Future Of The Phillies: Starting Rotation

The Phils are on track to make the playoffs for the 6th straight year. And as the Phils continue their streak as one of the best teams in baseball I begin to wonder, how long is this great team going to be around? For how much longer will the Phillies be one of the elite teams? This current nucleus of players won't be around forever but here is a quick look at some of your favorite Phillies and their contract statuses. In this segment of Future Of the Phillies we will be taking a look at the legendary starting rotation.

Roy Halladay 2012: Philadelphia

Roy Halladay's contract with the Phillies started this year. Halladay was still under his Toronto contract last year, and his 3 year 60 million dollar deal with the Phils will keep him in Philadelphia through 2013 with a vesting option that could keep in Philly through 2014.

Cliff Lee 2012: Philadelphia

Cliff Lee's 120 million 5 year contract will keep him in Philly through 2015 with a vesting option that could keep him in Philly through 2016.

Roy Oswalt 2012: ?

He is due 16 million this year and the Astros will pay 7 of that and the Phils will pay 9. His contract will be up after this season, but there is a mutual option that could keep him in Philly through 2012 with a 2 million dollar buyout.

Cole Hamels 2012: ?

Hamels was given a 3 year 20.5 million dollar contract after the 08 season. Hamels is due 9.5 million this year in the final year of his contract.

Joe Blanton 2012: Philadelphia

Blanton was given a 3 year 24 million dollar contract that will keep him in Philly through 2012.

Kyle Kendrick 2012: ?

Before the beginning of this season the Phils signed Kendrick to a 1 year 2.45 million dollar contract.

The future of the Phils starting rotation has many question marks. Will they re-sign Oswalt and Hamels? What is the deal with Blanton? First off for next year I predict that the Phillies won't exercise the mutual option for Oswalt. Oswalt is going to want a lot of money and at 33 years of age with back problems I simply don't see the Phils bringing him back. Blanton although he is dealing with elbow problems right now should be healthy later this year and will be back next year. Halladay and Lee will obviously be back for next year, no need to worry about them. The Phils top priority heading into this off season will be resigning Cole Hamels. He is going to want the big bucks and the Phils have todo everything they can to keep him in Philadelphia. With a lot of big salaries coming off the payroll I expect the Phils to take care of Hamels.

For next year I predict the Phils starting rotation to be Halladay, Lee, Hamels, a healthy Blanton and Vance Worley as your fifth. The Phils would be foolish to give Kendrick 2.45 million again and aside from one bad outing Worley has also looked pretty good and would be a great 5th guy on this staff. Although your 4th and 5th will be a combo of Blanton and Worley if the Phils sign Hamels, the big three of Hamels, Halladay and Lee is really all you need.