Looking forward, should the Phillies look back?
Last night’s Phillies game was not lost because of the bullpen, but it certainly was given no hope because of it.
Ryan Madson is one question mark for the bullpen. AP photo via FanFeedr.com
It is not often that Roy Halladay deserves to take a loss, but last night was one of them. Still, the Phillies found a way to put six runs on the score board, with four runs in the final three innings. You can say what you want about the Phillies doing so against some of the scrubs from the Cubs’ bullpen but the bats did something late in the game and the bullpen woes last night ensured that it did not matter.
J.C. Romero failed to record an out and was charged with two runs in relief of Halladay, who lasted just six innings and was hit for six runs (five earned) including a pair of home runs. Romero himself was charged with two runs in the effort after David Herndon could not stop the bleeding. Herndon was charged with three runs of his own in a catastrophic seventh inning. Danys Baez of all relievers had the most solid outing, going one full inning and allowing no runs on two hits.
In the series opener in Chicago it was Jose Contreras who was charged with five runs in two-thirds of an inning. Baez allowed four hits in the same game and allowed one run to score. Like last night, a four run rally in the ninth was rendered useless as the Phillies lost 12-6. For the series the Phillies bullpen allowed 11 runs in four games.
Not. Good.
If there is one area that needs to be improved before the trade deadline it is the bullpen. the players that are in the pen right now simply can not be trusted as a whole to hold a lead or keep the team within striking distance. Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge leave fans uneasy at the end of a ball game and Contreras and Baez have shown some nervous moments as well.
So what can be done?
A trade could be possible if Ruben Amaro can find the right deal. All of the rumors though involve the Phillies looking for a starting pitcher, which would mean one of the current starters coudl be moved to the bullpen. How would you feel about Joe Blanton or Kyle Kendrick being moved to a relief role?
Could Brett Myers be a key acquisition by the Phillies? US Presswire
Some names to keep an eye on for the Phillies are Javier Vasquez from the Yankees, Ben Sheets from the A’s, and Brett Myers from the Astros. Of those three players, Myers makes the most sense because the odds are pretty good they would be able to get him at a discounted price with Ed Wade making the decisions in Houston. But would the Phillies be willing to realign themselves with Myers, who they let walk unceremoniously in the off-season?
Myers is 7-6 this season with a 3.35 ERA and 93 strike outs and a 1.28 WHIP. He currently ranks sixth in the National League in innings pitched. Myers’ strikeout total would be third on the Phillies roster, behind Halladay’s 131 and Cole Hamels’ 113, and his 1.28 WHIP would also be third among starting pitchers, behind Halladay (1.06) and Jamie Moyer (1.09)
Myers signed a one year deal with the Astros and it remains uncertain what 2011 holds for him. Would he resign? Would the team want him?
What about Happ?
J.A. Happ continues to pitch with triple A Lehigh Valley and has yet to be considered an option for the team since being placed on the disabled list. The ideal scenario for the Phillies would be to have Happ prove that he is ready for major league action and revert to his 2009 rookie of the year form. If that were the case then the tension would be easier and a trade or free agent signing would not be needed as badly.
If Happ is to join the team he could try to be used as a starter, as he has been in minor league action, or he could be placed in the bullpen instead of Kyle Kendrick or Joe Blanton. Pick your poison I suppose is the best way to sum up that scenario.
Happ has struggled in rehab starts with Lehigh Valley and Reading, and has yet to show signs that he is ready to ake the jump back to the Phillies.
Original Story:
http://machorow.us/2010/07/19/macho-r...
