The loss of Aaron Rowand will not be one that the Phillies get over easily.

Where They Are Coming From

The Phillies won the NL East division title after a phenomenal 17-11 run in the month of September to surge past the sagging Mets, and an over matched Braves team. They did it primarily with their awesome offense, which was first in the NL with 892 runs, and second with 213 home runs. Defense was another reason, as the team had the fourth fewest errors (89) and tied for second place in fielding percentage in the NL. Their pitching was the Achilles heel that led to a quick end to their post season. The team was 13th overall in pitching in the NL. General manager Pat Gillick entered the offseason with several goals in mind to help improve the team.

Primarily, he needed to address the starting pitching. The 2007 squad struggled with injuries, most notably to Freddy Garcia, whom they were counting on to be one of their top starters. The addition of at least one top of the rotation starter was at the top of Gillick's list.

Center field was another area of concern. Aaron Rowand's contract was set to expire, and although the team attempted to re-sign him, going as far as offering arbitration, Rowand's contract demands were more than the Phillies were willing to give him. With Rowand gone to free agency, the team needed to find a center fielder to replace him.

Third base was the only position on the field where offensive production was substandard. Phillies third basemen Wes Helms and Greg Dobbs combined to hit .255, with 11 home runs, and 76 RBI, so Gillick was hoping to find a better solution for third base either through trade or the free agent market. Finally, like all the rest of baseball, the team was looking to stabilize their bullpen. While they have several capable arms available on the roster, their options for closer and the setup role are quite thin, making the addition of one or two bullpen arms necessary. With several bullpen pitchers from '07 departing anyway, Gillick has plenty of roster space to add pitching.

Players Lost

• Pitchers Matt Smith, Kane Davis and Julio Mateo, catcher Rod Barajas, and infielder Abraham Nunez were released and filed for free agency.

• Pitchers Antonio Alfonseca, Jon Leiber, Jose Mesa, and Kyle Lohse were not tendered contracts and filed for free agency.

• Outfielder Chris Roberson was traded to the Orioles for cash.

• Outfielder Aaron Rowand was offered arbitration, but he declined and opted for free agency.

• Pitcher Freddy Garcia was not offered arbitration by the club and he opted for free agency.

• Outfielder Michael Bourn, 3B Michael Costanzo, and pitcher Geoff Geary were traded to the Astros for pitcher Brad Lidge, and infielder Eric Bruntlett.

Players Added

• Free agent outfielders So Taguchi and Geoff Jenkins were signed.

• Free agent pitcher Chad Durbin was signed.

• Pitchers Lincoln Holdzkom and Travis Blackley, 2B Luke Appert, and 3B Patrick Sellers were selected in the Rule 5 draft

• Pitcher Shane Youman was claimed off waivers from Pittsburgh

• Pitcher Brad Lidge and infielder Eric Bruntlett were acquired in a trade with the Houston Astros.

• Outfielder Chris Snelling was acquired from Tampa Bay for cash considerations.

• Free agent corner infielder Pedro Feliz was signed.

Moves Still to Come

The acquisition of Brad Lidge allowed the Phillies to address multiple pitching issues with just the one move. Lidge becomes the new closer, while last season's closer, Brett Myers, returns to the starting rotation. Tom Gordon returns to the set up role where he has typically done well in the past. Several other arms were added by various means to round out the bullpen and provide options at starter, so Pat Gillick is likely done as far as pitching goes. Gillick also signed several players from free agency to address the position player issues. Shane Victorino shifts over there from right field, now covered by Geoff Jenkins, to patrol center field. The Phillies also just recently addressed third base with the signing of Pedro Feliz, making at least one player between Greg Dobbs and Wes Helms expendable. If Gillick can swing a deal to move Helms, that would probably be the only move that he might make this spring.

What to Watch in Spring Training

When Spring Training opens, all eyes will be turned towards the fifth spot in the starting rotation, where there will be a competition to win the job. Adam Eaton, J.D. Durbin, and Chad Durbin will compete for that fifth spot. Eaton probably has the edge, provided he can control his tendency to cough up the long ball in his home park. A little more control to cut down the walks would not be a bad idea either. In the bullpen, Lidge, Gordon, J.C Romero, and Ryan Madson all have slots locked up, leaving just two or three slots to fill. There are at least five, and as many as thirteen pitchers vying for those two or three slots. There are a total of twenty non-roster invitees coming to camp. Few, if any have a chance to make the team as it stands. If anything, the Phillies might take a utility type player, although, Eric Bruntlett, acquired in the trade that netted Brad Lidge, is expected to fulfill the utility role as he is able to play just about anywhere in the infield.