Heard in the Cheap Seats

The woes of the Phillies starting rotation continue, even on an off day.  Word came down today that Brett Myers’ injured hip could require surgery and may end his 2009 season.  Not exactly the kind of news anyone surrounding the Phillies wanted to hear.  We all know that the starting pitching has been terrible so far this season, but Myers had been the best of the bunch so far.  So, this poses the question:  What now?

Well, even before this news broke, I was of the opinion that the Phillies needed to acquire at least one and possibly two quality starters.  If it turns out that Myers is shelved for the season, there is no doubt that the Phillies have to make at least one move.  No one can convince me otherwise.   As it stands right now, the rotation without Myers would look like this: Hamels, Blanton, Moyer, Happ, and a yet undetermined fifth starter.  That fifth starter could be Kyle Kendrick or Carrasco.  I am not sure what direction the Phillies will go in there.  Is anyone comfortable with that rotation?  Now, I understand that a move might not be possible immediately, but I don’t believe the Phillies can afford to wait too long.  These are the defending World Champions.  They cannot sit around and see if Kendrick or Carrasco will pan out as quality starters.  If they do, they may find themselves at the bottom of a mountain that is too high to climb.  I mean, seriously, the starters were the worst in the NL with Myers!  I know there are people out there of the opinion that the Phillies should give Happ, Carrasco, and Kendrick their shots.  I disagree completely.  There isn’t time to sit around and see what you have with those guys.  Realistically, the ceiling on any of them is a serviceable 4^th starter, at least right now.  That means, the Phillies have Cole Hamels and not much else at the moment. 

 It is hard to say at this point what pitchers are available for the right price.  Could Jake Peavy or Erik Bedard be had?  That remains to be seen.  Maybe Brett Myers doesn’t have surgery, but even then he becomes a huge question mark in a rotation already filled with them.  All I know is that the Phillies need to do something and I’m sure they will.  We just have to wait and see what that something is, but you can bet they are already blowing up the phones of general managers around the league.