Time To Report.

With a little over nine hours before pitches and catcher report to Clear Water, Fla. for Phillies Spring Training, I look back and think, new season already? It seems just like yesterday, I was one of the two million Phans enjoying the parade down Broadstreet.....

But now comes the time to defend a championship. The Phillies are trying to be the first club since the evil empire Yanks, to successfully defend a World Series win. The Phightins face many questions coming into the new season.

1. Will Chase Utley be ready for Opening Night?

After off season hip-surgery, every Phillies fan must have thought, "Oh NO." But after two month of rehab, Chase W.T.C. Utley is ahead of schedule and taking "soft" fielding drills. A good sign to all Phils Phans.

2. Will Raul Ibanez be able to replace Pat The Bat?

Rumor is PTB turned down a 2 year 22 million dollar contract after the World Series. Speculation is PTB thought he could get more. The Phillies then turned to replacing PTB with Ibanez to the tune of 3 years 30 million dollars. Only time will tell if the Phils made the right decision or not, I for one am left scratching my head. PTB = 2 years 16 million Ibanez = 3 years 30 million. For Ibanez to win over the Phans and make them forget about streaky PTB, he is going to have to come right in swinging a hot bat and plugging the left field hole nicely.

3. Who will be the number five starter?

There are four pitchers involved in the race, and Adam Eaton is not one of them. The four in the race are Chan Ho Park, JA Happ, Kyle Kendrick, and Carlos Carrasco. My personal favorite to be the fifth starter is Carrasco, but as it sits now, he is probably the dark horse. I also think that Kendrick will not be the number five starter because he has to prove his worth again. Kendrick stuggled down the strech last year, and has to regain his confidence in the minor league. So that leaves Chan Ho Park and JA Happ. I see Happ coming out on top. JA pitched a few successful games last season, and I can see him continuing his success in the fifth pitcher slot. Another factor with Happ landing in the rotation is the need of a dependable arm in the bull pen, Park fits that spot nicely. It gives Chan Ho the opportunity to be a spot starter and a dependable long relief man until J.C. Romero comes back.

LETS GO PHILS!

By: Billy Donahue