IS ON THE TRADE RUMOR TRAIL
For about an hour and a half, I had no earthly idea why the Phillies chose now to announce the fact that Brett Myers would be their opening starter. Or, for that matter, why Myers was the opening day starter. Charlie Manuel hemmed and hawed when asked about it, failing to pin-point any specific reason why the decision has been made. Later, assistant GM Ruben Amaro didn't get into specifics either.
But pitching coach Rich Dubee later gave a group of reporters a rationale that made sense: the move was 1) A reward for Myers' unselfishness during the past year, and 2) A signal to him that he wouldn't be heading back to the bull-pen in the wake of Brad Lidge's knee surgery.
“I don’t want Brett looking forward to being a closer,” pitching coach Rich Dubee said. “I want Brett preparing for opening day.”
Read more in tomorrow's paper. . .
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Tonight's game against Florida State was rained out. In fact, it looks like a scene from the movie Twister outside right now. Gonna be a fun run to the car.
Tonight's starter Joe Savery will pitch Thursday against the Pirates. So will fellow prospect Josh Outman. Carlos Carrasco will go Friday.
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It'll be interesting to here reaction to the Myers move. The more I think about it, the more I understand it. But I'm also curious about how Cole Hamels took the news. Manuel said the lefty is "definitely OK" with it. But we didn't get a chance to talk to him tonight, so Hamels didn't say it for himself.
