We rarely get together during the winter, except for special occasions. The Phillies' signing of first baseman Jim Thome is an event of monumental proportions. After tantalizing long-patient fans by acquiring mid-to-low-level players during previous off-seasons, the Fightin' Phils went out and got the premier free agent on the market this year.
The only other time the best player available signed with Philadelphia was when Pete Rose came aboard after the 1978 season. The Phillies had just won three Eastern Division titles and needed another piece of the puzzle to get them over the hump and into the World Series.
There really aren't any other comparisons to the two events. There was a bidding war for Rose among a number of teams at the time, and the first baseman actually accepted less money to sign because he felt that he had the best chance to get to the fall classic with the Phillies.
In Thome's case, there were only two players involved — his beloved Indians and the Phillies. He desperately wanted to stay in Cleveland for a number of reasons, but general manager Ed Wade bowled him over with an offer that was impossible to turn down. And Thome can see the developing talent in the Phillies' clubhouse. Cleveland, unfortunately, is going through a rebuilding phase and won't contend again for a while. The Phillies' future is now.
In my season-ending column, I mentioned that the club's primary needs were power threats on the infield corners and some help in the bullpen. I never imagined that Wade would snare third baseman David Bell and Thome to fill those spots.
Placido Polanco moves from third to second base to improve the defense up the middle. Polanco added another dimension to the club when he arrived in July. In the short time that he's been here, I couldn't help but notice that the guy does all of the little things necessary to win — hit-and-run plays, sacrifice bunts, timely stolen bases. He's a very unselfish player, and I think he can teach the value of these things to others on the club.
Likewise, Jeremy Giambi is the most-disciplined hitter on the team. If he's still around next season, he might be able to help some of his free-swinging teammates.
With an infield of Thome, Polanco, shortstop Jimmy Rollins and Bell and an outfield of Pat Burrell, Marlon Byrd and Bobby Abreu already in place, the attention turns to the battery. Catcher Mike Lieberthal should return to form if he stays healthy, but the mound corps seems to be waiting for veteran leadership.
Wade might have won the daily double with Bell and Thome, but he lost the trifecta when veteran left-hander Tom Glavine signed with the New York Mets. Plan "B" also fell through when left-hander Jamie Moyer re-signed with Seattle over the weekend.
The Phillies are now leaning toward Kansas City's Paul Byrd, who won 17 games in 2002, and Chuck Finley, who was with the St. Louis Cardinals last season. There has also been talk that Bartolo Colon could be pried away from the Montreal Expos. The Phillies have several position players and an abundance of legitimate pitching prospects to offer in a trade, so maybe Wade should consider making another bold move.
Having said that, I believe that the Phillies have a much-improved chance to contend in 2003, but don't order your World Series tickets just yet. No other team is going to roll over and play dead for them. There is plenty of offense and defense on the field, and there are plenty of promising young hurlers on the staff. The pitching situation will be the key factor.
That's my opinion. Let me know what you think.
Manager Larry Bowa celebrated his 57th birthday on Dec. 6 with a pair of coveted offensive players added to his roster. Let's watch for Wade to acquire a veteran hurler at the winter meetings to stuff in the skipper's Christmas stocking.
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