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."
Who is Dubee, again ?— NewMick314- Remember in October you heard it first from Big Mike. This will be the greatest season in the history of MLB with your fighting phillies winning it all with the best records in baseball ever.
- Blanton as fifth starter WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Too much talk about this issue. The main issue is not having a right handed power hitter in the line up.
- What's weird is the way Dubee justified his job. I mean, I'd buy it if he said he's needed to work with Blanton (who flat out is in decline), an inconsistent KK, to get Baez back on track, to make sure Lidge is the top-shelf Lidge, and to help develop all the second-tier guys who we might need to help us this year. But no, his ego takes over and he says he has to help Halladay, Lee, Oswalt and Hamels? Ah, no, maybe Hamels on rare occasion, but I could "pitching coach" that foursome, I really could. "Mr. Halladay: What will it be today, water or Gatorade?" "Mr. Lee: Does the Mrs. need directions from your condo to the park, or does she remember the way?" "Mr. Oswalt: How's that back? Should I schedule a second massage for you this month?" I can do it!
— eman - Has Kendrick attached himself to Halladay's hip again this Spring?— escapedcamden4monterey
- Way a good Dumbee. Nice way to motivate your pitchers by just giving the job to Blanton. Jesus, is this guy dumb or what?— EL Zorro
- If dubee says go with blanton then for sure we need to use KK. dubee is as clueless as Manuel. both need to go.
RAJ. please do not resign Manuel..
The only way this guy is successful is he rode the back of the players.
He'll look great with our starting 4.. In reality he has NEVER shown an ounce of baseball strategy or knowledge that has won a single game for us.. on the other hand, he makes 8-12 mistakes that costs us games every year.. Please fire Manuel and Dumbee now.— dedhed - Worley will be stretched out so he can be a started at AAA until he is needed in the Bigs....— M60tanker
- Whether Big Joe is traded might depend on how Brown does in right field. You gotta trade something to get something.— dfc5632
- "This is one of them good problems." - Marlo Stanfield— ludwigiv
- 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
- Just sit back, relax and smoke a Dubee, Rich.— jpgulli
- 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
- ....been waiting for today since October! Hooray!— justacarpenter
- ....been waiting for today since October! Hooray!— justacarpenter
Donut Joe is in town. Krispie Kreme already has put on a second shift to accomodate his appetite.- 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
- He dropped a few pounds alright. From his belly to his a**!— Obie74
- Blanton looks like he dropped a few pounds.— escapedcamden4monterey
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.- 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
- 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
- So even though Big Joe is the 5th Kendrick and Worley are getting stretched out .... right— DPL
What else can Dubee say at this point??????????— shawnmac
