You start with Myers and Hamels, Eaton and Moyer, Garcia and Lieber.
If you don't think pitching is everything in 2007, then we offer 2006 as evidence.
Howard hit 58 home runs and was the NL most valuable player. Utley established himself as the best second baseman in the league, started the All-Star Game, and put up terrific numbers. It is no knock on Rollins to say he contended with the Mets' Jose Reyes for the honor of best shortstop in the NL; Reyes is that good.
It wasn't easy to waste all that, but the Phillies managed. They finished 12 games behind the Mets in the division and three behind the Dodgers for the wild card.
It's the pitching. Period. It affects everything. When the pitching isn't good enough, the manager takes a public beating. When the pitching isn't good enough, perceived flaws in players like Pat Burrell and Bobby Abreu become enormous eyesores. That's because, while a different pitcher comes up short every day, Charlie Manuel and his position players are out there every game, taking the heat.
Enthusiasm over this team, scalding hot when pitchers and catchers reported in February, has cooled a bit over six underwhelming weeks of spring training. Nevertheless, the Phillies are still way ahead of where they were this time last year.
Jon Lieber is the human mile marker. In 2006, he was the starter on opening day. In 2007, he's the No. 6 starter, bound either for the bullpen, for another team in a trade or for a placeholder spot until Freddy Garcia is ready to rock.
That represents major progress.
If Lieber, currently on the disabled list, is unhappy about being odd man out, he should watch videotape of his performance on opening day last April. Lieber looked embarrassingly unprepared to pitch a big-league game in a 13-5 loss that got the Phillies off to their customary slow start.
