Windows are as much a part of baseball as hot dogs, peanuts, and cracker jacks.
Whenever there is rain in the forecast, the owners are always looking for that window in the sky that will allow them to play ball and avoid postponement.
And, of course, there is the proverbial window of opportunity.
Is it open, closing, or closed?
The Phillies' core players have reached a stage in their careers where it's worthwhile debating whether the window is going up, down, or remaining stationary.
Obviously, the core players are getting older and have all had to deal with serious injuries.
First baseman Ryan Howard will be 32 next season and may not be able to make it to the starting gate in April after undergoing surgery last week to repair a torn Achilles tendon in his left foot.
Second baseman Chase Utley will be 33 next season and missed the first 45 games in 2011 because of patellar tendinitis in his knee. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. concedes it is not magically going to disappear.
"I don't know if it's behind him," Amaro said. "Is he going to be a 30-home run, 110-RBI guy and hit .300? I don't know that. I hope he is. That will help us. Whatever we get out of Chase is going to help us. I know he is going to strive to get to the point where he can maximize his numbers and his production."
Third baseman Placido Polanco turned 36 Monday and celebrated the following day by having surgery for a double sports hernia. Shortstop Jimmy Rollins will be 33 next season and there's no guarantee he'll be playing in Philadelphia. He's a free agent who has missed 94 games the last two seasons because of groin, hamstring, and calf injuries.
A National League talent evaluator who has watched the Phillies quite often the last two seasons was fascinated last week as he listened to the general manager and some players talk about how the team will rebound from the National League division series loss to St. Louis.
"I was reminded of the aging boxer who wants to come out of retirement," the scout said. "It's like Marvin Hagler or Ray Mancini saying that they are still ready to be champions at 39, but their body can't do what their mind is telling them. I guess you do have George Foreman and Bernard Hopkins, too. They were able to do it. I'm not sure where the Phillies lie in that equation.
