Dubee: "Joe's our fifth starter"
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Dubee: "Joe's our fifth starter"
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
The clubhouse at Bright House Field was buzzing again today as pitchers and catchers reported to Clearwater in preparation for tomorrow's opening workout. Among the core group of position players, only Chase Utley and Carlos Ruiz are here thus far. The first full-squad workout takes place on Feb. 19, although players will trickle in before then.
Not much in the way of news today.
Kyle Kendrick and Vance Worley will get stretched out as starters this spring, but pitching coach Rich Dubee said today there is no competition for the fifth spot in the rotation.
"Joe's our fifth starter," the Phillies' pitching coach said.
Joe, of course, is veteran righthander Joe Blanton, whose future with the Phillies seemed to be up in the air when the club signed Cliff Lee to a five-year, $120 million contract in December. But everybody in the organization is talking as if Blanton will definitely start the season with the club.
That means guys like Kendrick and fellow righthander Vance Worley will be competing for a spot in the bullpen.
"I think Kyle could fill a lot of roles for us," Dubee said. "He can be that long guy, he can be a spot starter. That's all stuff we'll sort out as we get into this."
Dubee was asked if the addition of Lee makes his job as a pitching coach easier.
"I was going to bring a recliner to spring training, but I thought I'd better stand on my feet for awhile," he joked, before turning serious. "There's still work to be done. These guys are good professionals and they know themselves, but at times they get out of whack and they need that slight adjustment. There's still growth there. I think Cole Hamels is still growing. I think what we saw out of Cole last year, with the addition of the cutter and more consistent curve ball, Roy Halladay picking up the change-up, Roy Oswalt picking up the change-up on his own last year. These guys are still evolving as pitchers. There's always adjustments to be made. So I think there's still work to be done. We're not going to change anything by any means -- I'm not that dumb. We'll continue to let them be who they are, but there are still adjustments that need to be made."
What else can Dubee say at this point??????????— shawnmac
So even though Big Joe is the 5th Kendrick and Worley are getting stretched out .... right— DPL- I still think its a good bet that at least one of Blanton, Kendrick and Worley will be traded before opening day. Depends on which one other teams want and how much they're willing to pay for them.— SteveS11
- More and more I'm liking the idea of Big Joe as the 5 starter. On most ML teams he'd be a three. Not bad having talent like that. The only way I would lIKE to see him go elsewhere is if we get an ESTABLISHED corner OF'er that would be a welcome addition to the five hole in the lineup. Probably won't happen til injuries start hurting clubs....and who knows...maybe he's a good insurance policy if (GOD FORBID) one of the Phab Phour gets hurt or injured. GO FIGHTINS!!!— TBear
agree with tbear...blanton was a great pick up and a very good 3, 4 guy....keep them all. if one guy misses a few weeks youve got blanton, kendrick whoever. keeps kendrick motivated to get back up there...keeps them stronger. I wouldnt trade him.- Blanton looks like he dropped a few pounds.— escapedcamden4monterey
- He dropped a few pounds alright. From his belly to his a**!— Obie74
- What a shock. I really thought Dubee would backstab Blanton and throw him under the bus. Come Daily News, tell your readers something they don't know.— Hemingway
Donut Joe is in town. Krispie Kreme already has put on a second shift to accomodate his appetite.- ....been waiting for today since October! Hooray!— justacarpenter
- ....been waiting for today since October! Hooray!— justacarpenter
- They'll move a pitcher at some point but what's the hurry now? You start with Joe as your 5th and see what happens when teams get a little more desperate. The Phillies are in the driver's seat as far as pitching is concerned. Can't wait to see some real games with this rotation.— s
- Just sit back, relax and smoke a Dubee, Rich.— jpgulli
- There is no rush or mystery to any of this - Blanton's status as a starter doesn't come into play until a playoff rotation &, if we're there and healthy, he never sees a start. No need to push the river. If KK makes it to the pen, fine. He may prove to be valuable down the line.— Ed3
- "This is one of them good problems." - Marlo Stanfield— ludwigiv
