Quick Glance at the Papers

If this report is to be believed, then we've got some big news on our hands. I can't seem to shake the feeling that Pat Gillick really wants to go out and make a huge splash this offseason. Now that the Alfonso Soriano and Gary Sheffield rumors are hot once again, it only makes sense that the Akinori Iwamura and Aramis Ramirez rumblings get louder as well - it still may be a long shot, but it would be far from surprising to see one of those four names (Soriano, Sheffield, Iwamura, Ramirez) playing in South Philly in 2007.

I don't even want to comment on the latest article by Marcus Hayes - all I can say is that an article like that can very quickly undo all of the optimism that this fan felt after dreaming about adding a bat like Sheffield's, Iwamura's, or Ramirez' to the everyday eight (I'm not a big Soriano fan - he is a heck of a hitter, but he'll be grossly overpaid the second he signs his new contract). Just say no to spending big bucks on relief help (though Guillermo Mota isn't a terrible idea if the price is right), to mindlessly picking up Rowand's $5 million option, and to dumping the still productive Pat Burrell only to spend even more money on a replacement that won't be worth the upgrade in cash (Soriano). Making lateral moves for large quantities of dollar bills will get this team nowhere fast - upgrades are needed at the positions of need such as third base, right field, and the entire pitching staff. If the Phils focus their time, money, and resources on the actual positions of need instead of inventing or creating new positions of need, they'll be alright. If not, it'll be a long offseason.