PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- PHILLIES

- Heading to Citizens Bank Park soon to watch the Phillies' finale but keeping a close eye on the Eagles in Tennessee. Beautiful day! Could it be Gabe Kapler's last game as manager of the Phils/ Doubt it. Even though he should go- as well as GM Klentak- I'm thinking ownership will give both another year to right the ship, this time with free agent reinforcements.

- Thank God for Aaron Nola. He finished the season 17-6 and easily could've won 20 games with some luck, more timely hitting  and better management. He emerged as an ace and is a building block for years to come.

- Will ownership speak on Monday? What will they say? can't be happy about the second half collapse. If there are no personnel changes among the coaches, what about more emphasis on fundamentals, less focus on analytics? Who will stay and who will go, player-wise? How do the Phillies bridge the wide gap between themselves and the braves. Now, even the Nationals will finish ahead of Philly, with the Mets  not far behind.

So, the Phillies will become the first team ever in the history of baseball to be as much as 15 games over .500 into the first week of August and not finish with a winning record. only the dreadful Baltimore Orioles had a worse record than the Phillies in the second half of the season.

After today the real work begins. See you in February at spring training!

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Three more Phillies to evaluate this week..

- J.P. Crawford-

Hurt again this year,s till don't know if he is an everyday player. Will he stick with the team, even if Machado signs with Philadelphia? Still too young to give up on, but I can also  see the organization getting a veteran shortstop next year ( the return of Freddie Galvis?). C

- Siranthony Dominguez-

The revelation of the season. Could be the future closer if Kapler keeps him in that role and not use him as a Swiss Army Knife. Only 23 and inexperienced but when used correctly was devastating. Another future building block.

- Wilson Ramos-

Helped stabilize the catcher position. A professional hitter in the line-up. Slow and injured. If not Ramos, the Phillies could use another veteran, defensive-mined backstop next year to team with Alfaro. I wouldn't be against resigning Ramos, who is only 32.