Well you don't know what will happen with guys late but there are a handful of guys signed to long term deals into their 30s, Utley, Rollins, Howard, Longoria, Pedroia, Zimmerman, Wright, and Mauer could all be one team players. ROllins I think is the least likely but who knows.
Stockholm, more densely populated than NYC - sturg
Sorry. 2 thoughts merged into 1 post. Meant BMac as the "lifetime Brave". Just also thinking about those guys picked to do the commercials and 'In My Own Words' shows on SportSouth and they always are fan-favorites (i.e. Chipper, Huddy, BMac, Heyward, et al). Now BMac, David Ross, Prado, Hudson, etc. all gone. Was wondering who will be the new "leaders" and "favorites". Not really mad about McCann or Huddy leaving but disappointed.
I think medlen, freeman and heyward will be shouldering more of a leadership role. Heyward is our longest tenured position player. Medlen is our longest tenured pitcher. One thing though I don't think the leadership issue will be too bad because we have a pretty veteran team. Lots of 2-5 year experience guys. Shouldn't be as reliant on rookies as we were in the past.
Stockholm, more densely populated than NYC - sturg
No question, but there's a varying level of quality among that group of names, too.
Utley was totally elite for those years, but are we going to witness a big send-off, if he announces his retirement a year in advance? Same for the other Phillies players. Wright is certainly on the way to a HOF career, but fans/writers aren't going to hold him with the lack of post-season appearances. Zimmerman's right behind him. Can see TB wanting to keep Longoria as "face of franchise," but considering the team-friendly deal he signed, who'd blame him if he wanted to explore FA after the deal expires?
Anyway...even if all them meet the profile, we all realize that it is not typical for superstars to stay with the team that drafted him through an entire career anymore. Sports Weekly had a nice article, over the summer, mentioning Chipper about another issue. Players don't have catchy nicknames anymore either.