

Prediction: Jimmy Rollins is the Phillies' shortstop for most of, if not all of, the next five seasons.

With a lack of shortstops available in free agency, the Phillies and Jimmy Rollins are the perfect fit for each other, and hardly anyone envisions Rollins joining another team. He deserves to play for the Phillies for his entire career after helping to turn this franchise around, and it is my personal belief that the Phils feel the same way.

Therefore, the question becomes: Just how far are the Phillies willing to go to make that happen? Rollins wants a five-year deal, and while the Phillies seem reluctant to guarantee five years, will they have to guarantee four with an option for a fifth to get a deal done? That's a possibility.

Regardless, it is difficult to envision another man at shortstop for the Phillies, and as long as Rollins can stay healthy, which it appears he can thanks in large part to yoga, the Phillies would be foolish to give the job to someone else.

Freddy Galvis Is Traded

Prediction: The Phillies trade Freddy Galvis.

The Phillies' pursuit of Jimmy Rollins should not be seen as a knock against Freddy Galvis, who could step in and play above average defense for an MLB club right now if they asked him to. The real question is whether or not he can hit big league pitching, and the prospect of that happening certainly isn't great.

The Phillies are noticeably thin when it comes to depth in the middle infield, so trading Galvis may be counterproductive. However, finding a legitimate shortstop is no simple task, and should the Phillies ink Rollins, there is no doubt that teams will be calling about Galvis.

The question is what are they willing to give up that would make the Phillies want to part with their shortstop.

The Phillies Will Be Open Minded About Third Base

Prediction: The Phillies will cast a wide net in regards of finding their next third baseman.

I was going to make a slide about how the Phillies will decline Placido Polanco's option next winter, but the more I thought about it, the more that seemed like more of a fact than a prediction. Instead, let's take a look at the next step for the Phillies—who plays third base in the future?

The Phillies have a couple of in-house options that could be a possibility. The organization's top third base prospect is Maikel Franco, but he is still years away from the MLB. In the short term, they could go with Cody Overbeck—a fringe prospect—who hit 24 home runs last season.

The free agent market doesn't offer many attractive names, but should their teams decline their contract options, David Wright, Kevin Youkillis, and Mark Reynolds could become options.

Another possibility would be to trade for a starting third baseman, but like the first two options, the market is severely limited. In the long run, the Phillies are going to have to get creative to solve their problem at third base, but Ruben Amaro Jr. is up to the challenge.

Shane Victorino Walks in Free Agency

Prediction: After a successful 2012 season, the Phillies let Shane Victorino walk in free agency.

The Phillies have put themselves in a position where they're going to have to make a few difficult decisions over the next few seasons. It's not exactly a bad decision, because having options is often a good thing. However, you can only carry so many huge contracts on your payroll, and if the Phillies sign a couple of guys to contract extensions, Victorino may be the odd man out.

Someone is going to pay Victorino handsomely in the near future. He is one of the game's best center fielders, both offensively with the ability to hit for power and average, and defensively. Simply put, he is one of the game's best five-tool players.

Will the Phillies be able to pay him as one of the game's best five-tool players? That remains to be seen.

His Replacement? John Mayberry Jr.

Prediction: John Mayberry Jr. takes over in center field for the Phillies.

John Mayberry Jr. isn't your average center fielder. First and foremost, the man is six-foot-six and has long limbs. However, it is those long limbs that allow him to play good defense. He is very athletic and seems to glide under the baseball, having a good natural awareness in the outfield.

Mayberry has played center field in the past, and the greatest question may be whether or not he can play there for the long term. At the very least, he provides a great short-term option, but at the most, the Phillies have a center fielder who can hit for power in the future.

Domonic Brown Finally Emerges as Phillies' Left Fielder

Prediction: Domonic Brown takes over in left field.

Domonic Brown can hit. If the Phillies were not a contending team, he would have been playing right field for the last two seasons, but the Phils' situation is different. They couldn't be patient, letting him get his feet wet at the MLB level, so they went out and landed Hunter Pence. That doesn't mean that they have given up on Brown.

If anything, Brown was starting to come around when the Phils acquired Pence. He had posted an OPS of .725, gradually on the rise, when the Phillies optioned him to AAA. Statistic guru Bill James predicts that Brown will post an OPS of .810 in 2012.

The Phillies have to be patient with him, and Brown has to be patient and excel at AAA. As soon as he learns to play defense, he'll be good to go, especially if Shane Victorino is allowed to explore free agency.

Hunter Pence Inks a Contract Extension

Prediction: The Phillies sign Hunter Pence to a contract extension.

I'm not sure the Phillies expected Hunter Pence to have the impact that he did when they acquired him, but with half a season in the books, I think it is safe to assume they received everything they wanted, and then some.

Acquired to help propel the offense, Pence certainly did just that. However, his impact on the club extended much further, as he loosened the atmosphere in the clubhouse and became an instant fan-favorite.

Simply put, not extending him would be a bad business decision. The Phillies mortgaged part of their future to acquire him by sending their top two prospects to the Houston Astros, and the impact that Pence has had on the fan-base is widespread.

He'll sign a new deal with the Phillies. It is a matter of time.

Phillies Struggle to Change Offensive Identity...

Prediction: Despite a will from the front office to do so, the Phillies' offense changes very slightly over the next five seasons.

To some, that's a prediction that you don't want to hear. Following their early postseason exit in 2011, Ruben Amaro Jr. preached change to the offensive philosophy. The question is how. Do the Phillies really want to change their offensive approach? What does that even mean? 

Well, first and foremost, it means finding ways to get on base. In the short term, it means getting Placido Polanco and Chase Utley healthy, among other things, but the long term is hard to forecast. What happens if Shane Victorino does walk in free agency? Is that a change for the better? Does Domonic Brown live up to his potential?

It's hard to see the Phillies undergoing any drastic change in offensive approach in the near future.

...but Find Ways to Be Successful

Prediction: The Phillies find ways to put runs on the board more consistently.

Their is a stark difference between struggling to find an offensive identity and being successful, a line that I believe has been blurred in regards to the Phillies in recent seasons. Yes, they have struggled to be consistent in offensive output, but with a little tinkering and a whole lot of healing, the Phillies' fortunes are about to be reversed moving forward.

First and foremost, a full season of Hunter Pence will pay dividends for the Phillies. Prior to last season's All-Star Game, the Phillies' offense ranked 14th in runs scored. After the All-Star break, the Phils scored 329 runs and ranked eighth.

A healthy starting lineup and much deeper bench should work wonders for the Phillies in 2012, and beyond.

Phillies Develop a Heated Rivalry with the Braves

Prediction: The Phillies and Atlanta Braves rivalry reaches a new level.

You could say that the Phillies and Braves have had somewhat of a rivalry over the last couple of seasons. Because they've been atop the NL East, games played between each other have meant more than other games within the division.

All of that is about to change. With the way the Braves' season ended in 2011, they'll be out for revenge moving forward, especially considering the fact that the team in the other dugout was none other than the Phillies, who helped squash their postseason goals.

Now, still the top two teams in the division, their rivalry is about to heat up some more. There is bad blood between these two teams, and their games are about to get more interesting than ever.

Phillies Reel off Five Straight Division Titles

Prediction: The Phillies win the NL East in each of the next five seasons.

It won't be easy.

Now that they're ready to move into their new ballpark, the Miami Marlins have shown a willingness to spend more money. They have a solid young core and the ability to get even better. The same could be said for the Atlanta Braves, who have all the pieces to put a run together in place as well. How about the Washington Nationals, who are ready to field a competitive team as well.

With that being said, the Phillies are still the best team in the National League East, and will be over each of the next five seasons.

The Phillies have the division's best rotation, and though it struggles at times, an offense entirely capable of throwing up crooked numbers. Add to that a very strong bullpen and improved depth on the bench, as well as talented reinforcements on the horizon, and the Phillies aren't going anywhere for a long time. They're built to win.

Ryne Sandberg Takes over as Phillies' Manager

Prediction: Ryne Sandberg takes over as manager of the Phillies.

Charlie Manuel is the greatest manager the Phillies have ever had, but you can't do the job forever. He'll be 69-years-old by the time his next contract expires, and though it wouldn't surprise me to see him come back to the Phillies to manage in his 70s, it also wouldn't surprise me to see Ruben Amaro Jr. go in a different direction.

Of course, that direction would be Ryne Sandberg. After interviewing for MLB jobs this winter, Sandberg came up empty and returned to Lehigh Valley to manage the IronPigs. It would take a few winks and a couple of nudges to keep him around until Manuel's contract runs out, but it's a possibility.

Phillies Win Multiple World Series Titles

Prediction: The Phillies win multiple World Series titles over the next five seasons.

Why not save the boldest prediction for last?

The Phillies have the pieces in place to win their division over each of the next five seasons. We've already been through that. They also have the pieces to win in the postseason, in spite of some popular  belief that they're trending towards oblivion.

That's ridiculous.

While building a team for the postseason is dandy, first and foremost, a team must be built to make the postseason, and the Phillies have done that. Personally, I believe that the postseason is a crap-shoot, but if that is the case, you'd like to go in with the best arsenal, and the Phillies can do that as well.

With several explosive bats in the lineup, a deeper bench, arguably the best rotation in all of baseball, and one of the better bullpens in the game, the Phillies are equipped not just one World Series, but several.