10 questions facing the Phillies

The Phillies' front office did not wait until the World Series ended to begin meeting about next season. As soon as Shane Victorino grounded out to end the 2009 season on Wednesday night, the team was on the clock to make key decisions - and it had been preparing for weeks.

Here are the major questions that general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. and his staff must address for 2010:

The lefthander became the Phils' ace after he arrived from Cleveland in late July and enjoyed a dominant postseason. Those very factors make this a risky time to award Lee with a long-term contract. Rather than paying a pitcher for what he did this summer and fall, the Phils will have to consider what the 31-year-old Lee will be worth as he climbs into his mid-30s. The pitcher will likely seek a deal comparable to the seven-year, $161 million contract the New York Yankees offered his friend CC Sabathia last year.

The Phils will almost certainly exercise the $9 million option on Lee for 2010. The pitcher would become a free agent after the season if he and the club do not reach an agreement before then. As good as Lee has been, the Phils might be better off enjoying an affordable year, then deciding what the pitcher is worth to them after that.

The old goat entertained Philadelphia fans this summer and surprised some skeptics with his professionalism, mentoring of younger players and deep intelligence. But he did not prove that he could remain healthy for even half a season.

One start after throwing 130 pitches on Sept. 13, Martinez injured his neck or rib swinging at a curveball. He then missed most of the next month. During the postseason, he reasserted his ability to outthink hitters, but the 38-year-old did not address questions about his durability. The Phils would likely be wary of any deal with the veteran that was not heavily laden with incentives based on performance and appearances.

Barring injuries, the first four spots in the Phils' rotation are set for 2010: Lee, Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton and J.A. Happ. Prospect Kyle Drabek will begin the season in triple A, leaving the Phils in need of one more starter.

Jamie Moyer, who will be 47, is under contract for one more season and joins Kyle Kendrick as an internal candidate. The Phils could retain Martinez for that role if another team does not offer a job more appealing to him. And, as many teams do, the Phils could scour for minor trades and free-agent signings, seeking someone to pitch adequately every five days.

Myers and the Phillies could use each other next season. The 29-year-old pitcher is a free agent, but his value dropped because he missed most of this season with a hip surgery and a muscle tear in his upper back. The Phils enter the season with questions about their bullpen and closer, Brad Lidge. A one-year contract for Myers, allowing the pitcher to prove he can be healthy and effective before becoming a free agent at 30, and giving the Phils a Plan B to close games, would make sense for both parties.

At 37 years old, the lefthanded Eyre was remarkably effective against lefty hitters in key situations. He suffered two injuries this season, the last of which will require minor off-season elbow surgery.

Eyre is torn between wanting to retire and spend more time with his family and wanting to play one more year with a group of relievers whose company he enjoys. Despite the injuries, the Phils might encounter difficulty replacing Eyre, which led Amaro to say recently that he was open to offering the pitcher a one-year contract.

After failing as a starter, the 36-year-old righthander became an essential reliever this year. The Phils and Park may find it challenging this winter to agree on Park's role and value, especially if another team offers the veteran a chance to start, which he prefers.

Park pulled a hamstring in September, leading at least some members of the front office to wonder about his durability at an advanced age. But it would be difficult to part with such a consistent reliever.

Stairs' .194 batting average this season indicated that, at 41, he was no longer an effective player. Right? Not exactly. The pinch-hitter was a tough out for good relief pitchers all season, maintaining a .357 on-base percentage.

Stairs hopes to return for a final season and would be willing to sign a bargain-rate contract. With bench help hard to find, why not at least bring him to spring training?

You know that talented young core of players the Phils have? Well, they are still talented but it's time to stop calling them young. Infielders Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley are in their early 30s, and need more rest than manager Charlie Manuel has provided in the past.

Manuel has been hesitant to remove either player from the lineup, he said recently, because he does not have a capable backup. That was a tacit indictment of Eric Bruntlett, the versatile defender who struggles offensively.

Two members of this winter's free-agent class would fit the need for an upgrade over Bruntlett, who will likely not return: Mark DeRosa of the St. Louis Cardinals and Marco Scutaro of the Toronto Blue Jays. DeRosa could also spell Raul Ibanez in left field.

It is challenging, though, to sign free agents without promising a starting job, and the Phils would have to pay well to lure a top role player.

Pedro Feliz is a defensive master and offensive liability. His .720 OPS in 2009 was 18th among 20 qualifying third basemen, but his athleticism in the field provided rare value. The Phils hold an affordable $5 million option on Feliz and must decide within the next three days whether to exercise it. One more season of Feliz appears the most likely outcome.

They are minor players, but the Phils were impressed this season by catcher Paul Bako, reliever Tyler Walker and infielder Miguel Cairo. All were signed on minor-league deals, and Bako and Walker in particular contributed. Bako and Cairo are free agents, and Walker is eligible for arbitration.

Bako earned raves from the pitching staff, which appreciated his game-calling savvy. Walker replaced the injured Clay Condrey for much of the season and even earned some internal consideration to close games when Lidge struggled in September. Cairo can play a utility infield role if the Phils decide to spend their money to fill other needs.