My Phillies 2016 Season Crystal Ball

The rebuilding plan finally and belatedly got underway back on December 19th, 2014. That was the day that the club dealt away longtime franchise iconic shortstop Jimmy Rollins. 

He was the first of the remaining 'Core Five' from the glorious 2000's-era World Series winning club to be dealt.

At the trade deadline a year ago, it was Cole Hamels turn to say goodbye, and then roughly three weeks later in mid-August of 2015, beloved 2nd baseman Chase Utley was traded away.

Now only Ryan Howard and Carlos Ruiz remain. Both are in the starting lineup for today's 2016 season opener in Cincinnati. Both are also most certainly starting their final Opening Day in a Phillies uniform.

There stands a very real chance that neither 'The Big Piece' nor 'Chooch' will last the entire season in red pinstripes. 

Even if it means eating both salaries and getting little in return, the odds are good that general manager Matt Klentak will deal away both by this year's trade deadline or soon thereafter, allowing the two veterans to take another shot at a title with some contender as their careers draw towards a close.

That will be a part of the story of these 2016 Philadelphia Phillies, the final pages turned from the good old days. The bigger part will be what comes next, as the club continues adding future building blocks in the ongoing rebuilding program.

The rebuild began in earnest a year ago with the promotion of Maikel Franco in May, and the Aaron Nola debut in July. We also got to witness a potentially exciting debut by a surprise addition, as December 2014 Rule 5 draftee Odubel Herrera became a legitimate starting big league center fielder.

THE PREDICTION

MLB 2011: National League



Call them what you like, because they've had 'em all hung on them at one time or another over this past winter. The "Phab Four", the "Four Aces", the "Four Horsemen", whatever. Just as long as Charlie Manuel can call on them every fifth day, the Philadelphia Phillies will win their 5th straight N.L. East crown and their 3rd National League pennant in four years before falling in one of the best World Series in decades to the Boston Red Sox. At least that's the call here.

I'll cover the Fightin' Phils and all the specific reasons in my next article here in the coming days. Let's spend some time talking about who will be doing the chasing, and who can take their place should those injury woes become overwhelming. Last year I said that the Atlanta Braves might be the one team that could give the Phils a run for their money in the N.L. East, and I was right on there. In Bobby Cox' final season at the helm, Atlanta stayed with the Phils for most of the season, even leading the division for awhile, and made it into the playoffs as the N.L. Wildcard before bowing to the eventual pennant-winning Giants in a tough playoff series.

The Braves may have an intimidating lineup if everything goes right. If Chipper Jones stays healthy. If rookie 1st sacker Freddie Freeman is a Rookie of the Year contender. If their young rotation and bullpen arms all hold up and produce. With newcomer Dan Uggla and catcher Brian McCann joining last year's phenom Jason Heyward, the Braves should again contend for the division and playoff races.

Predictions for 2010

I don't own a crystal ball, nor do I have any special psychic powers or connections to the Almighty that would grant me privileged insight.

But I do understand a little bit about what is going on in the world, and it's a challenge to look ahead and try to figure out what a new year may bring.

The following are 10 predictions that I am willing to make for the new year that we just began. Every year brings with it major news developments, exciting sporting accomplishments, political intrigue, public scandals, celebrity gaffes, natural disasters, and other headlines.

We can take a look back at the end of 2010 and see how I faired with these:

1) Israel-Iran War: There is just no way that Israel can allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons. If the mullahs are not overthrown and Ahmadinejad kicked out on his apocalpyse-desirous butt within the first few months of the year, Israel cannot wait much longer. It's a bit of an upset that the Israelis have waited this long. This will be huge.

2) American Congress: The Republican Party will make major inroads in both Houses of Congress in the 2010 mid-term elections. Probably not enough to take over either House, unless of course the Obama administration continues to bury the U.S. in debt and continues to take over private industry. My bet is the Dems up for election will paint themselves moderately enough to salvage a slight Dem majority.