and then stay focused and hopefully put on the Green Jacket.Aft

PHILADELPHIA -- Goodbye, glory days. Hello, future.The Philadelphia Phillies bid farewell to Carlos Ruiz and Ryan Howard in 2016, signaling the end of the most successful run in franchise history. They also welcomed several talented young players, giving fans hope for 2017 and beyond.Its been a slow rebuilding process for the Phillies, but theres reason for optimism following a 71-91 finish.I know were definitely going to upgrade somehow, whether its from within or go out and get somebody via trade or even a free agent, depending on whos available and if it makes sense, manager Pete Mackanin said. Were going to fulfill our needs. We have to get better next year. We have to show improvement. And hopefully the moves we do make result in more wins.Jerad Eickhoff, Vince Velasquez, Aaron Nola, Zach Eflin and Jake Thompson showed potential to be mainstays in the starting rotation, if healthy. Cesar Hernandez, Odubel Herrera, Maikel Franco, Freddy Galvis and Cameron Rupp had solid offensive seasons, though all of them wont be part of the nucleus going forward.The departure of Ruiz -- traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in August -- and Howards exit -- the team plans to pay him a $10 million buyout -- leaves the Phillies with no players from their 2008 World Series championship team.After winning five straight NL East titles and two pennants between 2007-11, the Phillies have missed the postseason five consecutive years.A slew of prospects coupled with a few emerging stars is expected to help Philadelphia end its playoff drought before the decade ends.Heres a look at the past season and upcoming offseason:OFFENSIVE POSITIVES: 2B Hernandez (.294 AVG, .371 OBP, 17 steals) and SS Galvis (20 homers, 67 RBI) will be the double-play combination to start next season. Galvis power and excellent defense -- eight errors -- made up for his poor average (.241) and on-base percentage (.274). 1B Tommy Joseph had 21 HRs in only 315 at-bats. 3B Franco tied Howard for team-best with 25 HRs, batted .255 and drove in 88 runs. CF Herrera (.286, 15 HR, 25 SB) was an All-Star, though he struggled in second half. C Rupp was a pleasant surprise at the plate: .252, 16 HR, 54 RBI.PITCHING POSITIVES: Eickhoff (11-14, 3.65 ERA) was consistent the entire season. Velasquez (8-6, 4.12), Nola (6-9, 4.78), Eflin (3-5, 5.54) and Thompson (3-6, 5.70) had flashes of excellence. Alec Asher (2-1, 2.28) had a strong September. Relievers Hector Neris (2.58, 2 saves) and Edubray Ramos (3.82) should be late-inning options next season. Jeanmar Gomez had 37 saves but struggled mightily down the stretch.THE PROSPECTS: OF Roman Quinn and C Jorge Alfaro made their big-league debuts in the final month. SS J.P. Crawford, OF Nick Williams and C Andrew Knapp could arrive in Philadelphia at some point next season. OF Dylan Cozens had 40 HRs and 1B Rhys Hoskins hit 38 at Double-A Reading.BIGGEST NEEDS: Disciplined hitters with a professional plate approach who take pitches, work the count and grind out at-bats. I would like to get a good solid proven hitter somewhere on the field, Mackanin said. Where that is right now will be determined by who is available and what kind of a deal, if any, they could make.DECISION TIME: RHP Jeremy Hellickson (12-10, 3.71) will be a free agent and is expected to command a big salary. The Phillies probably wont offer him a multiyear contract but should consider making a qualifying offer -- a one-year deal worth about $17 million. If so, they would receive a compensatory pick if he signs elsewhere.---Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP-RobMaaddi Discount Ecco Shoes Online . It is a cliché dragged out by fans and pundits regularly when discussions take place around which teams are better than others. Cheap Ecco Shoes . -- Nathan Pancel scored twice as the Sudbury Wolves defeated the North Bay Battalion 4-2 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. http://www.cheapecco.us/ . -- Three close looks at the bucket, three misses. Ecco Shoes Sale Outlet . LOUIS -- St. Cheap Ecco Shoes Sale . The giant slalom world champion slipped during her first run in the morning, landing on her back and then twisting forward before getting her leg caught in the protective material on the side of the slope.Jason Day has set his sights on a maiden Masters title after following Arnold Palmer Invitational victory with another win at the WGC-Dell Match Play. The Australian leapfrogged Jordan Spieth as world No 1 after seeing off Louis Oosthuizen 5&4 in Sundays final in Texas, his sixth win in his past 13 starts on the PGA Tour. Day battled through a back injury earlier in the week against Graeme McDowell to progress to the knockout stages, where the PGA Champion edged past defending champion Rory McIlroy before defeating Oosthuizen at Austin Country Club. Day tops the world rankings for the first time since September Although back-to-back titles makes Day the man to beat heading to Augusta, the 28-year-old feels he cant takes his form for granted as he chases a second major victory. Im looking forward to it and its one tournament that Ive always wanted to win, Day told reporters. It will be fun to walk through the gates as No 1 in the world.It has been good momentum for me, confidence-wise, over the last two weeks, but I cant get comfortable with how Im playing right now. Day saw off Louis Oosthuizen 5&4 in the final in Austin I cant get lazy, because Ive got to understand that what Im doing is workingg.dddddddddddd Ive got to keep working on the things that have caused me to win over the last two weeks, keep doing that and then stay focused and hopefully put on the Green Jacket.After seeing off McDowell in his opening round-robin match, Day thrashed Thongchai Jaidee 5&3 before booking his place in the last 16 when Paul Casey withdrew early in to their match.Wins over Brandt Snedeker and Brooks Koepka with two holes to spare set up the semi-final clash with McIlroy, before Day sealed the Match Play title for a second time in three years. Jason Day kisses the Walter Hagen Cup after defeating Oosthuizen It was a tough week for me this week, especially at the start of the week and not really knowing whether Id be playing on Thursday, Day told Sky Sports. To be able to gut it out and get the win was great.I just kept on telling myself to get through each match knowing I could rest up next week, so glad I got the win.I hit the ball great at the start of the week, but definitely later on the week my short game saved me a lot of shots out there.I felt so comfortable with the putter in my hands from any sort of distance and I felt like I was going to hole everything. I played really nicely. Also See: Final round highlights WGC delight for Day Dominant Day deserved win Golf live on Sky Sports 4 ' ' '