ESPN: Phillies Will Be Second-Worst Team in MLB

ESPN’s David Schoenfield ranks each MLB team from first to last as spring training approaches. The Phillies he ranks … next to last, with a projected 66-96 record.

I can see a scenario where the Phillies could win 85-87 games and sneak into the wild-card picture, but a lot has to go right for that to happen. Brown improves, the old guys stay healthy and Howard has a big comeback season, and Gonzalez has a big year as the No. 3 starter. More likely, however, this is an old team that has gone from 102 wins to 81 to 73 to … well, something lower. The core group of Utley, Rollins and Howard was once a dynamic trio that helped create a glorious era of Phillies baseball. The Phillies doubled down on those guys and bet wrong. This looks like a bad team with two ace pitchers. Don’t be surprised if Cliff Lee is in another uniform come Aug. 1.

Is it too early to start wishing for Eagles’ training camp?