The Philadelphia Phillies already suffered a loss for the 2009 season. Their second baseman and leader, Chase Utley will be lost until at least June as he recovers from hip surgery. Utley was on his way to an incredible season in 2008 as he stormed out of the gate to hit 19 homeruns during the first two months of the season while hitting just 14 for the remainder of the season. While Utley had a great season, his final line of .292/.380/.535 was not indicative of the type of player he was during those first two months. Perhaps the news of a hip injury is an explanation for his severe power drop off. With Utley out until June, the Phillies are in a predicament. With Pat Burrell a free agent, the Phillies will have to find two replacements for their lineup. Utley’s 33 homeruns and 104 RBI and Burrell’s 33 homeruns and 86 RBI will be sorely missed as the Phillies only consistent power bat will be Ryan Howard. Couple those two losses with the news that Pedro Feliz will also must time (2-4 months for back surgery) and the Phillies have now lost 80 homeruns and 248 RBI. The Phillies will need a power hitting left fielder and an adequate third baseman in order to have a chance to defend their title as they will not be able to find such power at second base. Without a power bat in left field and with the injury to Utley, the Phillies are suddenly players in the free agent market. Perhaps now, the Phillies look to sign an outfielder or possibly return to the idea of having Burrell return. Either way, the once power laden Phillies suddenly have a lineup that will struggle to score runs.

While you sit and wonder if everything will go wrong in Philly, let’s take look around at what else is happening in the world of baseball…

• Not surprisingly, the Major League Baseball owners voted to ban shorten games during the playoffs. Baseball handled the World Series poorly, but this is absolutely the correct thing to do. A game must be complete during the playoffs. It’s only fair. Hopefully, they do the right thing by having the game re-start as the ridiculousness of playing 3 innings in a clinching game gave the sport a double black eye.
• Shortstop Rafael Furcal is a popular free agent. According to his agent, there are six teams with interest. Those teams include the A’s, Braves, Cubs, Dodgers, Giants, and Orioles. The 31 year old is coming off of an injury plagued season which saw him get just 143 at bats (although he did hit .357/.439/.573). Furcal’s agent has said that it will take at least a four year offer to get his client signed. Look for the Braves and Giants to set the bar early.
• In the category of gamesmanship, “new” Yankees’ chairman, Hal Steinbrenner said that the offer to CC Sabathia is not a forever thing. He stated that the Yankees will pull back the offer if Sabathia waits too long. As tough as the new boss wants to sound, nobody believes this one as the Yankees have been too honest about their interest.
• Mark Teixeira has another suitor in the Boston Red Sox. The Boston papers all discuss that Big Tex is the number one free agent target for the Sox. First, if he is signed, he makes David Ortiz a better hitter. Second, he gives GM Theo Epstein some flexibility for the trade market. Either Kevin Youkilis or Mike Lowell can be traded with the presence of Teixeira. A Mike Lowell, once healthy, to the Phillies deal makes sense at this point.
• On the injury front, the Tigers Joel Zumaya is starting to throw a normal off season pitching program. If Zumaya can come in healthy, the Tigers’ bullpen with be better in 2009, especially if Zumaya is slated for a setup role as he can pitch in more high leverage situations. If that’s the case, the Tigers have the right idea. If he’s moved into the closer role, the Tigers will continue to struggle finding that they have no setup men to speak of.
• Staying on injuries, Eric Chavez of the A’s stated that he will be healthy for 2009. If the A’s can get a full season out of Chavez and Holliday, their offense has the chance to compete and give their young pitchers run support. Rooting for Chavez is easy as he is one of the good guys in sports. Hopefully, the can return to his all-star form.
• Derek Lowe stated he wants about $16 million per season. That sounds about right as he is on the market at the perfect time. With much of the attention going to Sabathia and AJ Burnett, Lowe may actually be the better investment as he will be more of a short term commitment which is always wise. The battle-proven pitcher will have his choice of teams. It will be interesting if Boston is one of those teams. It’s been reported that he wants to go back, but it remains to be seen if the Sox feel the same way.
• Finally, the Yankees officially made Hal Steinbrenner, the 39 year old son of George Steinbrenner, the new owner. Hank Steinbrenner may get the attention, but Hal seems be more level headed.

That’s it for today. Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by.