We've Been Spoiled as Phillies Fans

By; Steve Johnson

What if before the season I were tell you how the Phillies would look on May 11th?

• All-Stars Chase Utley and Brad Lidge, and top prospect Domonic Brown have yet to play a game in Philadelphia
• J.C. Romero, Joe Blanton, Jose Contreras, Carlos Ruiz and Roy Oswalt have all been placed on the DL
• Scott Mathieson, Vance Worley, Michael Stutes, and Mike Zagurski have all pitched in a game
• Raul Ibanez had an 0-34 slump and is batting just .231 on the season
• Our 2nd basemen are batting .228 with 0 HR and 10 RBIs

If you took a look at that, I bet you wouldn't expect the 2011 Phillies to be in first place with a record of 23-12, two games up from the second place Marlins. So what is everyone complaining about? Is it really time to start panicking? I doubt it. As a matter of fact, we should probably be grateful. The Phillies are not playing their best baseball, yet they are still the top team in the league. Could they make some adjustments, could they play better? Of course they can. If the slumps of their corner outfielders continue to happen, I expect the Phillies to make a move for another bat. The problem with that is, they are paying Raul Ibanez over 12 million dollars in his final year of his contract. No team is looking to take on the contract of a 38 year old, who is batting .231. And you certainly cannot keep someone getting paid that much to sit on your bench and pinch hit. The Phillies should wait it out and see what Brown looks like when he comes back. If Brown can provide somewhat of an impact, along with John Mayberry Jr, the Phillies should be alright. The other issue the Phillies have is at 2nd base. Pete Orr has recently played pretty well, but Orr, Valdez, and Martinez are utility and AAA lifers at best. The Phillies have been secretive about Chase Utley's patellar knee tendinitis, not giving a timetable for his return. The good news, Utley is now rehabbing in south Florida, and just played in his first game. Now nobody knows how exactly Chase is feeling, but from what we've seen, he's looking better. If the Phillies can get Utley and Brown healthy, and a little bit more production from Ibanez, there's absolutely no reason for panic, especially in Mid-May. Calm down Phillies fans, stop acting so spoiled, it's a long year.