Philadelphia Phillies

I know the title of the article will be controversial, especially among Philly fans, but I honestly believe it's the best course of action for the Phillies to take.  My hope is that the Phillies will not heed my advice, because as a Mets fan, the sooner they stink the better. 

Hear me out before you tune me out! 

Let's get some basic points down that we can agree on:

Less than a week after the New York Yankees beat the Philadelphia Phillies in six games to win their 27th World Championship, the Hot Stove League has begun in earnest.

Even before the general managers meeting in Chicago on Nov. 10-11, trades have been made in the fresh offseason.

The Pirates and the Rays made a deal on Nov. 3, with Tampa Bay sending second baseman Akinori Iwamura to Pittsburgh for reliever Jesse Chavez. Two days later, the Marlins traded outfielder Jeremy Hermida to Boston for left-hander Hunter Jones.

I feared throughout the regular season that Brad Lidge would blow the Phillies' chances at becoming the first team to repeat since the 2000 Yankees.

My fears came to fruition in Game Four of the World Series against the Bronx Bombers. Lidge surrendered three runs as the Phils went onto lose 7-4 a half an inning after they tied the game at four. That game was crucial.

If the Phillies win that game, the series is tied at 2-2. Anything can happen. Instead, New York took a commanding 3-1 lead and went on to win in six games.

The Yankees' manager, in his second season at the helm, was confident that his team would beat the Phillies in the World Series.

The Phillies Were a Fast, Hustling Team

"Not that I'm underestimating these Phillies. My reports show they are a fast, hustling club and they have good pitching.

In fact, I respect their pitching more than anything else and if they do beat us it will be pitching alone that will turn the trick.

The Phillies have declined their $5.5 million option on third baseman Pedro Feliz, which means that the 34-year-old will become a free agent and likely won't return to the Phils in 2010.

Feliz quietly hit 12 home runs and drove in 82 runs last year batting in the seven-hole of the Phils' potent lineup. He was the team's best hitter with runners in scoring position, hitting for a .336 average.

In two seasons in Philadelphia, Feliz slugged 26 homers and knocked in 140 runs.

While literally millions of New Yorkers (including myself) were busy celebrating the 27th New York Yankee World Championship up and down downtown New York's Canyon of Heroes, the rest of Major League Baseball began offseason business as usual.

The National League Champion Phillies moved quickly in picking up the 2010 club-option on their lefty ace Cliff Lee.

Lee, who went 7-4 with a 3.39 ERA in 12 starts for Philadelphia during the latter half of 2009, will be owed $9 million in the final year of his contract.

Rich Hofman has an article in today's Philadelphia Daily News saying that the Phillies should acquire Roy Halladay . Hofman also points out the obvious that the Yankees won the World Series because they had the better pitching, which is nothing but the truth. He also says that retooling the bullpen, and adding to the bench are other priorities.

In a meeting today, Ruben Amaro Jr. informed Brett Myers that they would not attempt to renegotiate.

Amaro did not give a reason as to why he will not renew Myers' contract, though the $12 million in cap space may be a factor.

Myers said that he felt it coming and is not as disappointed as he expected.

Myers is willing to negotiate to be a starter or reliever with a new team.