68-year old Charlie Manuel might seem like a country bumpkin but he is also a pretty good manager. Manuel led the Phillies to a 97-65 (59.9%) record during the regular season and they were 5-4 (55.6%) during the post season. The Phillies are now 544-428 (56%) during the regular season in Manuel’s first six years on the job. The Phillies are also 21-16 (56.8%) during the post season and they were World Series Champs in 2008. Manuel now has a 764-619 (55.2%) record overall in his first 9 years as a major league manager during the regular season and he is 27-19 (58.7%) during the post season. I think that Manuel knows how to motivate this group of Phillies’ players, so I look for them to have a great season.

The Phillies are already having problems with the bullpen as 34-year old righty closer Brad Lidge will start the season on the D.L. Lidge pitched in 50 games (0 starts) for the Phillies last year and he was 1-1 with 27 saves, a 2.96 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. He has now pitched in 189 games (0 starts) in his first three seasons with the Phillies and he is 3-9 with 99 saves, a 3.99 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. The Phillies hope that his stay on the D.L. isn’t too lengthy.

30-year old righty Ryan Madson is likely to replace Lidge as the closer until he’s ready to return to action. Madson pitched in 55 games (0 starts) for the Phillies last year and he was 6-2 with 5 saves, a 2.55 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. He has now pitched in 429 games (18 starts) in his first 8 years with the Phillies and he is 43-28 with 20 saves, a 3.71 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. Madson didn’t do too well as the closer last season when Lidge was out of action, so they might decide to leave him as the set-up man while using Jose Contreras as the closer.

39-year old righty Jose Contreras will either be the closer or the top set-up man when the 2011 season starts for the Phillies. Contreras pitched in 55 games (0 starts) for the Phillies last year and he was 6-4 with 4 saves, a 3.34 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. He has now pitched in 258 games (175 starts) in his first 8 years in the majors and he is 77-67 with 4 saves, a 4.55 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. Contreras looked pretty sharp in his first year as a full time reliever and they Phillies hope that will continue in 2011.

34-year old lefty J.C. Romero will be a set-up man for the Phillies again in 2011. Romero pitched in 60 games (0 starts) for the Phillies last year and he was 1-0 with 3 saves, a 3.68 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP. He has now pitched in 213 games (0 starts) in his first four years with the Phillies and he is 6-6 with 4 saves, a 2.60 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. Romero has only given up 99 hits in his first 148 2/3 innings with the Phillies, but he has also walked 105 batters which is way too many! He will still be the Phillies’ top lefty in the pen this year.

33-year old righty Danys Baez will be back in 2011, but they need him to step up. Baez pitched in 51 games (0 starts) for the Phillies last year and he was 3-4 with a 5.48 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP. He has now pitched in 504 games (26 starts) in his first 9 years in the majors and he is 38-53 with 114 saves, a 4.14 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP.

25-year old lefty Antonio Bastardo comes into this season as the Phillies’ #12 prospect according to Baseball America. He pitched in 25 games (0 starts) for the Phillies last year and he was 2-0 with a 4.34 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. Bastardo has now pitched in 31 games (5 starts) in his first two years with the Phillies and he is 4-3 with a 5.53 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP. He has whiffed 45 batters in his first 42 1/3 innings in the majors, which is impressive…..but, he has also walked 18 batters which is way too many.

29-year old righty Eddie Bonine might win a job as the long man in the Phillies’ pen. He pitched in 47 games (1 start) for the Tigers last year and he was 4-1 with a 4.63 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. Bonine has now pitched in 62 games (10 starts) in his first three years in the majors and he is 7-3 with a 4.74 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP.

34-year old righty Jason Grilli didn’t pitch anywhere in 2010. He last pitched in the majors back in 2009 with the Rangers & Rockies. Grilli has pitched in 238 games (16 starts) in his major league career and he is 18-18 with 2 saves, a 4.74 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. He’s a longshot to help the Phillies in 2011.

25-year old righty David Herndon was a Rule 5 Pick last year that stuck with the Phillies the whole year. Herndon pitched in 47 games (0 starts) for the Phillies last year and he was 1-3 with a 4.30 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP. He didn’t miss many bats as he gave up 67 hits in only 52 1/3 innings last year. Herndon will likely start this year in AAA.

27-year old righty Scott Mathieson came into this season as the Phillies’ #13 prospect according to Baseball America. He pitched in 2 games (0 starts) for the Phillies last year and he was 0-0 with a 10.80 ERA and a 4.20 WHIP. He has now pitched in 11 games (8 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 1-4 with a 7.62 ERA and a 1.82 WHIP. The clock is ticking on Mathieson who is starting to lose his prospect status.

29-year old lefty Dan Meyer is a longshot to win a spot with the Phillies in 2011. Meyer pitched in 13 games (0 starts) for the Marlins last year and he was 0-1 with a 9.64 ERA and a 2.90 WHIP. He has now pitched in 103 games (7 starts) in his first five years in the majors and he is 3-9 with 2 saves, a 5.46 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP.

29-year old righty Brian Bass is also a longshot to help the Phillies in 2011. Bass pitched in 4 games (0 starts) for the Pirates last year and he was 0-0 with a 12.27 ERA and a 2.59 WHIP. He has now pitched in 101 games (4 starts) in his first three years in the majors and he is 9-7 with 1 save, a 5.16 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE PHILLIES BULLPEN IN 2011: C-

The Phillies have four starting pitchers (Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels) who could finish in the top 10 in the Cy Young Award voting in 2011 if they all stay healthy. It all starts with the defending N.L. Cy Young Award Winner, 33-year old righty Roy Halladay. He started 33 games for the Phillies last season and he was 21-10 with a 2.44 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. He led the majors in complete games (9), shutouts (4) and innings pitched (250 2/3) last season as he likes to finish what he starts. Halladay tossed a perfect game on May 29th, 2010 against the Marlins and he threw a no-hitter on October 6th, 2010 against the Reds in the N.L. Division Series! Halladay has now pitched in 346 games (320 starts) in his first 13 years in the show and he is 169-86 with a 3.32 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP.

32-year old lefty Cliff Lee decided to spurn the Yankees and Rangers over the winter and he signed up to return to the Phillies. Lee pitched in 28 games (all starts) for the Mariners & Rangers last season and he was 12-9 with a 3.18 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. He showed ungodly control last year as he only walked 18 batters in 212 1/3 innings. Lee pitched for the Phillies in 2009 when he started 12 games and was 7-4 with a 3.39 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. Lee has now pitched in 222 games (218 starts) in his first 9 years in the majors and he is 102-61 with a 3.85 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. Lee is another workhorse who will help save the Phillies’ bullpen in 2011.

33-year old righty Roy Oswalt would be the ace on most teams but he will likely be slotted #3 for the Phillies in 2011. Oswalt pitched in 13 games (12 starts) for the Phillies last year and he was 7-1 with a 1.74 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP. He pitched in 33 games (32 starts) overall for the Phillies & Astros last season and he was 13-13 with a 2.76 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP. Oswalt has now pitched in 316 games (303 starts) in his first 10 years in the majors and he is 150-83 with a 3.18 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. Look for Oswalt to have another big year in 2011.

27-year old lefty Cole Hamels really rebounded nicely after being a little off in 2009. Hamels started 33 games for the Phillies last season and he was 12-11 with a 3.06 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. He has now pitched in 149 games (all starts) in his first five years with the Phillies and he is 60-45 with a 3.53 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. This could be the year that Hamels makes a run at 20 wins for the Phillies.

30-year old righty Joe Blanton is probably going to be one of the very best #5 starters in all of baseball in 2011. Blanton pitched in 29 games (28 starts) for the Phillies last season and he was 9-6 with a 4.82 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. He has now pitched in 73 games (72 starts) in his first three years with the Phillies and he is 25-14 with a 4.38 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. Don’t be surprised to see Blanton approach 15 wins in 2011.

26-year old righty Kyle Kendrick will probably be the long man in the bullpen to start the 2011 season. But, if anyone gets hurt, he will likely get right back into the starting rotation. Kendrick pitched in 33 games (31 starts) for the Phillies last season and he was 11-10 with a 4.73 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. He has now pitched in 93 games (83 starts) in his first four years with the Phillies and he is 35-24 with a 4.69 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. Don’t be surprised if some team with rotation problems call the Phillies in the next couple of weeks trying to deal for Kendrick.

23-year old righty Vance Worley comes into this season as the Phillies’ #11 prospect according to Baseball America. Worley pitched in 5 games (2 starts) for the Phillies in his first taste of the majors last year and he was 1-1 with a 1.38 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP. He also started 27 games in AA+AAA-ball last year and he was 10-7 with a 3.36 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. The Phillies won’t likely call up Worley unless they have a need in the starting rotation.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE PHILLIES STARTING ROTATION IN 2011: A++++++++

23-year old lefty swinging Domonic Brown is going to miss a while due to a broken hand, but when he returns the Phillies are going to give him his big chance. Brown comes into this season as the Phillies’ #1 overall prospect according to Baseball America. Brown played in 35 games for the Phillies last season and he was 13 of 62 (.210 avg, .612 OPS) with 8 runs scored, 2 homers, 13 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. But, Brown also whiffed 24 times last season with the Phillies as major league pitchers were very, very tough on him. Brown also played in 93 games in AA+AAA-ball last season and he was 112 of 343 (.327 avg, .980 OPS) with 65 runs scored, 20 homers, 68 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. Brown played in 15 games in RF last season for the Phillies and he had 1 assist and 1 error while showing excellent range. Brown has a big time upside but he will need to make some adjustments to major league pitching if he’s going to truly excel in the show.

29-year old righty swinging Ben Francisco will either be the full time starting RF until Brown returns, or he will be part of a platoon. Francisco played in 88 games for the Phillies last season and he was 48 of 179 (.268 avg, .768 OPS) with 24 runs scored, 6 homers, 28 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. Francisco didn’t make any errors in 20 games in RF for the Phillies last season and he showed good range out there. Francisco is going to have a good year for the Phillies in 2011, bank on it.

34-year old lefty swinging Ross Gload could work his way into a platoon in RF while Dominic Brown is out of action. Gload played in 94 games for the Phillies last season and he was 36 of 128 (.281 avg, .813 OPS) with 16 runs scored, 6 homers, 22 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Gload made 1 error in 7 games in RF last season while showing average range. Gload is so valuable off the bench as a pinch hitter that the Phillies might not want to use him too much in the field.

27-year old right swinging John Mayberry could work his way into some P.T. in RF in 2011. Mayberry played in 11 games for the Phillies last season and he was 4 of 12 (.333 avg, 1.218 OPS) with 4 runs scored, 2 homers and 6 RBIs. He also played in 128 games in AAA-ball last season in which he was 132 of 495 (.267 avg, .740 OPS) with 75 runs scored, 15 homers, 65 RBIs and 20 stolen bases. Mayberry is a decent defensive outfielder as he can handle any of the spots.

28-year old switch hitting Delwyn Young played in 110 games for the Pirates last season and he was 45 of 191 (.236 avg, .700 OPS) with 22 runs scored, 7 homers, 28 RBIs and 1 stolen base. In his first five years in the majors, Young has a .258 career batting average with a .709 OPS, so look for his bat to bounce back a little bit in 2011. Young only had 1 error in 21 games in RF last season with 2 assists while showing pretty poor range. Young is also a decent pinch hitter which might also help him make the Phillies out of Spring Training.

27-year old lefty swinging Brandon Moss is also in Spring Training trying to win a job with the Phillies. He played in 17 games for the Pirates last season and he was 4 of 26 (.154 avg, .377 OPS) with 2 runs scored and 2 RBIs. Moss has played in parts of four years in the majors and he is a career .238 with a .688 OPS, so he has some things to work on to improve as a hitter. Moss also played in 136 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 133 of 500 (.266 avg, .800 OPS) with 73 runs scored, 22 homers, 96 RBIs and 12 stolen bases. Moss is a longshot to make the Phillies when the 2011 season starts.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE PHILLIES RF IN 2011: C-

30-year old switch hitting Shane Victorino will be getting dirty in CF for the Philadelphia Phillies again in 2011. Victorino played in 147 games for the Phillies last season and he was 152 of 587 (.259 avg, .756 OPS) with 84 runs scored, 18 homers, 69 RBIs and 34 stolen bases. From 2006-2010, Victorino has averaged 87.2 runs scored, 12.0 homers, 56.2 RBIs and 27.2 stolen bases per year as he has been a consistent force offensively for the Phillies and I look for that to continue in 2011. Victorino only had 2 errors in 143 games in CF with showing slightly above average range. Victorino also showed off a rifle from CF as he had 11 assists there last year. Victorino is the guy who makes everything go both offensively and defensively for the Phillies.

Ben Francisco, Cory Sullivan and John Mayberry can give Victorino a break if he ever needs one in 2011.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE PHILLIES CF IN 2011: B+