Citizen Bank Turns Off Its Lights

After a 3-2 loss to the Buffalo Hot Wings that eliminated them from the NL Division Play-In Series, a dejected Flash team arrived home in Philadelphia approximately 1 a.m. last night. The swift elimination at the hands of their division foe drops the Flash to 0-3 all-time in playoff series. They are fast becoming the Los Angeles Angels of the Wailing Onion league--perennial contenders only to get bounced out in Round 1.

As always, the end of a season brings uncertainty as to the makeup of next year's club. 3B Ramon Martin is up for free agency and is likely to part ways with the Flash. But Philly has no reliable option behind him, and may have to look to the expensive world of Free Agency to fill that hole. On the other corner of the diamond, 1B Richard McMasters, also up for free agency, has likely played his last game in the red and gold. AAA 1B Davy Hausmann appears poised to push McMasters out the door. Between Martin and McMasters, the Flash will let 65 HRs walk.

SS Richard Takada and SP Donovan Leiter are likely to command huge chunks of cash in their arbitration hearings. CF Willie Campos, dangled as trade bait a year ago, has one year left on his $7.5-million per year contract. That could make him easier to move, but given that he may be a Type A Free Agent when he leaves, the Flash seem likely to keep him around.

SP Willie Rodriguez, who has a $13.5-million mutual option for next year, has not been told whether or not that option will get picked up. If he goes, the Flash are almost certain to call up top pitching prospects SP Kareem Duckworth and SP/RP R.J. Manuel. There's a lot to like about the potential pitching staff the Flash could field next year, but Duckworth and Manuel will only be 21- and 24-years-old, respectively.

Lastly, CF Brady Pickett, a fan favorite and big contributor off the Flash bench, will probably find greener pastures as well. That means the Flash will need to find a replacement, and early indications are that if they can land a stud RF, they will let Campos play all 162 games next season.

Flash fans are certainly not pleased with the Flash's efforts in the playoffs the past 3 seasons, but season 4 of their existence could very well be the year the Flash finally break through.