If the Phillies think they will be fighting for another World Series title in 2010, the front office will need to improve three areas of the club. The three most glaring areas are at third base, the back end of the bullpen, and the bench. It did not take GM Ruben Amaro Jr. long to get working on the 2010 season. In fact, he informed starter turned reliever Brett Myers (Phillies 1999 1st round pick-12th overall) that he would not be offered a contract to remain with the club for 2010 only days after his team was eliminated by the Yankees.

1. Who’s on Third?

One of the most glaring problems that surfaced for the Phillies during their previous two playoff runs was the lack of offensive production from the third base side of the diamond. Pedro Feliz signed a two year contract with the Phillies prior to the 2008 season with a club option for a third season (2010), which was declined by Amaro on November 8, 2009. Feliz is one of the strongest third baseman in the National League defensively but his offensive numbers have declined since joining the Phillies in the 2008 season. Feliz previously played eight seasons for the Giants in pitcher-friendly AT&T Park. From 2003-2007 Feliz hit 16, 22, 20, 22 and 20 homeruns for the Giants. Since joining the Phillies Feliz has hit 26 homeruns combined over two seasons in hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park. The problem with Feliz has been his offensive drop-off once the playoffs begin. In two playoff appearances with the Phillies Feliz has hit .250 in 2008 and .167 in 2009. He became an automatic out at the bottom of the batting order during the 2009 postseason, hitting ahead of the scorching hot Carlos Ruiz. In total, Feliz hit .204 over two postseasons with the Phillies with two homeruns and eight RBIs.

The Phillies have already said that they are still interested in resigning Feliz at a lower price. His option was for $5 million. On the team’s wish list for 2010 are Mariners third baseman Adrian Beltre, Angels third baseman Chone Figgins, Cardinals third basemen Troy Glaus and Mark DeRosa, Tigers second baseman Placido Polanco (played in Philly from 2002-2005) and possibly Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada (who could move to third). Other options include trading for a third baseman. Amaro spoke with reporters at the GM meetings in Chicago and did not mention any players by name but Pirates third baseman Andy LaRoche and Padres third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff could also be available via trade. If the Phillies cannot land a third base free agent or trade for one they could reopen negotiations with Feliz.

2. Every Team Needs Relief

The old saying is that pitching and defense wins championships because good pitching beats good hitting any day of the week. That proved true during the 2009 World Series when the Yankee lefthanders (starters and relievers) stifled the left handed bats in the Phillies lineup. The Phillies bullpen struggled in 2009 after being nearly perfect when leading after seven innings in 2008. Brad Lidge, the closer, was 48 for 48 in save opportunities in 2008 but blew a league leading 11 saves in 2009. Ryan Madson struggled as a fill-in closer when Lidge was ‘removed’ from the role during the regular season and when Lidge was on the Disabled List in June.

One of the items on Amaro’s wish list for this off-season is the addition of one or two arms via free agency to the Phillies bullpen. One free agent said to be garnering interest from the Phillies is Tigers closer Fernando Rodney. Rodney converted 37 of his 38 save opportunities in 2009 for the Tigers and will likely not be resigned by the Tigers. Rodney could prove to be a shut down setup man for the Phillies and step in to the closer’s role if Lidge struggles or is placed on the DL with an injury. Lidge had successful elbow surgery on November 11, 2009 and is said to be ready for Spring Training. Another free agent reliever the Phillies could possibly target is Braves closer Rafael Soriano. Soriano converted 27 of his 31 save opportunities in 2009 for the Braves. The Phillies could also consider making a trade for an established reliever since they do not seem to be in the running for Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay this off-season, despite his asking value possibly being reduced.

3. A Strong Bench Wins Games

Aside from pitching and defense, a strong bench is also a staple to a championship winning club. Just as the Los Angeles Dodgers. They were single handedly defeated by the Phillies in game four of the 2008 NLCS by a strong bench. The Phillies had acquired Matt Stairs on August 30, 2008, one day prior to the playoff roster deadline. Stairs hit a two-run pinch hit go ahead homerun off of Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton in the eighth inning of game four in 2008. The Phillies would win game five and then go on to win the World Series in five games against the Rays. Stairs struggled mightily as a bench player in 2009, hitting .194 with five homeruns and 17 RBIs in 103 at-bats. His performance in the post-season was even worse, hitting .100 with one RBI in 10 at-bats.

Other weaknesses for the Phillies on the bench this year was a viable right handed hitter off the bench to face a lefty late in the game. The Phillies began the year with Miguel Cairo, Eric Bruntlett, and Chris Coste as right handed hitting options off the bench. They also used Lou Marson, John Mayberry Jr., and Ben Francisco. Their left handed hitters off the bench aside from Stairs were Greg Dobbs, Paul Bako, and Andy Tracy (when rosters expanded on September 1st).

The sad truth of 2009 for the Phillies was that their bench did not perform as well as it did in 2008, during the regular season or the playoffs. More than likely Stairs will not be back with the Phillies in 2010 unless he signs a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training. Dobbs will be back as possibly the lone left handed bat off the bench but he hit only .247 with five homeruns and 20 RBIs during the regular season and went a combined zero for four in the playoffs. Eric Bruntlett, in his two seasons with the Phillies, has only been useful as a defensive replacement for manager Charlie Manuel. Bruntlett was primarily used as a late inning defensive replacement for former left fielder Pat Burrell in 2008 and all throughout the team’s World Series run. Bruntlett hit .171 in 2009 with seven RBIs and zero homeruns. He has hit .202 during his two year stay in Philadelphia.

The other problem with the bench from 2009 that must be fixed in 2010 is the need for a backup catcher. The Phillies traded prospect Jason Jaramillo to the Pirates in the off-season for Ronny Paulino. Paulino was then shipped to the San Francisco Giants for lefty reliever Jack Taschner at the end of Spring Training. Paulino would be traded right away to the Marlins, were he spent the 2009 season. In season the Phillies traded catching prospect Lou Marson with three other prospects to Cleveland for Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco. When Brad Lidge was on the DL in June Paul Bako was called up and the Phillies went with three catchers, signaling the end of Chris Coste’s time in the City of Brotherly Love. Coste was claimed on waivers by the Astros on July 10, 2009. The Phillies were happy with Bako’s ability to handle the pitching staff and at the plate (.224, 3 homeruns, 9 RBIs) but he is a free agent and the team would like to improve in that area as well.

The Class of the NL for a Third Straight Season?

Not many people will be surprised if the Phillies return to the World Series for a third straight season in 2010. If they do so by winning the NL East then it would be the first time in franchise history that the team has won four consecutive division crowns, which would cement Charlie Manuel as the best manager in team history as he climbs towards the top of the team’s all-time wins list. If GM Ruben Amaro Jr. and his staff can improve the bench, the bullpen, and the situation at third base, or even two of three, then this club will be in line for another title run in 2010 and maybe even 2011.