"THE NL EAST; SO FAR"
Before anything else, preparation is the key to success. - Alexander Graham Bell 

As the off season commenced and the 2009 calendar year came to a close, Ruben for putting the pieces the Phillies needed
in place and keeping them at a competitive level that should have them returning to the playoffs in 2010.  The Phillies look 
stronger than the club that increased its victory total for a third straight season in 2009.  New ace Roy Halladay should not 
be expected to be much more dominant than Cliff Lee, but the Phillies will have Halladay for an entire season.  Also, do
expect Cole Hamels to improve over last season.  Placido Polanco is no more reliable at third base than Pedro Feliz, but 
Polanco holds a decisive edge offensively, and Brian Schneider provides Charlie Manuel with a dependable reserve behind
the plate who can start.  The bench is also improved with Ross Gload and Juan Castro.

Though Ruben has been busy, so have the Braves and the Mets.  The Mets haven’t improved much, but they did add slugger 
Jason Bay, who will open at left field.  The Braves traded Javier Vazquez and picked up Melke Cabbero, but Atlanta is still in 
a financial pinch and much of what they do will rely on trades in the minor league system. 

The Phillies, who needed upgrades in a number of positions got most of them.  Brian Schneider comes in as a back up catcher, 
Placido Palanco takes over at third base, Ross Gload helps round out the bench, Juan Castro is the reserve infielder, and of
course, Roy Halliday comes in on the starting rotation. Danny Baez has been added to the bull pen, giving the Phillies a set-up
man who can also pitch middle innings.  Ruben still have to add a few bull pen slots. There may be another off season signing, 
but look for those positions to be filled from within the organization. 

Don’t expect Washington to do much more than they did last year.  They made some improvements, but for the most part, they 
still have a long way to go.  Florida hasn’t added much, but they are young and there improvements will be seen as the young 
players grow into the major league system.  Florida could be a force to be reckoned with if these players respond fast enough, 
but it should still be a two or three team race in National League East. 

Lets take a look at what the Phillies, Mets, and Braves bring to the table in 2010.

The decision to cut ties with Clay Condrey comes as a surprise, given Condrey’s $650,000 salary in 2009.  Condrey), a 34-year-
old right-hander, had a good season, going 6-2 with a 3.00 ERA and 1.214 walks/hits per innings pitched (WHIP) in forty-five
appearances, but he also spent considerable time on the disabled list with a strained oblique muscle.  Clearly, the Phillies believe 
they can better allocate the approximately $850,000 that they would’ve had to pay Condrey in 2010.  In 161 relief appearances 
over the past four seasons with the Phillies, Condrey went 16-8 with a 3.65 ERA, 1.455 WHIP and four saves.

Between them, Joe Blanton ($5.475 million), Shane Victorino ($3.125 million), Carlos Ruiz ($475,000) and Chad Durbin ($1.635 
million) made $10.71 million in 2009.  It’s conceivable that their combined salaries for 2010 will rise to about $17-18 million.  
Including pinch-hitter Ross Gload, the Phillies already have about $115.5 million committed to 16 players. Their payroll threshold 
is now expected to be somewhere around $140 million.

Ruben Amaro Jr. has almost finished his off-season shopping.  He signed Placido Polanco as his new third baseman, retooled 
the bench with Juan Castro, Ross Gload, and Brian Schneider, and traded for Roy Halladay.  The bull pen remains as his last 
chore.  They lost Brett Myers and Eric Bruntlett, but not much more.  The Phillies have Chase Utley & Cole Hamels tied up.  
They also have Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins through 2011, which leaves only Shane Victorino and Jason Werth to deal 
with this off season.  In other words, last season's NL Championship team is returning, with improvements.  Get the Phillies' 
40-man roster here.

The Mets did add Jason Bay and RHP Kelvim Escobar, INF Alex Cora to the roster, and RHP Ryota Igarashi to the roster, but 
they hardly match-up with the Phillies acquisitions. Slugger Carlos Delgado is gone.  Pitching could still be an issue for New 
York and they really didn't improve there.  Injuries from last season make the Mets questionable in a few spots, also.  They still 
need to add a front-line catcher.  Get the Mets' 40-man roster here.

The Braves traded LHP Boone Logan and RHP Javier Vazquez to New York Yankees for cash, RHP Arodys Vizcaino, CF 
Melky Cabrera and LHP Michael Dunn.  They also signed Billy Wagner and RHP Takashi Saito.  They should have solid 
pitching and Wagner, if healthy, will help in the bull pen, though he is not the Wagner of old.  They do not have the type of 
quality the Phillies and Mets have in the starting eight, but will compete.  They will need to hold opposition's runs scored down 
to win.  Get the Braves' 40-man roster here.

With business as usual in South Florida, the Marlins moved outfielder Jeremy Hermida and potential closer Matt Lindstrom 
because of, what else, payroll concerns. In return they received one player, infielder Jorge Jimenez, who figures to make
the team in 2010, and that's because he was a Rule 5 draft pic.  Get the Marlins' 40-man roster here.

The Nationals have little chance of climbing out of the cellar but based on their winter and the impending arrival of Stephen 
Strasburg, 2010 already looks far better than 2009, though they still won't be contenders.  Get the National' 40-man roster here.

So, based on what we are seeing with regard to pitching, offense, defense, and both the bench and bull pen, the Phillies, at 
least on paper, look to repeat as National League East Champions.  There is more stability in the organization right now than 
anywhere else in the division, the minor league system is as good or better than anyone else in the division, and, certainly the 
Phillies are better stocked as the season begins.  They do begin the season collectively, as the oldest team in the National 
League at just over twenty-nine years of age.  Spring training will decide the last few slots on the pitching staff, but, at least 
as the year closes out, and as we prepare for spring training some six weeks from now, the pieces have been put in place 
and Charlie and Company should have what they need for next season.  Of course, there are still three months before the 
start of the regular season.  Ruben and the "other guys" still have time.

The Phillies Fan Union
Faust Ruggiero, Executive Director