Park not eager for relief role
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Park not eager for relief role
Paul Hagen
The modern professional athlete is well schooled in limiting his remarks to platitudes. So Chan Ho Park’s answer to a question on whether he’d be willing to accept a relief role if the Phillies decide to use him out of the bullpen and award the final spot in the rotation to lefthander J.A. Happ was the most interesting thing that happened around the Phillies yesterday.
“Uh, I don’t know,” he said somberly. “Let’s see. Wait, wait, wait, wait. Sometimes I’m crazy.”
That got a laugh and Park wouldn’t elaborate. But it’s apparent that he’s going top be unhappy if he doesn’t win the competition.
Making what is expected to be his last exhibition start of the spring in yesterday’s 13-3 win over the Houston Astros, Park gave up two runs, one earned, on six hits and a walk in 5 2/3 innings. He also struck out seven, lowering his Grapefruit League earned run average to 2.53.
His walk-strikeout ratio is an amazing 2-to-25 in 21 1/3 innings.
Happ has a 3.15 ERA with six walks and 14 strikeouts in 20 innings. He’s expected top pitch at least once more.
When the Phillies signed Park to a 1-year, $2.5 million contract this winter, they envisioned him as a reliever who could give them multiple innings. But they also promised him an opportunity to start, a promise that Park has clearly taken seriously.
For our previous entry with Phillies odds and Cole Hamels' day, click here.
Comments (65)
Park has earned the spot.— stop2think
Comment removed.- If the Phillies don't reward Park with the 5th spot, it will clearly show their dark side. He has won it straight up and to not give it to him will tarnish their reputation. Happ should go to AAA and start every fifth day until one of our starters goes on the DL or becomes ineffective. It just makes good sense and is fair to both players.— Philbert
- No team ever goes the whole year without injuries/or ineffective starters at some point. Happ needs to be in AAA again to be ready for the inevitable struggle or injury of one of our pitchers. Sucks for Happ but that's the life of a number 5 pitcher.— johnnysanz3
- Park is the answer, I don't think we need three left handed starters in CBP in a league full of right handed hitters— DennisAtwell
- Someone's gotta take Chan Ho behind the woodshed and set him straight. He's gotta understand, he's no Steve Carlton. He can't dictate his role - he's the 8th or 9th guy on a 11 or 12 man staff. He should be happy he got the cash he got in this down market. Chan Ho do us a favor - shut yoour cake hole, stop the whining, and accept whatever role you get.— terryharmon
- Someone's gotta take Chan Ho behind the woodshed and set him straight. He's gotta understand, he's no Steve Carlton. He can't dictate his role - he's the 8th or 9th guy on a 11 or 12 man staff. He should be happy he got the cash he got in this down market. Chan Ho do us a favor - shut yoour cake hole, stop the whining, and accept whatever role you get.— terryharmon
- The issue is still a financial one at this time. The Phils still owe Thome $3 mil, Eaton $8.5 mil and if they dump Stairs $1.625 mil or Jenkins $5 mil you’re talking a lot of money for nothing. According to a reporter one of Rubin’s fall priorities was to add a lefty to the pen which they have done. That deal sends Happ to the minors unless they make a trade which would be the most sensible thing to do. Problem is no one wants the two guys we would trade. If you factor in the economy it is not unreasonable for the Phils to stick with the experience. Charlie complained mostly about his bench and they have addressed that too with Cairo’s bat. So does Park start or relieve I think the answer lies in where they feel they need him the most.— Wally 24
- Wally, you got it, it depends on where we need him most. not what he wants, was "promised" thought etc. he's getting 2.5 million dollars to throw a ball, he'll do it when and how the team says. he ives the Pen a proven middle innings guy who can eat innings. He can spot start when there are double headers, an injury causing someone to miss a start, or if one of our starters goes to heLl. Happ is a starter of the future. He'll never be the #1 starter, but he can be a very good number 3. Go with happ and let Park relieve— jeff gross
- jtj06, you can throw out Happ's 07 numbers as he pitched most of the season with an injured elbow. Prior to 07, he'd pitched three seasons in the Phillies minors - all as a starter - and posted a sub-three ERA each season. Happ was 8-7 with a 3.60 ERA and 1.20 WHIP for LVH last season. He's proven himself as a starter at the minor league level. Park has shown himself to be a very effective reliever at the major league level. He's also shown that he's not nearly as effective as a starter - at least not any more (the All Star appearance someone mentioned was in 2001). He'd be more valuable to this team as a member of the bullpen, similar to Chad Durbin last season (another ineffective starter). You could argue that the role Durbin played last season was actually more important than whomever was in that 5th starter spot. Park can do more good for this team - and will likely perform at a higher level - as a key piece of the bullpen.— tjc
- How the hell do you know that the Phillies will be better with Happ as the starter and Park in the pen? Do you have a crystal ball? This is completely ridiculous. So far Park has been the best pitcher in ST and you go with what is working right now. Not only that, if not because he is a little behind in innings pitched, he'd deserve consideration to be the opening starter with the way he's been pitching this year. He is been dominant. Some of you guys are way too in love with Happ. Remember, he only has 9 appearances in the big leagues and a minor league record of 18-19. I like the kid and he has pitched well this spring, but Park has won the job so far.— EL Zorro
- El Zorro, what numbers do you think are MOST relevant regarding Park's current abilities as a pitcher? a) 2008 full season stats where he was primarily a reliever (49 out of 54 overall appearances), b) 2001 full season stats, his last solid season in MLB as a starter, or c) 21 1/3 innings of meaningless 2009 spring training stats? Your assertion that he should be the opening day starter is even more laughable. The Phillies will be better with Park in the pen (and Happ as the 5th starter) because he's shown himself to be a solid bullpen arm. Ultimately, the role we hope Park plays in the pen (7th inning guy, bridge to Madson/Lidge) will be more important than the 5th starter spot. Therefore, it's not unreasonable to think that the Phillies are a better team with him in that role (as opposed to Eyre/Majewski/Koplove/Condrey/etc). Park in the pen will likely pitch right away. Park as the 5th starter won't see action until mid-April.— tjc
- tjc, you are the man.— EL Zorro
- I'd still like to know who the reporter was who asked that question of Park. It ranks right up there with the guy who sits next to the pitcher who is pitching a perfect game and asks "Do You Know There Are No Hits Yet". Pure Stupid! Whats Park supposed to say to that kind of question. Sounds to me he was shocked to say the least.— Wally 24
- Guess no one will "fess up" to the dastardly deed. About what I expected!!— Wally 24
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