So close

The Phillies could be one of the most frustrating teams in professional sports. For the last few seasons they have been good, but have only remained one or two players away from really solid team that could pose a legitimate threat to get to the World Series. Seemily every off season fans hope for a major acquisition and it just never comes. This core group of players (Hamels,Howard, Rollins, Utley, and Victorino) will not be around forever and you need to capitalize while all are either in or entering their primes. There is a window of opportunity for every team in professional sports and that window does not last long, the Phillies currently have a window of opportunity however I do not feel they will take it. Here is what the Phillies have done over the last 4 seasons:
*2007 won NL East by 1 game-won on last day of regular season; Jimmy Rolllins wins MVP award
2006 finished 3 games out of the wild card; Ryan Howard wins MVP award
2005 finished 2 games out of first place in the division, 1 game out of the wild card
2004 finished 6 games out of the wild card
They need to have the ability to get good players, not mediocre players who just get the job done. Finally they have an ace in Cole Hamels and solid number 2 in Brett Myers, the bullpen has been outstanding this season, and closer Brad Lidge has lived up to his nickname of Brad "Lights Out" Lidge not blowing a single save this season.

Pitching can only get you so far, you need to be able to score runs as well. Scoring runs has not been a problem for the Phillies over a course of a season but it's been consistent scoring and scoring in crucial times that has haunted the Phillies. Here you can see how the Phillies have done since the 2004 season:
*2007 lead NL in runs scored (892)
2006 lead NL in runs scored (865)
2005 2nd in NL in runs scored (820)
2004 3rd in NL in runs scored (840)

Clearly you can see the Phillies have no problem scoring runs, but that stat does not show you the true numbers. The Phillies have been known for putting up big scores, scoring 10 + runs in a single game, followed by scoring 2 runs the following game.

The Phillies have been in need of a offensive catcher since Darren Daulton was here in the mid 1990s. A strong offensive team is strong up the middle: catcher, 2nd base, short stop, and center field. 3rd base and 1st base are also power positions. Here is what the Phillies need in my opinion. A power hitting 3rd baseman (.280/30/100), a catcher who can call a good game with decent offensive numbers (.270/18/90), a power hitting outfielder (.280/25/110). I could live with Pedro Feliz if he would hit to his potential and hit about 20 home runs a year, the Phillies haven't had any power out of 3rd base since Scott Rolen was in town. Right before the trading deadline this year the Boston Red Sox traded All-Star left fielder Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers. That was the move the Phillies needed to make, Manny is a beast. He would easily put the Phillies deep into the playoffs, he is a first ballot hall of famer. If the Phillies would have gotten him for the rest of the year he would have given Ryan Howard instant protection and he is a winner. He has won 2 World Series titles in Boston since 2004.

*Before winning the division in 2007 the Phillies last playoff appearance was in 1993 when they went to the World Series and lost to the Toronto Blue Jays in 6 games on a walk-off home run.