Source: Phils favorite for DeRosa — 5:38 a.m.

Of the dozen or so teams that have expressed interest in free-agent infielder Mark DeRosa, the Phillies loom as the favorite, according to a major-league source.

DeRosa attended the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. His hard-nosed style would fit that of the two-time defending National League champions. And his price range might be realistic for the Phillies, too.

The Phillies, who declined their $5 million club option on Pedro Feliz, want to spend between $4 million and $6 million on a third baseman, a second source said.

DeRosa, 34, is coming off a much lower salary ($5.5 million) than two other prominent free-agent candidates at third, Miguel Tejada ($13 million) and Adrian Beltre ($12 million).

The Phillies considered DeRosa before the 2007 season, but opted for Wes Helms in free agency instead.

The Mariners could be another possibility for DeRosa, who played for the M’s manager, Don Wakamatsu, when Wakamatsu was the bench coach for the Rangers.

The concern with DeRosa is that he underwent surgery in late October to repair a torn tendon sheath on his left wrist. However, he is expected to be ready for baseball activities by spring training.

Season in seven words: “Did you hear? They won in ‘08!” …

Hero: Chase Utley faded hard in the season’s last month, but he remains criminally underrated. How has this guy not popped up in an unfunny Subway commercial by now? …

Loserhead: Brad Lidge narrowly edges out Charlie Manuel, the manager who continues to enable him. At some point, it’s going to dawn on Cholly that what happened in 2008 is not relevant to 2009 …

Key need: To reverse the aging process so that they can wring another title run out of the Howard/Utley/Rollins/Werth/Victorino core …

Prognosis: Players age fast now that the game has outlawed supervitamins and wonderpills. Be wary.

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Damn, this guy looks like a bum right now.  2 years removed from the NL MVP, 3 years removed from the NL Rookie of the Year, and he looks like a bum.  He’s swinging at literally everything, and it’s crazy how someone so talented can have such terrible patience at the plate…or pitch recognition…he can take a walk, but strikes out at a ridiculous rate.  Not only is he hitting .163, but he’s struck out in nearly half of his at-bats and is on pace to surpass the 199 strikeouts he had last year.  That’s absolutely terrible, and the worst part is that he’s not really doing anything to change his approach and get out of the slump that he’s in.  Phillies manager Charlie Manuel and other Phillies coaches have suggested that he move closer to the plate so he becomes less likely to strike out on breaking balls hitting the outside corner of the plate, but he refuses and continues to whiff.  The stubbornness shown here is worrisome.  If I was struggling as bad as Howard is, I’d be BEGGING people to give me advice on how to improve and get out of the bad streak.  He’s done nothing, it seems, which implies that he’s perfectly content with his performance.  I’m sure that’s not the case, but Ryan, do something, because it’s painfully obvious that your current approach is anything but working.

With the way Philly media and fans are, it’s truly shocking that he isn’t getting criticized and/or booed more than he is right now.  He’s got the incredibly hot starts by Pat Burrell and Chase Utley to thank for that.  Imagine how much heat he’d get if those two weren’t doing anything…he’d be crucified already.

It doesn’t hurt that the team’s in first place either, but no matter where they are in the division, they absolutely need Howard to get things going as soon as possible.