Amaro on Happ: "He's going to help us this year."
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Amaro on Happ: "He's going to help us this year."
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
The Phillies have made no secret that they are looking to upgrade their rotation. The problem they face in doing so is two-fold: First, Roy Oswalt is the only top-shelf starter who is definitely available. Second, the Phillies will not part ways with Domonic Brown, their only major-league ready blue-chip prospect, making it difficult to acquire anything greater than a middle-of-the-rotation arm.
What they could really use is an addition that costs them nothing. Even better, an addition that costs them nothing and is 12-5 with a 2.91 ERA over his last 30 starts while averaging more than 6 innings per outing.
Enter J.A. Happ.
The 27-year-old lefty had his season derailed in mid-April when he developed tightness in his elbow that was officially diagnosed as a forearm starin. In his only two starts this season, he threw 10.1 scoreless innings against the Nationals and Astros. But he also walked eight and racked up high pitch counts, then admitted to some tightness in his elbow after his velocity dipped into the mid-80's against Washington.
After a two-month absence and six inconsistent rehab starts, the Phillies activated Happ from the disabled list and sent him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. At the same time, the Phillies increased their efforts to add a starter via trade.
In two starts since his demotion, Happ has allowed six runs on 11 hits in 10 innings. He has allowed two home runs and seven walks, and has struck out 14.
But general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said the reports on Happ's latest start, when he allowed three runs in five innings with seven strikeouts and four walks against Louisville, were good.
"He started out a little tentative and then threw the (heck) out of it the last two innings," said Amaro, who added that his velocity sat between 92 and 95 MPH. "That was a good sign."
Is he a realistic option to bolster the rotation?
"Absolutely," Amaro said. "He's going to help us this year. I don't know when."
The two most positive signs out of Happ would seem to be the consistency of his velocity and his strikeout numbers in his two recent starts.
Last season, Happ went 10-4 wtih a 2.99 ERA in 23 starts after taking Chan Ho Park's spot in the rotation in mid-May. He averaged 6.1 innings per start and tossed three complete games. In his 21 starts from May 29 to September 29, the Phillies went 13-8. He pitched at least seven innings and held opponents under three runs eight times during that stretch.
"When he gets right, he's going to help us here," said Amaro, who added that the team "absolutely" is looking at Happ as a starter, and not a reliever.
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Placido Polanco went 3-for-3 with a double and 2 RBI for the Gulf Coast League Phillies early Friday afternoon. There is still a possibility that he joins the team in Chicago, although Amaro said before the game there were no definite plans.
"We'll find out how he feels after today and go from there," he said.
Eilex, clearly you are not in possession of your faculties or the elixir that may cure the Phillies woes. Chase Utley retires a Philly like Jeter and the Yankees. Right now the best move is no move. Werth will turn around and we would miss him especially considering the coverage he provides to Howard hitting after him. Ibanez platoons with Brown next year in his final year. Victorino, Werth and Brown...good for a few Championships when you combine them with one of the best infieds in the Bigs. Add Happ to the unfortunate inevitable replacement for the great Jamie Moyer and the other 3 starters and we have the pieces for a few more years of greatness! Don't kick out a beauty for cracker crumbs and don't blow up a potential dynasty!— mlogan49- The air in Philly must be somekind of mustard gas....come on, get real~!!!— Lynnwood
- The only way I trade Utley is if I get Robinson Cano in return... BTW, Charlie had an opportunity to start the second half on a good note after the 4-game sweep of the Reds by sending Halladay and Hamels for the first two games and instead he sent Moyer and Blanton. Then yesterday, when the game was close, he let Ibañez hit against a lefty with 2 men on. Today, in a similar situation, he let Francisco hit against a righty with a bench full of LH hitters, including the aforementioned Ibañez. How can anybody defend that?— EL Zorro
- Utley is a NO TRADE ITEM!!!— Lynnwood
- exile that may be the absolute worst baseball logic i have ever heard. you trade chase utley and there will be be blood in the streets. i really cannot even believe you took the time to write that. were you free basing or something?— papadickel
- and furthermore,..derosa is injured and you can't deal an injured player according to the CBA— SyddBarrett
- Why wont anyone tell the king he has no clothes? Ok, I will: Reub, this team stinks, injuries or no. --You have 2 S.P. of quality, then a bunch of junk --You have a Jeckel/Hyde bullpen with nary ONE consistent hurler in the bunch --You have a lineup that's been averaging about 6hits/game for the past 2 months. This lineup is NOT geared for runs w/out the long ball So, plan for next year and call this one a wash. Trade Werth and Blanton for whatever you can get for them, even it it's a 6pack of warm beer. When the season's over, thanks Moyer and give him his goldwatch. Get Lee back and pay him whatever he wants, for Pete's sake, and then, get some advice on getting something of value for the bench and the bullpen. Just, don't YOU make those choices, Reub— Tracer41
- The Phillies have to shed bad contracts before they can take on bigger salaried contracts through trades. Its that simple. Also, this team has to prioritize who they can keep, and who they should trade. I think you have to say that Halladay, Howard, Utley, Polanco, Ruiz, Happ, Victorino and Hamels are the only untouchable players. Happ, Victorino and Hamels are listed as such due to their lower salaries at this point in their careers. Especially Hamels should be tradeable a few years from now. The fans have let go any affection from the 2008 squad if they want to get back to the World Series. While Rollins will provide the occasional timely hit, his better days with the team are over. Also, Lidge, Blanton, and Madsen are examples of players that are not performing at a level needed for World Series run. The Phillies have to shed themselves of these contracts before they can contemplate replacements because they are currently at the maximum they will pay for salaries. It isn't important that you get high quality in return. One of the smartest moves Pat Gillick made was trading Bobby Abreu to the Yankees, and got three low prospects, but he took $15 million off the books to go out and sign someone else. The Phillies need to do this now even if it costs them the post-season this year. Obviously, Werth is another player who will walk after this year because he will go to the highest bidder. He doesn't feel any loyalty to the Phillies, so a return in a trade has to be weighted against the possible two draft picks they will receive when he walks.— RunningTheBases
Comment removed.- maximusud, I think you posted that absurd trade yourself just to set up that great line.— fla
This is Utley's club. He is The Man. I'm not sure I would make a major trade at this point. If it's the same Offense exactly one year from today, maybe. Right now it's the players, not the coaches or GM. The Phillies are like women who work in an office together long term, and go through there feminine cycles at the same time. This season most of them stink. Historically, The Phillies pitching historically seems to be one top line guy (maybe 1.5 this year), and the rest touch and go. They either have to increase payroll, or sit. I think it's still to early to break up the lineup. The bench is a black hole.— road515- Sorry for using "Historically" twice. A professional typer I am not.— road515
- Not suggesting the Phillies should not try to at least tweak this team. But I am at a loss for what they can do. Werth is their RH power, and they don't have many trade worthy prospects. Also, I can't believe the lineup is really this bad.— road515
- Good Job, Spider....first thing I exclaimed when I read the first post was that DeRosa had season ending surgery weeks ago! Hello, Eilex??!!! Regarding the article....Happ is not the solution this year. Oswalt can be obtained for prospects w/o including Brown. Contrary to popular opinion...the Phillies do have chips to play that could beguile Eddie Wade into dealing Oswalt...Mathieson being one of them.— Nigel#1
- Good Job, Spider....first thing I exclaimed when I read the first post was that DeRosa had season ending surgery weeks ago! Hello, Eilex??!!! Regarding the article....Happ is not the solution this year. Oswalt can be obtained for prospects w/o including Brown. Contrary to popular opinion...the Phillies do have chips to play that could beguile Eddie Wade into dealing Oswalt...Mathieson being one of them.— Nigel#1
