Phils Manager Manuel Saw Many Breakdowns This Year

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel says he saw problems all over the field during last season's tumble.

The Phillies fell to 81-81 after winning five straight NL East titles. Manuel says the Phillies had trouble with simple fundamentals.

At the baseball winter meetings on Wednesday, he pointed out several types of mistakes his team made on the bases. He said the Phillies didn't always realize when to advance, or properly read balls hit into the gaps and corners, or understand how to take a good lead off second base with two outs.

"After you watch it for a while, I question our knowledge of the game, like if we actually knew how to play the game right," Manuel said.

Manuel said the Phillies' top priority this offseason is getting a center fielder.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)