This team was supposed to pitch it’s way to a 6th straight NL East title, but fell oh so short of reaching that goal. On the bright side, now is the time for finger pointing!

There is plenty of blame to go around for this fiasco, so let’s not be shy. Why not concentrate your anger at Ruben Amaro–he built this ‘flawed’ team, after all. Did he really think that a lineup carried by Hunter Pence and Jimmy Rollins could win games?

Charlie Manuel deserves a share of blame too. His hands off, low key approach is great when things are going well, but his mis-management of the bullpen and failure to ignite a stagnant lineup doomed this team countless times.

Before I get carried away playing the blame game, the end of the season does warrant some award ceremony. Since the roster is void of any candidates for MLB accolades, I am handing out the following honors for the 2012 Phillies.

Non-Chooch MVP

Benny Sieu-US PRESSWIRE

With Chooch’s stellar season off the table, the Phillies non-Chooch MVP has to be Cole Hamels. Hamels was the only Phillies starter to pull his weight in gold (or millions of dollars). Cole’s consistency through the contract negotiations and trade rumors was a testament to just how good this kid is.

He finished the year with a career high 17 wins and 216 K’s. For all the sabremetricians reading, he also posted an ERA+ of 132 and a WAR of 4.2 (both bests on the club not named Chooch). It may be a bit unorthodox to give an MVP to a guy who only plays every fifth day, but is there really a position player (not named Chooch) worthy of the honor?

The answer is no. Cole was the man for the Phillies all season, and thankfully will continue to be for the next seven years.

Most “2012 Phillies” Moment of the Year

July 5th, Phils vs. Mets

Phillies lead the Mets 5-4 heading into the 9th.  Enter “star” closer Jonathan Papelbon. The Phillies were floundering at nine games under, but could have taken the series against the Mets in the finale, and given the club some momentum heading into the All-Star break.

The game was set up the way Ruben Amaro designed it–with Papelbon in to shut the door in the ninth. That outcome was not be.

Daniel Murphy cued a liner off of Papelbon to tie the game, followed by a dying quail off the bat of David Wright to seal the victory for the Mets. The game was supposed to end with the Phillies on top, but the balls just didn’t land their way.

If that doesn’t sum up the Phils season of heartbreak and disappointment I don’t know what does.

Big Offseason Move the Phils Should Make

Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

Free-agency can be a major gambit as the Phillies found out recently. Papelbon was decent, but he certainly wasn’t worth the dollars the team invested in him. Hopefully, the team has learned it’s lesson and realized that it needs to create more flexibility rather than simply give away long term deals like candy. To get that flexibility the team will have to make some harsh cuts. At the top of that list should be Ryan Howard.

Yes, Howard was coming off a major injury that forced him to play below 100%, but his numbers have been steadily declining since 2009. His contract is an albatross, but if the Dodgers-Red Sox deal in August is any indication, there is no such thing as an immovable contract. The Phillies have $25 million committed to their first baseman through 2016, money I’m sure they would love to be able to spend elsewhere. I would happily pay 2006 Ryan Howard $50 million, but that player is long gone.

Players don’t get better at 32 [EDITOR'S NOTE: Chooch not withstanding], and there are no guarantees he will ever fully recover from his achilles injury. If the Phils are serious about turning around this club to compete in 2013, Ryan Howard needs to go.

Big Offseason Move They Should NOT Make for the Love of God

Ruben Amaro Jr., if you are listening [EDITOR'S NOTE: He's not.], do not– I repeat–DO NOT–sign Michael Bourn! Don’t be fooled by his high ranking in fantasy baseball leagues. While Bourn’s speed is very tantalizing, his near .200 2nd half batting average should be a warning to all GM’s. If his contract demands weren’t outrageous this would be a different story, but his projected asking price at five years is just too long. Players at his age don’t get any faster as they get older.

Projected 2013 Opening Day Lineup

• SS Jimmy Rollins (He won’t run out balls unless he bats lead-off)
• RF Nick Swisher (This will be fun)
• C Carlos Ruiz (Chooooooooooch)
• 1B Ryan Howard (Whether we like it or not)
• CF John Mayberry Jr. (Because f*@k it that’s why)
• LF Domonic Brown (One full season, that’s all we ask)
• 3B Eric Chavez (would a Chavez/Frandsen platoon be that bad?)
• 2B Freddy Galvis (when was the last time Utley played opening day?)
• P Cole Hamels (Opening day starter for years to come)

–Ethan Seidel (@yearinbaseball)

One evening I wandered into the kitchen, leaving a trail of Intelligencer Journal pages behind me.  ”Look ma,” I explained, as her head jolted upward from the sink, apparently under the impression that she’d found just one moment of silent relaxation.  ”The Phillies are only 14 games behind.  That means they just need to win 14 times and the Braves lose 14 times and they’ll be in first place.”

She crooked her head and said nothing.  It was her way of allowing my childhood ignorance to keep me sane for… as long as it could.  It wouldn’t be much further down the line that I would inherit the adorable mannerisms that eventually mark all of the males in my family; yelling at the TV, being told to go outside until we can stop yelling at the TV, and yelling at the TV through one of the first floor windows like a lunatic. We love sports!  Also, yelling.

It’s been a while since that mindset returned to me.  If nothing else, these 2012 Phillies were a nostalgic trip back to my childhood; when the Phillies were boring crap that no one liked.  And yet I watched, my days colored by the fresh whites, deep reds, and Sunday day-blues of a Philadelphia summer.  Was it nice to once more touch those feelings of childhood bliss I thought were gone? Sure, a little.  Am I looking forward to doing it again in 2013?

You bet your shit-ass-boobs I’m not.

All of those neighborhood toughs went on to die in a meth lab explosion.

Non-Chooch MVP

Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

Yeah but wasn’t it great watching Chooch?  Bringing the Panamanian thunder down on whoever dared pitch him inside.

Most would hand this to Cole and call it a day, but if you’re going the pitching route, why not Cliff Lee?  He’s got the same WAR as Cole, and a lot of the same numbers in strikeouts, innings pitched, and earned runs–with almost half the walks.

However, my official pick is Juan Pierre, a guy who ended the season with a batting average over .300 and an age over 33.  Sure, he’s got all the outfield assists of a double amputee, but nobody expected him to be much of anything; in fact, nobody really expected him to do better than Scott Podsednik.  But he came two shy of his career high in home runs (1), and led the league in sacrifice hits for the third time.  He got on base, he knocked in runs; in essence, he was everything nobody else really was for long stretches of time.

Most “2012 Phillies” Moment of the Year

June 27, Pirates vs. Phils

Easy.

It’s only late June; plenty of time for things to turn around.  All we need is a powerful catalyst to serve as the turning point.  And what could be better than Chase Utley’s return from a knee whatever injury?

The sun was setting gloriously over the Philadelphia skyline, making it appear as though the city were in fact burning to the ground.  Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir” queued up for the first time all year and we all went batshit as Chase strolled to the box, worked a 2-2 count off James McDonald, and then powerhoused a statement to the NL to right center:  We’re back.

We were a little excited.

DADDYS HOME

— Justin Klugh (@TBOHblog) June 27, 2012

So, our World Series hopes back on track, Chooch drove the point home by blasting a welcome-back dinger of his own to left.  That’s it.  We win everything.

Sadly, the next inning it became clear that we would need more than two runs to win the season, let alone the game.  Which we lost.  By a lot, I think.

Big Offseason Move the Phillies Should Make

Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

Well, until a second ago, I thought we were doing the whole “Chase Utley’s a third baseman now” thing, and I’d convinced myself that that was okay because apparently Freddy Galvis playing third is a big horrible thing.  In that world, we had already filled the third base hole and could concentrate our money-cannon on a centerfielder, who I think should be B.J. Upton.

Now, yes; I have visions of Upton arguing with Evan Longoria in the dugout during his Tampa tenure.  And if he’s arguing with Evan–Chase Utley if he smiled more and did commercials for hats–he might not gel with this core.  But if that’s my biggest concern, then, depending on his price tag, I think he’d be a great addition with the speed and hitting to lead off.  At least we wouldn’t spend another year hearing people act like they’re shocking the world by saying Jimmy Rollins is not a leadoff hitter.

But now Chase is back at second and god only knows how all that third base stuff is gonna work itself out.  And while John pushes for Angel Pagan and Ethan and I push for not Michael Bourn, there sits B.J. Upton, waiting for his new deal, with an opening in one hell of a northeastern market.

“But Justin! What about Shane Victorino!”  Well, Shane didn’t exactly rip the universe in half with his offensive prowess this season, and if he does wind up pursued by the Phillies, it will probably be because Ruben couldn’t get it done with any of the other upper tier outfield free agents, of which there are many.

“No I meant what about your obsession with Shane Victorino.”

Ha ha ha.  I mean, a guy travels across the country with a Victorino shirsey, buys seats in left field for a Dodgers game, then is sure to take a picture of himself wearing the shirsey with Shane in the bacgkround and post it on every form of social media, including the banner of his Twitter account, and that’s how we’re defining “obsession?”

Why don’t you gus grow up a little.  Geeze.

Big Offseason Move They Should NOT Make For the Love of God

I don’t want to see another 30+ veteran eating up roster money and sweet, sweet cash, even if it is Michael Bourn.  Believe me, the thought is tempting… like Jose Reyes and Dee Gordon, Bourn has always felt like one of those guys who only needs first base to be an automatic run.  I want a guy like that on this team so badly I can taste the dirt in my mouth from being in the front row when he slides safely head first into third.

But this team has its own aging core, thank you very much.  The part we should be adding to is the vibrant next generation of Galvis’ and Ruf’s and Brown’s.  This team and its liberal contract-giving policies to players as they enter their twilight years has made be skiddish of old signing guys close to or over 30 and old people in general and well just everything really.

Projected 2013 Opening Day Lineup

• B.J. Upton, CF
• Chase Utley, 2B
• Dom Brown, RF
• Ryan Howard, 1B
• Carlos Ruiz, C
• Darin Ruf, LF
• Jimmy Rollins, SS
• Freddy Galvis, 3B

That’s right.  Darin Ruf.  Yes.  I’m part of the problem.

What appeals to me about this lineup is that everybody but Upton is an organically grown talent.  Would Jimmy hit seventh?  Yes.  Would he hate every second of it?  Oh my god yes.

And yes, Galvis is at third base.  I had to get him in there somewhere and I think he’s Infielder Jesus so don’t act like it’s impossible.  Some might argue that a back fracture would affect his play.  And to those people I say, “Well, sorry, but I keep forgetting that that happened.”

–Justin Klugh (@TBOHblog)

All in all, 2012 was kind of a ramrod up the kiester. Injuries left us wandering in a Chase Utley-less wilderness, left to fend for ourselves without Chase Utley to guide us and protect us, without Chase Utley doing Chase Utley-like things to keep us warm and safe. Ryan Howard came back to hit a few home runs, but looked bad upon his return for most of the second half. Roy Halladay was a shell of himself, with worries that he’s now either seriously hurt, or all those innings he’s piled up over the last few years have turned him into Joe Blanton.

However, I’m more inclined to think that 2012 will be this generation’s 1979. After winning three straight division titles in 1976, ’77 and ’78, the Phils fell apart in 1979, thanks mainly to injury issues. The next year, the Phils bounced back to win the World Series. If the Phillies conduct a smart offseason plan and utilize the young bullpen arms and talent at their disposal, there’s a really good chance that 2012 will be just a speedbump on their way to a successful 2013.

Non-Chooch MVP 

It’s important this category be phrased non-Chooch MVP, because my wife’s baseball boyfriend was friggin’ awesome. But if I can’t pick Chooch, then I’ll go with Cole Hamels. Not only did Hamels have a kick ass year on the mound (17-6, 3.05 ERA, second best of his career, with 216 Ks 52 BBs and an ERA+ of 131), but he also signed a six year, $144 million contract extension. Hamels never let his contract status or the trade rumors swirling around him to get in the way of being ridiculously good on the field.

Most “2012 Phillies” Moment of the Year

Dale Zanine-US PRESSWIRE

May 2nd, Phils vs. Braves

Roy Halladay had one of his “2012 Roy Halladay Specials,” pitching 5 1/2 innings, giving up eight earned runs on 12 hits. The Phils led 6-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth until Halladay gave up six runs to tie the game, then coughed up another two runs in the sixth to give Atlanta an 8-6 lead.

Still, the Phils fought back, scoring three in the seventh and three in the eigth to take the lead back 12-8. Of course, as happened so often throughout the season, the late inning bullpen arms couldn’t hold the lead. Jose Contreras and Michael Schwimer combined to give up five runs in the bottom of the eighth to give Atlanta a 13-12 lead.

The Phillies then fought back one more time, scoring a single run in the ninth to tie the game at 13, sending it into extra innings. In the bottom of the 11th, Chipper Jones smoked a two-run, walk-off homer off reliever Brian Sanches to give Atlanta a 15-13 win.

This loss had everything. A terribly ineffective Roy Halladay, a frantic comeback by a makeshift Phils’ offense, a tremendous offensive game by Carlos Ruiz (3-5, with a home rung, two doubles and 7 RBIs) and a tremendous late-game choke job by the bullpen. The Jones homer was just the perfect embodiement of a 2012 season that blew monkey chunks.

The Big Offseason Move the Phils Should Make

Howard Smith–AP

Sign Angel Pagan to play center field and hit leadoff. The Phillies are going to get a center fielder, of that there is no doubt. And there are some really glitzy names Amaro could pursue: Michael Bourn, B.J. Upton, Josh Hamilton and Shane Victorino just to name a few.

However, all of those guys have huge drawbacks. Bourn is a good leadoff hitter and should be for years to come, but he’s represented by Scott Boras and is likely to ask for a huge contract that will not equal the production he is likely to provide. Hamilton has too many demons and is too injury prone to risk spending the $20 million a year it’s going to take to get him. Upton has a lot of upside, power and speed to burn, but is terrible at getting on base and strikes out a ton.

And Victorino, well, we all know what Shane brings to the table, and I think we all can agree it’s time to move on.

Pagan, however, can probably be had for a three or four year deal at about $7-8 million a year. I’ll get more into Pagan in a future blog, but suffice it to say, I’d rather have his .289/.339/.441 slash line, his .780 OPS, his OPS+ of 122, his league-leading 15 triples, his 38 doubles, his 8 HRs, 95 runs scored and 29 stolen bases instead. He’d cost less than most of those other options and provide exactly the type of offensive production the Phillies would need.

Big Offseason Move They Should NOT Make For the Love of God 

Well, I probably would avoid signing another $10 million a year closer.

Other than that, signing Josh Hamilton to a huge mega deal would be a mistake. Look if the Phils can somehow snare Hamilton on a three or four-year deal for about $15 million a year, then I’d at least think about it. But someone is going to sign Hamilton to a five or six-year deal worth over $20 million a season.

The Phils already have way too many players on the wrong side of 30 years old earning that kind of money. They don’t need to be ADDING more of those guys. Hamilton’s just too undependable, unpredictable and injury prone to be trusted for that kind of money.

Projected 2013 Opening Day Lineup

Wishful thinking 2013 opening day lineup:

• CF Angel Pagan
• RF Domonic Brown
• 2B Chase Utley
• 1B Ryan Howard
• C Carlos Ruiz
• SS Jimmy Rollins
• LF Darin Ruf/Nate Schierholtz
• 3B Jeff Keppinger

Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE

Here’s what the Phillies will probably do:

• CF Michael Bourn
• SS Jimmy Rollins
• 2B Chase Utley
• 1B Ryan Howard
• C Carlos Ruiz
• RF Domonic Brown,
• LF Darin Ruf/Laynce Nix
• 3B Jeff Keppinger

Yes, that’s right. More Laynce Nix. Sigh.

–John Stolnis (@FelskeFiles)