Oct. 29 -- SOX WIN ... WHAT NOW?

For my boss, News Journal sports editor and lifelong Red Sox fan Jason Levine, watching the champagne flow last night in Denver was divine.

For me, it was somewhat surreal.

The Sox won the World Series on Oct. 28, 22 days after the Phillies were eliminated from the playoffs. And as David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez and Josh Beckett and Jonathan Papelbon sprayed each other with bubbly and danced with joy in the visitor's clubhouse at Coors Field, I couldn't help thinking about the conversations I had in that same room Oct. 6 with Ryan Howard and Aaron Rowand and Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley after the Phillies had been swept out of the playoffs by the Rockies. The mood, as you might imagine, was quite a bit different than what the Boston writers were observing last night. Was it really only three weeks ago? It feels like a lifetime.

Anyway, with the conclusion of the postseason, baseball's offseason commences. And it already has begun with a bang. Alex Rodriguez has decided to opt out of his contract with the Yankees, sending shockwaves throughout the game. (The Yankees have said they won't negotiate with A-Rod if he opted out. Were they bluffing?). Over the next few days, others will file for free agency, including World Series MVP Mike Lowell. For the next 15 days, teams have exclusive rights to negotiate with their own free agents. For the Phillies, that means a two-week window to speak with the agents for Rowand (Craig Landis), lefty reliever J.C. Romero (Dan Lozano) and starter Kyle Lohse (Scott Boras). But, as Pat Gillick said last week, don't expect to see many free agents re-sign during this 15-day period. Most agents advise their clients to wait until they hit the open market. Even if they want to stay where they are, it never hurts to see what kind of offers you can get from other teams.

The Phillies, meanwhile, opened three days of organizational meetings this morning. Gillick said 180 or so scouts, minor-league instructors and front-office types will be at the Bank. So will Charlie Manuel and his entire coaching staff. The groundwork for 2008 will be formed this week, and I'll try to have updates throughout the week. We'll also continue with our position-by-position update, probably tomorrow. Scroll down to read about center field, the starting rotation, third base and the bullpen, and please keep the great comments coming.

For now, I'll ask you this: What's the one move, above all others, that you want to see the Phils make?

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Got an e-mail today from the folks who publish the annual Bill James Handbook. In the 2008 edition, noted statistical analyst Bill James lists Cole Hamels as the 10th-best player under 29 years old in the majors. "Hamels uses the change-up more often than a high school cheerleader," James said. "His health is the only thing that will keep him from being great -- but remember, arm injuries don't strike down some great young pitchers, they strike down most great young pitchers."

Here's the top-10: 1. Prince Fielder; 2. Hanley Ramirez; 3. Fausto Carmona; 4. David Wright; 5. Felix Hernandez; 6. Scott Kazmir; 7. Jose Reyes; 8. Matt Cain; 9. Grady Sizemore; 10. Hamels.

Also, for whatever it's worth, James ranked teams in order of the most young talent (under-29). The Phillies placed 12th overall and second among NL East teams, behind only the Marlins (No. 4).