SPRING TRAINING in Florida has ended for the Phillies. All that stands between them and the start of the regular season is a pair of final tune-ups at Citizens Bank Park.
It's about time. The persistent static all winter about moves that the team made or didn't make or should have made has dulled the senses. It has become tiresome and, besides, none of it matters a fig now. All that counts is what happens beginning Monday.
The fans have made it clear that, for the most part, they don't think much of the Phillies' chances. Many segments of the media appear to agree.
The Phillies organization, viewing the situation from inside circled wagons, has staked out the position that everyone will be shocked - shocked! - at how well this club comes together. And, hey, it could happen.
With that in mind, some neutral opinions were sought from baseball scouts who watched games all spring from the seats directly behind home plate. They were promised anonymity in return for their unvarnished opinions. And here's a sampler:
Scout No. 1: "I think they're short starting pitchingwise. Their big key is [closer Billy] Wagner being healthy. They also have a problem in center. I think [Kenny] Lofton will be hurt a lot. And even if he isn't, he's not the same player he was.
"Where will they finish? Maybe fourth. They could finish behind the Mets if [Pedro] Martinez is healthy."
Scout No. 2: "Like a lot of clubs, a lot's going to depend on how their starting pitching does. If they pitch up to their ability, they should be a contender. If they stay healthy. Can they do that?
"There's a big question mark in centerfield. Lofton is capable, but he's got to stay healthy for the main part of the season. So they could be in trouble unless they do something there.
"The lineup is good. The defense should be OK, except for the outfield situation. I think what happens in centerfield could make a big difference. The Braves are vastly improved in the division. They're going to be tough to beat. The Marlins are good, too. I really liked the Phillies in spring training last year, like a lot of people did. And it didn't work out.
"If things go right, they could finish second."
Scout No. 3: "I think they're going to have a tough time competing in that division. In [another] division they might win it. But they have to count on too many things going right with the starting pitching. I think they'll probably finish third."
None of this is gospel, of course. It's all just opinions that could very well turn out to be wrong. Still, it's interesting that scouts, the first step in baseball's informational food chain, came out of spring training with lukewarm endorsements, at best, of their hopes this season.
It's about time. The persistent static all winter about moves that the team made or didn't make or should have made has dulled the senses. It has become tiresome and, besides, none of it matters a fig now. All that counts is what happens beginning Monday.
The fans have made it clear that, for the most part, they don't think much of the Phillies' chances. Many segments of the media appear to agree.
The Phillies organization, viewing the situation from inside circled wagons, has staked out the position that everyone will be shocked - shocked! - at how well this club comes together. And, hey, it could happen.
With that in mind, some neutral opinions were sought from baseball scouts who watched games all spring from the seats directly behind home plate. They were promised anonymity in return for their unvarnished opinions. And here's a sampler:
Scout No. 1: "I think they're short starting pitchingwise. Their big key is [closer Billy] Wagner being healthy. They also have a problem in center. I think [Kenny] Lofton will be hurt a lot. And even if he isn't, he's not the same player he was.
"Where will they finish? Maybe fourth. They could finish behind the Mets if [Pedro] Martinez is healthy."
Scout No. 2: "Like a lot of clubs, a lot's going to depend on how their starting pitching does. If they pitch up to their ability, they should be a contender. If they stay healthy. Can they do that?
"There's a big question mark in centerfield. Lofton is capable, but he's got to stay healthy for the main part of the season. So they could be in trouble unless they do something there.
"The lineup is good. The defense should be OK, except for the outfield situation. I think what happens in centerfield could make a big difference. The Braves are vastly improved in the division. They're going to be tough to beat. The Marlins are good, too. I really liked the Phillies in spring training last year, like a lot of people did. And it didn't work out.
"If things go right, they could finish second."
Scout No. 3: "I think they're going to have a tough time competing in that division. In [another] division they might win it. But they have to count on too many things going right with the starting pitching. I think they'll probably finish third."
None of this is gospel, of course. It's all just opinions that could very well turn out to be wrong. Still, it's interesting that scouts, the first step in baseball's informational food chain, came out of spring training with lukewarm endorsements, at best, of their hopes this season.
