Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE

History may tell us that the Fall of 2012 was one of the most disappointing seasons ever seen in Philadelphia sports. We have witnessed the potential end of the Phillies Golden Age, the final chapter of the Andy Reid Era, Bynum’s catastrophic bowling incident, and no hockey to speak of.

But if the whole season is that awful, the past few days are the epitome of the whole year. At least the information age of social media and blogs make us feel that way.

Yes, it has been THAT bad for every team in town, but let’s stick with the Phillies. The focus is on 3 measly days.

On Tuesday, Carlos Ruiz was suspended 25 games for the use of Adderall.  Worse, he was only suspended because he was caught for the second time.  Chooch either has a problem with overuse, or isn’t smart enough to cover it up.  Either way, he should be embarrassed.  (Wagging my Dikembe finger)

This news doesn’t severely hurt the Phillies chances in 2013, but it’s not a good start to the offseason. Call it a bad omen, or even a precursor to Wednesday.

That morning we all thought Ruben had solved the 8^th inning problem.  I soon realized that I actually hate Twitter and Wednesdays.  Both did nothing but get my hopes up.

Thanks to Wilton Lopez’ right elbow, we sat and waited all day wondering what was going on.  Why wasn’t it finalized? And so we waited, and checked twitter every 10 seconds for an update.

Later in the evening I tweeted that I didn’t want B.J. Upton anyway, but a friend of mine (who just happens to be a Braves fan) pointed out that I sounded like I was trying to convince myself.  The jerk may be right.

Frankly, none of us know who or what we REALLY want in center field next year.  Face it, there are number of descent candidates but they are all flawed in one way or another.  So because we didn’t get Upton, we never wanted him in the first place.  Now we all really want Bourn or Hamilton, or Hamilton in left and Pagan in center.

It hurts to write that. The Phils need youth, and bad.

We woke up Thursday morning to rumors of other teams involved for Lopez and finally that he may have failed his physical.  It appears that for whatever the reason, Wilton Lopez is not coming to Philly. The whole thing is shrouded in a cloud of mystery.

As if it couldn’t get any worse, on Thursday evening the newly hated Washington Nationals acquired Denard Span from the Minnesota Twins for a single minor league pitching prospect, Alex Meyer.  Seriously, that’s it? These are 3 days that need to be quickly forgotten.

We got our hopes up just to be let down,  like the rest of 2012. Only 31 days ‘til 2013!

I promise to have low expectations from now on…until the Winter Meetings start on Monday, that is.

B.J. is heading to Atlanta. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

B.J. Upton’s betrayal is complete. The free agent center fielder became the first big free agent domino to fall, signing a five-year, $75 million deal with the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday, ending speculation that the young, power-hitting, on-base challenged former Tampa Bay Ray would end up in Phillies’ pinstripes.

Man, that Jimmy Rollins is one lousy salesman.

Here’s the deal… if Ruben Amaro really wanted B.J. Upton, he’d be a Phillie today. When Amaro wants a player, he usually gets him.

There’s a remarkable thing that happens when a free agent who is rumored to be a potential target for the Phillies signs with another team.

Was just gonna tweet that hahahaha RT @thephilliesgirl: LOL now everyone’s pretending like they didn’t want Upton

— John Russo (@Roose_TTB) November 28, 2012

Hey, that’s a great idea! Let’s do that!

$75m for a guy with a .298 OBP, welcome to our brave new world — Jefferson (@ihateprospects) November 28, 2012

Great non-move by RAJ. Silly money RT @tbtimes_rays: That would be ex-#Rays CF B.J. Upton’s deal with #Braves is 5 years, $75-million — High Cheese (@HighCheese) November 28, 2012

While Upton has terrific power, youth, speed and plays good defense, he also has a history of focus and hustle issues (something Phils fans aren’t too keen on), strikes out a lot, and has trouble getting on base. Of course, none of those negatives seemed as important when it appeared as if the Phils might be his landing spot. The fellas over at Tomahawk Take broke down all of Upton’s negatives, which makes me feel a whole lot better about Atlanta signing him to a $15 million a year contract.

So, with Upton crossed off the center field list, who’s next?

Now dominoes fall in PHI direction, and they have to decide if they’re willing to increase their offer to land Angel Pagan or another CF. — Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) November 28, 2012

As everyone in the free world knows by now, Pagan is, has been, and will be my first choice as free agent, PROVIDED the deal doesn’t stretch to five years. It’s unknown what Pagan is asking for at the moment.

“Watch out for #phillies to surprise everyone and sign Hamilton,” said one prominent agent. A scout told me the same thing. — Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) November 29, 2012

What the Phillies need is more power and someone who can get on base. Josh Hamilton hit 43 HRs, had a .354 on base percentage, and slugged .577. If the market for Hamilton dwindles so low that he can be had on a three-year deal, bringing him into the fold might be an option. Anything more than that, the Phillies should flee with their hair on fire.

Another free agent possibility includes bringing back Shane Victorino, but that move wouldn’t make the Phillies any better than they were at the start of last season. Plus, Victorino’s RH/LH splits have gotten so drastic, he’s really more of a platoon player at this point.

Victorino OPS as a LHB… 2010: .681, 2011: .787, 2012: .629. As a RHB… 2010: .921, 2011: 1.032, 2012: .906.

— Bill Baer (@CrashburnAlley) November 29, 2012

And of course there’s Michael Bourn, who would answer the Phillies’ issues at the top of the order. He’s a terrific lead-off hitter, has terrific wheels, gets on base and steals bases. But his age (30) and expected price tag likely  makes him a bad fit for Philly.

Josh Hamilton is the best combination of power and on-base ability on the market. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

However, don’t be surprised if he’s the guy.

Of course, given the expected prices and flaws of the remaining center field free agents, perhaps a trade for Colorado’s Dexter Fowler or Anaheim’s Peter Borjos is looking even better to Ruben Amaro as the Winter Meetings approach.

What is a good sign is that it appears Amaro is letting the market establish itself. He seems to recognize he has lots of options in center field and seems willing to wait for the right player and right deal to present itself.

The Phillies WILL acquire a center fielder, and it will probably happen before Christmas.

In the meantime, to everyone in Atlanta, enjoy B.J. Upton and his .298 on base percentage!

Here in Philadelphia, we’ll pray Upton’s speed, power and defense don’t end up killing the Phillies for the next five years.

B.J. Upton, you are SHAMEFUL. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

Late Thursday, while the rest of the baseball world was still wringing their hands over the AL MVP announcement, something more important happened.

Guys, I think B.J. Upton might be cheating on us.

Upton met with the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field yesterday, and it’s unlikely they were talking about Chipper Jones‘ winter movie list.

With the assumption that Josh Hamilton will be too expensive, the Braves appear to regard Upton as the most attractive outfielder available on the free agent market.

But… but… but we saw him first! DIBS!!! DIBS!!!

Thankfully, MLB.com’s Mark Bowman seemed to admit what just about everyone already knew to be true. Upton is going to be a Phillie. And the sooner the Braves get that through their thick heads, the better.

…the Braves are not the only National League East club interested in Upton.  The Phillies are believed to be making a serious push to land the 28-year-old outfielder.

Whew. There, I feel a little bit better. That caveat makes all the difference.

It’s funny to think how much attention a player with an on base percentage under .300 and 168 strikeouts last year could be so highly coveted by so many teams. But when you look at his age, (he’s still just 28), his combination of speed and power (Upton has stolen at least 31 bases and seen his home run totals increase in each of the past five seasons), the fact he’ll likely be cheaper than Josh Hamilton, has more potential upside than Angel Pagan, and is two years younger than Michael Bourn, you can see why teams are fighting over Upton like he’s the neighborhood “Tickle Me Elmo.”

What’s most shameful is how brazen B.J. has been about his tour of shame, tweeting about it yesterday with absolutely no conscience whatsoever.

I’m really blown away by the love other cities are showing me right now. Can’t wait to see how this pans out. #intrigued

— BJ Upton (@BJUPTON2) November 16, 2012

Intrigued? You’re intrigued by Atlanta? What exactly is it that intrigues you? The Tomahawk Chop? The sparse attendance? The ridiculously humid and scorching hot Atlanta summers? The absolute lack of passion by anyone in that city for their professional baseball team?

I’m willing to bet that after the Braves lost to the Cardinals in the NL Wild Card game this year, there wasn’t a single act of violence or car set on fire within the city limits. Do you really want to live in a place where that’s a reality?

Don’t you want to play someplace where the fans actually care (i.e. overreact and panic) about their baseball team?

One thing I will say about Upton is that he sure seems loyal to the fanbase (such as it is) that helped rear him.

I def include tampa in that last tweet… The love y’all show me is overwhelming

— BJ Upton (@BJUPTON2) November 16, 2012

Yeah, that’s very nice, B.J. And I’m sure the 363 or so Tampa Bay Rays fans warmly received and appreciated your kind words.

Happily, Ken Rosenthal this morning tweeted some good news concerning Upton and the Phils.

Sources: #Phillies met with B.J. Upton earlier this week.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 16, 2012

So, it looks like B.J. isn’t totally eschewing the Phils, which is a very nice thing. Hopefully, Ruben bought him a very nice steak.

Look Beej, here’s the deal. The Phillies are on the way back. They merely took a one-year vacation from the postseason. You know you want to play in a city with passion, a place that cares about their team, in a stadium that is routinely sold out.

You remember the 2008 World Series. You remember how nuts that was. You can help make it that way again.

Oh, and Ruben Amaro is probably going to throw a bucketful of money at you. All you have to do is say “yes.”

And frankly, that is what is going to decide where B.J. Upton plays. If the Phillies really want him, they’ll simply outbid everyone else and get him. This little “show me the love” tour won’t be the factor that decides where B.J. Upton will play for the next five to six years.

Still, it’s difficult to see our future center fielder getting all dressed up and having dinner with baseball executives from other franchises.

But we’re all adults here. We can handle it.

I feel so betrayed.