TSN Power Poll: 24 Projected finish: 5th in N.L. East - Philadelphia Phillies - Brief Article

Arrivals: RHP Ricky Bottalico, LHP Rheal Cormier, OF Brian L. Hunter, RHP Jose Mesa, C Chris Turner.

Departures: SS Alex Arias, RHP Kent Bottenfield.

Source of strength: The middle of the lineup. If RF Bobby Abreu, 3B Scott Rolen, C Mike Lieberthal and LF Pat Burrell stay healthy--Rolen's balky lower back, which flared up during the second week of exhibition games, is an ongoing concern--all four have the potential to hit 30 home runs and drive in 100.

Achilles' heel: An inexperienced middle infield. The double-play combination of SS Jimmy Rollins and 2B Marlon Anderson spent most of the 2000 season at Class AAA. In 236 International League games combined, the pair committed 40 errors (Rollins had 26). Because the pitching staff is not overpowering, the team will place a premium on not giving opponents extra outs. The Phillies simply do not have the firepower to overcome errors.

TSNumber: 13-27. The team's record while Lieberthal was on the D.L. during the second half of 2000.

Player to watch: 1B Travis Lee. He struggled out of the gate this spring, producing just four hits in his first 27 at-bats (.148). Nonetheless, he continues to insist he has regained his balance and feel at the plate. If he can shake off the effects of his disastrous 2000 campaign, Lee and Abreu will give manager Larry Bowa two dangerous lefthanded hitters. Defensively, Lee can be spectacular.

Crystal ball: If everything goes right, this team could post the franchise's first winning record since 1993. Rarely, however, does everything go right for the Phillies. Injuries have haunted this organization for most of the last 10 years. The rotation is a balanced but unspectacular group that figures to suffer from the lack of a bona fide ace. The lineup has some speed and some power, but CF Doug Glanville and Lee must significantly improve on their 2000 performances for the offense to click.

Millennial outlook: Although the team is three seasons from moving into a new stadium, its young nucleus of players and upgraded farm system are signs of promise. Not since the early '80s has there been as much homegrown talent in the majors or on the verge of making the jump. As for current issues, G.M. Ed Wade knows re-signing Rolen is his biggest off-field challenge, and he's treating it as such. The best news? The softer artificial surface installed at Veterans Stadium should be a major improvement for this season. --Chris Edwards

Lineup card

Doug Glanville    CF    He has put personal issues from 2000
                        behind him.

Jimmy Rollins     SS    Switch-hitting dynamo has air of
                        confidence.

Bobby Abreu       RF    Has 30-30 potential, but he'd rather
                        try to hit .350.

Scott Rolen       3B    Team cornerstone poised for
                        breakthrough season.

Mike Lieberthal   C     Looking to return to form after
                        injury-marred 2000.

Pat Burrell       LF    Hot spring could be portent for
                        big year.

Travis Lee        1B    Cold spring conjures memories of
                        cool 2000.

Marlon Anderson   2B    A year after demotion, he's hitting
                        and fielding well.

Rotation

Robert Person     RHP   High strike zone should be to his
                        liking.

Omar Daal         LHP   Rejuvenated hurler plans to use
                        fastball more.

Bruce Chen        LHP   Calmly going about business of
                        complementing Wolf.

Randy Wolf        LHP   Staff workhorse hopes consistency
                        equals big wins.

Cliff Politte     RHP   No. 5 starter spot is his to lose.

Setup men

Rheal Cormier     LHP   Despite back spasms, he should be
                        ready to go in April.

Ricky Bottalico   RHP   Slow spring shouldn't carry over to
                        season.

Closer

Jose Mesa         RHP   Early returns show many zeros
                        (as in spring ERA).

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