Is Jamie Moyer the fifth starter?

I love Jamie Moyer. Who can not find a reason to not appreciate the character and wisdom of Moyer? Moyer is a guy who understands the game of baseball and would love to discuss it with anyone who would listen to his words. I absolutely love when a camera catches him discussing pitching to a younger pitcher like Cole Hamels, JA Happ, or Kyle Kendrick.

With one year remaining on his contract the serious question has already surfaced; is Moyer the fifth starter for the Phillies?

Moyer started the 2008 season as the team's second pitcher behind opening night starter Brett Myers, but in reality he was the team's fourth pitcher behind Hamels, Myers, and Joe Blanton and ahead of Chan Ho Park, and later Happ. As the season progressed Moyer was sent to the bullpen and pitched a few games of long relief. That is until Moyer tore three tendons in his groin and stomach in a late season game against the Houston Astros. Moyer's season was officially over the same day that the Phillies clinched the NL East.

The injury kept Moyer from being available for the team's second straight run to the World Series, which must have been frustrating for the veteran. According to a recent post on Seattle PI Blogs by Todd Dybas, Moyer found a way to appreciate sitting on the bench during the playoff run;

"Even though I wasn't able to participate in the World Series or the playoffs, it was a pleasure to have participated on a team that got there for the second year in a row," Moyer said. "It was a pleasure to go through that battle with my teammates.

"The way I looked at it, getting hurt, I couldn't play, I couldn't perform, but I really enjoyed watching my teammates go through the playoffs. I really enjoyed watching them celebrate. I enjoyed watching them work. I enjoyed watching, I don't want to say sorrow or sadness, but that's part of life. That's part of learning and growing."
- Jamie Moyer, via Todd Dybas/Seattle PI Blogs

The post states that Moyer is now five weeks into a three month rehabilitation program. It is Moyer's goal to fully recovered by Christmas time and be ready for spring training. He is also having a tough time determining when to retire form his beloved profession. Assuming Moyer sticks with it for the entire 2010 schedule, how does he fit into the mix of the Phillies pitching staff?

It is safe to assume that Cliff Lee is the front man of the rotation, with Cole Hamels following in the second spot. Take your pick with three and four between Blanton (I would put him third) and Happ. It would seem that Moyer would be a leading candidate for the fifth spot, with Kendrick and maybe Kyle Drabek being given an opportunity to dazzle in Clearwater for the job.

But what if something actually does develop in the off-season in regard to starting pitching. What if the Phillies actually did acquire Roy Halladay? Any move for Halladay would likely involve Hamels or Happ so Moyer would still be an option for a fifth starter, but what if the Phillies pick up another starting pitcher in the free agent market or via trade? Moyer's security as a starter would certainly be in jeopardy.

For the record I would be ok seeing Moyer as a fifth starter. He did record the most wins for the team last year (12, tied with Blanton and Happ) even with an enormous ERA. Was he hurt or is his arm getting worn down? I hink the question remains to be seen. Right now I would start Moyer in the fifth spot but have Kendrick ready to take over if things should start to get out of hand with Moyer on the mound.