Big changes may come if Phillies' struggles continue

It is very possible that this will be Phillies fans' final look at the nucleus that won five consecutive National League East titles and a World Series championship.

If the Phillies play does not improve, it is probable that some central pieces to the lineup over the past several seasons will be moved by midseason in a rebuilding effort, and the players already understand this.

"We've just got to make sure we do what we need to do before they blow it up," Jimmy Rollins told MLB.com Phillies beat writer Todd Zolecki. The Phillies have yet to win more than three consecutive games this season.

If the Phillies improve before the trade deadline hits there is a chance that, instead of shipping players out of town, additional pieces could be added for a playoff push. If an improvement does not occur than the team may look drastically different next year.

Chase Utley, Michael Young, Carlos Ruiz and Delmon Young are all free agents after this season, and there is no guarantee that any of them will be brought back.

"We're not going to panic," Rollins insisted. "If we don't win, it's up to the guys up top, whether they decide to blow it all up and ship us out."

When asked to imagine a Phillies team without himself, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Cole Hamels as the faces of the franchise, Rollins replied, "That would be different."

Different, indeed.

Unfortunately, if the Phillies play does not improve quickly, retooling the roster may become a reality.