Could Myers return for the World Series? Could Pedro return next year?
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Could Myers return for the World Series? Could Pedro return next year?
And now for a more fleshed out version of notes from workout day, with enough info to make Ray Liotta shriek in the shower.
Prior to the team’s two-hour workout at Citizens Bank Park today, manager Charlie Manuel, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. and other staff members sat for the first of many upcoming meetings.
Among the most pressing decisions: How to configure the starting rotation, whether to include Brett Myers on the roster, and how to be productive with all the time off this week.
An overview:
THE ROTATION: Division series and National League Championship Series ace Cliff Lee will likely start Game 1. Beyond that, Cole Hamels and Pedro Martinez appear sure to receive starting assignments, though the order remains unknown. Righthander Joe Blanton and lefthander J.A. Happ will probably begin the series pitching from the bullpen, as the did in the previous two rounds, Manuel said yesterday.
Manuel also said he would be willing to use Cliff Lee on three days rest if necessary, and Lee later expressed a willingness to do so.
The manager continues to view Martinez as a starter. “We’re going to use Pedro,” Manuel said. “I look at Pedro as a starter. He’s been in the big moment, and I think that his performance the other day in Dodger Stadium, how good he pitched, he deserves another chance to go back out there. Once he can get in the rotation and get on a regular turn every five days, I think he’s still got quite a bit left.”
MYERS: The righthander made a September return from June hip surgery, but strained an upper back muscle late last month. Included on the division series roster, he made one ineffective appearance, and was dropped for the NLCS.
Myers pitched in a simulated game last Tuesday, and impressed Amaro. “His stuff is sharper,” the GM said. “His breaking ball is better. He’s pretty crisp with his location. He’s throwing better. That’s a good sign.”
Because the team apparently views Myers as able to contribute, Myers’ status will be determined by how many pitchers and position players the Phils choose to carry. “It depends on whether we go with 12 pitchers or not,” Amaro said. “We were at 11 for (the NLCS). If we go to 12, it’ll certainly be something we have to consider.”
ON THE TIME OFF:
The Phils will take tomorrow off, and see live pitching in a simulated game Sunday.
The advance scouting department remains busy. Amaro dispatched about a half-dozen scouts to the LCS, and is hoping for a quick resolution to the series—and implied that he was pulling for the Yankees, who lead three games to two.
“I personally don’t like to travel a whole lot,” he said. “I would like to see it get over with, so we can know who our opponent is and move on.”
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Amaro said today that he and his staff had already met about offseason decisions, and would consider retaining Martinez. “I don’t think Pedro has done anything to push us away from it,” Amaro said.
Any team considering Martinez will have to weigh his strong performances with the multiple injuries he suffered in less than half a season. Martinez, 37, could seek a multi-year contract. One person familiar with the Phillies thinking said that the team might not rule out offering a contract of more than one year, if it were laden with incentives based on performance and appearances.
if nothing else, i assume myers (or someone) can take bastardo's spot on roster. pretty obvious charlie is not comfortable using him and i don't blame him. i think he could be good bullpen piece but it's tough to dump him out there and expect him to succeed in world series pressure with about 20 big league innings to his credit, and mayhe 5 of those in the bullpen.— solomon grundy
Our bench is hitless in the playoffs, so who is the 9th batter in road games? My vote is to drop Bruntlett, and bring up Mayberry, assuming he's eligible.— Pelti- Lee, Pedro, Happ...??? Tell you the truth I think its our time. The Phillies will mash whoever shows up: 4-0, or 4-1.— Cameiros
- one of MYERS last starts this year, WAS PITCHING 7 OR 8 SHUTOUT INNINGS IN YANKEE STADIUM, if he can pitch, putting him back on the roster should be a NO BRAINER. charlie won't have the confidence to use bastardo in a tight spot. needing 12 pitchers when you have the DH in the AL parks is senseless, not to mention that happ and blanton are going to be in the pen for the first 2 games.— dfrancis1958
- Lee-Pedro-Hamels-Lee-Pedro-Hamels-Lee. Agree with replacing Bastardo with Myers.— echosmyron
- Unless there's a bar fight that breaks out during the World Series, we really don't need Myers. He was too shaky in that last appearance in September but I suppose he's better than Bastardo. I'm with Pelti - drop Bruntlett and bring up Mayberry. It's time for him to get a chance.— michsok
- No question if he's healthy Myers should be on the roster. He'll pitch more and better than some others will.— Eilex826
- I just want to take a moment to express how much I can't stand the Yankees. Those MF'ers buy a spot in the playoffs every year! How great is it to have a HOME GROWN team that was created by intelligent moves and not by profligate spending! Here's where it ends, all you Yankee fan D-BAGS!!! CHOKE you a-holes, CHOKE!!!!!!— p-diddy
Comment removed.- I don't think Myers will take over for Park, Durbin or Madson in later innings so I am not sure where they would put him. I can't say I would trust him in a big spot yet. We are finally getting the pen straight so I would not like to mess it up.Tough choice!— pattymac3
- Pedro would come back next year. The phillies need him for the next seasons starting pitching. But Myers could come in for relieve if they need a fill spot.— WorldSeriesChamp
- Using Lee on short rest is a TERRIBLE decision. Doesn't anyone realize the reason he has been so great in the playoffs is because of his added rest? I'd rather have someone else (Happ) at 100% on regular rest than Lee at 80% on 3 days' rest. Esp. against a lineup like NYY. Don't do it, Charlie. Start Lee in Game 1 and Game 5 ONLY.— UncleEddie
- First of all the Yanks haven't clinched yet. My gut says the Angels still have a pulse. A very large pulse. If they win tomorrow the Yanks will lose game 7. Then Pedro gets 1-2 starts in warm weather. The Angels are a clone of the Dodgers and the Phils repeat in 5. The media will be so stunned they won't even pay attention to our Phils dominance. Add Myers subtract Bastardo. Switch Hamels and Haap roles. Let Hamels battle for his #3 spot in the rotation next spring. He needs a BIG WAKE-UP CALL. In fact I would offer him to the Dodgers for Kershaw and Koa.— garcia7
- Myers is a bad idea.Hamels has been awful as of late...but honestly the Phils really dont have many other options.It's just when he pitches the offense will ALWAYS have to bail him out.Amaro should bring Pedro back for another season...or two.— P.H.I
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