From my loft just north of Center City I can hear the crickets chirping at Citizen’s Bank Park. The celebrations have ended, the confetti’s been cleaned up, and now Phillies fans have to wait another 14 weeks until pitchers and catchers report to Clearwater. That’s when the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies (doesn’t that have a nice ring to it?), will begin their defense of their World Series title.

If you’re a baseball fan like I am, you understand that baseball really is a 12 month sport. Although players are only active from March-October, the offseason is a season of its own. Fans look for up to the minute news and rumors about who might be added to their favorite club in hopes to improve the team for the next season.

Well it’s going to be a long 14 weeks for Phillies fans, as not much is expected to happen. Sure the rumors will swirl about Pat Burrell possibly returning, as Jamie Moyer, but if you’re looking for a big splash this offseason, say Manny Ramirez or CC Sabathia, don’t hold your breath. It’s simply not going to happen. You’ll hear about Ryan Dempster re-signing with the Cubs. You’ll hear how every closer on the market is Flushing bound. You’ll hear how much the Braves love Jake Peavy. You’ll also hear how Hank Steinbrenner is going to spend money and overpay for every free agent available, but you will not hear the Phillies mentioned in the same breath as any big name free agents. There are a couple of reasons for this.

First you have to look at this Phillies team. Being lucky enough to having only six free agents (two of which, Tom Gordon and So Taguchi, will not return), the core of this team is intact. The entire infield will be back, as well as two of the three starting outfielders. Should they resign Burrell, the outfield is also in check. Where does that leave the Phillies offensively? Possibly an upgrade at catcher? With a thin free agent crop behind the plate, and Lou Marson waiting in the wings, Carlos Ruiz is a fine stopgap (he also showed what he’s capable of offensively this October).

As far as the pitching staff goes, three of the five starters in the rotation will be back. If Moyer re-signs, the first four spots in the rotation are set. That leaves the fifth spot open for a Spring Training battle between J.A. Happ, Kyle Kendrick, Carlos Carrasco, and dare I say it, Adam Eaton. With the rotation being set, what about the bullpen? Chad Durbin, Clay Condrey, J.C. Romero, Scott Eyre (who recently re-signed), Ryan Madson, and Brad Lidge will all be in red pinstripes next season. With Gordon and possibly Rudy Seanez departing you can see another right-handed arm out of the bullpen, but when you think offseason splash, you don’t think of middle relief.

The Phillies don’t have the glaring holes like the Mets, Yankees, Braves, & Cardinals do. Therefore they don’t need to sign a congregate of players.

Another thing to look at would be money. Yeah, how could we forget money? Anytime the Phillies pass on a big name free agent, it’s because of money (at least that’s what some think). Well money is a big factor. Especially when the Phillies have many players up for arbitration, including Jayson Werth, Shane Victorino, Cole Hamels, and Ryan Howard. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather see these guys happy and under contract then a former Dodger, who can be the best player in baseball when he wants to be, in left field (with the “when he wants to be” being the big concern).

I always laugh when it comes to fans and the money issue. Look at the guys who were cogs in the 2008 Phillies – Shane Victorino, Greg Dobbs, and Jayson Werth. These guys all made minimal money, yet if not for them, there would have been no parade down Broad Street. The biggest names and contracts don’t win World Championships. If that was the case, the Cubs wouldn’t be going on 101 years without a championship, and the Mets and Yankees would be perennial foes in the Fall Classic.

What will we see this winter?

The primary focus is going to be on Moyer, and whether or not the Phillies and his agent can come to terms on a contract. Should they not be able to, look for the Phillies to look to add another starter. By another starter, I don’t mean Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Derek Lowe, or Ben Sheets. It’ll be more like a Paul Byrd, Josh Fogg, or Braden Looper.

Once the rotation is set that’s when the attention will return to the outfield. Should Burrell not re-sign, the Phillies aren’t going to get a full time left fielder. With Geoff Jenkins rotting on the bench, they’ll probably end up searching for a platoon partner. The names here won’t be too glamorous either. It’ll be someone like Emil Brown, Rocco Baldelli, or Juan Rivera.

Once the starters are complete, that’s most likely when we’ll see the bullpen addressed (Juan Cruz anyone?), and right-handed bat off the bench. I’m talking about someone comparable to Eric Bruntlett.

If there’s any surprises, it’ll be more in the form of reclamation projects. A Brad Penny or Mark Mulder could be a diamond in the rough, at a minimal price. This someone like Kris Benson, with the intention that he actually might be able to contribute.

So be patient Phillies fans. The rumors will be few and far between this winter. That’s not a bad thing. It means the needs for this club aren’t as serious as a lot of other clubs out there. Just sit back, monitor the rumors and speculation, and enjoy that fact that your Philadelphia Phillies are World Champions.