The Phuture of the Phillies

As the TrekMedic gazes into his crystal (meth) ball, he offers some sage (or basil, as TheFed calls it) advice:

(Note: I reserve the right to amend this list ONCE after the season ends)

Now that Pat Gillick has disposed of Bobby "Totem Pole" Abreu, David "Prozac Poster-Boy" Bell, and Corey "Backstabber" Lidle, here's what I see for the 2007 season:

Catcher - Carlos Ruiz, Chris Coste
1B - Ryan Howard, 'nuff said
2B - Chase Utley (See 1B comment)
SS - Jimmy Rollins (*)
3B - A free agent or trade - Notice the outfielders (*)

(*) - Note that Gillick is picking up A- and AA-level prospects for SS and 3B. Rollins isn't a kid any more and sooner or later, he'll slow down.

RF - David Dellucci
CF - Aaron Rowand
LF - Shane Victorino
Extras - Chris Roberson and/or Michael Bourn

With all of the money saved dropping Abreu and Bell, and the given that Leiberthal isn't coming back, the Phils have a LOT of money to offer Dellucci a new contract. Now that he's a regular player in RF, we're seeing what Gillick saw in him when he picked him up. (he's hitting .325!)
Fart Smucker, Gillick is?
Roberson and Bourn are minor leaguers who will eventually play with the big team. Roberson has a better arm, but can't hit. Bourn is "OK" defensively, but he's like Rollins - hits for percentage, has speed, and steals like a fiend. Gillick has to chose to sacrifice something between them.

Pitching - Locks for '07
Brett Myers, unless we ship him out for beating his wife.
Ryan Madson
Cole Hamels - getting his act together after a rough welcome (As I post this, he's averaged 12 Ks per game over the last 6 games!)

After that,…?
Maybe Gavin Floyd, if he gets his head out of his ass and pitches like a major leaguer, not a AAA burn out
Scott Mathieson - needs a year at AAA
Gio Gonzalez - More talent than a Hispanic man deserves! Beat Phil Hughes the other night in Trenton. 1 year at AAA,..probably make the big team in '08.
Randy Wolf? Needs to prove to Gillick he deserves a new contract. Two starts of less than 5 innings and no decisions doesn't inspire my confidence that Gillick wants him.
Leiber? Gone,..trade bait.

Play ball!