'If' is all you need to know about these aging Phillies

What's next for the Phillies, bringing back those hideous powder blue road uniforms?

The Fightins are planning to go old school this year, a remake of the Wheeze Kids of days gone by.

Basically, GM Ruben Amaro Jr. is rolling the dice that his big-dollar veteran nucleus will somehow discover a miracle elixir that will restore their youth.

"If" seems to be the key word for the Phillies this year.

"If" Ryan Howard can come back from another year short-circuited by injury and reclaim the power stroke he has not displayed consistently now for years.

"If" Chase Utley continues to be healthy.

"If" Jimmy Rollins will ever learn the discipline needed to be a leadoff hitter.

To his mix Amaro has added a couple of familiar names.

Marlon Byrd will likely be manning the right field spot. He is 36.

Also getting an invite to training camp will be Bobby Abreu. It's amazing that a team just a few years from a World Championship and back-to-back appearances in the World Series could make a move that, when first announced, most fans were sure was some kind of practical joke.

It's not joke, unless you find some humor in a 39-year-old Abreu, who last played in the majors for the Dodgers in 2012, as a legitimate bench weapon.

Forget the variety of craft beers at Citizens Bank Park. What was once the most happening joint in town in the summmer should have Geritol on tap this year.

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