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Saturday, June 28, 2008
Manuel Noncommittal on Myers

Charlie Manuel's post-game body language was probably the lousiest I've seen since this rough stretch began. We peppered him with questions about Brett Myers' future, and he really didn't have any answers. For those who didn't catch the game, Myers had one of his worst perfromances of the season. He gave up a home run on his second pitch of the game and it was all down hill from there.

He was finally lifted after failing to retire any of the five batters he faced in the third inning.

Thanks to a grand slam by Pedro Feliz, Myers took a no decision. Which is appropriate, because right now there is no decision as to his future.

Manuel said he would talk to Myers, pitching coach Rich Dubee and general manager Pat Gillick about the Phillies' options when it comes to Myers' spot in the rotation.

One of the beat writers asked Manuel if Myers job is "secure."

“Can I say his job is secure?” Manuel said. “I don’t know what to say if you want to know the truth. We have to find somebody to do his job first, I guess. He had a tough outing.”

But don't get all hot and bothered just yet. The Phillies don't really have many options besides Myers. You can point to Chad Durbin, but they need to get him stretched out first. And you don't want to stretch him out and then send him right back to the bullpen and risk ruining what seems to be a good thing in the 'Pen.

Kris Benson? Even if he is lights out at Triple A on Sunday, the Phillies aren't going to rush him up.

Pat Gillick has said repeatedly he doesn't think any of the team's prospects - Carlos Carrasco, namely - is ready yet. Besides, you don't want to throw a young kid into this situation, do you?

Probably their best option right now is to give someone other than Myers a spot start: Perhaps J.A. Happ, who did it last year and has been OK this season at Lehigh Valley, or maybe Travis Blackley, a lefty who has performed well as of late for the IronPigs.

"Those are things that we discuss," Manuel said. "When things go bad, we are always concerned and we always discuss things. I told you a few outings ago, we're trying to get him right. We go from there."

Other excerpts from Manuel:

"Tonight was a rough outing for him. You've got a five run lead and he walks (three) in one inning."

 

Posted by David Murphy @ 12:25 AM  Permalink | 16 comments
16
Comments   
Posted 02:47 AM, 06/28/2008
chriszak
Some analyists have said that maybe Myers just needs some time to step back, some time off, to really correct what's wrong with him. If his stats say anything, you can't just hope to keep throwing him out there and expect him to get it, all the sudden. I say the Phillies put him on the 15-day DL for soreness, or something, and see what some kids from the farm can do. It might be worth revisiting that it took Myers some time off last year, going from a starter to a reliever, to settle into his new role. I'm not sure if he needs to change his role (for reasons you've mentioned), but why not throw in another new face, for the heck of it?
Posted 07:40 AM, 06/28/2008
mick314
Happ goes tonight (Sat) for 'pigs. Stay tuned. He leads (or is tied) IL in strikeouts, goes deep in games and would be worth a look. Myers needs change of scenery ....say Japan for instance. He would be a "big man" there for sure
Posted 07:43 AM, 06/28/2008
Dull
Why not Happ? He is 3-1 in his last four starts with 29 strike outs in 24.2 innings during that period and leads the IL in strike outs for the season.
Posted 08:43 AM, 06/28/2008
dinohntr
Myers must go on the DL and get a few starts in AAA. Something is definitely wrong and he can be put on the DL, sent down and given three or four rehab starts. Right now, the team has to believe they cannot win with this guy - get a four run lead and Myers gives it right back.
Posted 12:22 PM, 06/28/2008
meha
Why not put Durbin in the starting rotation, Meyer's in the eighth inning, Gordon in sloppy games?
Posted 12:24 PM, 06/28/2008
Drago
What reasons are there NOT to do with Myers what the Tigers did with Dontrelle?
Posted 12:53 PM, 06/28/2008
xfactor
The Phillies need Myers. The more he loses confidence, the more he loses concentration. He's just not having much fun right now. What he needs is a special instructor to work with him in the video room to dissect where he's getting beat. For one, he's not fooling anyone. The hitters know what's coming. They pick up the ball well from his hand and recognize the pitch right away, maybe even before it leaves his hand. Also, he just doesn't change speeds well enough. Pitching is about fooling hitters and they just aren't fooled. He's got two speeds and they're timing him and teeing off. He also needs to keep the ball down and hit his spots better. Ultimately Myers needs to develop a decent changeup. He wouldn't be the first pitcher to add a pitch this late in his career.
Posted 01:04 PM, 06/28/2008
Drago
xfactor, don't they already know everything you're suggesting and haven't they been working on it all season? If yes to both, then isn't there a point where you have to stop trying to get the engine to turn over and instead send it to the shop?
Posted 01:04 PM, 06/28/2008
giamatt
Didn't we put Kendrick into a tough situation last year? That seemed to work out well.
Posted 01:32 PM, 06/28/2008
TBear
Anybody in the office thinking trade possibility? Surely there is some GM out there thinking Myers would be a steal for.....(fill in the blank) And HEY!! what about this Lohse fellah that we cut loose last year, is he still looking to hook on with someb.....oh right. Curses, foiled again.
Posted 03:49 PM, 06/28/2008
mick
trade, trade, trade....we need a better pitcher!
Posted 04:12 PM, 06/28/2008
Idaho Mike
The Phils have a lot invested in this guy. Think of him more as an expensive car that's not working well. You're not just going to throw it in the junk yard and lose your entire investment, but you also realize there isn't much value to a car that doesn't work. You need to fix it to the point where some poor sap will believe it still has a lot of life in it and you'll get something back. I'm sure the Phils are hoping he'll put a decent start or two together so they can use him to trade up for a better pitcher and not have to lose one of our key existing players or some of our future talent. I have to believe Manuel goes home at night wishing he had Sabathia instead of Myers, but unless he throws in some real talent and is willing to gamble that the team will be able to retain CC next year, he's helpless. In order to make a trade, you need to HAVE something to trade. Wouldn't it be great if Myers could do his job once or twice in the next couple weeks so he could be used as that bait?
Comment removed.
Posted 06:07 PM, 06/28/2008
diehardphan
How about this one for a fine car analogy - let's make it our week-end car. Get something else that's durable, not too flashy and gets great mileage and is really reliable (say Durbin). Then let's bring out Myers as our toy to enjoy on weekends... (say from the bullpen?) and just enjoy watching him throw as hard as he can and for an inning or two at a time. Remember last year that Myers was able to fulfill Durbin's role as well as Durbin and do it in a closer capacity. Put him back there and let's move on - why management doesn't see that is beyond me
Posted 06:30 PM, 06/28/2008
mick
In response to Talking point detective......Good analogy lest we forget. I am in aggrement!
About David Murphy
David Murphy joined the Daily News as its Phillies beat writer in February of 2008. Born in Upper Merion and raised in the Poconos, he attended college at La Salle University before taking jobs with the Myrtle Beach (S.C.) Sun-News and the St. Petersburg ( Fla. ) Times.

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