Philadelphia Phillies Tickets

2009 Philadelphia Phillies Season Outlook The Philadelphia Phillies are coming off of a season in which they helped bring home a world title to their city for the first time in nearly three decades.

The Phillies certainly didn't overwhelm anyone in the regular season, but did just enough to win the National League East title.

Philadelphia didn't make any major splashes on the free agent market, but they did do a nice job of re-signing many of their own free agents. Keeping that continuity and chemistry is certainly a key to their success.

The one player they did not re-sign was left fielder Pat Burrell, who had one of his best seasons ever in a Philadelphia uniform.

The much-maligned outfielder left Philadelphia to play for the Tampa Bay Rays, but the Phillies already had a better plan in place, signing former Seattle Mariners outfielder Raul Ibanez to a three-year contract.

The team could be short-handed to start the season, as All-Star second baseman Chase Utley underwent hip surgery in the offseason. Utley is expected back around Opening Day, but you never know with hip surgery.

The Phillies are hopeful that first baseman Ryan Howard will bounce back after a disappointing season by his standards and can pick up the offensive slack should Utley have to miss any time.

The rotation is led by Cole Hamels, who managed to stay healthy and finished off his best season in the big leagues in 2008. Joe Blanton is a welcome addition who will eat a lot of innings if nothing else.

The team re-signed veteran left-handed pitcher Jamie Moyer to a two-year contract and also released disappointing pitcher Adam Eaton.

Philadelphia's bullpen, which was often their achilles heel in past seasons, became a major strength last year in helping them win the World Series. Closer Brad Lidge was nearly unhittable, and the rest of the bullpen seemed to feed off of his energy.

Philadelphia is probably the favorite to win the division thanks to their title as defending world champions despite the fact that the New York Mets made major offseason moves and are probably the better team on paper.