Dog days of winter

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Those Hatfield Phillies Franks Dollar Dog Dates are still two months away (March 29 against the Toronto Blue Jays will be the first). Opening day against the Washington Nationals follows two days later with the first pitch scheduled for 3:05.

Of course it’s never too early to start asking questions. The Jan. 22 media luncheon at Citizen Bank Park stirred up some early conversation pertaining to the 2008 season.

The hottest topic centered around Ryan Howard, the 2006 National League MVP, and whether or not he is worth $10 million a year.

Is this even a question? We’re talking about a slugger who has 129 career home runs and 353 RBIs. Yes, he strikes out a lot (199 times in ’07), but this kind of power is hard to find. Just ask Charlie Manuel.

"He is a big time player, a big time hitter," Manuel said of Howard. "It speaks for itself. He has knocked in almost 300 runs in two years. I think everybody knows his value to our club."

How about center field? For those who went into winter baseball hibernation, Aaron Rowand signed a five-year, $60-million contract with the San Francisco Giants. That leaves the Phillies without a Gold Glove outfielder willing to sacrifice his body for the betterment of the team. Some might recall that famous nose-to-wall collision. In ’07, Rowand hit .309 with 27 home runs, along with career-bests of 105 runs and 189 hits.

It means Philadelphia’s favorite Hawaiian Shane Victorino will move from right to center. During the luncheon, the outfielder talked of the change.

"When Aaron got hurt in ’06 I went and played center field the whole time he was hurt," Victorino said. "I got a glimpse of what it’s like to play out there in the big leagues.

"I am not going to go out there and try and fill his shoes. You are talking about a guy who was an All-Star and Gold Glove. He had a great year. I am just going to go out and have fun."

The big story last year was how the Phillies, in a season plagued with injuries, won the National League East. They ended up getting swept by the hot Colorado Rockies in the Wild Card round. It was the organization’s first trip to the postseason since 1993. This time, the Phillies must prove last season was no fluke.

"I think the bottom line is we all want to get to the playoffs and get to the next level," Victorino said. "Not only get there, but get to the World Series and win a championship."

For the majority of Phillies, it was their first taste of October ball and one they will use as a learning experience.

"No matter how hot you are there is always someone out there that is hotter in Colorado," Victorino said. "We were playing good, but they were playing better. The bottom line is you got to find a way to win and they found a way to win and a way to beat us."

Any team serious about contending needs pitching. Having Brett Myers back in the starting rotation with Cole Hamels gives the Phils a formidable one-two punch. Will Kyle Kendrick, the unexpected surprise last season, maintain his winning form? When the Phillies were in desperate need of a starter, this right-hander filled the void with a 10-4 record and 3.87 ERA.

Beyond that, there are still more questions.

There is 44-year-old Jamie Moyer, who did stay healthy all last season and won 14 games, but he is considered old in baseball years. The No. 5 spot remains a mystery.

The bullpen should be a strength this season due to landing closer Brad Lidge via a trade with the Houston Astros. Ryan Madson, Tom Gordon and J.C. Romero will fill out the back end of the bullpen.

Now all they need is to win the National League East again.

"We have 162 games to get back there," Myers said, "We have to take it one game at a time. I know it’s all a cliché, but it’s the truth."