| Christine Cartafalsa. 11th February, 2009 - 1:33 pm
 The Super Bowl is finally out of the way, and attention can now be turned on the days remaining before pitchers and catchers arrive in Clearwater, FL.
I have been itching for the 2009 season to begin since the last of the parade cleared on Broad Street, and I realized that my boys were scattered about the country. The birth of the new MLB channel on New Year's Day helped to ease my withdrawal, yet I spent much of the last few months online, anxious to read any news on what the boys were up to even if the story focused on why Chase Utley is a die-hard fan of Caramel Macchiatos at Starbucks.
Fortunately, the World Series Champions have been anything but quiet this offseason.
Following a boast from Cole Hamels, the Phillies seemed determined to win back-to-back titles, becoming the first team to do so since the Yankees (1999 and 2000). And while the players have been occupied making appearances, playing poker, taking cruises and recovering from much-needed surgeries, newly appointed general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. has wasted no time locking in what he feels is necessary for a chance at repeating 2008.
And what is necessary is pitching, pitching and more pitching.
Four starters are definite for 2009 and it's a wonderful thing to say. Hamels' signature has finally been inked to a three-year, $20.5 million dollar contract and Jamie Moyer is set until he's 48, when he undoubtedly will be seeking another two-year stretch.
The oh-too familiar face of Brett Myers will be visible and Joe Blanton, the home run-hitting pitcher of the World Series, returns for another year to the tune of $5.475 million.
The best bullpen in the National League seems equally as strong. Slated to return are Chad Durbin, Scott Eyre and Clay Condrey. Needless to say, unbeatable closer Brad Lidge will be back and he'll be crossing the same bridge that Ryan Madson lays out for him each and every game.
Unfortunately, absent until June 1st will be lefty J.C. Romero following the controversy over his legal-not, legal GNC purchase last season. The Phillies have remained quiet on whether or not the reliever got a raw deal and, rather than fight it, have been frantically searching for a possible replacement for him. Also up for grabs is the much-desired fifth starter position, and it seems as though it will be a four-man competition.
Amaro, for the longest time, only appeared to be considering J.A. Happ, Kyle Kendrick, Carlos Carrasco and recently acquired Chan Ho Park for the role. Adam Eaton was said to not have a chance, but the tides may be turning in his favor as Amaro stated on "Meet the Phillies" recently, and in other interviews, that he could still be a possibility.
However, the battle will most likely be between Kendrick and Happ. Carrasco's readiness for the show is still up in the air, and unless Park blows the competition away, he most likely will not be taking the starting position from players who have been in Philadelphia for some time.
Eaton, should his name still be on the roster following spring training, would most likely fit best by providing short relief, allowing him to pitch on a regular basis and work out the troubles that plagued his performance the past two years.
The Phillies have also been eyeing left-handed free agents Joe Beimel (Dodgers, 5-1, 2.02 ERA), Will Ohman (Braves, 4-1, 3.68 ERA) and Randy Flores (Cardinals, 1-0, 5.26 ERA), but will most likely find their replacement for Romero from within their own breeding grounds due to the contract demands of these remaining pitchers.
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