What to do until June?

With the announcement that Chase Utley will be having hip surgery and may be out until June, the Phils are now faced with playing as much as one-third of the season without two of their four best players from last year. Burrell is almost definitely gone as the Golson trade seems to indicate. Trading for a minor league right handed power bat who is major league ready is not exactly a subtle move. However with the news of Utleys injury and the subsequent rehab time associated, the Phils may become more tempted to make a big move to make up for the lost offense as they try to defend their title. Signing Manny Ramirez, Adam Dunn or trading for Beltre would certainly make the headlines and let the casual fan know that they are "trying", not to mention spending money. However the better may simply be to let Jason Donald get a crack at the job while bringing in someone from the Tadahito Iguchi/Marcus Giles/Jerry Hairston crew to add depth. It would serve to give a realistic opportunity at league average production while awaiting Utleys return and brings me to my central idea for this year; depth.

The Phillies will not be able to replace Burrell and Utleys production without spending a lot of money, most of which would be ill advised. There are no big time impact players ready for 09 in the system and no free agents that really fit the bill in terms of position/production/age and cost. Building depth is the best way to get by this year. Trading Golston for John Mayberry Jr is a first step as he adds a potential right hand bat to platoon with Jenkin/Stairs in LF. Adda Feliz/Dobbs platoon at left and then use a Jason Donald and lets say Jerry Hairston platoon at 2B and you'd have an everyday lineup/bench able to utilize situational advantages as they present themselves. This is a good, low-cost short term solution to the losses of Burrell and Utley. You don't tie yourself down to multiple years or big dollars and allow yourself room to make an in season upgrade for whoever doesn't pan out; and they won't all pan out. As an extra potential bonus, if Donald produces his trade value will be very high come the all-star break and into the off season. Many teams could use him as a starting SS and given he has no MLB service time going into 09 he could be used to acquire a needed part if the Phils remain in contention. He could also enter the 3B mix upon Utleys return if he's playing well but either of Feliz or Dobbs is struggling/injured.

The best strategy for next year still lie with an increased attention to run prevention, however with Utleys injury management may be forced to make a stronger move for a bat then they would normally. As I mentioned in an earlier post the relief corps is the area of the team most likely to decline based on last years numbers. Addressing the everyday lineup with the idea of quality depth and match up play should allow for the Phils to focus on the bullpen and rotation upgrades that will be needed to repeat as division champs in 09.