Myers blasts Phillies
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Myers blasts Phillies
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
Matt Gelb here, still with the keys while Andy's on vacation...
If you're counting, that's two former pitchers who have left the Phillies with a bitter taste this offseason.
First, it was Cliff Lee, who said his initial reaction to being traded from Philadelphia to Seattle was "shock and disbelief" and that "This goes to show this is a business, and you never know what's going to happen until you have a full no-trade clause."
And on Tuesday, Brett Myers joined the fray during his introductory news conference with the Houston Astros. From The Associated Press:
"I wanted to go back to Philadelphia, but they didn't show an interest, they had other obligations, which is fine with me," Myers said. He then promised to "stick it" to the Phillies every time he faces them.
Well then. Obviously, Myers has never been one to mince words, so this should come as little surprise. (Nor should the fact that Myers signed with Houston, as the guys over at The Fightins note. Ed Wade is putting together a substantial group of former Phillies.)
Houston expects Myers to be the No. 3 starter in 2010 behind Roy Oswalt and Wandy Rodriguez. They gave Myers $5.1 million in the one-year deal with an $8 million mutual option for 2011. That's cash the Phillies probably weren't willing to offer at this point, but it's believed the team never really made a serious offer to Myers.
And with a gaping hole at the back of the rotation, Myers could have been a decent fit. Right?
If Myers was truthful when he said he wanted to return to Philadelphia, the two sides could have made it work -- if the Phillies were interested. The fact that they weren't -- even with uncertainty at the back of the rotation -- shows the Phillies either a) Had concerns about his health/durability or b) Decided they were finished with Myers' attitude. It could be a combination of both.
Whatever the case may be, it's always a decent sign for the team when players are so upset about leaving Philadelphia.
By the way, Myers could have a chance to "stick it" to the Phillies very early in 2010. The Phillies travel to Houston for a three-game series on the first weekend of the season.
I would hardly call that "blasting the Phillies." I would assume most players want to play well against their former teams...— PhillyFan127- Who cares about Myers! Another cast off going to play in Houston for Ed Wade, lol.— cote32
- Ah Brett, always the poised professional and gentleman.— Bobby G
- What happened to Myers wanting to be a reliever, not a starter any longer ??— makrom
- Yea like you stuck to your wife.— Edu
- Let's face it, Myers can't stay healthy. Giving even $5 mil to a guy who spends time each year on the DL is completely an Ed Wade move. But I am sure the headaches Myers caused the team off of the field were the main reason for cutting ties with him. I am sure what we know about Myers is only the tip of it all. Good riddance.— spra6179
- Personally, I'm glad to be rid of the only player on this team who I felt like I had to apologize for as a fan. Good riddance, Kenny Powers.— Jeffrey
- oooooooooo I'm scared....He was no big deal as a pitcher so why should we worry aobut him.....How many times will we see him and his record shows he is hardly a great thrower...unless it is punches...who cares...good ridance to bad rubbish.;..— nuggett
- For some reason, I'm a little scared at the fact of so many former players with tudes about the Phillies. I'm also dubious about how incensed RAJ was in signing Halladay. 7 minor leaguers we sent to cover the deal between Lee and Halladay, minor leaguers who could spell some relief when Werth becomes a Yankee. We won't, or can't sign Jason, and he will have a tremendous year as he scopes the market. It just appears to me that RAJ was obsessed with the Halladay deal. As for Myers, I think Cholly was instumental in the teams distaste over him. I don't believe Moyers will pitch again. The NL knows how to hit him now, thanks to the Brewers and Dodgers. Even though Myers was a little hard to take, he would have fit in nicely in the 5th spot. I hope hubris will not cause this team to start the inevitable decline so soon.— SPBilly
- i'm not worried about him pitching well against us. i'm worried that he'll hit one of our guys and get them hurt. myers was never averse to brushing guys off the plate.— jazztafari
- I'd like to see him make good on his promise to become a top-flight pitcher for an MLB club. It would be the first time that he actually made good on his potential.— farside37
- Brett Myers is a loser!— PhillyPhan123
- i just hope we have an equal to or better option for the back of the rotation...right now it seems like its gonna be Kendrick..so lets hope we see the good Kendrick with the sub 4 era.— Will.i.Am
- First of all, he is just being competitive in his remarks about sticking it to the Phillies. Second, I have no problem with the decision to let him go. He was a major disappointment insofar as he did not develop to his potential, given his general lack of conditioning, (except last year coming in slim for his walk year) his refusal to take direction from his coaches, and far too often showing up of his manager on the mound and in the dugout, and his off the field BS and lying. That said, he is a question mark, given his drop in velocity in the recent years, and for that reason it is difficult to overlook the other stuff and justify bringing him back. When all is said and done, he did contribute to making the Phillies WFC, and I will always remember the 9 pitch walk off CC that preceded the Victorino salami in the NLDS, as well as his hitting against the Dodgers. He was in our parade, and so gets a free pass from me no matter what comes out of his mouth.— laser5
- if by stick it to the phillies, he means beat his wife. they yeah. he's gonna stick it to us alright. Who can blame the phillies for not wanting this clown? he is an all time classic case of million dollar arm and ten cent head.— Ryan
