THE BREAKDOWN
Last year: 80-81, third place, 21 1/2 games behind.
Manager: Davey Johnson, took over last June.
Key additions: Starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez, relievers Brad Lidge, Chad Durbin.
Key subtractions: OFs Rick Ankiel, Laynce Nix, Jonny Gomes, reliever Todd Coffey, starter Livan Hernandez, C Ivan Rodriguez, SS Alex Cora
THE SKIPPER'S TAKE
All winter, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel looked 2 hours south and held his breath.
The Nationals courted Prince Fielder, Ryan Madson and Japanese ace Yu Darvish. They failed to land them, to Manuel's relief.
"I thought they were one bullpen piece away" from having an outstanding bullpen, Manuel said. "And, can you imagine how good that rotation would be with Darvish? I thought they would be more aggressive with him."
