Priorities and a promise

It's obvious what they are: money, money, and more money. The Phillies front office and ownership group recognize that they are a business first and a baseball team second. In no particular order, this off-season the Phillies: Re-signed starting pitcher Cory Lidle. Offered 2nd baseman Placido Polanco arbitration in hopes of receiving compensatory draft picks when he signed somewhere else. Assured Polanco of being the highest paid utility infielder in MLB when arbitration offer was accepted. Signed starting pitcher Jon Lieber. Allowed starting pitcher Eric Milton -- arguably the team's best pitcher last season -- to walk away for nothing. Sat idly by while Cincinnati signed him to a three-year contract for $25 million. Dealt reliable relief pitcher Francisco Rodriguez to the Yankees in exchange for geriatric centerfielder Kenny Lofton. Finally. Signed relief pitcher Terry Adams. Watched Mets sign starting pitcher Pedro Martinez and centerfielder Carlos Beltran, engage in serious contract talks with first baseman Carlos Delgado, and be players in a possible Sammy Sosa deal. Watched Atlanta move super-closer John Smoltz from the bullpen back into the starting rotation, sign closer Dan Kolb from Milwaukee, and trade for one of Oakland's "Big Three" -- starting pitcher Tim Hudson. Fired Larry Bowa. Finally. Hired Charlie Manuel as the team's next manager. Finally. The very least the Phils could have done this year -- for us and for them -- would have been to give us the carrot-hanging-from-a-stick routine. Sign a decent free agent or two and/or pull off a good trade, and fans will be sufficiently enticed to purchase or renew season ticket packages. This is simple business logic -- we get hope and in return they get money. However, I don't think Cory Lidle, Jon Lieber, Terry Adams and Kenny Lofton fit the bill. Thus, I'm making this promise now: if there is no improvement in the win column this year over last, and there is another watch-the-paint-dry off-season next year, then I will not renew my season ticket package. **I have to put one condition on this: the tickets I have -- which I share with Shallow Center -- were moved from section 329 down to section 143. If I like these seats enough due to the home run potential, then I reserve the right to rescind the above.

Quick hits

Team USA lost last night in the semifinals of the World Junior Championships 7-2 to Team Russia. The game was and was not as lopsided as the score sounds. Russia was up 3-2 at the end of both the first and second periods, and didn't score their fourth goal until 11:03 of the third period. The next two Russian goals were scored on an empty net and the final goal came on a power play with 41 seconds left. All this being said, the US squad appeared to be about three to four strides slower than the Russians all night. The Americans will play the Czech Republic on Tuesday for the bronze medal, while the Russians will face Canada for the gold. 2. There must be something in the water out in Anaheim. First came the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Now it's the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim? Who writes this stuff? 3. I want to thank all of the players on my fantasy football team for doing just enough to get me to the championship game, but not enough for me to win. I lost 89-88 yesterday, despite having finished in first place by a game and having scored more points than any other team. (The team closest to me was still behind me by 140 points.) Thanks for nuthin!!