Myers speaks about his injury
According to Brett Myers, hip surgery is likely, and the question is when. “From what I gather from our team doctor and our head trainer, surgery will happen at some point whether it’s now or after the season,” he told the Inquirer this evening. Though the Phillies have not specified which hip specialist Myers will see, indications are that it could be Bryan T. Kelly, the specialist from the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York who performed second baseman Chase Utley’s hip surgery last November. ``I am going to explore every option I need to,” Myers said. “Keep pitching, but if he tells me, `It’s over, you need to have (surgery) now or you could cause damage,’ I will have it. I have to. It’s a no brainer. If he tells me rehab and anti-inflammatory medicine will take care of it, I’ll pitch through.” Myers, of course, is a free agent after this season, but isn’t thinking about that now. ``I’m not thinking about the future. I want to pitch this season,” he said. He said that he was doing his best to calmly weigh his options. ``Once you get over being upset, reality sets in and you have to be realistic and make a decision. I’m trying to weed out the pros and cons of what I can do. But if (Kelly) says have the surgery now, I will. If I have surgery now I hope to be back in September.' Earlier today, we speculated whether the hip problem has made Myers an inconsistent pitcher this year, and here’s what he said: ``this has been bothering me as long I can remember. I never knew what it was. It just became unpitchable this season.'' ***
Myers speaks about his injury
Andy Martino
A couple of points of analysis:
If he has surgery, he will be one of several big leaguers to have recent hip surgery. Because we don’t know the specifics of his issue and how it compares to other players, we can’t learn too much (plus Myers is a pitcher). But for what it’s worth, Mike Lowell and Chase Utley had their surgeries in October and November, respectively, and both have returned to full strength. Alex Rodriguez’s surgery was in March, and he returned May 8 and has played well since. Carlos Delgado and Alex Gordon have had more recent surgeries and are yet to return.
The speculation about trading for a starting pitcher should now get more serious. Before, though the Phillies were considering all options, the whole discussion had a sensationalistic, talk radio feel. Now, they should go get a guy. This is a team built to win now, with position players in their prime. The rotation was troubled enough to begin with, and the internal options are not satisfying. Kyle Kendrick is still working on his command in Triple-A; Carlos Carrasco is struggling big time; Drew Carpenter, in that spot start against the Nats, did not pitch aggressively enough with a lead, and demonstrated that he is not ready; Chan Ho Park, the team believes, is better suited to the bullpen.
The Phillies style, as you know, has not been to trade for the Jake Peavys of the world, but the Jason Marquis (see Blanton, Joe). That’s not to say they won’t step out of character, but their payroll is already pretty high. My opinion? Mortgage the farm to get a good pitcher, if that is possible. This is an organization built to win now, and the rotation is the only thing holding them back from dominating the division. It was the biggest issue before Myers' injury, and now is huge. He had been inconsistent this season, but was improving. It is imperative that, should they lose him, the Phils replace Myers with a quality big league arm. There is no minor leaguer who should be untouchable in a deal.
What do you think?
I totally agree, Andy. The offense and defense is clearly the class of the division and if they can shore up the rotation, they could, as you say, dominate. Would a Brandon Webb be available since the D'backs have struggled?— toph7
Spoken like a true Mets fan Andy! We have alot of core guys only locked up through 2011, and right now we have enough minor league talent to replace some of the current position crop without breaking the bank signing them to big multi-year extensions. I think the Phillies should continue to go for the Joe Blantons or the Kyle Lohses of the world to not trash their farm system. See the YANKEES for an example of how that works out. We have an opportunity for a decade long window with the right pieces coming in an out, not just a couple of titles and then be bad again for 28 years.- What happened to my comment? Did someone find me calling Andy a Mets fan offensive???
- Well, we definitely need to get a starter if Myers has to have surgery. I wish reporters would quit mentioning Peavy's name in article though because then some fans get these delusions in their head that we can trade for Peavy. Peavy has a limited no-trade clause and is not approving a trade to any East Coast teams and doesn't want to pitch at the Bank. So until Peavy changes his tune and says he's willing to pitch in Philly, the Phils cannot trade for him since he's not available to their team. Let's not turn this into another Boldin saga.— JimG
- With his supposed "preference" for the West Coast, the no-trade clause, and whatnot, Peavy seems to have too much on his mind beside playing ball. I sense he's a softie. Let the Cubs or the Dodgers give up the farm for him. If the Phils could get an established veteran, I'd want Oswalt or someone no-nonsense like him. He seems to be all business.— frankenslade
- Isn't Pedro Martinez a free agent? Is he worth a look for cheap? Wouldn't even have to use up any prospects.
- Whether it is Peavy, Bedard, or Oswalt, the Phillies need to replace Myers with 1A or high 2 type pitcher. With a fragile ace and a bunch of 3/4 starters, the Phillies need a consistent pitcher that is good enought to steal a game or two when their offense struggles. Imagine how much better off we would be if we had signed Derek Lowe instead of Moyer? We would not have had to give up any prospects to get Lowe and with a strong 1-2 at the top of the rotation, we would have the flexibility top play around with one of the AA guys and see what happens. As it is, the Phils can't afford to add another question mark to their rotation - they need a second ace.— fmcvey
- looking for oswalt,wade and phils are a good fit for trading— soliteryman
- even if peavy would waive his no-trade, the phils would never do it. he is owed tons of money something like 18+mill a year for the next three years and wants his last option year at $22 mil to be guaranteed. seattle's bedard is having a solid year and said to be on the block. make that deal fast.— snakeplissken
- Thus begins the Rodrigo Lopez Era in Phillies Baseball! We'd love them to make a move. It would be bold, it would send a message to the players, and it would pump up the phans. But the Phils are a cost conscious team, and frankly they aren't taking on more payroll. That was the issue we had with the pen and bench, we wouldnt go over a million for a lefty arm or a righty bat. If we wouldn't spend the money then to make the team better, why do people think we will now shell out what could be more than 5 million for a starter? It isn't happening. We will get a month of Rodrigo Lopez and then make a move for a 3rd starter type guy who will be cheaper in a month because his salary will be paid down by an extra 30 days. Put it in the books.— phillygreg
- Tired of hearing about D. Lowe too. He's gone---Wonder how many of you 'experts' would be chiming in if he stunk the place out in Atlanta.— J Ziggy
- The point is not about Lowe specifically, it is about the Phillies need for another top of the rotation starter. The only way to offset the inconsistency at the bottom of the rotation would be to add or already have two aces at the top. If they can't get someone right away, they would be much better off trying one of the AA guys that are pitching great or even taking a chance on Carrasco. Much more interesting to see what happens with a really talented pitcher with upside then to try for mediocrity at best with Kendrick, Lopez, or Carp.— unclecharlie
- He is done for the year. You can't pitch with this kind of structural damage in the joint. Why do yo think he's missed his spots? Why do you think he leads the league in HRs given up? Because he is a pitcher and because this is his right push off leg, he will not be able to pitch effectively this year, even if he has the surgery tomorrow. I know because I rehab these things for a living. Should we get Peavy? Halladay? Oswalt or Marquis? They are all upgrades for us, the question is how much do you want to sink into an upgrade? I agree that no one is untouchable in our system to get the "right" pitcher like a Peavy or Halladay....for the others, you got to settle for less in return. Let's hope Rube is working on something right now.— Mark1npt
- Should we get Halladay? That's not even a real question. Halladay is arguably one of the best 2-3 starters in baseball. He is way beyond an upgrade - I am pretty sure it would be quite a battle if he was available - he is on another level than Peavy. Maybe we should get Pujols to be that bat off the bench?— unclecharlie
- Halladay isn't going anywhere and if peavy would not waive the no-trade clause to go the White Sox because he wants to stay on the west coast, why would he waive it to come further east? Oswalt is the guy I want, he is the 1A to Hamels 1. Mortgage the farm, this team has a two/three year window.— KMG
