Well the Grapefruit League is officially over. The Phillies head north today for a couple exhibition games against the Blue Jays before Monday’s season opener against the Nationals.

The spring taught us some things. For one, spring training stats mean nothing, unless you want them to mean something. You know what I’m talking about. You’re at your office around the water cooler (do people really talk around the water cooler?), and someone will say:

“So what Chase Utley only batted .222 this spring. It’s not like it counts, he’ll come around come Monday… Jimmy Rollins can turn it on anytime he wants, he’s the reigning MVP. His .190 batting average this spring is meaningless.”

But the same people around the same water cooler will say:

“Ryan Howard is going to have a MONSTER year. He tore the cover off the ball this spring. He led the team in home runs and RBI’s…Lookout for Carlos Ruiz. With all the talk about Russell Martin and Brian McCann he’s easily overlooked, but his .372 batting average isn’t easy to overlook. By July he’ll be a household name.”

I guess you can have it both ways…

It’s all a matter of perception, and what makes the fan feel better. From this fan’s perspective, I learned a lot, but there’s still a ton that unknown. Here’s some of the things I did learn:

* Adam Eaton still stinks. While it’s great he had two good outings this spring, there’s no a lot of hope for him. Those eight combine innings against Minnesota were nice, but giving up seven run in less then five innings against the Tigers sort of negates that. Unfortunately he’s the fifth starter.

* Speaking of the fifth starter, Eaton ended up winning it by default.  Five guys auditioned for it and obviously didn’t want it. Travis Blackley, Francisco Rosario, JD Durbin, and Chad Durbinall had a shot and all failed miserably.  Okay in fairness, Durbin (Chad), didn’t exactly fail, he’s just more valuable in the bullpen.

* The fans are so desperate for pitching that young Andrew Carpenter shuts down the Yankees for three innings and all of a sudden, he’s the 2008 version of Kyle Kendrick. As good as he was in those 3 innings, the highest level he’s ever pitched is Low-A (where he did win 17 games). Let him mature some, and he’ll be in Philadelphia eventually. There’s really no need to rush him.

* There should be no worry about Brett Myers. There was a ton of talk and fear about Myers this off-season and his attitude toward moving into the rotation. I’ve always felt Myers is a professional, and would handle it that way. That’s exactly what he’s doing. Myers took some flak from some media members and Mets fans for a comment he made about the pitching rotation earlier in the week. Myers stated the rotation is underrated, and is one of the best in the National League.

Does Myers realize the Phillies don’t have the best rotation in the National League? I’m sure he does, but by making comments like that he’s taking a leadership role (something the staff needs), and building confidence. I applaud it.

* Pedro Feliz will be a strong addition to this club. His glove will improve the pitching staff, and it’s not out of the question for him to hit 30 home runs. He’ll also hit .250 and walk less then 50 times. The power will go up, but don’t look for a boost in his average or on-base percentage.

* The lineup has struggled, but I think it’s going to be better then last season. Geoff Jenkins picked the pace up at spring training wrapped, up and Ruiz was a hitting machine (remember, I can have it both ways). On an negative note, they also might set a team record for strikeouts. I can easily see four guys who will finish with over 100 K’s.

* The pitching will be a concern. Outside of Myers and Cole Hamels the questions start to mount. Is this the year Jamie Moyer breaks down (he is 45)? Will Kendrick suffer a sophomore slump (if he can keep the ball down, he’s a batting practice pitcher)? Can Tom Gordon hold the closers role down until Brad Lidgereturns? Similar to last sesaon, the pitching staff is full of questions, although I feel this years staff is better then the last (No Joe Table this season, at least not yet).

* Kris Benson better get healthy because we’re going to need him. His return in May or June will give the club a lift. He’s not the ace he was ever projected to be, but he’s a serviceable guy who can anchor the back end of the rotation.

* I’m not concerned about the spring record. Being on top would have been nice, but they did finish up 7-4 and played some decent baseball (barring the final two games).

With all that said, as the team gets on flights bound for the City of Brotherly Love, you can feel the excitement in the air as the regular season is about to start. It doesn’t mean there still aren’t questions in the mind in this (and most) Phillies fan. The fact that the roster isn’t complete is one. Currently carrying ten pitchers, the Phillies will have to add one or two this weekend (time to follow the waiver wire), as well as continue their hopes of dealing Wes Helms, and justifying why Chris Snelling and his .200 spring average (I said I can have it both ways) deserves a spot on the roster.

Speaking of Helms. Word is there was a deal in the works with the Giants yesterday for Steve Kline. That was until the Giants turned the offer down.

As the season begins the questions continue to loom…