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?
Andy Martino
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.
Myers is such a selfish, whiny punk. Hard to root for a guy when left off the roster said, "who cares". Real team guy. He is awesome spraying champagne and drinking beer though, give him that.— bmahon- I'm not that down on Hamels, but I would trade him straight up for Kershaw --who has a monumental upside, 4 "plus" pitches, and he's not yet 22.— MG44
- drop bastardo for myers...all else the same maybe the bruntlett switch....other than that dont mess with what has been effective. Phils in 5, maybe 6...no matter who we play !— Will.i.Am
- I'd almost rather see happ agains the yanks than hamels the way he's been pitching.— dreinterests
- kershaw is younger than hamels and throws harder..I would think about trading hamels for him but the dodgers are not that stupid. lee,martinez,happ/blanton should be 3 starters, hamels for long relief he is a big liability regular season and play-offs. if myer's is pitching better he should make the team.— only 9
- Have to keep the extra bat since we'll be using the stupid DH rule. As for Lee, he's getting plenty of rest right now. If the Phils are down, he should pitch game 4. If they're up, then hold him back to game 5.— Steve5877
- Put Myers on the roster in case we need a pinch hitter against Sabathia.— ejbphila
- Andy, please: no more references to men screaming showers. No way I let Myers back on the active roster.
- I'm wondering if Lee really can pitch twice on 3 days rest should this series go the full 7 games. It would be great to do it but might a big gamble. I would definitely go with Martinez in Game 2 and not Hamels. This is especially true if that game is in Yankee Stadium.— eaglestravis
- RE-PEAT!!!!— petergou
- RE-PEAT!!!!— petergou
- Can't have too many pitchers available. There will be opportunities for all of them.
- Hey I got an idea.....leave the decision to Charley and the Pitching Coach..they've done allright so far without the armchair managers at home.— Barryboy
Comment removed.
The bench is not as important in the WS bc of the DH in potentially four games. Go with a short bench, by dropping Cairo or The Beard. drop Bastardo. add Myers. DH Rauuuuul in NY or ANA. Put The Ben Francisco Treat in LF. Pedro for more than two years is absurd unless he beats out Moyer for pitching coach. If they gave him another year with a club option or incentives that's OK too. They should give any money they want to spend on pitching to extend Cliff for three years (including next year, four more after this season). what do they do with Drabek if they add Pedro to Happ, Hamels, Lee, Blanton, Moyer? Maybe sign Pedro and let Jamie pitch out of the pen as a long man next year. You can leaave him in AAA or the BP for only so long trying to squeeze blood from stones.
