So whom might the Phils pursue to pick up Myers' innings? Here are some ideas:

In-house candidates

Kyle Kendrick - He's got experience on his side, but has he learned to keep the ball down enough to earn another shot?

Carlos Carrasco - The growing pains he has experienced at triple A say he is not ready, but he has major-league-quality stuff.

Drew Carpenter - The steady righthander won't wow you with his stuff, but he has good "pitch-ability"' and won't be intimidated.

Antonio Bastardo - The lefty, who will start for the Phillies on Tuesday, has racked up big strikeout totals at double A and triple A, but he's essentially a two-pitch guy (fastball, change-up) who needs to throw his breaking ball for strikes. His best fit ultimately might be in the bullpen. Opposing teams have asked about him.

Rodrigo Lopez - The veteran righthander knows his way around a big-league game.

Kyle Drabek - It might sound crazy to pluck him out of the Florida State League, but he's got some of the best pure stuff in the system and enough toughness to deserve to be mentioned.

Free agents

Pedro Martinez - A five-inning pitcher, he could wear out a bullpen. He's been out there for months and the Phils have shown no real interest. Citizens Bank Park could be a bad fit.

Ben Sheets - He's recovering from elbow surgery, but seems ticketed for Texas.

Aiming-high trade possibilities:

   Peavy - He would give the team a co-ace with Cole Hamels, but he can call his own shots and doesn't appear to want to pitch in Philadelphia. The Cubs or Dodgers might be better fits.

Roy Oswalt - He's a great competitor who has been a tremendous pitcher for many years. But he turns 32 in August, his ERA has been trending upward, and scouts say his stuff, while still good, isn't as dominant as it once was. He is owed about $47 million, $9 million of that to come this season. Could the Phils afford that? Would GM Ed Wade do business with the Phillies again after Brad Lidge helped them win a World Series? The cost would be significant and might start with Marson and a top pitching prospect like Houston native Drabek. He's untouchable. So is outfielder Dominic Brown, the best position player in the system.

Roy Halladay - A true No. 1. He can be a free agent after 2010. The Jays are in the race. It's way too early for them to consider moving such a good pitcher. Later in the season, maybe, but the cost would (and should) be huge.

Brandon Webb - Reasonably priced at $8.5 million for next season. His power sinker would look good in Philly. But he's out until July with a strained shoulder. Could be worth watching around July 31 if he comes back healthy, but D'backs won't give him away.

Cliff Lee - The defending AL Cy Young winner is signed at a reasonable price through 2010. The Indians think they can get back in the AL Central race, but if they don't they might listen on Lee - if they are blown away.

More-realistic trade possibilities:

Erik Bedard - The Seattle lefty has a reputation of being a poor clubhouse presence, but talent rules and the Phillies like him. He can be a free agent at the end of the season. Seattle would look for a big prospect grab after getting fleeced by Baltimore for Bedard. Watch this guy.

Brad Penny - Boston would move him, but is top infield prospect Jason Donald too high a price?