Numbers don't lie and the Phillies' numbers for 2013 were the worst we have seen with this club since it started calling Citizens Bank Park home.
The Phillies finished with the worst run differential in the National League, allowing 139 more runs than they scored. That's worse than the 100-loss Miami Marlins.
It's certainly hard to win games that way. With the exception of the top two starters in the Phillies' rotation, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels, the team needs a major overhaul of a staff that allowed the second-most runs in the National League (749). Only the Colorado Rockies' pitching staff allowed more runs.
We all know the core of this team is aging fast. On Nov. 19, Ryan Howard will turn 34 years old. Not old by most people's standards, but for a Major League Baseball player with some wear and tear on his body, Howard's best years are probably behind him. Each of the last two seasons, Howard has missed significant time because of injury. His absence in the Phillies' lineup this season was a huge void, but there are still plenty of question marks of whether he can turn around his slumping numbers and produce for Ryne Sandberg.
It was encouraging to hear that Howard appeared in very good shape when he rejoined the team in Atlanta last week. If the Phillies are to make a dramatic turnaround in 2014, Howard will need to be healthy and productive. The Phillies proved this season that without his big bat, they have limited power in the lineup and over time that is a hard way to win ballgames.
Changes are coming to the club, but the nucleus of Howard, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley will remain intact when spring training opens in Clearwater. It is unlikely that general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. will be able to add enough pieces this offseason to make this team competitive next year.
Like many of you, I am hoping for the best because there is nothing like winning baseball in Philly.