Ok, so news came out today that Brett Myers will probably need hip surgery and will most likely be done for the season. This is terrible news as Brett had actually been pitching well recently. I noticed he came out of the game last night when I was at the Bank, but there was no real reason given.
Now that preliminary reports show he needs surgery, the Phillies have a decision to make.
Do the Phillies pursue a trade for a starting pitcher? Do they promote from the minors? Or, dare I say it, give Chan Ho Park another shot at the rotation?
All of these options present problems that need to be addressed. The Phillies have been rumored to be pursuing pitchers since the season started. It was obvious to everyone around the league that pitching was going to be this team’s weakness this season. Recent names being thrown around include Jake Peavey, Eric Bedard, Jason Marquis, Roy Oswalt, and even Brad Penny. Should the Fightins’ do it?
Trading for any of these pitchers would most likely require the Phillies give up some of their young talent. As fellow writer David Foley pointed out earlier, teams trading for staring pitching usually get screwed. With the situation that is presenting itself right now, other teams know that the Phillies are desperate and the opportunity to be screwed is vastly increased.
With those three names I mentioned earlier, there are other things to consider. Peavy wants to pitch in the National League, which the Phillies belong to, but he doesn’t want to leave Southern California, where the Phillies aren’t. At this point, I wouldn’t count on the Phillies giving up enough of their prospects to take on Peavy and his salary. I’m not saying the Phillies wouldn’t want him, I just don’t think they’d be willing to give up what it would take to get him.
One of the more interesting names out there is Boston’s Brad Penny. The Red Sox have a definite surplus of pitching right now with John Smoltz ready to return soon and Clay Bucholz tearing it up at AAA. The Sox may be willing to part with Penny for a bargain, but right now, the Sox know the Phillies may be desperate, so it’s not going to happen now.
Eric Bedard is an interesting name. He has been great for Seattle so far this year. The M’s are looking to cut some salary, and Bedard is the best trading chip they have.
What I see the Phillies doing is promoting someone from within to hold down the fort until later in the season to see who becomes available. My guess is that either Carlos Carrasco or Kyle Kendrick get the chance to show their stuff on the big stage. Carrasco may not be ready for the big leagues, but it may be time to find out. Kendrick has been pitching decently so far, and he has won on the major league level so it wouldn’t be a stretch to see him up here. There are other names up in Lehigh Valley, but I just don’t think they’re going to get a chance to come to Philly.
Could Chan Ho Park get another shot? I hope not. I think he’s more valuable to the team as a long reliever out of the bullpen.
The next few days and weeks are going to be very interesting for Phillies fans, and by extension, fans of National League East teams. As Mets blogger Andrew Vazzano, from The Ropolitans, tweeted earlier:
I have a pheeling with Brett Myers out for the season, the Phillies are going to push for Peavy. Wonderful.
This injury to Myers definitely makes the rest of the teams in the NL East wonder what the Phillies are going to do.
The Phillies need to improve their pitching, and with so many options, Ruben Amaro has some choices to make.
-KK
Update: Got some replies on Twitter, so I’ll include them here.
Mysportsrumors: “there were already plenty of rumors about trading for pitching if he needs surgery it becomes a must do”
Jason Cohen: “Oh, it’ll be a trade eventually. Question is, how nuts do you go w/ prospect trades to repeat? Moyer still a question too.” (We can’t give up too many of our prospects, can’t mortgage the future to win now. -KK)
TheyCallMeYou: “If Myers needs surgery, I think the Phillies will turn to their top pitching prospects before trading anyone. Sooner, the better.”
Mike624: ” I heard a madson for peavy rumor. I don’t want to lose Madson.” (Losing Madson would definitely hurt this team more than gaining Peavy. -KK)
Always good to hear thoughts from our readers. Be sure to leave comments or reply to us on Twitter.
