Phillies About to Let a Good One Get Away...Again...

A bitter taste spews within the saliva as it flows out from the corners of some Phillies fans mouths when they hear the names J.D. Drew and Scott Rolen. In fact, those in management for the Phillies organization have the same reaction to hearing them also. But as I look at the current situation in Philadelphia I can't help thinking that Scott Rolen would be the perfect answer for what they need to take it to the next level during their 2008 season. Rolen has been mentioned for a while now as a hot topic with the St. Louis Cardinals as far as what they may be looking to do to reshape their roster (Just ask his current manager Tony LaRussa). As of this morning I heard a new deal involving him landing in Toronto for Troy Glaus. The knocks on Scott is that he's been hurt a lot recently and that he's most of his missed time due to his back and shoulder injuries. That doesn't bode well looking ahead in projecting his power numbers as he tumbles right into his mid thirties. He's had two 142 game seasons since 2004. He's also had a 56 game season and last year he played in just 112 games. Rolen's current contract takes him through 2012 at just around $12M per year. The pros to Scott Rolen are that when he's healthy and in the lineup he's a true gamer and a 7-time Gold Glove winner at the toughest infield position to play in the majors. He's also a career .283 hitter who runs well, and has won a World Series ring. If the Phillies were to swallow their pride, roll the dice, and give him another shot at playing here, they'd have solid double play combos in the infield featuring Rolen with Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley. That would really help their pitcher's ERA's, it would also give them the much needed right handed bat to replace Aaron Rowand's spot in the middle of the order. If in fact Rolen did go down with another back or shoulder injury the Phillies would already have 3 third basemen who are platooning on the roster with the likes of Greg Dobbs, Wes Helms, and Eric Bruntlett. General Manager Pat Gillick offered Red Sox's third baseman Mike Lowell essentially the same deal that Rolen has left on his contract with St. Louis. They are pretty much the same player, minus the fact that Rolen had played in Philly. If I remember correctly, Rolen only wanted to leave Philadelphia because he didn't want to play on the Astroturf at Veteran's Stadium and wanted to also play for a winning team. Citizen's Bank Ballpark was built with grass, and the Phillies were in the playoffs last year. I say make a deal with the Cardinals before they ink it with the Blue Jays and start winning games with good infield defense while keeping the lineup in tact with the heavy right handed bat behind Ryan Howard.