LOS ANGELES, March 18, 2013 — The Philadelphia Phillies finished third in the National League East with an 81-81 record behind the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves. They may finish with a better record in 2013 than they did last year, but they will probably end up in third place again.
The Phillies were able to avoid the Michael Bourn race by adding a cheaper, younger Ben Revere, who should put up similar numbers to Bourn. This could be a very good offense if Ryan Howard can return to his pre-injury form. They are loaded with good veterans and young players with great potential.
The rotation is solid with three bonefide aces at the top in Cole Hamels, future Hall of Famer Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee. The 2013 Phillies are going to be victims of being in the wrong division at the wrong time as the Nationals and Braves are just better.
It is not crazy to think Philadelphia can at least get a wild card spot, but they will need to have either the Braves or Nationals underperform for that to happen.
Cole Hamels leads an impressive rotation/AP Wilfredo Lee
Projected payroll: $154,185,714
Notable Players Out: LF Juan Pierre, 3B Placido Polanco, IF/OF Ty Wigginton, OF Nate Shierholtz, RHP Vance Worley, RHP Jose Contreras
Notable Players In: CF Ben Revere, 3B Michael Young, OF Delmon Young, C Humberto Quintero, LHP John Lannan
Prospect Watch: SS Roman Quinn and RHP Ethan Martin
Highlight Hitter: 1B Ryan Howard (ZiPS 2013 Projections: .242/.328/.463 23 HR/57 R/89 RBI)
Highlight Pitcher: LHP Cole Hamels (ZiPS 2013 Projections: 14-8, 3.26 ERA, 8.87 K/9, 204 IP)
Projected Lineup: C Erik Kratz, 1B Ryan Howard, 2B Chase Utley, 3B Michael Young, SS Jimmy Rollins, LF Laynce Nix, CF Ben Revere, RF Dominic Brown
Projected Rotation: LHP Cole Hamels, RHP Roy Halladay, LHP Cliff, RHP Kyle Kendrick, LHP John Lannan
Projected Closer: RHP Jonathan Papelbon
Manager: Charlie Manuel
Projected 2013 Finish in NL East: 1. TBA 2. TBA 3. Philadelphia Phillies 4. New York Mets 5. Miami Marlins
Kevin J. Wells writes about Major League Baseball and punk rock music. Follow him on Twitter @WellsOnBaseball
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