Posted: Sunday, July 25, 2010, 1:04 PM | 11 comments |
 

Game 98 open thread: The Return of J.A. Happ
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Can the return of J.A. Happ stabilize the Phillies' pitching rotation? (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

The Phillies would love to acquire another starting pitcher before Saturday's trading deadline. Today, they will welcome back a pitcher who hasn't started since April 15 and could play a role in the deadline moves.

J.A. Happ makes his return to the Phillies against Colorado as the Phillies look to extend their three-game winning streak. Happ, who won 12 games as runner-up Rookie of the Year in 2009, was slowed earlier in the season with an elbow strain. Then, when the results still didn't come during Happ's rehab assignment, the Phillies chose to demote the lefthander to triple A.

Since then, Happ has not spoken to reporters.

Obviously, the 27-year-old takes the mound today with a grudge, much like Kyle Kendrick did Saturday. Here's the thing: Happ could be showcasing himself for another team today. If the Phillies are to acquire Roy Oswalt or Dan Haren, Happ is a definite possibility to be included in the package of players going the other way. Both the Astros and Diamondbacks would like young, major-league ready pitching. Happ is about all the Phillies have in that category.

And even if Happ isn't traded, he still could be a key part of their plans for the final 64 games of the season.

A lineup note: Ben Francisco starts in left field again. It's the ninth time in the last 10 games the Phillies have faced a lefthanded starter and Francisco has started. But Charlie Manuel has said it's no platoon between Raul Ibanez and Francisco. Hmm..

Talk about the game here. Follow me on Twitter (@magelb) for updates.
Posted by Matt Gelb @ 1:04 PM  Permalink | 11 comments
11
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:16 PM, 07/25/2010
    Along the lines of games left, I believe because we play the Braves a limited number of games the rest of the season we will have to win 95 or 96 to take the division. This means going 45-18 the rest of the season folks and unless we get some offense that is very low percentage. Yes we could do it but under the current circumstances I really have to say I doubt it.
    — Wally 24
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:27 PM, 07/25/2010
    Lets shoot for the wild card and go to series the Marlin way
    — PHILLY76
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:10 PM, 07/25/2010
    Amaro needs to get a bench player/infielder...Valdez and Ransom are minor leaguers...trade for Cristian Guzman now!
    — abspe
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:59 PM, 07/25/2010
    I fully agree abspe, especially Ransom. The only starting pitcher Id want would be Zack Greinke if hes actually available. Assuming the price for him isnt singleton, cosart and colvin.
    — FMBNG
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:26 PM, 07/25/2010
    The price for Greinke would be Dom Brown + Cosart + Singleton + Colvin + the entirety of the Lakewood Blueclaws team. It's not going to happen.
    — Mike P
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:47 PM, 07/25/2010
    trading prospects would be hypocritical and foolish Oswalt not worth it. If Happ pans out, he's a steal, if not, not much lost. I think Happ's earned the benefit of the doubt. they do need better bench production and better arms in the pen
    — dreinterests
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:25 AM, 07/26/2010
    @Mike P - - - - You're kidding, right? - - - - I wouldn't trade Brown even up for Greinke.
    — PhightinPhil
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:36 AM, 07/26/2010
    Don't be a downer Wally. We only need to win 6 more games than the Braves and we play them 6 more times at the end of the season. In between then and now I think our schedule is a bit more favorable. I think it'll come down to the last series in Atlanta to determine the Winner of the NL East.
    — akziegler
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:01 AM, 07/26/2010
    Victorino, Happ, Mayberry and a prospect (Rizzotti, Gose?) for Greinke and 2b/SS Mike Aviles and 1b/3b Alex Gordon. The Royals won't be able to sign Greinke in two years. He'll make probably more than $10 million in arbitration next year and who who knows in 2012. Victorino, who is under contract until 2012, will be the starting CF and will immediately add speed to the top of the lineup. They just lost outfielder Dave DeJesus for the season. Happ will replace Greinke in the rotation. Aviles will be an improvement over Ransom and Valdez, and when Utley returns will be an ideal super utility for Rollins and Utley. Gordon, a former 1st rounder don't have a spot with the Royals, now that they traded for 3b Gallaspo and with Billy Buckner at 1B. Maybe a year with the IronPigs will wake him up. Then sign Werth pronto.
    — EL Zorro
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:10 AM, 07/26/2010
    Will somebody PLEASE convince the cigar-billionaire owner of the Phillies to go after CLIFF LEE in the off-season!!..PLEASE!!
    — PhillieJoe


11 comments
About Matt Gelb and Bob Brookover












Bob Brookover and Matt Gelb team up for their third straight season covering the Phillies for the Inquirer and philly.com.

This is Brookover’s second stint writing about the Phillies, having joined the coverage team after seven years as an Eagles beat writer. Brookover was hired by The Inquirer in 2000 as the Phillies beat writer after spending 13 years writing about the team for two suburban newspapers. While on the Eagles beat, Brookover, who had covered just two winning Phillies teams in 15 seasons, saw the Phillies move into a cash-cow new ballpark and begin playing a brand of the game he found unrecognizable. Follow him on Twitter here.

Gelb is in his third season covering the Phillies. He was hired by The Inquirer in August 2009 after graduating from Syracuse University. He has also covered baseball at The Star-Ledger and Cape Cod Times. Born and raised in Bucks County, he attended Central Bucks High School West. Follow him on Twitter here.
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